Minn. Mother Loses Husband While Son Fights Cancer
FOREST LAKE (WCCO) -- For months, a Forest Lake family have battled for their son's health. Now, it's a new battle this family is in that is almost too much to bear.
Doctors diagnosed Trisha and Troy Jensen's 7-year-old son, Nathan, with brain cancer this spring.
The news changed everything for the Jensen family eight months ago. Children usually live less than a year with the diagnosis.
The family, however, tried to keep it together.
"We had a great summer. We lived life to the fullest this summer for more reasons than one," Trisha said.
Then, on Saturday, tragedy struck again.
Trisha's husband and Nathan's dad, Troy, died from an asthma attack at just 35 years old.
"He collapsed and they never got him back. They never got him back," Trisha said. "It's almost an unbelievable tragic story, but it's my life."
For months, Trisha shared Nathan's pain on his Caringbridge site. Now, prayers from around the world have poured in again.
Trisha is trying to stay strong for her kids and she's holding onto to the hope the future still holds. Their third baby will be born in May.
"It was our blessing -- our excitement," Trisha said.
So, while the grief is unimaginable right now, a young mother is finding comfort in the decision they made months ago. They wanted to live much differently.
"I guess we are blessed because we were able to start living that way before he died. So, we have those memories together," she said.
Troy Jensen hadn't had an asthma attack in years. Doctors told Trisha it was likely a mix of the cold weather, a chest cold, and high stress that caused it.
There is a fund set up for the family at all Wells Fargo Banks under the Jensen Memorial Fund.
WCCO-TV's Liz Collin Reports
