Dad enjoying a visit with some old friends
David, Tracy and Gary
Thanks guys for coming over!

My dad was finally able to get an appointment for his radiation/chemo consultation with the Willamette Valley Cancer Center for Tuesday.  We will let you know how that goes.  Thank you again for all the support!  We love you all!

Help Support the Family

We want to thank everyone for your support during this difficult time.  As many of you know our dad has been out of work for the past year and a half and money is tight with all the medical bills that have started to accumulate.  Many of you have asked how you can help the family.  We have decided to open a fund for anyone that would like to donate money to help ease the burden financially.  The money that will be donated will be used to help cover doctor visits, chemo, radiation, MRI's and other medical expenses.

We have set up a checking account with Chase Bank and would appreciate any monetary contributions to be contributed here.  Checks can be written out to "John Figgat".  The account number is #471575246.  Electronic wire transfers or checks are accepted.  Personal checks can be mailed to:

Megan Hammond
881 West State St. #140-418
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

We greatly appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, love and support that have been shown to our family!

Results

So, my parents were able to get into my dad's doctor today.  His doctor is the same doctor that handled his first brain tumor about 15 years ago.  Here is what we know so far.  The type of tumor is called an anaplastic astrocytoma medium growing grade 3 tumor, which is a different type compared to his first tumor, which was a slow growing tumor.  Surgery at this time is not an option due to the middle tumor that has crossed the center line of the brain- so right now my dad's best option is to start radiation and chemo.  He has been on a low dose of steroids (Decadron, 2 milligrams, 3x a day) since Saturday, which have been helping a ton.  It has been shrinking the tumors, which in turn is relieving the pressure from his brain.  His doctor was very happy with that news, as are we!  His doctor is hoping that with the radiation and the chemo combined, the tumors will hopefully shrink more, giving my dad the possible opportunity for surgery if it is needed.  That is what we know so far.  My parents are now waiting to talk with the radiation and chemo doctors about how all this is going to work and what to expect.  Again, thank you all for your thought, prayers, love and support!  My family with dad in particular love all the emails, texts, etc so please keep them up!

More News To Come Soon.

The Dirty Dash 10K the Figgat Family ran, Summer 2011

Dad, Mom and Baby Frankie-  June 2011

My family has decided to start a blog, in order to keep everyone up-to-date with what is going on.  I will start from the beginning.  As many of you already know my mom took my dad into the hospital Saturday afternoon to have some tests done.  Thanks to friends of my parents, they were able to pull some strings with everything that went on that day.  The diagnosis is this: 3 tumors were found.  One on the right (same side as the first tumor many years ago), one on the left and one in the middle.  We don't know anything else.  They hopefully will be able to get into the doctor Tuesday to discuss the options and so forth.  I will do my best to keep the blog updated so that everyone is informed as to what is going on.  I will be sending out a mass email to everyone that we know to inform them of the blog.  If there is anyone that I have left off, please forward this on to them or send me their email so I can have their email and forward this on to them!  Our family is so thankful for all the thoughts and prayers that have come our way in the past few days!  Thank you so much for all your love and support!