Better Late Than Never

Patient Stories Lisa Lenrow and Jon

I was 16 when a fortune teller told me that I would marry late in life. As someone who had been planning my wedding since I was very young, I found this fate worrisome.

Over the years, boyfriends came and went. I began to wonder, “how late in life is late?!”

It wasn’t until I was 49 years old that I met my beloved husband, Jon. We were married in October 2016. Together with our two fur children, we made a happy family of four.

Two years later, Jon was diagnosed with a Grade IV Glioblastoma. He faithfully adhered to all prescribed treatments, but with the lack of scientific innovation, Jon knew his diagnosis was a death sentence.

Every day he fought to beat brain cancer, and for a very brief period, his tumor responded to treatment. But Jon’s quality of life was diminishing, his walking impaired, and he lived in constant fear of what was ahead.

Jon succumbed to the disease nine months after diagnosis. He was only 56 years old.

Advances in brain tumor treatments could have allowed us to celebrate many more anniversaries together. It was that life-changing diagnosis and the entire healthcare journey, that has fueled my drive for finding solutions and innovative treatments for GBM.

I’ve made it my personal mission to honor my husband, by making his voice heard and allowing Jon’s battle with brain cancer to make a difference.