Purdue is currently engaged in a fierce match against North Carolina State in the Final Four. The hospice unit at IU Health Methodist Hospital has arranged for a large screen television to be brought in so that Jonathan Avalos can enjoy the game. Despite having his eyes closed for the majority of the time, Jonathan is fully immersed in the game, relying on the sounds of the announcers and the presence of his loved ones to create a vivid picture in his mind.
Black and gold balloons sway gently from the ceiling, setting a festive atmosphere. The table is adorned with Final Four decorations, adding to the excitement in the air. As Jonathan’s special night unfolds, the surroundings at Methodist Hospital are filled with anticipation. And while college basketball takes center stage, this evening holds a significance of its own. Alongside the spirited celebration, a scrumptious spread of steak, crab legs, and shrimp awaits, ensuring that Jonathan’s night is truly memorable.
Jonathan, a 22-year-old Purdue student, is facing an uncertain future as he battles glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite undergoing various treatments, his condition has reached an advanced stage where further interventions are no longer effective. The diagnosis came during his freshman year at Purdue, and now he confronts the reality that time is running out.
‘He is a beautiful soul’
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In October 2021, Maria Avalos became aware of an issue with her son, who was a freshman at Purdue University. He was becoming increasingly frustrated with his roommate, who did not possess the same level of cleanliness and organization as he did.
Maria made her way to Purdue to assess the situation, and as she arrived, Jonathan approached her vehicle. Upon closer inspection, she noticed an abnormality in his left eye; it seemed to be drifting and unfocused. Concerned, she inquired about his well-being, to which Jonathan dismissed her worries, attributing it solely to stress.
Instead, Maria’s motherly instinct kicked in and she immediately took Jonathan to Methodist the following day at 10 a.m. for a series of tests. As the day progressed, the Avalos family’s world was completely shattered by the devastating news. The scans revealed the presence of a tumor, leaving no doubt about its nature.
Jonathan was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer that typically has a survival time of 12 to 18 months, as stated by the Glioblastoma Research Organization. It is disheartening to know that only 25% of patients manage to survive beyond one year, with a mere 5% surviving beyond five years. Maria, while feeding Jonathan a steak, shared her thoughts, stating, “He was scared, but I don’t think he fully grasped the magnitude of this illness until now. He always used to say, ‘I’ll be fine.'”
After Jonathan received his diagnosis, he decided to leave Purdue and return home for treatment. There was a glimmer of hope as the scans came back clear, and he was able to resume his studies in video game design at Purdue. It seemed like he was thriving and making the most of life.
In March 2023, Maria received a call from the doctor after a routine MRI, informing her that she needed to come back because something had been detected. Jonathan underwent radiation treatment again, but this time the tumors did not respond as expected.
Maria shared that during a conversation with the doctor, her father received the distressing news of yet another tumor. Overwhelmed with emotions, he shed a few tears. In a compassionate gesture, he expressed his regret to the doctor, acknowledging the difficult task of delivering bad news to patients on a daily basis.
Jonathan’s doctor was taken aback. Throughout her two decades of treating oncology patients, she had never encountered someone who prioritized her feelings over their own upon receiving a diagnosis. However, this is just a testament to Jonathan’s character.
One of Jonathan’s nurses on B5 Comfort Care, the hospice unit on the fifth floor at Methodist, described him as a beautiful soul.
And that’s why she, along with the rest of the staff, was determined to make sure that Jonathan’s beloved Purdue had a memorable experience in their first Final Four appearance since 1980.
‘He’s stupid strong, even now’
Ehrgott, despite being an IU fan, is wearing a Purdue shirt Saturday night as a special gesture for Jonathan. For the past month, she has been dedicatedly looking after him, and she considers it an honor to temporarily switch her college basketball allegiance.
As soon as she is asked to describe Jonathan, tears well up in her eyes.
“I’m on the verge of tears,” she confides. “He has such a delightful sense of humor, shows genuine concern, and can be quite mischievous. It’s uncommon for us to have young individuals in this unit. Although we have had a few, none have been able to communicate with us as well and stay with us for such a prolonged period of time. That truly makes a significant impact.”
Jonathan enjoys reminiscing about his high school wrestling days and often shares stories with his nurses. He proudly recalls being a standout in his weight class of 145 pounds, even referring to himself as the “goat” (greatest of all time). As a testament to his wrestling achievements, a black T-shirt with the word “GOAT” boldly printed in white letters hangs on the door of his hospital room.
Ehrgott and her colleague, Diane Boswell, were captivated by Jonathan’s spirited and compassionate nature, despite his grim diagnosis. At the peak of his life, Jonathan arrived at their unit with no chance of recovery, but their goal was to ensure that his remaining time was filled with joy and fulfillment.
When Ehrgott inquired about Jonathan’s favorite meal, he promptly responded with steak and crab legs. This revelation sparked a plan among Ehrgott and her colleagues to make his culinary dreams come true.
Jonathan spent most of the game reclined in his chair, attentively listening to the party. He absorbed every moment, from Purdue dominating the game to his friends discussing him and shedding tears.
According to Alexa Gomez, a childhood friend of Jonathan, he was always a lighthearted and humorous person who had a knack for making others smile and laugh. Despite his comical nature, Jonathan also possessed a gentle demeanor. Whenever Alexa had a conversation with him, she always felt uplifted and left with a smile on her face.
‘I ain’t here for a long time’
He didn’t want to keep it a secret anymore. He wanted to convey the message that it’s alright to die and that conversations about the end of life shouldn’t be avoided. He expressed his desire to write a book about his experience with cancer, sharing his journey with the world. Using his iPad, he documented as much as he could and shared videos on Instagram.
“I want to share my story so that people can get a glimpse of reality,” Jonathan expressed to Maria. “You know what? If I’m going to do it, I’m going all in.”
As a young boy, Jonathan was frequently asked by Maria about his aspirations for the future. Without fail, his response remained consistent: “I simply want to be a source of joy and happiness. I want to embrace a carefree and cheerful existence.”
He used to have a favorite song by George Strait, “Here for a Good Time,” and it remains his top choice. The lyrics now hold a much deeper significance for him.
Every morning, I rise with the realization that today could be my final day on this earth. I live by the motto that life is not about its duration, but rather about the quality of experiences and enjoyment. As the saying goes, “I’m not here for a lengthy existence, but rather for a remarkable one.”
Maria and Jonathan have had those difficult and deeply emotional discussions about death. They openly express their emotions, shedding tears and engaging in heartfelt conversations. Jonathan, in particular, shares his perspective on the matter, stating, “You have the freedom to decide what you wish to do with my body. After all, it won’t be me anymore.”
He expresses to his mother his desire to be remembered as the greatest of all time in wrestling and hopes that his loved ones will continue to progress without him.
Maria recalled her brother’s words, “If I go, you have to keep moving forward. Because my sister is going to need you. I’m not going to be here to protect her.” He urged her to allow herself some time to grieve, but also emphasized the importance of continuing to live and not getting stuck in sadness.
Jonathan is a devoted fan of the Purdue Boilermakers, and he is thrilled to see his team leading the game with a score of 47-35. However, despite his excitement, he realizes that his body is signaling exhaustion, indicating that he needs to get some rest. Recognizing the importance of sleep, Jonathan informs his mom of his decision to call it a night.
As she guides him back to his room and gently tucks him into bed, Jonathan remains dressed in his comfortable Purdue T-shirt and shorts, a content smile gracing his face.
Jonathan is in for a delightful surprise when he wakes up on Sunday, as the Final Four victory will come his way with Purdue triumphing over NC State, with a score of 63-50. Sweet dreams are about to turn into reality for Jonathan.
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