Adam Jaffe's Fight: Don't Stop Believin'

The world changed for the Jaffe family at the end of 2012 when Adam, just 41 years old at the time, started experiencing abdominal pains and doctors had a difficult time initially determining the cause.  Even with his first surgery, Adam's abdomen was so inflamed and matted down, the doctors could not safely get into the areas they wanted to explore because it was too dangerous.  Ultimately, in February of 2013 it was confirmed...cancer in his lower right quadrant, which was diagnosed as Appendiceal cancer. With this diagnosis there have been multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries, too many ER visits to count, hospital stays, and so much more. A roller coaster ride that no-one wants to take! With all the ups and downs, Adam had a short period of remission in 2016, with it only to reemerge again in 2017 and be one of the worst ensuing time of their lives.  This, unfortunately, is their "normal".  They have endured more than any one family should ever have to, and they have fought with such grace, dignity and courage.  

This is an incredible family! Adam is a father to 3 boys, a husband to his wife Jodi, a son, a brother, an uncle, a great friend to many, but most of all, Adam is a fighter!  He has spent this past year in and out of hospitals, unable to eat due to bowel obstruction, connected to nutrients bags, and unable to work at all since October 2017 at Montgomery Animal Hospital, where he has spent his life as a favored Veterinarian, passionately caring for and healing animals .  All Adam should be doing right now is focusing on his health and putting all his energy into getting better each and every day. And his wife, Jodi, has been nothing short of amazing and the rock of the family, and all she should be doing right now is caring for Adam and their three teenage boys. This family, to no fault of their own, have had an unimaginably painful journey with cancer for over 6 years now.  

On numerous occasions, friends and family members have wanted to start some sort of fundraising campaign to help the Jaffe's with the astronomical costs associated with Adam's treatments and illness over these many years.  In one instance just late last year, Adam had to be taken by helicopter from Montgomery General to UMMC for experiencing a blood sugar level over 1200 (brought on by a new drug which only happens in 1% of trial patients) followed by 12 nights in Neuro ICU, you can only imagine what that one bill would amount to.  Adam has not gone to work nor had income in over a year and prior to that was a day to day determination if he felt well enough to go in.  Since he's unable to work, their only option for their business has been to hire relief vets at emergency rates to maintain their animal hospital.  Therefore he has not taken a paycheck in a year to cover those expenses.  They are desperately looking for a full time veterinarian, so maybe someone reading this might have a lead.  

When you have your health and you're able to work, just paying the bills can be taxing, such as the mortgage and college tuition,  so with Adam's illness and having all those normal responsibilities, in addition to heaping medical bills, it can take a real toll not only on the body and mind, but your finances. We know GoFundMe is such a good avenue for all their friends, family, co-workers, clients, neighbors and the anonymous do gooders to help lift some of the burden in a significant way! Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to battle this disease and the domino effects that it brings.  

So for all of you that are taking a moment to read this, first and foremost thank you so much, and secondly, when you're considering helping, imagine a life where you can't eat real food for almost a year. Take what you would normally spend just in one day for food, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500; no amount is too small and no amount is too big! This is a family that deserves every penny but hasn't asked for a cent. So we, the Jaffe Don't Stop Believin' team, their friends, are asking! Please help us in lifting some of the financial burden off of this family. And if you can't help financially we completely understand and just ask that you share the Jaffe's story and forward this link to whomever you think could be of help.

We thought it would be nice to start this campaign on a very special day, January 14th, Adam's 48th birthday. We can not think of a better gift than to try and raise money for this very deserving family so they can put their energy towards the continued fight to better health!

Don't Stop Believin'!!!

Thank you! Dina, Chris, Mary and Cori