In Indianapolis, Purdue is duking it out with North Carolina State in the Final Four, blaring from a massive TV brought into the hospice unit at IU Health Methodist Hospital for Jonathan Avalos. But mostly, his eyes are shut tight. He's soaking in the voices of the announcers and the presence of his loved ones.
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The room's decked out with black and gold balloons, Final Four knick-knacks on the table, and a feast of steak, crab legs, and shrimp. This might be hoops heaven, but for Jonathan, it's more than that.
Tonight's about savoring his favorite meal, rooting for his team, and feeling the magic of life, even with the burden of terminal brain cancer and heavy meds. Even if he nods off before Purdue secures their spot in the NCAA championship game.
Nobody knows how much time the 22-year-old Purdue student has left, but they all know he's nearing the end. Treatments are off the table; there's nothing left to tackle his advanced glioblastoma, the deadly cancer he's been battling since his freshman year.
Yet, as long as he's here to rally for his Boilermakers, even if it's just a whispered "Go Purdue," his family and the hospital staff are determined. They're making sure Jonathan gets a Final Four to remember.
Back in 2021, Maria Avalos sensed something amiss with her son Jonathan, then a Purdue freshman. His left eye was acting up, but he brushed it off as stress. Maria's intuition kicked in; she whisked him to Methodist for tests, leading to a devastating diagnosis: glioblastoma.
Jonathan faced the grim statistics head-on, clinging to hope with his trademark optimism. And for a spell, things seemed stable. But a routine checkup in 2023 shattered that illusion. Tumors resurfaced, resistant to treatment.
Yet, amid the turmoil, Jonathan's spirit shone bright. He bonded with his nurses over his wrestling days and maintained his sense of humor despite the darkness closing in.
So, when the Final Four rolled around, the hospital staff pulled out all the stops. They threw Jonathan a bash fit for a king, complete with his favorite dishes and a big-screen showdown.
Throughout the game, Jonathan basked in the love of his friends, chuckling at their banter, even as fatigue weighed heavy. His resilience awed all who knew him.
Jonathan never wanted his battle to be silenced. He embraced his mortality, vowing to share his journey with the world. He's determined to live life to the fullest, cherishing each moment.
As the game winds down, Jonathan drifts off, content in his Purdue gear, a smile playing on his lips. Tomorrow, he'll wake to a victory, his spirit soaring despite the looming shadow of glioblastoma.