Dear Friends and Family,
We would like to share with you what has happened quite recently in Josh and Billie Jean’s world. Last fall Josh started experiencing a little bit of speech difficulty, memory failure and feeling tired. Although several visits to the doctor and emergency room proved futile, on New Year’s Day Billie Jean’s brother was insistent that Josh just “wasn’t himself. “ So on January 13, 2014 Josh had an MRI of his head and it revealed a tumor. Josh underwent surgery to remove the tumor on January 20, 2014. The surgery went well and the neurosurgeon said he felt like he removed 99% of the tumor. The pathology report, however, dampened the good news about the surgery. It showed that the tumor is a glioblastoma; cancer. The doctor recommended chemo and radiation to aggressively treat what is left of the tumor. The decision to proceed with chemo and radiation has yet to be made. Much careful thought will be given to whether or not the treatments and their side effects will outweigh Josh’s quality of life. Penny went to North Carolina to be there with Josh and Billie Jean during the surgery. She reported back what a wonderful Christian neurosurgeon Josh had. He encourages prayer because, as we all know, God is in control.
Josh is currently at an awesome rehabilitation facility where he is receiving three hours of rehab a day for speech, physical activity and occupational retraining. The surgery took quite a toll on these areas of Josh’s ability. My last text from Billie Jean read as follows: “I actually watched him during physical therapy today. He is having a good week so far. According to them and him. Not walking but using his own weight more. Getting stronger. Ainsley says they are taking the catheter out tomorrow. Earlier today he was with speech therapy and he was singing to the music. He told them to please tell his wife Billie Jean how much fun he was having.”
That is wonderful progress because Josh has not been able to say names since the surgery. His speech is coming along and hopefully soon he will be walking on his own. Josh will need someone staying with him when he gets home and there will be unforeseen expenses like access ramps, etc. Billie Jean continues to work and take care of their daughter Rebekah and visit Josh.
Living so far away, we feel helpless and find it impossible to physically help them. We know many friends and family feel the same way so a fund has been set up through Bank of Oklahoma for anyone that would like to help Josh and his family. If you would like to donate you can visit the page on Caringbridge.org and we have listed Bank of Oklahoma’s phone number and the account. Or you can use this site and go through Paypal.
We are very thankful for all of you who care so much about Josh and his family. We will post regular updates to keep everyone informed of his progress.
If Josh’s situation makes you say “why,” please consider that God uses circumstances in our life to draw our attention to HIM. HIS purposes are eternal in nature and not fleeting like the things of this world; like our own lives. Take this moment to accept Christ’s work on the cross on your behalf for salvation.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His uniquely born Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
