Monday, February 3, 2014

Jake


When the phone rings in the middle of the night, you already know before answering it that it isn't going to be good news.  Such was the case on January 24-25.  Earlier that day our son-in-law Jake had called our daughter Jordan to tell her that he wasn't feeling well.  He was dizzy and his right side felt numb.  He had been working long hours and he thought that he was just fatigued or that he was possibly having a stoke.  He didn't feel like he could drive home, so he called Jordan to come and get him.  After she picked him up they went to an InstaCare and the doctors there ruled out a stroke.  They referred him to the ER at the Mayo Clinic that was located nearby.  The ER doctor there did an MRI of his head out of an abundance of caution and later that Friday night, they discovered a brain lesion. Lesion/mass/tumor/growth...whatever you want to call it.  It didn't belong there.
It's hard to describe the impact those words have on a young couple and all those who love them.  It takes your breath away.  It bring you to your knees, it makes your heart pound and the flood gates open in your eyes.  It makes you feel sick to your stomach.  It seems surreal.  It's hard to process that kind of news. It brings on sympathy conditions of dizziness and numbness.  No, no, no, this can't be true. Not to this sweet man. Listening to my sobbing daughter and knowing how much she and Jake were suffering with this news was almost more than I could bear.
After spending the day in the hospital and undergoing further testing to rule out other growths anywhere else in his body, Jake was sent home.  He was told not to drive or to work.  He felt well enough however, and after getting some needed rest, the dizziness and numbness subsided.  His parents and I flew down to offer whatever assistance we could provide.
And then a miracle happened.  A warm blanket of calm and peace descended on their home.  It was tangible and it was real.  There were a few tears here and there, there was discussion and processing of information, there was telling the children, there was long discussions in the night and there was faith.  A lot of faith.  Prayers went up to God all over the world.  Prayers of comfort and help.  Prayers of healing and hope.  Prayers, fasting and temple prayers.  Prayers for a miracle, putting our faith in God.
Now we're waiting.  Waiting for more tests, for more consultations, for more decisions of what course of action to take.  Waiting is hard, but it also provides time to prepare for whatever lies ahead.
This sweet faith-filled couple are sharing their experience here.  Please add your faith and prayers to ours.

7 comments:

Jamie Jo said...

I feel for them so much. Miracles do happen. I know that regardless of the outcome they will be strengthened and blessed. I love you guys!

Julie's Art said...

My prayers are with you and I know you are surrounded by great faith with your family

Julie's Art said...

My prayers are with you and I know you are surrounded by great faith with your family

Rebecs said...

They/you all are in my thoughts constantly. It feels like forever since the news, yet no news still. So glad they have such great support and love surrounding them. Love you all.

Eileen said...

What not fun news. I'm so sorry! I'll also pray for good test results from Dr.s. My sweet sister was diagnosed with glyoblastoma [sp] brain cancer just before Christmas. I can relate to your fears and tears.

Cancer should NEVER strike twice in one family. That is just not right, or fair.

Lee said...

This post impacted me so much- it's something you can't/don't want to imagine happening to someone you love. It seems impossible to process. I'm so happy you could go and be there with them. I continue to pray for them. Love to you and them.

Vonnie said...

And there was faiith, and there were prayers, and there is fasting, and there is hope. We love Jake and Jordan and their kids and have them continually in our thoughts and prayers. They are strong and stalwart and resolute. Thanks for the faith and prayers of all who are concerned for them

Vfr