On August 6th, Jim went to the ER with a migraine. That is when they found the first of many brain tumors. On August 15th, he was told the official news: advanced stage 4 lung cancer that has metastasized to his brain. Ironically, this kind of lung cancer was not caused by smoking, but instead is a gentic mutation triggered by external environmental chemicals.
This is their story told by Shirley:
Our daughter had a 15% chance of survival because I had a clotting disorder that was not known.
We have crawled our way from absolutely nothing to give our daughter the best life possible. A life we were never able to have ourselves.
Our daughter just turned 5, yet she already participates in fishing derbies. She rides motorcycles and dirtbikes with daddy and crafts with mommy.
Jim is a tried and true biker, and his last ride was on august 18th on one of his dream bikes at mid-ohio race track thanks to some amazing people.
He has done radiation treatments for the multiple tumors found in his brain. Our hope is that they can stop the tumors from growing and then treat the cancer in his lungs.
(UPDATE: Radiation treatments are now done. Chemo and immunotherapy are to start soon, but the doctors are unsure if he will survive long enough for it to do it's job.)
Our hope is that he sees his daughter grow. Is she going to be a doctor, or will she be a world famous dirt bike stunt rider?
Our hope is that we can get remarried in the dress that when I tried it on, he did an awesome imitation of a blowfish.
Our hope is that he can throw his leg over a motorcycle one more time to feel the wind against his face and the sun on his skin.
Update:
The tumors in his brain are under control, but the cancer has now spread to his spine. Services take *time*, but we dont have *that* time.
Any amount of help sent to our family will allow us to spend time with Jim instead of fighting every moment to find a way to just make sure our daughter has a home at the end of all of this.
We just want to make sure that Jim is comfortable. That he can fish at the lake 10 minutes down the road. That we don't wake up to one of our utilities being shut off. That we have don't have to decide whether or not to use the gas in the truck to pick up medications or can *I* take him to an appointment instead.
Any amount that is donated will allow us to spend together as a family for just a bit longer.
Thank you
Update: I am very sorry that there was never any updates past finding out there were tumors in his spine.
Jim's health was constantly, and rapidly changing. The doctors constantly said that Jim's cancer was very angry. He went through 10 radiation treatments to the brain, multiple systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments, and even radiation to his spine. He pulled through complications that would have devastated someone without cancer, and was the talk of many ICU stays.
Jim lost the battle with his cancer early morning March 2nd. His wife, Shirley, held him as he passed. She made sure he got to choose how he received treatment up until his very last moments.
Jim's wife and daughter are trying their best to navigate their grief at this time. Jim had fought many inner demons to be there for his family, and he fought to stay as long as possible.
He was able to say his goodbyes on Saturday, and he was gone soon after. He no longer has to fight, and may his family find peace and solace knowing he will always be watching over them.
