Support Mason Grimmett & Family in Cancer Fight

Hello Dear Friends, Family & Mason Supporters,

 

After much convincing, our dear friends, Scott and Jadey Grimmett have agreed to let us fundraise on their behalf.  Many of you have already graciously inquired about how you can help them as they face the fight of their lives. Mason, their 15 year old son, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in July of this year.  Through the quick actions of smart and caring doctors, the family was able to secure a full diagnosis in one weeks’ time.  It was discovered that Mason has a tumor below his knee, in his hip, and several spots in his lungs.  Mason went from a typical 14 year old boy playing baseball, dirt biking, and having fun with friends to enduring aggressive chemotherapy treatments. The treatments require inpatient care, 3.5 hours from their home in Idaho Falls, at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Scott and Jadey are caring tirelessly for Mason as he undergoes extremely high dose chemotherapy cycles, all while traveling back and forth to another city and managing the needs of their 5 other children.

 

We have started this fund, on their behalf, to help with travel, as well as any uninsured medical expenses.  The funds will be directly deposited into an account opened specifically for Mason.  Scott and Jadey will be donating any unused funds to Primary Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House.  They are extremely grateful for all of the support they have received from these organizations, as well as from their friends and family.  They are eternally grateful for each of you.  Anything you can do to support Scott, Jadey, Mason, and the Grimmett family in their fight against cancer, would be greatly appreciated.

 

Mason, we love you. Stay strong buddy. We are here for you. ❤ #masonstrong1

 

Thank you!

Amy, Kerry, and Amanda

 
You can read their story (in Jadey’s words) below.  We also invite you to follow Mason’s fight on his Caring Bridge page:  https://www.caringbridge.org/public/masonstrong1
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal entry by Jadey Grimmett — October 21, 2021

 

After an American Legion baseball tournament in Logan, Utah in late June, Mason complained of a sore left leg below his knee. With nothing immediately alarming, we enjoyed the 4th of July as normal with whitewater rafting, dirt bike rides and BBQs. Then about two weeks later, Mason showed me a small, raised bump right below his left knee. Of course, he had been playing summer baseball and his knees were skinned and scabbed from sliding and again this didn’t seem too alarming or out of the ordinary for an active 14-year-old boy. Our oldest son Gavin was working at Mountain View Redicare for the summer. On Tuesday, July 20 Gavin called and said they weren’t too busy and so Mason could get right in for an X-ray.

 

After a doctor’s exam and an X-ray, the doctor returned to inform us that his initial impression of Osgood-Schlatter’s was not correct, and something was “odd” about his X-ray. We were given a large spectrum of ailments that this could be, but he referred us to see an orthopedic surgeon for further diagnosis. We then met with Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Mennear, he also confirmed that this X-ray was not the look of “normal bone” growth. He immediately scheduled Mason for an MRI later that day. We were impressed and thankful that Dr. Mennear was able to squeeze us into his schedule on Thursday, July 22 and that, again, the hospital was able to squeeze us in for an MRI that night at 9 p.m. With it being the weekend, we didn’t expect any results until Monday. However the next day, Friday afternoon, I was called and was told that there were distinct indications that this spot was a tumor, and we would need further care most likely from Primary Children’s hospital where cancer specialists would be able to better diagnose.

 

Scott flew home Friday night, as he was performing his two weeks active duty in California with the Coast Guard. On Monday, July 25, we received a phone call asking if we could be to Salt Lake City by Tuesday afternoon. On Tuesday, July 26, after meeting with an orthopedic and oncologist specialist, we received news that Mason had Osteosarcoma, a rare bone disease. After a CT scan of his lungs, it was also discovered that he had cancer spots there as well. Mason was scheduled for a biopsy, and a port was placed on Thursday July 28, 2021. Mason also underwent a bone scan the following week which showed another cancer spot on his left hip and the presence of a blood clot in the hip area as well.

 

We, of course, felt exhausted from the hours and hours of doctor and medical visits. However, we felt very blessed with the speed in which doctors led us to a rapid diagnosis that we later learned usually can take about 8-9 months of searching before the cancer is diagnosed.

 

Osteosarcoma is a very distinct type of cancer that has a direct process of treatment. Even though much cancer research takes place, osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that has not had any “break throughs” in treatment over the last 20 plus years. So, we began the regimented course of chemotherapy cycles that have shown best results. Mason would begin a five-week cycle which would include extremely high dose infusions of three specific chemotherapy medications. This cycle would be repeated six times over the next 7-8 months. Mason also began twice daily shots to address the blood clot in his hip. The entire treatment process would require in-patient hospital care for each chemotherapy treatment. As eastern Idaho doesn’t have anyone who specializes in childhood sarcoma, we began traveling to Salt Lake City each time for treatment which would last anywhere from 3-6 days.

 

Our summer abruptly stopped from the “regular” summer plans and activities, and Mason, our only child who has never had stitches or broken bones was quickly thrown into the medical world of poking, prodding, questions after questions from doctors and nurses, and basically any privacy that a regular 14-year-old boy would want and need was instantly gone from his life. Our other children also lost much of their normal lives. It's amazing to see everyone willing to adjust and change their priorities to help when crucial help is necessary. We have been able to make this work so far with the help and kindnesses of many friends, family and our community.

 

Some highlights over the last few months:

 

The student body president at Thunder Ridge High School reached out to me with support of the Parent’s Football Booster Club and asked if the varsity football team could host a “Yellow Out – Mason Strong” night to support Childhood Cancer Awareness and support Mason in his personal fight against cancer at their homecoming game against Rigby. It was an inspiring night to witness what the teens from our community put together. Not only did Thunder Ridge participate, but Student Body President, Max Leavitt reached out to the opposing team's student body president and invited them to join in wearing yellow to the football game. Yellow was everywhere that night. In a surprise addition, the Art Club also donated half of their concession stand earnings to the “Mason Strong” cause. Once this all got going, another friend of a friend, Kristi Carlquist offered to donate proceeds from drink sales from the Yeti Jane Drink Truck to the “Mason Strong” cause. It was a beautiful night to see youth join with adults from two communities (Rigby and Idaho falls) and to put together overwhelming support for Mason in a really fun and happy way. It was also extra special for our family to see support from the football team who all wore yellow socks and had yellow rally rags since Mason’s older brother plays football at Thunder Ridge. Mason Strong t-shirts and rally rags stating “No one fights alone” were created and donated by Leisle Rose of the Thunder Ridge Booster Club.

 

As we continue along our journey, we will post periodic updates to this Caring Bridge blog. We are thankful and overwhelmed by  the tremendous amount of support we have received. Many of you have reached out to us asking how you can help. While it is uncomfortable for us to ask for help, we know that part of the journey includes providing a way for others to show their support for Mason and our family. In light of that, we've been meeting with a close family friend and members of the Idaho Falls Fire Department who are volunteering their time to help share information and provide opportunities to help out, including fundraising, scheduled meals, and even a lighthearted head shaving event that's in the works - all of which will be shared on this page in the coming days.