Science is awesome. It explains why the world goes ’round, how corn grows, and which DNA molecule inside of a cell mutated to turn it into a cancer cell. Human scientists are not perfect and therefore cannot perfectly understand it all, but the currently understood science of the macroscopic universe to the microscopic cell is AWE-SOME.

My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. I am, by definition, a science nerd and not offended by it. I am not alone. Pre-med students often study biochemistry and, additionally, also often participate in nerdy science research. (And by that I mean actual laboratory research – not social media “research.”) With my heart set on medical school, I, too, worked in a biology lab while in college, so that I could add research to my application.

The project for the lab I worked in was definitely not exciting. It wasn’t even interesting. My job was to try and sequence a gene from the DNA of crickets. Yep, crickets – the bugs. The gene I was trying to sequence was responsible for the enzyme found in all cells (human, cricket, and otherwise) called “Isocitrate Dehydrogenase,” better known as “IDH.”

While my passion was definitely not crickets, I did enjoy the work, the people in the lab, and the view of the football stadium where every once in a while I could spy on a handsome videographer on a stand videoing Husker football practice. (Yes, Jason’s college job was way cooler than mine!)

Eventually, after months of tedious experiments, I found it – the gene sequence, that is. I was the first person ever to sequence the IDH gene in crickets. (I bet you didn’t know that little fact about me.) The thrilling breakthrough was published in the renowned Journal of Insect Science: here. Sarcasm intended.

After graduation, I never expected the time in the lab to be more than a line on my resume. Sure, IDH popped up on a few biochemistry tests in medical school because it is an enzyme in the cringe-worthy Kreb’s Cycle, but that was it. I haven’t thought about the gene for IDH in more than 15 or 20 years.

That is, until July 2025.

On July 10, 2025, Jason was diagnosed with a brain tumor consistent with a glioma. His biopsy came back positive for a grade 3 astrocytoma – a specific kind of glioma. However, there has been much debate about the other specifics of his cancer. So much so that his biopsy was sent to the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, for additional study. Hence, the month of silence and “patient” waiting.

You see, it is very important to understand the specifics of the abnormal genes and molecular biology inside of Jason’s cancerous astrocyte cells, because it has a direct correlation with treatment and prognosis. Cancer therapy is no longer just cutting out cancer cells with surgery and killing any possible cancer cells left with chemo and radiation; now sometimes the medicines also target the mutated genes and enzymes within the inner workings of the cancer cells.

After weeks of testing and debating, the drum-roll finally ended and the pathologists have released the list of abnormal genes in Jason’s tumor. Can you guess what the most significant, and potentially most treatable abnormal gene is?

You guessed it. It is the gene for… IDH.

His official diagnosis: IDH-mutant astrocytoma, Grade 3.

Insert mind-blown or wide-eyed emoji. The gene I sequenced in crickets is the same gene that mutated in my husband’s brain cell.

Don’t kid yourself. My IDH gene sequencing study in crickets back in the biology lab in 2006 has played absolutely zero role in the current knowledge and ongoing breakthrough studies of human IDH gene therapeutics for astrocytomas.

Yet, it seems a little more than simply ironic that the three letter I-D-H enzyme on which Jason’s cancer treatment and prognosis hinge, is the exact same enzyme that I wrote in my lab journal day in and day out, month after month nearly 20 years ago.

Again, I know you all don’t believe in God yet. But I am 100% convinced that God knew this cancer was coming for us 20 years ago. I was in that lab, studying that gene, so that 20 years later I could have that “aha” moment of realization that Jason’s cancer has that gene mutation. The moment I put it together was a moment of complete, indescribably awesome peace – God knew us then, and He’s certainly got us now.

Now, onto Mayo. We’re ready to fight this f’ing IDH-mutant!

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7