Our sincere apologies for holding back on updates, but we were all holding our breath these last few days...So excited to report that now, we can finally exhale!
This morning, we got incredible news from Tierney about Jake. After surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering yesterday, the doctors were able to remove the entire tumor! Every. bit. of. it. It was the best outcome you could have hoped for!!!
And Jake? He’s already up and moving. He ALREADY walked down the hallway today, took a step on the stairs, sang “My Girl” to a nurse, and watched some videos of Quincy. He’s still in some pain and feeling wiped out, but his progress in just over 24hrs has been amazing!!!
They’re still waiting on pathology to confirm next steps, but the surgeon said she was able to be aggressive in removing the tumor, which is a great sign. If anything else is needed, the hope is that it can be handled with immunotherapy or radiation. At this point, while cautiously optimistic, chemo looks unlikely.
And for anyone else who was concerned...his sense of humor is 100% still intact and in full force! :) The nurses were told to watch for apathy, but Jake is fully himself, even cracking jokes with the guy in the next room.
We’ll keep sharing updates as they come in and should have a few pictures to post as well shortly. So for now, we'll leave you with this:
From all of us at NSOF and the entire Trefney family - THANK YOU!!!
Thank you all for standing by this incredible family and being part of something that is starting to feel a lot more hopeful!
UPDATE: Earlier this week, Jake and Tierney met with the neurology and oncology teams at UVA. The doctors were confident and optimistic. Sharing that if you had to have a brain tumor, this would be the kind you'd want. While it's roughly 7cm in size, the preliminary outlook is positive, and that has brought some much-needed hope!
Thanks to T’s persistence (and hard fought battles with Tricare), they’ve now secured consults with both NYU Langone and Memorial Sloan Kettering for this coming week. These appointments will help determine where Jake will undergo surgery and set the course for the best possible treatment and recovery plan. Once a decision is made, surgery will be scheduled shortly after.
In the meantime, the Trefney’s are taking these next few days to rest, regroup, and enjoy time together as a family before hitting the road.
The outpouring of support from this community has been nothing short of incredible, and the family is EXTREMELY grateful!
Thanks to your generosity, NSOF has already been able to provide immediate help with meals, transportation, and lodging, and we’ll continue to cover out-of-pocket expenses as they come up.
This is exactly what NSOF’s Warrior Care and Urgent Financial Support is here for - Supporting our NSO Heroes and their families in real time, in the moments that matter most.
And we truly, genuinely couldn’t do it without you!
Join Us Tonight @ 6 PM – New Realm VB For a Last Minute Gathering Before The Trefney's Head to NY!
Thank you all so, so much for the incredible outpouring of support for this amazing family! Truly incredible and grateful for this community!!
The Trefney's are heading to New York in just a few days and wanted to pull together a quick, last-minute get together at New Realm tonight before Jake and T head off to NY for consults & treatment planning with the oncology teams.
If you’re local and able, swing by and join us for a relaxed sendoff before the next big chapter begins.
We’ll be sharing a few updates on Jake and what’s ahead for the family soon, and promise to keep everyone posted!
Again, if you’re in the area, they'd love to see you! Come hang out, share a drink, and help us surround the Trefney's with love before they hit the road!
New Realm Brewing Co.
1209 Craft Ln
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Thank you all again so much for this INCREDIBLE show of support!! When we gave them the update on how many people donated and how much has been raised in such a short amount of time, they were so extremely blown away...This community is truly amazing!
The support truly means more to this family than you could ever imagine.
Thank you all who made it out tonight! Unfortunately, we only thought to take a photo fairly late in the evening...but Jake & T are in good spirits and ready to take this battle on!