Dear Family and Friends,
For reasons I have yet to understand, and may never know…
the lord has chosen me to embark on a new journey. I have been diagnosed with cancer. I had a
dry cough for about two months which led me to the doctor. They did an x-ray
first which showed a slight double shadow indicating something abnormal was
present. I then had a CT scan which
revealed a large (3” x 4”) mass within my chest. The tumor is inoperable due to
the location surrounding my esophagus (hence the cough) and being right by my heart.
I have had a needle biopsy which was able to rule out the “nasty” cancers,
however was not able to give a final diagnosis, early tests show it is a form
of Lymphoma. The doctors have stated
based on their initial findings, this type of Lymphoma responds well to
Chemotherapy and Radiation. I am now scheduled for thoracic surgery on Monday
April 30, 2012 to retrieve a large tissue biopsy and “de bulk” the tumor. This
is a very invasive procedure comparable to open heart surgery. I will be in the
hospital for 3-4 days then out of work for 3-4 weeks for recovery. Then I will
be meeting with Oncologists to determine the next step in treatment.
 |
| The tumor is highlighted in red. |
This is a very scary and a
giant obstacle for me that I am prepared to fight! I am sorry if you’re hearing
of this for the first time as I am not able to contact each of you personally.
Please feel free to forward this to any friends or family I may have missed. We
have set up a blog page to aide in keeping everyone updated. Our blog page is: http://jrofamily.blogspot.com/
I want each one of you to
know of the true love I have for you and how special you are to me. I want to express my sincere appreciation to
my family and my wife’s family in the support, love and strength they have
shown for me, my wife and children. The outpouring of concern and well wishes for
me and my family has been overwhelming. Please know they are felt and very much
appreciated. I pray for your continued
health and strength as my family may need to lean on you for support. You all know me… I am not a quitter, I am a
fighter! I feel the lord has given me the tools to overcome this challenge. I promise each and every one of you from the
bottom of my heart that I am determined to fight this uphill battle with
everything I have!
All my love, JRO
We love you and your family! Keep going strong James! You can do this! You're amazing!
ReplyDelete<3 Wendee and family
Look out cancer, you are GOING DOWN! James we are behind you 100%!Love Sue and Rex
ReplyDeleteJames we Love You and Your Entire Family! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Sydney, Jesse & Mason!! We have faith that you will overcome this trial!
ReplyDeleteKeep Going Strong and Always Be Happy with love Sarah, Chris, Madi, Caleb, Stockton & Paislee
To say James is a warrior is an understatement. James, Syd, Jesse and Mason, we love you guys.
ReplyDeleteRyan, Janae and family
I love you Jamsie!
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear of this. My thoughts and prayers are forever with you and your family James! Please know that I love you so much! If there is anyone who can beat this its you! Stay strong and keep the faith! If there is anything I can do to help please let me know! GOD BLESS!
ReplyDeleteLove always,
Callie Longoria Kleinman and family!
James, thank you so much for your very brave, tender, and touching message. We are inspired by your faith and courage. You mentioned the Lord and we are so comforted to know that He is by your side to help you win this battle. Another great man named James said: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up." (James 4:10) We know this promise to be sure and true and "...they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31) You will win this fight! Love, Uncle Steve
ReplyDeleteWe love you so much James and we know you will win this fight! You are truly an inspiration to us and our family. We have been blessed by your goodness for quite sometime now. Thank you for being such a great example of putting God first in your life. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of selflessness; When we talk with your boys your example shines through as we see the great men they are becoming. We hope to be able to raise our girls with the love, respect, and selflessness that you and Sydney have worked so hard to instill in your boys.
ReplyDeleteLove, Maggie, Kyle, Sarah, and Ella
James, After reading your words of determination I am reminded of the inner strength you have always shared with others in a most humble way. We love you and our prayers have you and your beautiful family in them.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings
Jennifer, Scott and family
I am an American Soldier.
ReplyDeleteI am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient
in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
Couldn't of said it better!
DeleteI wanted to tell you about one of my favorite musicians who has such an inspiring story. Some years ago, Levon Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer, he had to have an operation and was told he would never talk and most certainly never sing again. He recovered and in a short time he was singing again. After his operation he went on to do the best work of his whole career, releasing 3 albums that earned him several Grammy awards and creating his signature concert series, "Levon's Midnight Rambles" (to help pay his medical bills) for which he is most well known and beloved. I think the key in all that was his determination, fight and his attitude.
ReplyDeleteWe just want you guys to know that you are constantly in our thought and prayers. You are an amazing, strong, and beautiful family. You will surely overcome this together! We love you guys!
ReplyDeleteLove, Scot and Tiffany
James, we are cheering you on and know you are going to win this fight and come back even stronger. God bless you and your family through this life changing experience. Keep Going Strong!
ReplyDeleteClayton
James,
ReplyDeleteYour message is both humbling and inspiring.
Your circle of influence is greater than you know, all the years of treating people the right way will come back 100 fold in positive thoughts and prayers.
I am proud to call you my friend and cannot think of anyone more prepared mentally or physically to fight this battle and continue to inspire others with your actions and attitude.
I am not alone when I say, we look forward to the day when you announce you have faught the war and Won the battle!
I remember a phrase from a great lady who was small in stature and large in character . KEEP GOING STRONG
Sincerely
Grit and family
James,
ReplyDeleteWe are grateful that you have chosen to face this challenge with the same positive attitude, passion and determination that you live your life with. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Sydney and your boys. Thank you for allowing your "extended family" to share and battle this experience with you. We truly love and admire you.
Love,
Richard and Ruth
James,
ReplyDeleteYou are so awesome! Thanks for starting up this blog so we can keep up to date with whats going on. You are so amazing and I know you'll be even stronger for going through this. Thanks for being one of my favorite cousins and someone I look up to so very much. You and Sydney and your boys have always been so good to our family. It seems like every time I turned around a few months ago I saw you guys right there with us and I want you to know we're here with you.
Love always,
Katie, Jeff, Chloe and Kyle
James, Syd, Jesse, and Mason,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you all know that you’re all in my prayers. You all are so amazing and have always been there for me and my family. I'm so sorry that this has to you happen but I pray that you'll be able to overcome this trial. James you’re strong and definitely a fighter. Just keep fighting and never give up. Don’t ever lose hope; we're all here for you.
With love,
Marche
James,
ReplyDeleteEver since I was a little girl you have been a role model of mine and I have looked up to you, even more so after dads heartattack and how you pulled the family through it! I never did thank you for that, so thank you!
I love you guys so much and I am so sorry that I won't be able to be there for you guys! As always you all will be in my thoughts and prayers! I have no doubt you will pull through the surgery and this whole situation; it will be tough and hard but I know what you are made of, and with an amazing wife and boys like you have who couldnt! I love you guys!!
Loves and prayers!!!!
~ Chels, Ben & Pipa!
MUAH!!!!
James and Sydney,
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and will be throughout your new health journey. I will have you heavy in my thoughts on Sunday and next week as you recover from your surgery. Call me if you need to talk.
Love,
John Maack