Our long journey begins......

As most of you know Jared was diagnosed with an inoperable grade 2 astrocytoma brain tumor almost 11 years ago on December 7th, 1999, after his first seizure. At the time the doctors knew his tumor was low grade/slow growing, and where its located, (the back right lower side of his brain), if they did operate on it, he could become blind or paralyzed, so they chose not to do any kind of treatment to it. His only side effect from the tumor has been several grand-mal seizures over the years, but with his current medication he has gone for over a year and a half, seizure free. We have felt soo grateful and blessed. We have gone to the Huntsman Cancer Center every six months for an MRI and to meet with his Neuro-Oncologist, Dr Coleman. Each time we go we find that his tumor has not changed, and we leave feeling soo blessed and fortunate that we have another six months of good health ahead of us.

His last appointment was this past tuesday, on November 9th. We expected the same results as always, to hear how lucky we are and how Jared is a walking miracle, with no treatment at all. But this time would be different, and forever change us....

When Dr. Coleman brought up the current MRI on his computer screen and alongside his last MRI, we could see how much his tumor has changed, up to this point Jared's tumor was only on the right lower side of his brain, but has now crossed over into the left side of his brain. Its about half again as big as the original tumor. They consider the old part of the tumor as dead or not growing cells, and the new part of his tumor as live or growing cells. They are not sure if its a grade 3 or 4 but they want to do a biopsy on the new cells to determine what grade and what type of tumor it is. There is also a PET Scan they want to do to see where the most active or hot spots of his tumor are. They talked about chemotherapy and radiation, but cant determine the best treatment until after the biopsy and pathology report are done.

Jared was pretty quiet as Dr. Colman talked. I was the only one really asking any questions. I could tell he was in shock. At one point Dr. Coleman left to go get the Neuro-surgeon Dr. Randy Jensen, who Jared has known for the 11 years along with the Licensed Clinical Social Worker, John Conlee who Jared has also know for 11 years. I was glad we were talking with people we knew and trusted. They were able to answer all our questions and reminded Jared that he was a perfect candidate for what we would need to go through. Jared is only 39, he is very healthy and strong, and up to this point, he has never had to have radiation or chemotherapy, so they consider him clean. Also they have a higher sucess rate when a patients tumor changes from a grade 2 to a 3 or 4, than if its a grade 4 when he is first diagnosed.

We will go this next week on tuesday morning to meet with the Neuro-Oncologist, Dr. Coleman and also the Neuro-Surgeon, Dr Jensen. They met with the tumor board last wednesday, so hopefully we will have more questions answered. Then on wednesday we will meet with Dr. Shreeve, the Radiation Oncologist, to discuss and ask questions about radiation and chemotherapy.

We have his biopsy tentatively scheduled for monday the 22nd of November. They arent sure yet what the best biopsy procedure they will do, but we are hopeful it will be the less invasive procedure.

We know that Jared has been so blessed in his life. He is a miracle. At the time of his first diagnosed, he was given two special blessings. One by his dads brother, Uncle Hal, and also by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. In these blessings Jared was promised that he would live to fulfill all he was sent here to do. Jared also has his dad and two brothers on the other side of the veil, who we know are well aware of what Jared is going through. Jared was only 6 when he lost his dad, and his dad was 39 when he died. Jared is now 39 and our baby Halle Jo is 6. Jared knows what its like to grow up without a dad, and doesnt want his little girls to go through the same experience. That is the hardest thing that Jared is facing mentally.

Please pray for Jared...Thanks!