Diagnosis

Last Friday Harold got up, taught seminary and then headed to the hospital to have an MRI. For the last several weeks he’d experienced difficulty with speech. Unexpectedly he would have trouble finding words. Not the usual “senior moments” but an overwhelming feeling that no words could come. He saw a neurologist who ordered an MRI for Friday morning. 

We wondered how long we would wait for results. They were immediate. Ten tumors were found of varying sizes. Some were putting pressure on the speech center of the brain. Since Harold had undergone surgery to remove a melanoma on his forehead three years previous, the doctors were fairly certain these tumors were also melanoma. The dreaded words, “I’m sorry” conveyed the seriousness of the diagnosis. 

Harold went to work to share the news with his colleagues at Coughlin & Company where he has worked for the past 30 years. Their response was immediate support and concern for his well being.  I was touched when they all escorted Harold home.  

By late afternoon I started getting calls from the hospital. Our neurosurgeon had a plan and they were ready to start. Two surgeries were scheduled. First a gamma knife procedure on Tuesday to remove the smaller tumors followed by neurosurgery on Thursday to remove the larger tumors. We were very grateful for the quick response by the medical teams involved. 

In just a few hours our lives had changed and were launched in a new direction. There was little time to discuss the subtleties of sharing the news with family and friends. By evening our children were told and a dear friend helped arrange for flights home the next day. Logistics prevented us from keeping the news quiet and then we realized we would welcome the faith and prayers of our family and friends. 

We were soon overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and concern. Many, many of you have joined us in fasting and prayer for Harold. We express our gratitude for your faith and prayers. Our family has already been blessed. Saturday evening our sons were able to give Harold a beautiful priesthood blessing. Then all our children asked him to give them father’s blessings. That’s about as close to heaven as I can imagine. 

We know Harold’s diagnosis is very grave. We also know there may yet be a work for Harold to do here. We Choose Faith. Faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Faith in our Heavenly Father’s plan, and faith that He knows our needs and fulfills his promises in His own way. So perhaps we need a miracle . . . but if not, the Lord's will be done. 

Harold Jones Family March 18, 2012