Jensen timeline

How the illness of a 12-year-old boy from Sandy turned into a landmark standoff between his parents and the state has followed a convoluted path. His parents say it's clearly a combination of the court's "white coat worship" and bullying by the almighty health-care industry. The state believes the Jensens are defying legitimate medical advice, the court's orders and common sense by refusing chemotherapy, the boy's only real help.

Both sides say all they want is what's best and that they had no choice to do anything but what they've done.

Court records, doctors notes and a family chronology show:

Tuesday, May 6

After watching a small node under Parker Jensen's tongue since October, an oral surgeon removes the growth and sends the tissue to a lab in Washington state, which reports it as a malignant tumor, possibly the rare Ewing's sarcoma.

May 19-22

Primary Children's Medical Center confirms Ewing's sarcoma. The parents call for more tests. One test is nonconclusive; a full body bone scan and X-rays are negative. Doctors say despite what further tests might indicate, the boy clearly needs a yearlong course of chemotherapy and it should start immediately. The parents say chemotherapy is too aggressive and has too many side effects; they want more tests before any treatment decisions are made.

Tuesday, June 17

State officials are asked to intervene and file a petition with the court to do so.

Thursday, July 10

The Jensens tell the court they will obtain an evaluation from Los Angeles Children's Hospital and that they will go along with whatever treatment it recommends.

Friday, July 18

The Los Angeles hospital recommends chemotherapy within seven to 10 days. The Jensens argue the doctor at the hospital had rubber-stamped the results sent to him by Primary Children's Medical Center before making the recommendation. The judge orders the family to get chemotherapy from a board-certified oncologist chosen by the family starting no later than Aug. 8.

Friday, Aug. 8

The family doesn't show up for therapy and says the boy is going in for evaluation and unspecified treatment at the Burzynski Clinic in Houston starting Aug. 12. The parents say the clinic highly questions if their son has Ewing's sarcoma after reviewing test results. The judge issues a warrant placing Parker Jensen in state protective custody.

Friday, Aug. 15

Criminal charges for kidnapping are issued for Daren and Barbara Jensen.

Comments