File photo: Joe Wren, of South Ogden, speaks during a reunion for past and present members of the Anaconda, Montana ward at Labrum Park in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
SALT LAKE CITY — Two years ago this weekend, after BYU had defeated Arizona in its season opener, Joe Wren could have died a happy man.
Turns out he nearly did.
Not because his favorite team had overcome a Pac-12 opponent, but because he for years had been ignoring numbness in his extremities and pains in his back, chest and arms. He had seemed in great shape and even passed a stress test.