Strother 2026 Update
Hi Friends and Family,
I hope this finds you well. You all know and love Strother, so I’ve created this space where we can share updates.
Strother started at TCU in the fall and had an absolutely fantastic semester. He is majoring in Finance and pledged Sigma Nu fraternity (with 60 young men in his pledge class!).
Of course, the introduction of hundreds of new students also brings thousands of new bugs. Lovingly dubbed the “Frat Flu,” Strother was not spared.
He had a doctor’s visit in November, which confirmed that he did indeed have the flu. As you all know, he has a diminished ability to use his diaphragm muscles (that dang spinal cord injury), so out of an abundance of caution, he also had a chest X-ray—which was completely clear.
Then he felt great… for a while.
Fast forward to January 24, and he was feeling “blah” again. This time, he was having difficulty catching his breath and sleeping at night. With an ice storm upon us and, once again, out of an abundance of caution, we decided to pop into the ER at Cook’s. We thought maybe he’d get a quick breathing treatment or an antibiotic and we’d knock this out once and for all.
The outcome was completely unexpected.
A chest X-ray followed by bloodwork, echocardiogram, and then a CT scan showed that he does not, in fact, have the Frat Flu.
Germ cell cancer can be extremely fast-growing. His tumor measures about the size of a small watermelon, nestled between his heart and lungs. He was admitted immediately and began chemotherapy within 12 hours.
To say this is shocking is an understatement. But you all know this kid. He is calm. He is resilient. He is ready for the onslaught that we are just beginning to understand. Strother’s attitude toward life was forged in fire, and with a level of fortitude I sometimes can’t even grasp, he will get through this.
This page is meant to keep those of you who love—and have loved—this child for so long up to date. He’s a young man full of life and energy. Today, he is utterly exhausted. We trust in the immeasurable knowledge and ability of his team of doctors, nurses, surgeons, radiologists, urologists, and every single professional who has spent years learning how to care for exactly this. And Strother will thrive.
I’ve asked those closest to us to help keep you updated. We are so grateful that our Strother has such a loving and supportive community. He always has, and I know you are here for him once again.
With love,
Blythe