News: facts.
Jacob is scheduled for an EEG on February 10, followed by a neurology consultation and neurosurgery consultation on February 12.
Following those consultations they will schedule the biopsy to remove some tissue so that we know exactly what we're dealing with.
Our parents went home this morning. My mom is getting a knee replacement next Thursday, and Jacob's parents are going to get things settled around their home before they return before the consultations.
Our children know that Jake has something in his brain that shouldn't be there, and that it could be cancerous. My Mom battled breast cancer last year so they have some sense of what cancer entails. They are positive and stronger than we give them credit for.
Jacob's initial symptoms have all but gone and he feels normal. In fact, were it not for the MRI, you wouldn't know that anything is wrong with him. The doctors do not want him working until after the biopsy so he'll be home for the time being.
News: feelings.
The waiting continues. We've never been good at waiting, because we are both people who like to have a plan, so it looks like this is a lesson we get to learn.
We are both on an emotional/physical/spiritual/intellectual roller coaster or sorts.
Disbelief, fear, panic, calm, peace, determination, hope, and fight seem to cycle through us in intervals as we try and wrap our minds around this.
I can tell you personally, when he called on Friday afternoon saying he didn't feel well and asking me to pick him up from work, the last thing running through my mind was that 8 hours later we'd be told Jake has a brain lesion that is possibly carcinogenic.
It is something you can't anticipate or be prepared for.
We are trying not to go through scenarios without facts.
Really hard.
Trying not to imagine possibilities.
Either good or bad.
Really trying.
Sometimes succeeding.
Sometimes not.
Jacob says that he feels a heightened sense of appreciation for everyday things. He has noticed things that he hadn't before and feels like he can't take anything for granted.
Living one day at a time. I guess that's what you call it. It is an expression that has taken on new meaning for us.
News: faith.
Two things I know.
First, we are surviving on the prayers, fasting and faith of you, our family and friends.
I know that your prayers in Jacob's behalf are literally carrying us.
The more people aware of him, the more prayers offered, the better.
Second, there is One who knows the road we are walking and who has been with us every step of the way.
I am so grateful for Jesus, His atonement, His love and the compassion we feel from Him.
We all have challenges, and in this one, for us, the Savior's healing, calming, and comforting power is making all the difference.
Thursday, January 30
Tuesday, January 28
January 28, 2014
Waiting.
We have spent the last two days in a peaceful state of waiting to hear from the doctors and schedule the biopsy.
We feel a strong spirit in our home and know that it is the direct result of many prayers being offered in Jacob's behalf.
We have enjoyed having Jacob home from work, spending time with our kids, and being with our parents.
We had a wonderful family home evening lesson on prayer and Ellie, who was teaching the lesson, gave us each the chance to share an experience we've had with prayer.
We have had some time to work on unfinished house projects, organize, and catch up on sleep from the stressful weekend.
Waiting, resting, and recuperating has been a blessing.
We have spent the last two days in a peaceful state of waiting to hear from the doctors and schedule the biopsy.
We feel a strong spirit in our home and know that it is the direct result of many prayers being offered in Jacob's behalf.
We have enjoyed having Jacob home from work, spending time with our kids, and being with our parents.
We had a wonderful family home evening lesson on prayer and Ellie, who was teaching the lesson, gave us each the chance to share an experience we've had with prayer.
We have had some time to work on unfinished house projects, organize, and catch up on sleep from the stressful weekend.
Waiting, resting, and recuperating has been a blessing.
Monday, January 27
January 24, 2014
I guess the best way to start this record is to begin at the beginning.
Jacob wrote the following about his experience on Friday.
"I went to the emergency room on Friday afternoon on suspicion that I was having a stroke. I was having spells that felt like I was going to faint and my right arm had some numbness. They determined that I wasn't having a stroke but ordered a head MRI out of an abundance of caution. The MRI revealed a small mass deep in between the hemispheres of my brain. They admitted me to the hospital and did a series of tests and scans to determine whether I had any other cancers that could have spread to the brain. Those all came back negative and they let me go home late last night. They are going to do an outpatient surgery and biopsy to figure out exactly what's going on."
We are grateful for many things.
First, for our faith in Jesus Christ and our membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and for the administration of Melchizedek priesthood blessings.
Second, for the love and support of our parents, siblings, and extended family. Our parents immediately came to be with us and will walk by our side through this.
Third, for the love and support of our ward (local congregation), work associates, friends, neighbors, teachers, and for the prayers they have offered in Jacob's behalf.
Fourth, for the circumstances that let Jacob to feel unwell, seek initial treatment at an instacare, and from there be referred to the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix that is just miles from our home.
Finally, we are grateful to live in this day and age with the modern advances in science, medicine, technology, and communiation.
We don't know what is in store, but we've experienced a calm and peace that has come as we've taken some steps into the darkness. We trust in God and will accept His will, but we know that He is a God of miracles.
Jacob wrote the following about his experience on Friday.
"I went to the emergency room on Friday afternoon on suspicion that I was having a stroke. I was having spells that felt like I was going to faint and my right arm had some numbness. They determined that I wasn't having a stroke but ordered a head MRI out of an abundance of caution. The MRI revealed a small mass deep in between the hemispheres of my brain. They admitted me to the hospital and did a series of tests and scans to determine whether I had any other cancers that could have spread to the brain. Those all came back negative and they let me go home late last night. They are going to do an outpatient surgery and biopsy to figure out exactly what's going on."
We are grateful for many things.
First, for our faith in Jesus Christ and our membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and for the administration of Melchizedek priesthood blessings.
Second, for the love and support of our parents, siblings, and extended family. Our parents immediately came to be with us and will walk by our side through this.
Third, for the love and support of our ward (local congregation), work associates, friends, neighbors, teachers, and for the prayers they have offered in Jacob's behalf.
Fourth, for the circumstances that let Jacob to feel unwell, seek initial treatment at an instacare, and from there be referred to the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix that is just miles from our home.
Finally, we are grateful to live in this day and age with the modern advances in science, medicine, technology, and communiation.
We don't know what is in store, but we've experienced a calm and peace that has come as we've taken some steps into the darkness. We trust in God and will accept His will, but we know that He is a God of miracles.
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