Just before Christmas, 2010, 5-year-old Jacob Ahrens of Sheridan was diagnosed with an inoperable mid-brain tumor. Jacob and his parents, Tina Combridge and Joshua Ahrens, visited Sheridan Media Friday to share an update on how he's doing.
Tina describes the past two months in Denver.
He has undergone 33 radiation treatments over a six-week period. Doctors also put a central line into his body through which a drug runs to help kill the bad cells in the tumor.
Beginning March 21st, Jacob will go to Denver for another MRI to see if the tumor has shrunk at all. Then he begins 40 weeks of chemo treatments. The first two weeks and one day will be done in Denver, and if all goes well, he can have the remaining treatments in Sheridan. Tina figured his last treatment will be around December 23rd.
Jacob has three older brothers, and Tina tells us how they've been dealing with Jacob's illness by giving the tumor a name.
A pre-schooler at Holy Name, Jacob will register for Kindergarten this spring. He has had to miss a lot of school, but paid a visit to his classmates on Valentine's Day. Tina says they attacked him with hugs and were so happy to see him. One little friend commented on his “squishiness” because of the steroid he takes making his face puff up. Jacob takes it all in stride, and shared this simple, yet profound request.
We will pray for you, Jacob. You are an inspiration to us all.