Uncle Todd

 My Uncle Todd passed away in February. About a year ago, he was diagnosed with a non-malignant astrocytoma tumor inside his spinal cord. Despite suffering with a lot of nerve pain, he still came to every family gathering and always expressed his love to everyone. He came to our annual Christmas gathering, and no one realized that he would be gone in 7 weeks. Right after the new year, they discovered that the tumor had grown up into his brain. He declined very rapidly after that. The kids and I visited him during his last week.

Uncle Todd was my favorite uncle when I was little. He was the one that would always play with us. As a parent, I now realize that the "fun" aunts and uncles are usually the ones that don't have their own kids yet. Meaning, they have more energy to play with you because they aren't chasing after their own kids. He was always spending time with his nieces and nephews. I remember him playing Mario-Kart with us. He would always play as Toad, and so Toad became my favorite too. I was very shy, and he would always make sure to include me. He gave us our nicknames and he always made you feel important.

For the funeral, my cousin and I played a violin/viola duet of "I Know that My Redeemer Lives". And the family sang an arrangement of "Be Still My Soul". Todd picked all the songs he wanted to have at his funeral. I've always liked that hymn, but it hit me deeper this time. I've found a lot of strength in that hymn while I have been going through my own health challenges. Another gift from Uncle Todd.

The following are emails and Facebook updates that Uncle Todd sent to his family and friends during the last year. They show his love, faith, and testimony during his trials.

February 6, 2016

All,

As some of you may know, I have been experiencing some tingling and numbness in my right arm the past months.   The doctors told me to try physical therapy....which helped a little bit.  So then they decided to get an MRI on my spine.   The MRI shows a lesion (abnormality) in my spinal cord from vertebrae C4 to C6.....which is where the nerves to the arm are controlled.

Anyway long story short......I have had a spinal MRI, a brain MRI, a lung CT scan, a spinal tap and a lot of lab tests done in the past two weeks.   The good news is that the brain, lungs, spinal fluid and blood work have all come back clean.  Meaning that it's very unlikely that I have MS or some other kind of demyelinating disease.  The bad news is....I've stumped the panel.  Meaning, my neurosurgeon has shown my case to all the other neuros at the U of U without any diagnosis.  They just don't know what is causing the lesion.  Therefore the default diagnosis is a tumor.  It's highly unlikely that it's cancer because the rest of my body is clean and cancer doesn't usually originate in the spinal cord.  Cancer usually starts some place else and moves to the cord.

But a tumor is a tumor.  They just don't know how to treat it if they don't know what's causing it.  I am meeting with a neuro-radiologist tuesday night to do another (more intensive) MRI.  Hopefully, we'll get some answers. The unknown diagnosis is taking all of my patience.

I'm not trying to burden you with my health problems....we all have them.  But I am asking that you include me in your thoughts and prayers this weekend in preparation for tuesday.  Thank you!

I love and appreciate you all for your support and help!

All my love

Todd

February 11, 2016

All,

Thank you to everyone for all the prayers and good thoughts for my health.  I did another MRI tuesday.  It was a much higher definition MRI on my spine than the one about 3 weeks ago.  They are able to see the tumor(s) inside the spinal cord more clearly.  It's not just one clump.  It's a bunch of small masses.  They can see them better: However, they still don't know what's causing the tumor.

I am meeting with the entire team next tuesday morning to discuss options.  The only way to really determine what is causing the tumor is to take a biopsie.  But surgical biopsie on the spinal cord can be very risky.....do more harm than good.  However, this MRI did show a chunk of tumor that is accessible and they won't need to touch the spinal cord to take the biopsie.  (I haven't seen the MRI images yet so I can only tell you what they're telling me.)

Again, thank you for keeping me in your prayers!

I love you all!

Todd

February 16, 2016

Dear Family and Friends,

Thanks to each of you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.  I can feel your influence in my life.  It means a lot to me!

Here's the update for this week.

I met with the Neuro-surgical team this morning.  We reviewed the new (HD) MRI images.  It's complicated.....so here's the short version.

We decided to move forward with the biopsy surgery. I'm scheduled for Monday, February 29th. I'll be in the University of Utah hospital 2 or 3 days so they can keep an eye on me during the initial recovery.  There is a good section of mass that is accessible through the back of the neck. It's small in actual size, but very large by comparison.  The surgery is called a laminectomy.   Once we biopsy the mass, we have about an 80% chance of success to diagnose it.

Simply letting this go to see what happens may only allow the symptoms to get worse (which may mean more diminished use).

I am very positive about how we are proceeding forward.  The neuro-surgeon is the best in the state (top 5 in the nation) for this type of surgery.

Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers.

I love you all

Todd

February 26, 2016

Family and Friends,

I'm scheduled for the first surgery monday morning, Feb 29th.  Arrive at 6am...go into surgery about 730 or 8am.  The surgery will take 2 or 3 hours....probably come out of surgery and be in my room by noon.....then I'll be in the hospital for a couple of days as I go through the initial recovery.   Then probably return home wednesday.  I spoke with the neuro-surgeon again today.  He is very confident that they can biopsy the mass safely.  It will take about 10 days to do the pathology.  Hopefully, we'll have a diagnosis!

Thanks again for all of your love and support.  I really do feel your thoughts and prayers in my life.

Love you all!

Todd

February 29, 2016

Hi all!

Overall the surgery went well!   A little longer than expected but very good.

I'm in ICU tonight.

They were able to remove the large mass on the spine for biopsy.   Feeling good now.

Thanks for all the love and support!

Love

Todd

March 2, 2016

Hi all

Still in the hospital...but moved out of ICU yesterday evening.  The pain is still prevelant but not as severe.  Not sure if I'll get released Thursday or Friday.

Thanks for all your love and support.

Love you guys

Todd

March 4, 2016

Hi all

Feeling much better today.  Got up ,  and walked around without much difficulty....Still need help though.  (The muscles are still tense but relaxing.) Need to walk around  two more times today. If it goes well, I'll can go home tomorrow.

They have identified the tumor as low grade astrocytoma.

The neurology Dept will meet Wednesday to discuss options.
Thanks for all your love and prayers!

I love you all

Todd

March 5, 2016

I'm eating my last meal at the U of U hospital.   It's a very good hamburger. Side of fruit and some ice cream.

I've been here 6 days.   Much longer than expected.  I'm feeling good.   My Pain is subsiding.  It Will be good to be home.

Probably leave the hospital about 3pm
.....then go to sleep for a couple hours.

Thanks for all the love and support!

See you on the other side (Sandy)
Love
Todd

March 16, 2016

Hello Everyone

I spent yesterday afternoon at Huntsman cancer institute.  It was a very positive experience since they were already quite informed about my case.  They've identified the tumor as low grade, non-malignant astrocytoma and they know how to radiate it.  There are no guarantees that they can completely eliminate the tumor.  But they are very confident they can contain, kill, stunt and/or reduce the existing tumor cells.

I will have another MRI in the next few days then we will develop a radiation plan to contain, kill, stunt and/or reduce the tumor cells.  The process will take about 2 months.  There will probably be 6 weeks of daily (M-F) radiation sessions that will take about 30 minutes each day.

I am recovery fairly well from the surgery.  I plan to resume normal functions by Monday assuming the transition off the medications goes as scheduled.

Thank you for all your love, support, thoughts, and prayers.  I have certainly felt their influence in my life.  I am truly blessed!

I am very positive about the success of this process.

I love you all

Todd

March 23, 2016

Hello Everyone,

It's been just over 3 weeks since the surgery.  I am doing fairly well.  The recovery process really takes 2 to 3 months.   The hardest part is that I get fatigued during the day.  I have been off the heavy medications for over a week, but I still need to manage the pain with lighter drugs.  So I'm careful with how I spend my time.  I am back to work on a part time basis and I've been doing okay.

I was fitted for my radiation mask on tuesday.   It's what they use to hold you in the same place every time I go in for radiation.  I will begin the radiation on next week on the 30th. I will go in every day for about a 10-15 minutes session.  This process will last about 6 weeks.  So I'm looking (hoping) to be as good as new by early May.

Again,  Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers on my behalf.  I know they have made a difference.

I love you all!

Todd

April 29, 2016

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for all the love and support these past 2 months.  I am truly grateful for your prayers and well wishes on my behalf.  I know they have blessed my life as I recover from this tumor.

About 10 days ago, I felt like I was really improving.  The physical pains from the surgery were diminishing and the nerves were starting to settle.  Unfortunately, that didn't last long.  This past week+ has been one of the most difficult weeks since the surgery.  Specifically, the nervous system has become more active.  The nerves used to settle down at night and I could sleep.  But the nervous system hasn't really shut down at all since Sunday.  It just flows through my body day and night like a low voltage current.   It's been difficult to sleep....which also interrupts the overall healing process.

I met with the neuro-surgeon and the pain specialist today.  We are making adjustments to the prescription drugs over the weekend to see if there is any improvement with the nervous system.  If not, they'll probably re-admit me for a couple of days to get me on IV's and reset the pain baseline in order to manage the nervous system.   I hope this weekend goes well.

I have one week of radiation left.  Hopefully, within a couple weeks, the swelling will go down and the significant healing can begin.

I'm sharing this because I want you to know how much I have appreciated so much love and support from all of you.  Laney and I are truly blessed and grateful to have such great people in our lives.  Through this process, I have learned so much about humility, sacrifice, prayer, fasting, long-suffering and patience.  I have grown closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know He lives and loves me unconditionally!

Even though this process has been and remains very frustrating and challenging, I am grateful for the opportunity of personal growth. I am exhausted!  But I am committed to getting through this in the best way possible.  Thank you for all of your support!

I love you all!  I am forever grateful!

Todd

October 3, 2016

Dear Friends and Family,

It's been awhile since I've written an update.  It's been seven months since the surgery and five months since the radiation.  However, it only feels like yesterday I was waking up from the surgery.

I wish I could tell you that all is well and that the nerve pain is gone.  Unfortunately,I still battle the nerve pain every day.  It just seems to move around.  I taken a lot of different medications to try to manage the pain.  Some have helped and some have not.  But because the pain continues, we're going to try something else.

Tomorrow afternoon I'm going in for a lidocaine infusion.  They will inject the lidocaine into my blood system (just like an IV).  It may take a day or two for the lidocaine to take effect.  Or it may not take effect at all.  It only has a 25% - 30% success rate.  But if it does work, my nerves will be dulled.  Each infusion will last 3 to 4 weeks.  So I would have to go in every month for another refill.....but I will happily do that if it works.

I have faith that this can work.  I also have the faith to carry on if it doesn't.  I am simply asking everyone to pray or send positive messages on my behalf tomorrow that this process might be successful.

I love you all for the many prayers and well wishes.  I feel your love in my life everyday.

With a grateful heart....Thank You!!!

Todd

December 29, 2016

Most of you know I was diagnosed last January with a non-malignant astrocytoma tumor inside my spinal cord of my upper spine. We operated in Feb and I did radiation in April and May. By November the cord in that area appeared to be shrinking.
Unfortunately in December (last two weeks) we found a new tumor on my thoracic spine (in between the shoulder blades). We are scheduled to do surgery on Jan 11th. We'll start chemotherapy after that.
......more to come after the 11th.
......Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

Todd

January 3, 2017

Dear family

It was great seeing so many of the family over the weekend.  It reminded me of 25 years ago when all the young adults were simply young putting cherry chocolates in their mouths.

I'm sending this email out to the family only so you're the first know about my current health status and so everyone is same page.

My physical symptoms have really gotten worse the last few days.  I've been staggering when I walk.  I've been out of balance and throwing up.  I've had several severe headaches.

The symptoms were so severe...I knew I couldn't make it to the scheduled surgery on the 11th.....so on January 2nd I check myself into the University of Utah Hospital.

They ran some new blood tests and a brain MRI.  They kept me overnight because the tumor has gone into the brain.  The neurosurgeon says she can remove the tumor in the brain but we just need to decide what's the proper order for all the things that need to be done.

We'll discuss that in full tomorrow.  But based on my current situation, They have moved up the main item..... thoracic surgery to Thursday the 5th at 10:30.

Jon and Corri...thank you for housing Laney during my hospital stay.   Probably 4 or 5 days of recovery.  Plus there are other details to be worked out once I'm home with stay in help!....but wait..there's more.

Here's where it gets complicated....if we decide to go after the brain tumor.....that surgery would be 1 to 2 weeks after the first surgery.

So I better slow down.....nothing can be decided until we remove the tumor in my back.  We'll biopsy it....then go from there.

Thank you all for your love and support!
We will get thru this one day at a time...or in my case...one surgery at a time.

I'll keep you posted.

All my love!

Todd

P.S.  I'm in room 3130 at the U of U hospital.

January 7, 2017

I finished the surgery on Friday about​ 3pm. I've been flat on my back since then. They removed a lot of the tumor ball. That should help create the right kind of chemo pill. I'm out of ICU and had my first good meal. We'll talk next week about other options.
Thanks to so many good friends who were with me all day to help me get through many difficult moments. All my love to each of them.

Todd

January 12, 2017

Hi all!
It's been a crazy couple of days. I was supposed to go home Tuesday or Wednesday. Now...it will be friday. They just haven't been able to get the meds correct until now.
I appreciate all the prayers and well wishes from everyone.
I have certainly felt your love and support in my life. Thank you!❤
I'll let you know how I'm doing at home in the next few days. Love you all!

Todd