Thursday 26 September 2013

Terry Fox Run

Thank you to everyone that ran for Adam during the Terry Fox Run. He really got a kick out of the A-Team shirts and Rebecca & I were totally blown away by the incredible support. We were sitting down as a family for dinner (first time since Monday) and were talking about our calendar and what's coming up and none of us could believe it was still September. This month has felt like a year.

Thinking about the Terry Fox Run reminded me of the first time Adam ever ran for cancer in elementary school. He was practicing around the yard doing the distinct hop that Terry Fox had in his stride and Rebecca and I asked him why he was doing the hop and he explained to us that he was supposed to run "like" Terry Fox. We had a good laugh and explained that this meant that he should do it with purpose and to help others and not exactly the same way. Typical Adam wanting to do exactly what he was asked to do. Never would have thought people would ever be running for him.

AWESOME FRIENDS!

Adam now has a four week break before he starts radiation and chemo. The plan is enjoy the break before he will need to make early morning trips to the Tom Baker clinic Monday through Friday. He will have six weeks of treatment and hopes to be able to continue attending school as much as possible.


When asked what was more painful... the game or brain surgery he said the game.


Adam, mom, Amy & Jenny feeling great cheering his brother Billy on against St. Francis Browns.

GO YOTES GO!!!!

Adam's coming home today!  Another heroic recovery.  We will provide another more detailed post leter this evening. Thank you for all the prayers and fasting, it worked!

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Loving the ham and cheese from the cafeteria

Adam's doing great. He has his appetite back and most of the tubes are gone. We will be leaving ICU later today to go to Unit 3. Anyone wanting to visit can come after supper and find Adam on Unit 3.

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Adam's moving his extremities his right side movement is strong and he has been able to communicate and find words effectively.  His biggest problem is the nausea but they are giving him medicine for it.

Adam's surgery has gone well. He's in ICU at the Children's. The doctor said he'd have a more thorough post operation evaluation but that he is doing well. He was smiling at the idea of having an ambulance ride. On a cool note, his ambulance driver was a family friend Blain. Thanks Blain.
I make this look good!

Monday 23 September 2013

Welcome to Adam's got SWAG blog

As you all know Adam has been diagnosed with brain cancer and will be having lots going on. We plan to use this blog to provide updates on Adam and help his many friends and family get to know him better and share their support for him.

A short history on Adam's case:

Aug 29, 2013 - Adam goes for a routine eye exam before school starts and the doctor notices swelling on the optic nerve, she sends us straight over to a specialist who sends us to the emergency at the Alberta Children's Hospital. Because it's late on Thursday going into a long weekend Adam is sent home with the understanding that he will have an MRI possibly on Friday but probably early next week.

Sep 2, 2013 - Adam turns 13. He gets a pet snake. He and his brother summit Nihahi Ridge (8,350 ft) with his dad and his dad's friend. In his journal he writes "best day ever".

Sep 4, 2013 - Adam goes in for an MRI followed by a meeting with neurology. We are informed that he has a very large tumor and that he will need to have surgery on Friday. They start him on a steroid right away, we go home for him to collect his things for the stay in the hospital, he receives a priesthood blessing from his dad, and he is admitted into the Alberta Children's Hospital. This is a fantastic hospital with amazing staff and doctors.

Sep 6, 2013 - Dr. Gallagher removes the tumor. Adam wakes up in recovery and promptly begins telling jokes to the nurses and doctors. Quoting from his favorite comedian Brian Regan (google his emergency room bit, it's super funny). Surgery went well and it'll take about a week for lab results on the tumor. We have a post op MRI on the Sunday and it looks good.

Sep 10, 2013 - Adam goes home. Incredible recovery. Yesterday he actually walked with his dad from the Children's to Market Mall for some pizza and a new hat (about 20 mins one way). He's super upbeat and flaunts the fact that the doctors have given him a free pass from school through the end of the week. He uses that time to go fishing and try out for a rock climbing team. Seriously.

Sep 16, 2013 - We get a call from the nurse telling us the lab results came back and that Adam has cancer and will need additional treatment. We meet with the oncology team that afternoon and are informed that they will have a larger meeting with neurology to determine the next course of action tomorrow afternoon. Adam has his first hip-hop dance lesson and loves it.

Sep 18, 2013 - We meet with neurology again and determine that there is still some remaining tumor that we can take out safely; so Adam is scheduled for a second surgery for Sep 24, 2013 with Dr. Hader. We are also informed he has made the climbing team.

Sep 19-21, 2013 - Adam and 20 other scouts go to Camp Impeesa and have a total blast doing archery, throwing tomahawks, running the obstacle course, zip lining, and summiting Table Mountain.

Sep 22, 2013 - Adam receives a second blessing from his father in preparation for the surgery on Tuesday. He's in great spirits and is looking forward to school and his dance class tomorrow. He is super grateful of all the attention he is getting and the prayers, fasting, and good thoughts that keep coming. I asked him recently, "Has this experience made you feel closer to your Heavenly Father?" He said it has, I said, "Me too... there isn't much good you can say comes from having cancer but that is certainly one good thing." He agreed. Anyone that wishes to join the family in a fast on Tuesday is welcome to. God Bless.