“In the end, I will never stop fighting!”-Josh

The love and support throughout Melissa and Josh’s journey has been remarkable. But now that their journey is coming to an end, I decided instead of just asking for donations, I wanted you to know them… Their strength, their courage, their sacrifice and their love for one another, so I wanted to share this with you. This is their story…

When Josh and Melissa first met, their love was like Magic. A few years in their relationship, in 2016, Melissa woke in the middle of the night to find Josh having his first of many seizures. At just 28 years old, Josh was diagnosed with a stage 2 astrocytoma brain tumor and was about to begin the hardest battle of his life. Shortly after his diagnosis Josh underwent brain surgery to remove 80% of the tumor and received chemotherapy and radiation to follow. However, being that Josh was so young, before his treatments began doctors informed him and Melissa, Josh may never be able to have children. Nevertheless, Melissa stood by his side and thought it all, as difficult as it was, together, he did it! Josh beat cancer!

Now cancer free, Josh and Melissa’s love continued to grow, and on May 31, 2021 Josh asked Melissa to marry him, to which she responded yes. (Of course)

The date was set, the venue was booked and they were ready. But before they could say, “I do,” G-D gave them another Miracle. Melissa was pregnant. The two had come to terms with never having children of their own. Josh was adopted and they talked about one day adopting a child of their own too. But G-D had other plans for them. On July 29, 2022 Melissa and Josh Welcomed their Daughter Adalyn Rose to the world, and were married 7 months later on February 25, 2023. Married and in remission for 5 years, the world seemed perfect.

On May 1, 2023, 2 months after his wedding, Josh fell to the ground and began seizing. Only this time, he was not only a husband, he was, “Daddy,” to a then 9 month old baby girl. Melissa immediately called 911 and in that moment, unbeknown to them, their lives would changed forever. Josh’a tumor had grown back.

Things however were different this time around. Due to Josh having multiple seizures, his brain had swollen tremendously and he also developed a disorder known as “aphasia.” Aphasia, is a disorder that affects how you communicate. It can impact your speech, as well as the way you write and understand both spoken and written words. The doctors placed Josh on a specific steroid medication to help the swelling of his brain, but due to his physical condition, he had to remain in the hospital over the next several weeks.

On May 19th, the day had come. Josh underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor. Only this time, the tumor was no longer a stage 2 astrocytomaIt. It was a stage 4 glioblastoma. This tumor, was like an iceberg. Although it appeared to be gone, there was more we couldn’t see below the surface.

On June 1st, the doctors went back in and a second surgery was performed to try and get the remainder of the tumor and after, Josh would receive Avastin treatment and proton radiation. Words will never be able to describe the feelings of joy and happiness everyone felt when Josh rang the bell on his final day of treatment. They had once again won the battle.

On October 20, 2023 Although Josh’s test results were clear, he began to have difficulty with his vision, along with severe pain in his lower back and legs. On Monday, October 23rd his symptoms worsened and Melissa took Josh to the emergency room. After receiving an MRI, they learned that the tumor had spread into multiple vessels and spinal fluid. With that, there was nothing else they could do. The doctors informed Josh, that at 35 years old, he has less than 6 months to live. He will continue receiving Avastin treatments and started oral chemo. They also met with a palliative care team discuss hospice care options.

Like all stories, this one will eventually come to an end. And although they did not get the ending they hoped for, Melissa and Josh are choosing to live happily ever after, with the time Josh has left spent with family and friends. Although, we are unsure how much time he truly has left, each day is a gift, and Josh will never stop fighting. Even though no one will ever fill the void left in our hearts when Josh is gone, he will forever live on in his beautiful daughter, Addie.

”In the end, I will never stop fighting!”-Josh

Please continue to share their love forever and always. -Sara