Update on Jenna’s brain tumor…

Haiti Ball

Last night I got a frightening text from one of my closest friends in Nashville, Jenna.  ”Please pray. Going to hospital now. Severe pain. Can’t feel my feet. Severe pain. Can’t breath. Pass on!”  Her current roommate Mel took her to hospital to seek urgent medical attention. During the past couple of months she had experienced chronic headaches and often needed to take heavy painkillers.  We’ve all been a bit worried… especially when she started telling us she was having limited movement in her right foot!!!

Jenna was one of the first friends I made in Nashville TN.  During the first week I arrived, I rocked up at a New River Fellowship young adults gathering for a special Easter gathering at Michael W Smith’s barn.  She was sitting on a log by the bonfire alone and invited me to join her.  We immediately bonded and began a friendship that has continue to this day.  We started a prayer group together that year.  We started running together and much to our astonishment learnt how to run UP hills and not just down and somehow managed to last longer then one mile!  I ended up renting with Jenna and we shared many, many crazy moments together in our tiny little apartment in ‘The Knolls’.  We were both woken up be a earthquake one night and another night was awoken by a drunken girl bashing our door down!  (Found out that night Jenna sleeps with a hammer under her bed!) I could go on… I’m so grateful for the privilege of meeting my dear friend Jenna.  So to have such a text come through was completely surreal.

This morning my current room mate and great friend Mandy and I came to see Jenna and have spent the day with her.  She was in great spirits when we arrived.  Thanks to everyone who has been praying.  The room was filled with the presence of God.  Jenna’s continence was amazingly peaceful and positive.  Even with knowledge that she had an undiagnosed ‘mass’ on her brain!  We spent the morning ‘hanging out’ and chatting like we normally do.  We prayed for Gods peace and healing.  And soon were reminded of reality when the doctors came and rolled Jenna away to get a MRI.  Mandy and I just looked at each other and went “What the heck!  Our friend is getting a brain scan!”

Jenna’s family came to town from Texas and I got to pick them up from the airport.  Once again reality sunk in as I saw the look on her precious Dad’s face obviously worried sick about his only daughters well being.  We grabbed a quick late lunch at Waffle house (yeah one of American’s healthiest and cleanest fast food joints!) and tried to get composed to return to Jenna.  While we were there we got a call from Jenna saying she’d just heard from the doctor that the tumor was BENIGN.  Jenna’s dad was so stoked!  It was such an awesome moment for all of us.

So the next week is going to be full on.  They have to wait for a day or two for the swelling to come down so they can operate to remove the tumor.  Although this is such is great news that the tumor is benign I so would beg for you to continue to pray for the surgery and also for financial provision.  Thankfully she has healthcare but no doubt the co-pays for such an operation will be horrendous.  I know she’s still paying off medical care that she had to have last year.  So if you would like to help out in anyway please let me know.  Financially or help with a meal or two…

Just FYI they WILL not let you bring Flowers or gifts to the hospital.  If you would like to send a card or something please let me know and I’ll get you an address to send it too.

Love you guys.  Thanks for praying for my dear friend.