Tuesday, February 26, 2008

John's Bump in the Road

John Tiffany, current champion of the Tiffany NCAA March Madness Trophy, proudly displays the coveted traveling trophy.


"It's just a bump in the road," John said, "we're going to beat it."

Our run to victory begins. We join forces in a battle to save an incredible, bright, witty, loving, and kind gentleman. Oh, yeah, did I tell you John's a fighter? That's important these days.

The story began last Monday when John developed intense headaches. Thinking that it was the flu, John endured until Wednesday, when an extremely intense headache gripped him, and he called Karen home from her work. On Thursday, Dr. Atwood, his family physician, ordered a CAT scan. Results showed abnormalities. John returned Friday morning for a MRI scan. It was then that doctors began using unfamiliar terms like metastatic lesions in the brain.

Since then it was been a whirlwind of expeditious doctor visits and lab tests. We know that he has one walnut sized mass and one navy bean sized mass in his brain. It is suspected that these growths have metastacized from another part of his body. However, lab tests so far have been unable to discover the source.

John has been put on on a steroid called dexamethasone to reduce the intercranial pressure caused by the masses. Hopefully this drug will reduce the severity and frequency of his headaches. He has also been given a pain reliever called hydrocodone.

John and Karen will need a network of supporters to get through this ordeal, so please keep in close touch with them, help when you can, and pray tirelessly.

That's really all I can say for certain right now. I will try to update as new information becomes available.

Be sure to visit often, make comments, and share words of encouragement, prayers of concerns, and anything else. If you want me to post something in a newly titled post instead of a comment, please send it to me.

May all of our thoughts, prayers, and actions serve to lift up John and all the rest of his warriers so that they may gather strength and gain wisdom during this extremely difficult time.

13 comments:

The Little Sister said...

John, you are so awesome. I love the picture of you with your trophy with all that gray hair! Andrew said "I don't remember Uncle John's hair being that gray." Ha. We will beat this and hike in Yellowstone at our next family reunion! I am praying for you constantly. I love you! Mary Anne

Nate said...

Thanks for doing this, Dad. We all want to know how John is doing and think about him often.

Danielle said...

John-- I am thinking about you all the time and praying for you always (hope Jewish prayers are ok! :) ) You are such a strong person and you will beat this. Like you said, just a small bump in the road. We love you and are sending good vibes your way.
Love,
Danielle

Bob said...

Little brother, I keep thinking of all those silly games we used to play, basketball in the garage with a paint can, football with the two of us on the front lawn on Rolling Hills Dr, the games in our bedroom Taylor, especially when you sliced your head open on the radiator. We both won, we will both win now. I love you so very much, see you next week.

The Little Sister said...

Hang in there John, we're all praying for you! We love you

Martha said...

Hi John,

I am thinking about you all the time and love you. I hope the hugs I left yesterday will help this weekend.

Get out there and do something fun!!!

I love you, Martha

Marilyn said...

John--we are sick that this is happening. Please know we have all of you in our thoghts and prayers. I remember how cute you were when you were a little boy and I spent so much time at your house way back when. You loved dinosaurs!!! I also remember one evening when we were all sitting at the dining room table and you were telling a story about "Third Street" except you got tongue-tied and said "turd street". They didn't let you forget that for a while!
Anyway, you keep fighting and you will beat this. Many prayers are going up for you.

Much Love,
Marilyn Stiffler and family

Roberto said...

Uncle John its your favorite nephew, i just wanted to let you know I think about you and the situation all of time. I have faith that you will beat your little bump in the raod and we all will help you do it. love you a lot. TTYS

Kamin said...

John,
I love that picture! I guess we are all getting a little older... and wiser! I just want to let you know that we are thinking about you and that our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are a strong person and have a great family to help you through this. I love you and remember that sometimes things seem to fall apart so better things can fall together.
Love,
Kamin

Greg... thank you so much for setting this up! It is wonderful. I hope all of you are doing well. I think about all of you alot.

Anonymous said...

John,

I am so sorry to hear you are having health problems. Kamin gave me the news. I have called Randy who is in Council Grove, KS, in addition he and Kamin have spoken. I wish you hope and courage for this most important battle. Just pretend you and Randy are playing Battleships and you are devising your strategy for winning. Become an informed patient and put together a team of specialists for advice. Remember you are in charge! We are active in Relay for Life and we will light an honoree luminary and pray that your team is the winner.

Love,

Barbara

Barbara said...

Hi,

This is Barbara, sorry I messed up the previous posting. I am not out in space, but here to support you.

Love,

Barbara

Kamin said...

Hey John, why is it that people have to mention " Our Gray Hair " At least we have something to turn gray! I do Believe that there is Power In Prayer!!! WE LOVE AND ARE PRAYING, FOR YOU !!!!! Richie

Anonymous said...

John,

Hang in there this week and know that we are all there with you. Your positivive outlook and all of these prayers and your network will see you through this. You fight hard this week!!!

Paul