I've been posting updates and details to my FO list about my wife and the progress with her brain tumor. I figured it was time I go gen pop with this to update other people on how she is doing. My poor, sweet wife of 13 years is in her final stages with her current brain tumor, a glioblastoma. This is her third brain tumor in the past 4 years. She is receiving treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and her doctors are surprised at how aggressive her tumor has been and at how quickly she has deteriorated. She hasn't responded to any treatment this time around and her tumor has exploded in size over the past two months since they discovered it on a routine MRI scan that she has been receiving since her first tumor in January of 2012. She has completely lost her short term memory. She asks the same questions over and over again. She is even starting to lose some of her long term memory. She doesn't know what day it is, what time it is, and is very unaware of her surroundings. Her physical status is diminishing as well now. She is struggling with simple daily tasks. I have to dress her each day, bathe her, brush her teeth and help her down the stairs. Despite all that has happened to her, she is still so sweet and kind.

She started radiation again yesterday, but the outlook isn't great. Even if the radiation works and extends her life by a few months, she most likely won't regain her memory or physical capabilities. I'm normally not an emotional guy at all, but I find myself crying a lot lately. Not necessarily at the thought of losing her, but at seeing her so debilitated. Thankfully she is very happy, not in pain and is unaware of how bad things really are. Unfortunately she is about to get really uncomfortable and miserable with her radiation treatments. Most brain tumor patients don't receive three rounds of radiation, as she is about to receive. Her second round, last year, really kicked her butt, so we are afraid this round is going to be worse. With as massive as her tumor is and with as much as she has deteriorated, her doctors and I have developed a game plan. She is going to receive her daily radiation doses until it becomes too uncomfortable for her (I imagine this will be in about two weeks). At that time we will stop treatment and pursue hospice care so she can live out her last weeks comfortably.

I can definitely say that I have been buoyed up by the comforting spirit of the Lord. I'm not looking forward to being a single dad with four young kids, but I know as I stay near my Heavenly Father I will be able to do it. It's during difficult times like these that the plan of salvation becomes a beautiful salve to my soul. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been my rock that I have been leaning on throughout this. I honestly don't know how anyone could endure this kind of a trial without an eternal perspective and gospel knowledge. I am also so grateful for the army of helpers that have volunteered to relieve my burdens at this time by driving the kids to school and their activities. And I'm also appreciative of the many prayers that have been said in our behalf.

So to all of you fake internet friends of mine (and some of you I know in real life) go home tonight and hug your spouses and kids and family. Be a little more patient and appreciate the time you have together because it is precious.