A Family's Unimaginable Health Crisis
Jolene Eddy's world shattered when her husband Spencer, father to their three young children, received a devastating cancer diagnosis. The 39-year-old had experienced persistent "dizzy spells" for years, with doctors dismissing his symptoms as simple vertigo. The reality proved far more serious.
From Vertigo to Medulloblastoma
In April 2024, Spencer began "walking like he was drunk" after disembarking from a flight. The couple visited an ear, nose, and throat specialist in their neighboring town who ordered an MRI scan. The results revealed a lime-sized brain tumor.
"We'd requested MRIs previously but were told the chances of a brain tumor were astronomically low," explains Jolene, a 38-year-old stay-at-home mother from Williston, North Dakota. "It just wouldn't make sense, they said."
By October 2025, Spencer was referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Jolene drove him eleven hours to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with medulloblastoma—a cancerous brain tumor typically found in children and extremely rare in adults.
Spencer's Critical Surgery and Recovery
"They explained the cancer was blocking fluid flow from his vein to his spinal cord," Jolene recalls. "Medical professionals couldn't understand how he remained walking and talking without suffering a stroke."
Spencer waited eight days for surgery while his brain surgeon completed a family holiday. The subsequent ten-hour operation successfully removed 85% of the tumor, though significant risks had been discussed beforehand.
"After surgery, we didn't know if he would walk, talk, or survive without brain damage," Jolene adds. Spencer underwent thirty rounds of radiation treatment targeting the remaining 15% of the tumor, alongside speech and physical therapy to regain basic functions.
Jolene's Unexpected Diagnosis
During Spencer's hospital recovery, Jolene noticed a pea-sized lump under her armpit but initially dismissed it due to her husband's critical condition. Following two weeks of impatient rehabilitation, the couple moved to a nearby Airbnb where their children joined them.
Jolene homeschooled their children while Spencer attended radiation appointments. The family returned to North Dakota in January 2025, when Jolene finally addressed her health concern. Doctors initially believed the lump was merely a cyst.
"I requested removal anyway," Jolene remembers. "When test results returned, I discovered it was breast cancer. I was absolutely floored. We felt devastated and terrified about our children's future. If one parent dies, the other remains, but if both die, they have nobody."
Simultaneous Cancer Treatments
Following her diagnosis, Jolene began hormone blocker treatment and underwent a double mastectomy in April 2025 while Spencer continued chemotherapy. She opted against breast implants to avoid additional surgeries while caring for her husband.
The mastectomy recovery proved challenging—Jolene experienced repeated fainting and sickness episodes, prompting her concerned sister to rush her back to hospital. Her body began shutting down post-surgery, requiring a two-unit blood transfusion.
"Thankfully after the transfusion, I felt normal again," Jolene states.
Ongoing Challenges and Family Impact
Spencer completed chemotherapy in June 2025, with follow-up MRIs showing no cancer signs. Recovery remains difficult for both parents.
"We attend doctor visits together—it's easier for our oncologist to see us simultaneously," Jolene explains. "Spencer still struggles with walking and cannot drive. I feel unable to have bad days because I'm caring for my husband while preparing all meals and managing household responsibilities."
The family's health crisis has profoundly affected their children. "Our kids cope well, but their perspective has completely changed," Jolene observes. "Their schoolwork consistently includes writings about hoping we recover and remain healthy."
Looking Forward With Hope
Spencer now undergoes MRI scans every three months to monitor potential cancer recurrence, while Jolene remains cancer-free. Despite their extraordinary challenges, the couple maintains positive outlooks.
"We're living most people's nightmare, yet we feel optimistic about the future," Jolene declares. "We have long lives ahead and will continue fighting—we refuse to give up."
