5K for 5 Kids - Adam

With just under 4 weeks left until the Color Run in Louisville, I want to keep on introducing kids from the Louisville area who have fought cancer and in whose honor we are running the race. Last week I wrote about Amazing Chloe. This past week I had the awesome privilege of serving at Camp Quality, a camp for kids with cancer, and I ran into Chloe's mom, Christy, there! She came to camp with "Cupcakes for Chloe." She brought cupcakes and tons of decorations for the kids to do. It was a lot of fun and even more fun to eat! It was great to see her and catch up with her.

With Christy Newman, Chloe's mom, at Camp Qaulity

This week, I want you to meet Adam.

Just before tumor resection

The above picture is of Adam just before he had his brain tumor, medulloblastoma, removed. He was diagnosed on July 9, 2010, after vomiting for months. In June 2010, the vomiting became accompanied by headaches, and Adam's doctor ordered a CT scan. The CT scan revealed a tumor, and a MRI was scheduled to get a better look. Immediately after his MRI, Adam was admitted to the ICU, and his family was told that a tumor the size of a baseball was growing in the back of Adam's head.

On Monday, July 12, 2010, Adam underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove the tumor. Thankfully, all of it was able to be removed. Unfortunately, it was cancer: medulloblastoma. Adam developed hydrocepaly the day after surgery and lost his ability to walk, talk, and perform activities of daily living. He had a shunt placed, which did not work to relieve the building pressure in his brain, and had a permanent shunt placed on July 23, 2010. Adam spent 15 days in the ICU before being transferred to a rehab hospital. There, Adam began physical, occupational, and speech therapies to regain the function he lost.

After these initial hurdles, it was time to begin cancer treatment: 6 weeks of radiation and 9 cycles of inpatient chemotherapy.

Adam gets to throw a pie in the face of his radiation oncologist on the last day of radiation

Going to 7 West - the oncology unit at Kosair Children's Hospital - for chemo

Treatment had some pretty nasty side effects

High counts dance at clinic

Headed to Camp Quality 2011

Adam did well with his chemotherapy regimen. He was rarely sick, was never admitted for a neutropenic fever, and never developed mouth sores. He did, however, lose several pounds, was fatigued and weak, developed shingles requiring an inpatient stay with isolation, and had low blood counts requiring Neupogen shots and transfusions of blood and platelets. 

Trying to escape the isolation incurred by shingles

Between chemotherapy cycles eight and nine, in September 2011, Adam developed mental confusion and stroke-like symptoms. His parents took him to the ER, and he was admitted to the intensive care unit and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, likely as a result of his shunt. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and Adam endured two brain surgeries in two days. His last cycle of chemotherapy was delayed to allow time for his brain to recover. Finally, in October 2011, Adam completed both his last inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy treatments! 

Last chemo in the clinic!

"I did it!" - the shirt given to Adam by the oncology clinic after his last chemo treatment

However, Adam’s transition to life post-treatment has not been easy. Shortly after his last chemotherapy treatment, Adam was transported to the intensive care unit via ambulance because of mental status changes. He underwent scans and an EEG, which showed abnormal brain activity. His medical team was puzzled as to what caused this sudden onset of symptoms, but the general consensus appeared to be vasculitis. Adam received thirty days of high-dose steroids to reduce the inflammation in his brain and restore neurological and cognitive function. 

While the steroids worked to combat acute symptoms, Adam still struggles in some areas. He has fallen behind in school, and is being held back a year. He receives extra help throughout the summer, and an IEP has been developed to address his specific needs. 

Many people do not realize the long-term effects that cancer treatment can have, especially on a child. In Adam's case, his heart, neuro-cognitive abilities, and endocrine systems are all being monitored, as all have the potential to be impacted by the treatment he endured. While his cancer treatment is finished, Adam's family still continues their journey as they attempt to anticipate and combat long-term side effects.

Adam and I in the craft house at Camp Quality last week

We're running for Adam. We're running for his family. Would you join us? Would you join us in running in solidarity with his family? To stand up to childhood cancer? 

You can still sign up for the Louisville run here.

Please continue to pray for Adam's family, for Chloe's family, and for all of our Break the Grey families. As always, thanks for your prayers and support.

Hoping, Believing, and Never Giving up,

Sarah