Second Xs a Miracle:Help Sam Overcome Brain Tumor Challenges
Donation protected
Hello again. My name is Marlena Johnston and I am writing on behalf of my brother Sam Johnston and his family. You might remember him from a year and a half ago, when he underwent brain surgery to have a tumor removed. As you might have gathered from any updates, that surgery was successful with a few recovery mishaps as he developed meningitis and was rehospitalized for a brief time. All to say, he recovered and has been enjoying a mostly peaceful year and a half, with a minor gall bladder surgery thrown in. His daughter Zoe got married and is about to have her first baby in May; this will be grandchild number three for him, and yes, it is a boy. His grandson Ronin just turned 2 in September and is a handful as you can see from the photograph. His kids are all doing well and raising families of their own, and with three grandchildren, Sam, his family, and all of us look expectantly forward.
However, Sam has been hit with some other not-so-great news. It seems that while the doctors continue to watch a tumor that was attached to his carotid artery and is inoperable due to its location and will be treated later with radiation, as well as another recently discovered tumor on the top of his head which they are continuing to monitor, there is yet another tumor that has proceeded to increase and is in need of removal at the base of his head and is putting pressure on his brain stem. While all are believed to be non-cancerous, due to the location of the one at the base of his head, it needs to be removed to alleviate the pressure as it affects his equilibrium and balance, vision, and has apparently wrapped itself around the auditory canal and is affecting his hearing. He is scheduled to have surgery on January 29th; it is an anterior petrosal craniotomy for tumor resection, and is a risky procedure, as they all are. There is a risk of hitting a nerve as this location contains many of the nerves that control muscles in the face and his speech. There is also a risk of complications with him developing meningitis again. He will spend an estimated one to two weeks in the hospital and be off work for another 8 weeks with several follow-up appointments and physical therapy.
- They would rather not have to seek any help but that is an extensive time off of work for both he and my sister-in-law. They both would rather be the ones helping. Most of you probably know my brother and sister-in-law, and know their hearts to be of service to others. This was not something that they ever wanted to go through once, let alone a second time. We ask for prayers, first and foremost, but in this time of surgery and recovery, we pray that those who are able would consider making a donation to help keep them going until my brother is back and up on his feet again. He is not one who likes to be sitting still for long. He has told me that they would have never made it through the first time without all of you. So, I know that whatever you can do will be most appreciated. He wants to be able to spend time with his grandchildren, Ronin, Carter, and grandbaby number 3 on the way. He loves being a grandpa and knowing that he has all of you in his corner with him will be a great comfort to him. He knows that Jesus will see him through because He who began a good work in him will see it through to completion, and he knows that God often works through the hands of His people. So, from the bottom of my heart, and theirs, we thank you for all you have done, and will do. God Bless!
Organizer and beneficiary
Marlena Johnston
Organizer
Indiana, PA
Samuel Johnston
Beneficiary