A young dad fighting brain cancer

Jim Groves lives in Shawnee Hills, Ohio.  He is employed at City Electric Supply in Columbus, Ohio. Jim and Stephanie were married in 2001.  They have raised 3 sons, one still a senior in high school. After the death of his brother, Jim and Stephanie raised Jim’s nephew. They have 3 grand-children.   He loved playing baseball and continued playing after high school for the Ohio Men’s Senior Baseball League.  He is a hard worker providing for his family. Jim is full of life, loves to sing karaoke and such a joy to know.

Five months before Jim’s 51st birthday he was feeling strange.  It was a Monday morning when he went to his family doctor, wanting to rule out a small stroke they immediately sent him for an MRI.  Good news No stroke! BAD NEWS an egg size brain tumor.  Four days later he was having brain surgery.  The doctors removed 90% of the tumor and he was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma Brain Cancer.  Jim’s young age and good health had the doctor’s hopeful for a long productive life. His recovery was fast and he suffered no deficits from surgery. Treatment included 6 weeks of chemo and radiation.  At a routine appointment after treatment a second tumor was discovered.  It was non symptomatic and the original tumor was stable so the doctors were hopeful with another five treatment of radiation the second tumor would be stable as well. The 2nd day of radiation Jim became nauseated and by the 4th treatment was vomiting and unable to keep anything down.  He went to the ER and was admitted. Back in the hospital and after battling the insurance company, they did another MRI and a 3rd tumor was discovered.  This time not so lucky.  The doctors describe this as the most aggressive cancer they have ever seen.  There is a team of 9 tumor doctors working together treating Jim.  The doctor told Jim "We have never seen tumors act this aggressively, and the tumor board is treating it more aggressively than they have ever treated in their professional   careers." This tumor is in the part of his brain that control vomiting and it is enabling him to keep food down. If treatment does not work and Jim continues to be unable to eat the next step is a peg tube for nutrition.  It is also close to the cranial nerves causing left sided facial weakness. He is unable to smile and speak clearly and he is seeing double.  
Stephanie had just started her dream job as a nurse working day shift and weekends off.  She was in her 90 day probation and had missed one day to get Jim to his first chemo appointment and on another day she left work for an hour to meet with his doctor so he could inform them of the 3rd tumor. The company was sympathetic and hated to tell her that she had gone over the allotted occurrence and could be terminated on the next day missed. She had no choice but to give up her new job as Jim seemed to be declining quickly. Jim now needs around the clock care, he is unable to walk alone and is unable to drive.  So now on top of their other fears they are faced with doctor and hospital bills pilling up.  They don’t know how they will make their mortgage, car payments, and utilities. With both of them losing their incomes the task of every day expenses are adding up quickly.  It is hard for them to ask for help but they both would appreciate any contribution no matter how small. Prayers included.  Thank you.

The picture above is 1000 origami paper cranes, they promise the holder eternal good luck or is granted one wish.  All cranes must be kept by the person making the wish.  Jim’s wish is to beat his brain cancer.  This meant so much to Jim.  All of the cranes were folded by Jim's friends and family and was a very special gift.  Thank you all for making this happen.