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
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I am a 33 years old, and on October 30th, 2006, went in for a colonoscopy. I was 32 at the time, and was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. As today is Monday Dec 11th, I will be starting my chemo on Dec 13th. Two days from now. It is a pretty aggressive treatment. It goes from Wed to Fri- back and forth to the Dr. office, and the port and fanny pack at home.
I am thinking that a lot of what you are going through now is not all that different from my situation. Confusion, sadness, happiness, hope, and dispair. It seems for every emotion we have, the opposite one is always right there with it. It's definately a bumpy ride. I live in the Milwaukee area.
I got this info from the Chasin' Mason website!! May God Bless us all and hear our prayers for healing!!
Jill
I remember you from Kutztown as a really fun guy. Best of luck with this. We will be praying for you.
Adam Dave this is Luke Dave. Doesn't it seem like just yesterday we were running around like maniacs in the cornfield? I remember one day there were so many of us bouncing around everywhere that Barry Dave packed us all in the car and we went to Peace Valley Nature Center. A tranquil day in the pines.
I wish you the best, my thoughts are with you. Tomorrow night I'll dance with hundreds of others that love you. Be well, fight fight fight. I look forward to hearing great things about your progress.
Adam and Casey:
Greetings from Portland OR! My name is Seth and I worked briefly with Casey at the Kutztown Writing Center, where I had the brief opportunity to meet you both. Today I received a notice that Jazz June was playing a benefit show tomorrow to raise money to aid in your battle with cancer. Admittedly, I do not remember much of our brief interactions (although I was given a copy of Pullman: Junkpiles and Turnstiles, which I still listen to), but I do remember your kind nature and beautiful smiles. I wish I could attend tomorrow nights show and be witness the power of good people uniting for a noble cause, but 3000 miles is too many to cycle tonight. I have made a small donation to your fund though, and I hope it helps. I will send along many more prayers though; I am prayer rich and money poor:) I believe the power of thoughts and smiles can be miraculous, and that is what I pray for tonight.
I wish you both grace and good humor, from my smiling heart to yours.
Truly: Seth James Kaeser
Adam you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I will check back for good updates, keep them coming!!!!!
Your nursery school buddy, Old time friend, Angie Scott-Klock
Adam man what the hell!! This is Brendan from the Beck Hall days, I can't believe this is happening. I believe that you will beat this and hope that you do cause I think we all need a little bit of Adam in our lives.
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