John and his Uncle Larry riding on the Arizona Desert just outside of Phoenix. John stayed with his grandparents in May for preliminary tests on the brain tumor that was discovered just a few weeks before his graduation from High School.
First trip out of the hospital since surgery. Going to Grandparent's home for the day to visit. June 19, 2004
Catching up on mail from home with Mom's help. June 18, 2004
A new laptop computer Mom brought was just what the Dr. ordered!
Rehabilitation sessions include walking through the patio area of the hospital (right:June 27) and working with another threrapist to strengthen muscles in his right hand (left: June 30)
The Grand Island Dairy Queen hosted one of the fund raising events for John's medical expense fund.
On April 2, 2004 we discovered that John had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball. It was deep in his brain on the left side; so deep that doctors in Lincoln, Omaha, and Grand Island all said it was inoperable. Barrows Neurological Center in Phoenix was recommended as the best place for treatment, so John and his Dad went there the first part of May to see what could be done.
Radiation treatments were planned, but John was able to return home for graduation ceremonies where he was one of the speakers. The day after graduation he flew back to Phoenix to stay with his grandparents and start the daily treatments. But he became sick the second day and was hospitalized to drain the accumulating water that was causing additional pressure on his brain. At this point Dad and Mom flew down to be with him.
The doctors there determined that the tumor was growing faster than radiation would be able to help and the only thing to do was remove as much as possible of the tumor, which had already grown by a third. Surgery was scheduled for the morning of May 20. About half of the rest of the family was able to fly down to be there that week.
Approximately 70 percent of the tumor was removed. John was in the ICU unit for 2 weeks before being moved to the therapy area of the hospital. He had a permanent shunt put in his head and had trouble moving his right side for a time. He wasn't able to speak for almost 3 weeks and had some trouble with double vision for a short while.
Once he was out of the ICU unit he had a wheel chair to get around as he grew stronger through daily therapy sessions. The therapy-- including using a mouse on a laptop Mom brought when she made a surprise visit Father's Day week-end -- has led to increased strength on his right side to the point he can walk short distances assisted. His therapist also has him writing short sentences on his computer. He is able to receive email from friends, which is good therapy in itself!
He receives a daily radiation treatment and is taking a daily dose of a special chemotherapy pill specifically made for brain tumors. The radiation treatments will continue until approximately the end of July.
John did encounter a slight setback when doctors discovered a blood clot behind his right knee. A filter was installed above the clot June 24 to prevent it from breaking off and going to his heart. He's also expected to be on blood thinners for the next three months.
As he gets stronger he can go outside the hospital for short trips to visit his grandparents, or just to go to McDonald's with Dad.
In July John was able to get around with just a walker or a cane. The wheel chair was no longer necessary. He quickly progressed to walking without the cane. On July 16 he and his dad moved out of the hospital and into the hotel across the street to do treatments on an outpatient basis.
July 29 is the last of the radiation treatments. John and his dad are scheduled to fly home to Grand Island on the 30!
John's therapist helps him regain strength in his right arm. Once the feeling came back, he progressed quickly. This was taken on June 25.
Sometimes therapy sessions are even fun--a group fixed lunch on the 29th instead of eating "hospital" food. John got the job of making the salad.
This page was last updated on: January 13, 2007
Learning to position the pegs just right helps perfect the right hand fine motor skills, a preparation to writing again. John's quick progress amazes everyone at the hospital. His recent haircut shows the outline of where surgery was. This picture was taken July 12, 2004.
July 19---Kendra and her Mom went down to Phoenix for a visit. Here John is relaxing by the pool at Kendra's motel.
Finally out of the hospital! John and his dad are staying at the Hampton Inn across the street from the hospital so he can still do out-patient treatments for a couple of weeks. Here he's eating breakfast at the hotel--they put out a big continental breakfast for the guests. 7-17-04
A surprise visitor from home! Tessa, an old friend from Northwest High School was in Phoenix June 12, and of course she stopped to visit.
No wheel chair, no walker, just a regular cane to help keep his balance! July 12,2004
July 30--Back home at last! John and his dad flew into the Grand Island airport and was greeted by many friends, two different television camera crews, and the local newspaper reporter who has covered his story from the start.
John developed another tumor in September, this time on top of his brain stem. It grew quickly and the doctors were hesitant to do another surgery. We had planned on radiation at University of Omaha Medical Center, but he became weaker and was not able to make the trips.
John died early in the morning October 16, 2004 surrounded by family and friends.
John had his last radiation treatment on July 29, so they allowed a picture of the machine.
