LEWISTOWN — Jay Hetrick and Christine Suloff have been lifetime friends, who started a love story somewhere along the line. “Our marriages didn’t work out, so we connected,” Hetrick recalled.

Eighteen years ago, the Lewistown couple realized they were much more than friends and started dating. They have been together and there for each other — through thick and thin.

Over the past year, their relationship has been put to the test as the 55-year-old Suloff was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common type of malignant brain tumor in adults.

“She was fatigued working two jobs and taking care of her elderly mom and dad,” explained Hetrick of the original diagnosis. “She figured it was two jobs and stuff. Then her dad said the side of her face was drooping, and I took her right to the hospital.”

Blood tests didn’t reveal any signs, but friend Deb Knight, of Mifflintown, insisted the hospital perform a CAT scan. That was when doctors discovered the brain tumor.

“They found a spot, and that night they transferred her to Danville to do the surgery,” Hetrick added.

Unfortunately, since the tumor was immersed in her brain stem, doctors couldn’t operate. They were able to complete a 3-D biopsy from Suloff’s forehead to her brain stem to confirm the results.

Her prognosis isn’t good. In September 2024, doctors gave Suloff six months to live. “We’re now a year later, so now they said she’s got months to go.”

Doctors didn’t give the couple a number this time. They know she might be on borrowed time. That hasn’t stopped the medical expenses from piling up.

Suloff has relied on her faith to get through the difficult times.

“I just want to say thank you to everybody for helping us throughout this journey,” Suloff said. “So many people have reached out in so many different ways.

“I thank Jesus, too,” Suloff added. “Without Jesus, I’d never have gotten this far.

To help Suloff with her expenses, the Milroy Lions Club will hold a spaghetti benefit dinner at the Fellowship Hall of the White Memorial Church, 68 S. Main St., Milroy, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18.

The cost of the meal is a $10 donation per person. Children under age 12 eat free. This meal includes spaghetti and meatballs, tossed salad, bread with butter, applesauce, various homemade desserts and soft drinks.

“Any little bit would help,” Hetrick said.

After the cancer diagnosis, Hetrick decided to quit his job to take care of Suloff. He worked as a general laborer at the former Cabinetworks Group assembly plant in Thompsontown.

Eventually, Hetrick was hired as a caretaker by Angels on Call, of Lewistown in November 2024. “I gave up my job to become her full-time caretaker,” he explained. “I also had to move in with her.”

Suloff worked full-time at South Hills Business School in State College and also part-time at Walmart in Lewistown.

Hetrick didn’t give those decisions a second thought as he realized someone had to step up and take care of Suloff. Otherwise, she might have wound up in a nursing home.

“Nobody knows,” Hetrick said of Suloff’s remaining days. “Only one guy knows and he’s looking down on her every day.”

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and common type of brain cancer. Typically, it originates in the brain and has a very poor prognosis, often resulting in death within six months without treatment.

Symptoms might include headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, seizures and difficulties with balance and coordination. Treatment options often involve surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving survival rates, according to medical experts.

Suloff’s left side — her arm and leg — had become immobile. She had undergone radiation, which was interrupted due to an infection related to her teeth. As a result, she had 17 teeth pulled.

However, the delay in treatment caused the cancer to spread quickly. “She’s undergoing treatments again with radiation, but the cancer has spread to her brain.”