Hi everyone,
We realize this is heavy news, but we feel it is important to share this information with the people we love and care about. The pathology report from the Mayo Clinic in MN came back confirming Adam's diagnosis of having a grade IV glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor, which is a rather aggressive malignant cell. Today we met with an excellent neuro-oncologist at Froedtert Hosptial for a third opinion and to learn what options we have. The good news is, we do have options and we do have time to continue to collect more data. With the loving support of our family, friends, colleagues, and professors, we've been put into contact with several sources who can help guide us and provide further information about treatments. We learned there is also an option to enroll Adam into one of two clinical trials currently underway for patients newly diagnosed w/ GBM.
At this point, it looks like we will begin six weeks of radiation treatment and chemo at the end of the month. Adam is really excited about the radiation mask which will be fashioned to fit his face and head--of course right away he asked if he could keep it for an art project. He also asked for extra film of the MRI of his brain for a self-portrait, to which the film technician was more than happy to accommodate. (It's just like Adam to be thinking about how he can use this for his art.) Tomorrow we will meet with a radiation-oncologist as well as a few interdisciplinary therapists.
For the most part, Adam is feeling strong. On one occasion, I had to get strict and tell him to put down the Skillsaw, reminding him that it's not a "semi-skillsaw." And right now, he's even standing on a chair hanging a string of lovely get-well cards. But he does get easily fatigued and needs a lot of rest and nourishment, needs which I'm more than happy to cater to meet. During this experience, I'm working on writing a cookbook--believe it or not, there is no cookbook in existence for how to eat to starve your brain tumor... Hmm...
We also want to say thank you to everyone who has been sending us support, cards, love, and food. In your good wishes we find our strength. We will beat this thing. As one of our friends so rightly put it, I feel sorry for that tumor. It made a poor choice when it hunkered down in Adam's head.
Please do keep your prayers and wishes coming. We'll be sure to keep you up to date on our progress. And as always, please forward this email along to those who love and care about Adam.
Our love,
Casey & Adam
