Left turn at Alberquerque

Sometimes we can be driving down the highway and everything is going great and the car is on cruise control and our favorite song is on the radio. It is in exactly those moments that we must feel ultimate gratitude for all that is... 

... because then we may suddenly change course, by no action of our own. We lose control and are forced to reckon with the new path we are taking. 

To recap the week's events and our family's latest adventure:

After 4 days of severe, incapacitating headaches and almost 24 hours straight of not getting out of bed I got Jason to see the local doctor again (the first time resulted in some antibiotics for a presumed sinus infection?!) last Wednesday. After checking for stroke symptoms and testing brain functions, a CT scan was recommended. It was pretty immediate that something was wrong.

So after a quick conversation with our doctor here in Meeker about finding a "mass" in Jason's brain, we grabbed the boys and spent an evening in the ER of St. Mary's Hospotal in Grand Junction where an MRI and a neurosurgeon explained that the mass was in fact a tumor and needed to be removed.

We scheduled surgery for next Tuesday morning and went home with medication to keep Jason feeling comfortable (no more incapacitating headaches!) and safe. It was the best decision we could have made - because in the wake of the initial panic and anxiety and fear of something going wrong, we have been able to live well, love well, and prepare ourselves for what is to come.

We do not know what Tuesday's surgery will bring. There are, of course many scenarios - but whatever turn we take we will have with us the love and support of all our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors who have spoken out and acted toward us with love and affection and for that we are both incredibly thankful.

Jason keeps talking about this overwhelming feeling of gratitude he is having. It seems like the least likely emotion someone would have after being told they have a brain tumor! But I believe he is grateful for having the time (and maybe even the catalyst) to truly realize how many people he loves and how many wonderful, beautiful relationships he has in his life. 

I think he is the most incredible person I have ever known and I am ready to take on a new adventure with him. Looks like we're going to go left at Albequerque...

CT scan - just in case

MRI - a horrible experience according to Jason... who it turns out can not stay still very well.

The thoughts and actions of everyone this week has been miraculous, and life-affirming!

To be continued...