Eagle Mountain, UT

Update after Noah’s second brain surgery Thank you to everyone who has given to Support Noah’s Battle Against Brain Cancer. It means everything to us to be by Noah’s side throughout this entire journey and not have to worry about how we will meet our deductible. Your support helps us focus on helping Noah heal. A special thank you to the neighbors and friends who have supported us with meals that work with the food allergies in our home, to our Anyhour work family for the love and encouragement, and to my mom for holding down the fort while I was in the hospital with Noah. Thank you also to those who do not really know us but were touched by Noah’s fight and chose to help anyway. We feel your kindness in a very real way. Noah underwent his second brain surgery on April 10, 2026. The surgeon was able to reopen the same incision from his first surgery and they sent the tissue out for testing. We were told we would have some answers within a week, with more conclusive answers in about a month. Noah spent the first night in the PICU and was released to the general hospital on day two. This hospital stay felt very different from the first. Last time we arrived in an emergency and everything moved so fast. This time, Noah’s surgery was cleared with our insurance and we had days to put our lives in order. Even so, it was heartbreaking to see how crowded the hospital was. Noah was placed in an overflow area of the PICU because the unit was filled beyond capacity. Because beds were limited, Noah was transferred to the same day surgery floor instead of the neurological recovery unit. The nurses were kind and helpful, but the whole system felt stretched thin. Technology did a lot of the monitoring this time, which meant fewer frequent check ins than we experienced during his first surgery. We made the best of our time at the hospital. Nick made a plan with Noah going into surgery. They were going to watch boxing and UFC together afterward. Noah had to make it through surgery because they had plans. We watched the fights, played a few rounds of Navajo Ten, and just stayed together. Noah slept through a good portion of it, but he fulfilled his part. He made it through surgery. Noah was released from the hospital on April 12. Recovery at home started rough. April 13 proved to be his hardest day. He was at peak swelling. He slept the entire day and barely woke for food or water. When he tried to eat, he became sick and went completely pale. I packed a go bag because I thought we might need to go back to the hospital, but after about an hour he recovered and then slept for twelve more hours. And then Noah did what Noah does. He kept going. He was determined to finish his first semester of college strong, so he brought his laptop to the hospital and opened it two days after surgery to complete assignments. By April 15, five days after surgery, he was going up and down stairs on his own and attending classes virtually. He took himself off the heavy pain relievers because he did not like the lack of control, and he has only taken Tylenol since coming home. Ten days after surgery, I drove him to campus so he could attend classes in person. He is finishing finals this week. He does not know the meaning of quit. On April 20 we finally got the call we have been waiting for. Noah’s oncology team told us the pathologist did not see any evidence of tumor in the sample that was tested. They are 80 percent certain Noah did not have a regrowth, and they expect to be 99 percent sure in a few weeks when the molecular test results come back. I had to slow the conversation down and make sure I understood. I asked if this was good news. They told us yes, it is good news, and we are still waiting for the molecular results to make it more certain. Right now, there is an 80 percent chance that Noah will not need another round of radiation or chemotherapy. Physically he is recovering remarkably well. His speech, mobility, memory, and eyesight are all recovering nicely. His pain is managed with Tylenol as needed. He is also taking steps to get support for his mental health, because going through cancer treatment and two brain surgeries can push anyone to their limits. I am amazed by his quiet strength and his ability to do the next best thing without living too far ahead in fear. I have watched him grow from a scared teenager into a responsible young adult who knows he can do hard things. I am so happy he came back to me. Thank you again for supporting Noah and our family. Our fundraiser remains open because medical and travel costs continue, and we pay out of pocket until we reach our annual limits. If you are able to donate or share, it truly helps. We will update again as soon as the molecular results come back. With love,
 Leona

4/18/2026 Update This week I met Dr Grant who is my radiation oncologist. We discussed all the radiation details and then I had a scan to get my mask dimensions. On Friday I also started my new targeted therapy medications related to my BRAF positive mutation. Yesterday (Friday) at 8pm I got a call from my medical oncologist informing me that they found several spots on my lungs from my mask scan. Since the cancer is no longer localized to just my scalp and parotid glad, we will not be doing radiation any longer. I have officially become a stage IV patient. This week I will get a PET scan to give more details to exactly what extent the cancer has spread and following those results my medical team will regroup. It is frustrating and disappointing that none of my treatments or surgeries seem to have done much to stop my cancer to this point. The last few months have been surreal. I’ve had dozens of doctors appointments, been poked and prodded, had two major surgeries, and a host of other firsts for me. And while there have been nervous moments, frustrating moments, ouchie moments, and scary moments, most of the time I have felt peace. And the only thing that I can point to is that it has to be coming from God and he is aware of me ❤️ I don’t know what the next few months look, but I do know how grateful I am for Sabrina, my 4 sweet boys, my parents, our family, our friends, our neighbors, our ward. So many people around the world from different phases of our lives are praying for us and cheering us on. Sabrina and I continue to feel it and we are so humbled by the love and support we feel. Thank you so much. This fight is far from over. Keep the prayers and good vibes coming ❤️ Jordan & Sabrina