Julie Stout's Condition
Check my blog frequently for updates. Anyone can add a comment. Anonymous comments will not be visible until I approve them. If you register and log in, your comments will not be anonymous, and will not have to wait for my approval. I write at this time to ask for your fasting and prayers for a very serious matter concerning my wife, Julie. Our prayers will make a difference. Consider reading Prayer, a Miracle Itself.
Latest Details
Julie has a brain tumor infiltrating nearly all of her brain's left side. As such, they can't simply remove it - they would have to remove the entire left hemisphere. Recent events:
- Our healthy baby boy, James Andreas Stout, was born Monday, 2007-08-6
- Julie had several full-scale seizure's Friday, 2007-08-10 and no longer remembers giving birth, or even having a tumor
- They removed a portion of the temporal lobe associated with seizure activity and many of Julie's symptoms Tuesday, 2007-08-14
- Since the tumor is so large, some of it will never be removed – removing some parts would cause paralysis or worse
- The temporal lobe partial removal may cause permanent short-term memory loss
- The chief resident said that Julie is progressing well
- Julie has a grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma
Julie said the doctors at Timpanogas Hospital said that if they diagnosed correctly, then she will gradually lose vision for two years, and pass away after that. I believe Julie probably misunderstood the doctors – I was not there when they told her this, and her memory has been what it once was.
Julie may have had this tumor for a long time, with symptoms that did not occur until lately. She has a few pictures even as a little girl with a slightly swollen right eye. She's seen various doctors about this eye, and none ever found any cause.
Julie lacks many of the common symptoms for white matter disease. Namely:
- She's never been a diabetic, or a near diabetic
- She does not have migraine headaches
- She has not had a stroke
- White Matter diseases usually have a sudden onset, Julie's was slow, progressing over a few months
Julie does have these symptoms:
- Slow speech
- Short-term memory loss - especially after the seizures mentioned above
- Loss of vision on the right side of both eyes
- Loss of strength on her right side
- Constant fatigue
- Shortened attention span
History:
All these things we thought initially were tied to hormonal changes with pregnancy, except vision loss. As things got worse, I steadily got more worried, and we asked the doctor about it. He also thought it was pregnancy related. After an automobile accident (very minor), she said she thought it happened because she couldn't see the car to her right. I should have brought her to ER then, but I thought the accidents were more from fatigue issues.
As Julie brought up her vision loss more, I became more alarmed. Friends and family also began noticing marked differences. Finally she saw her family Friday, and they insisted she go to ER. I'm very grateful to them for this.
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Comments
So very sorry for you both
I wish you both all the luck in the world in finding a solution. I will keep you in my thoughts and meditations.
My thoughts are with you
I am so sorry to hear about this. I wish you both all the strength in the world to deal with this.
Brandon & Julie
Hey,
Just thinking about my cousins tonight. You both are in my thoughts & prayers daily!
Love,
Dallas
Open House
SHOWER / FUNDRAISING OPEN HOUSE FOR JULIE AND BRANDON STOUT
WHEN: AUGUST 18 FROM 11-1
WHERE: 637 e center street
genola UT,
There are two ways to get here:
1) Take I-15 South,Get off at the 1st Santaquin Exit.
Go west bound thru town. You will go over an overpass
on the outside of town. You will see a red barn on the
corner of your right/west side of the road(800 east)
Turn here. follow 800 east to Center Street, 2nd road
immediately after the stop sign. Go to 637
2) Follow Redwood road all the way til the road T's
You will be in Elberta. Turn Left (East) you will go
thru Goshen then Genola, You will see the red barn on
the left/west side of 800 E. Follow dir. above.
Any ? [Phone number removed from prying public eyes by brasto]
WHAT IS NEEDED: DIAPERS, WIPES, FORMULA, MONEY TO GO TOWARD HOSPITAL BILLS, HATS
R.S.V.P.
ANGELENA ANDERSON [Phone number removed from prying public eyes by brasto]
SHERRY WATSON [Phone number removed from prying public eyes by brasto]
AMBERLEAH STUCKY [Phone number removed from prying public eyes by brasto]
REFRESHMENTS: PROVIDED
QUESTIONS: BRANDON CAN PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH US
Baby Shower
Brandon,
Amberleah and I want to throw a shower for Julie and the baby, can you tell us what you guys need, and also Amber had the idea of asking for donations so she could get a really nice wig if she would wear it so let us know your opinion on that.
Due to how quickly we will be doing the shower can we post info on this site? and also e-mail me addresses of all your friends and ward members she would want invited.
You can put anyone in touch with me who wants to help.
AngeLena
meals
Hey Brandon and Julie,
Can I be on the list for meals. Anything at all. If Aunt Joyce needs any help, please we want to be there for you guys.
All our love and prayers,
Tom and Sherri Watson
[phone number removed from prying public eyes by brasto]
Thank you!
Sherri, My cousin!
I gave your number to my mom, and she will likely call you today. Come on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, when I'll be home as well.
Brandon Stout
Administrator
http://flfn.org
Brandon Stout
http://flfn.org
Julie told me yesterday...
Julie told me yesterday her right eye was completely blind. Did it really deteriorate that quickly and is there any chance it will return after the surgery?
Also I wanted to mention to you a good friend of mine had a brain tumor and she had surgery on it the same day I had Jamison in fact. She is doing fine. Her hair has finally grown back, and the only meds she is on now is for seizures. I hope this gives you some hope, hers was non-cancerous, but they gave the chemo treatments to kill the abnormal growth.
Also her husband says if they could have chosen who to go with for her surgery, and treatments they would have chosen the U hospital. He says they're the best in that area. So you're in good hands.
We are praying for you all.
Chris and AngeLena
Answers:
We are bringing Julie in tomorrow morning to check her right eye to see if it has progressed. She had almost no vision in her right eye when they tested her last week. Only the left side of her right eye had vision. If it has progressed, they will re-evaluate the decision to wait for the baby's delivery.
Is there any chance it will return after the surgery? I don't know what the doctors say yet, but I do know that with God, anything is possible. I'd say yes.
Brandon Stout
Administrator
http://flfn.org
Brandon Stout
http://flfn.org
Thanks for the info
Brandon,
After reading about both types of tumors I am encouraged to learn that the treatments can make a significant difference. I was wondering if you have been given a class number for the tumor, (they referred to level 1, 2, or 3 to explain how advanced it is). My biggest concern right now is for her (and yours and the kids') morale, in focusing on the positives and on the actions you can take-- we love you guys so much, I know that were we in the same situation Julie would be the one researching and finding out all she could to offer us helpful resources. Justin told me that Julie said they would need to shave her head for the biopsy-- I am wondering whether you know if this will be a total shave, or just a little piece. Hair is such an important part of self esteem, I am wondering if it is too early to suggest that she look at wigs so it can arrive by the time she needs it. I came across a nice website with several that I thought she might like.
http://www.headcovers.com/item.php?cat=Women%5C%27s+Wigs
Could the Relief Society help with meals for a while? Even two or three a week with leftovers could help a lot. Be sure to let them know things she can't eat (like white sauce); nutrition can really help with lifting mood. If you ask today they can send around a signup sheet on Sunday. Let me know how it works out; I'm sure we can do at least one meal a week as well if needed. I know you have an overwhelming list of things to do, please delegate to me if there are any calls or anything I can do.
Her depression and fatigue worry me the most, I'm still blaming part of it on late 3rd trimester "ugh"s, but they say you can truly affect your own health by what you think. Let's brainstorm some simple activities to get you guys out of the house and some things to boost her morale-- maybe you two could go out while we take the kids somewhere fun, even a short walk in the cool of the day could make a difference. One very big positive, is she hasn't complained of much pain (to us at least), and as you pointed out she doesn't have most of the awful symptoms listed on the websites--what a blessing that is! The healthy baby is another. She seemed so surprised and cheered when I complimented her on something yesterday, on something I thought for sure she already knew-- wouldn't it would be so neat if everyone shared something they love about Julie-- Brandon you can come up with a nice way to share them with her, or else people can find a way to give them to her individually if that doesn't sound right. I love the way Julie always puts others at ease in a conversation; she is always so kind, patient and generous with me and makes me feel truly loved. -Susie
Answers:
No. I'll ask during tomorrow's appointment. I'm guessing they will say they need to perform the biopsy before they will know for sure.
Absolutely, I'm certain she would, too.
I believe it will only be little shaved off. However, I could be wrong. I'll ask the doctors tomorrow morning.
She may have not-so-positive memories of her mom wearing a wig after chemotherapy, and I expect at least some resistance to looking at wigs. She certainly will not want a cheap one...
Yes. They helped with every day this week except possibly today (I'm working so I'm not sure), and Julie asked for help on the days that I work (Friday night to Monday night 14:00 to 24:00). Good point on the white sauce thing... I'll try to remember to tell someone.
Julie leans toward the more negative possibilities. However, she somehow avoids getting depressed about it. She does respond well to praise, and I encourage anyone to post praise here. I do have some ideas in the works that I'll share when I get the details ironed out.
Brandon Stout
Administrator
http://flfn.org
Brandon Stout
http://flfn.org
Second Opinion
Brandon,
Has Julie seen any othe doctors besides the E.R. phsycians at Timp. and her O.B.? I had a friend whose daughter was seriously misdiagnosed at that same hospital 2 weeks ago. If she has not yet had a second opinion I strongly recommend that she get one immediately.
Answers:
Julie has seen doctors at both Timpanogos Hospital and the University of Utah Hospital. The Timpanogos ER docs sent her to the U Hospital for a second opinion. She has a team of doctors that are all consulting with one another on this. I spoke with 4 neurologists at the U Hospital and watched the tests they did. Her neurosurgeon is Dr. Daniel W. Fults.
Brandon Stout
Administrator
http://flfn.org
Brandon Stout
http://flfn.org
In our Thoughts and Prayers
Brandon and Julie,
We are fasting and praying for you in this difficult time. We want to know that we are willing to help you and your family all that we are able. Our first hope and prayer is that the doctors can find some way to improve Julie's condition. However we know if the Lord does decide to call Julie home, she will receive a glorious homecoming as a faithful heir to Father. Whatever the Lord's will, we are praying you and your family during this sad and uncertain time.
We'll keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Justin and Susie
From Melanie Muranaka
Brandon,
How is Julie doing? Did you get a better diagnosis yet? I am sending lots of love and healing thoughts your way!
Melanie
Answers:
How is Julie doing?
She is doing as well as anyone can expect. She is tired all the time, and I'm doing my best to make sure she gets all the rest she needs. My mom, some friends, and ward members are also helping make more rest possible for her.
Did you get a better diagnosis yet?
The next diagnosis will be after she delivers the baby and they perform the biopsy to determine the type of tumor she has (there are two possibilities, both I'll list in the next update on this page.
Brandon Stout
Administrator
http://flfn.org
Brandon Stout
http://flfn.org
From Nathan Young
Brandon,
Julie and your family will be in our prayers.
Nathan Young and Family
From David Stout and Family
Brandon:
I was so saddened to hear of Julies' condition. SHE AND YOU WILL BE IN OUR PRAYERS. Please keep us informed.
Sincerely:
David and Family
Julie
Brandon and Julie and family,
We are saddened about the news and pray that the Doctors can make a diagnoses and resolve the matter. Hopefully since I see that she does not fit all of the criteria they will find a less tragic diagnosis. We will fast this coming Sunday (I didn't see the email until after Monday). Has her name been put in the temple?
Our prayers are with you.
Joe and Colleen Allred
Probably, but I'm not sure
Has her name been put in the temple?
I'm not sure. I imagine someone has put her name in the temple, and I plan to do it myself in the next couple days. However, it does not hurt to add her name more than once, It may even be good to go to more than one temple.
Brandon Stout
Administrator
http://flfn.org
Brandon Stout
http://flfn.org
From Jaron and Megan
Brandon,
Julie is in our prayers, as well as you and your family! Please, please, please let us know what we can do to help!
Love you!
Jaron and Megan
From Wendy Jackson
Hey,
I am so sorry to hear of this news. I will definitely get going with prayers etc. and will contact all of the ward in Dublin about this matter as well as my family. I surely hope that it is a misdiagnosis and that it is something that can be resolved in a positive manner. When is the baby due and does giving birth affect anything? I will keep in touch as much as possible. What is your home address?
Wendy Jackson
Answers:
When is the baby due and does giving birth affect anything?
August 24th, and it probably not.
What is your home address?
576 N 100 E
Orem, UT 84057
Brandon Stout
Administrator
http://flfn.org
Brandon Stout
http://flfn.org
From Abe Day
I'll make sure I keep you guys in our prayers...
From Tawnja Carballo
Brandon-
I am so sorry to hear about Julie. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tawnja, Tony and Baily
From Jeff Grimes
We will be praying for Julie and your family. We are far away but let us know if we can help. I am very sorry to hear this. You are a good man Brandon; I know the Lord is with you. Tell Julie we send our love.
The Grimes
From Eric Rose
I am so sorry to hear of this situation. Joy and I will talk together and find an appropriate time to fast for Julie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Eric Rose
From Dallas Stout
Wow Brandon, sorry to hear all of this. We will pray for your family & the Docs!
Dallas M. Stout, Psy.D.
DoctorS Nonprofit Consulting
From Marianne and Reid Stout
Reid and I are very sorry to hear this. We will keep you in our prayers. Let me know if you need to talk. Please keep us updated on how things are going. We love you and your family and are sorry to hear this news.
Love,
Marianne, Reid and family
From Nathan Stout
Hello Brandon,
I will fast for Julie and your family. I am sorry about the bad news and I hope and pray everything will work out fine.
Your family will be in our prayers.
Nathan
From dad
Brandon, one of my friends (to whom I emailed about Julie) has sent out the following to our friends: "Please offer a prayer not only for Julie but also for the caregivers at the hospital and for Melvin and Hallie and the rest of the family as they wait. I'm a firm believer in prayer, and while I believe the Lord knows all, please call Julie and the family by name when you pray. "
A lot of prayer and intercession will be made for your wife, Brandon. I love you, Mel ~