As Jodi Bryant lay in a hospital bed in labor with her son, the test results for her husband Eric came in. The explanation for his distraction and memory loss...brain cancer.
Jodi and Eric's story began during the late summer of 2010. They were married on April 9, 2011. Both Jodi and Eric have two children from previous marriages. One thing they both desired was to raise a child together. That desire was granted through the birth of their son on December 22, 2011. Unfortunately, this was also the same date that Eric was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Jodi delivered their son through emergency C-section without her husband by her side. Eric had surgery to remove the tumor on January 3, 2012.
Most of Eric's glioblastoma was removed but the diagnosis remains terminal. The average survival rate for patients with this diagnosis is 12 months, long term survivors live 36 months. Eric is now permanently disabled and however long he is blessed live, he will require 24 hour care.
**UPDATE**
Many of you were touched by the story of Jodi and Eric Bryant. Jodi is a Meridian Elementary School Teacher. In December she gave birth to her son and recieved news that Eric had terminal brain cancer - all in the same day. Eric's cancer has progressed. Doctors have decided to stop all treatments, Eric has been moved to a care facility and Hospice has stepped in.
The PTA at Chaparral Elementary will be holding a GIANT yard sale on May 19th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Scout troops will be selling hot dogs and school children will be hosting a bake sale. We will be accepting donations in good condition until May 17th. There is a storage back near the cafeteria that is open during school hours where you can drop your donations. If you have questions or would like to volunteer please contact: Cami Hurst atjeffandcami@msn.com or Bethany Cluff at bethanycluff1@gmail.com
You can make donations at any Idaho Central Credit Union to the Eric Bryant Fund.
Jodi is a fourth grade teacher for the Meridian school district. She has taught in Meridian for ten years teaching special education, kindergarten, and fourth grade. Prior to teaching in Meridian, she taught special education in Pocatello, Idaho.
Eric is a paramedic who worked in California, Arizona, Oregon, and Idaho. He saved many lives and helped many sick and injured people in the past 20 years. He has a dream of becoming a physician assistant. At the time of his diagnosis, Eric was a senior at BSU. He was set to graduate in the spring and move on to PA school. Part of his goal in becoming a PA was to help those in need.
