Adam's "Straight Outta Chemo"

My husband Adam Cesnik was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer early March 2016. It has already spread to his liver, lymphs, and bones. He has good weeks and bad weeks. Without his oxygen tank, he wouldn't have enough energy to get out of bed. He's only had one round of chemo and he seems to have had a positive response. He's weaning off the oxygen and gaining energy and confidence to live life to the fullest. But we still have a long way to go.

Adam used to be an assistant retail manager working 60 hours a week. So dedicated to his job and customers. While working overtime during the holiday season, he was suffering from, what we thought was, bronchitis. Antibiotics and cough medications just weren't making the symptoms go away. A few months later, we decided to skip Minute Clinics and urgent cares and see our family doctor. She did a chest x ray and a CT scan. The x ray "lit up like a Christmas tree," his bronchials were so inflammed. But the CT scan showed the lesions on his liver, lymphs, and bones. His oxygen levels were so low he had a hard time breathing. Our family doctor told us to head to the ER. That's when the C word came up.

He was admitted to the hospital for 4 days. The liver biopsy showed the cancer started in his lungs. The doctors were shocked how fast it had spread and how fast his symptoms came about. The sample from the biopsy was sent away for genetic testing to determine which kind of treatment was appropriate. Almost 2 weeks later, we finally got the results.

"Incurable" the oncologist said.

Adam has an incurable stage 4 lung cancer. She called it bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC). She said to get a second opinion, but chemotherapy is the only option.

He's always in such great spirits, making light of this dark chapter in his life. He's making plans, setting goals, just staying positive and strong. That's how he's always lived life and that's how it's going to stay. Even after being forced to resign from his job, he refuses to be pessimistic. (Right after his first chemo treatment we decided to get married!)

I started this fund to help with medical bills. If we could manage the bills for hospitals stays, chemo treatments, and renting his oxygen tanks it would help take a weight off our minds and stay focused on getting him healthy again. He wants to do so many things and we would rather worry about when to go fishing instead of where we're going to come up with the money to pay for chemo. Since he can't work, it's up to me to pay for the regular bills (car, house, utilities, credit cards, insurances)... I'm only a pharmacy technician! I can only make so much! So far we've managed to stay on top of things but its been tight, the medical bills aren't going away.

Any donation is greatly appreciated.

None of us really know how long we have left. I just want Adam as happy as he can possibly be. Stress free. Worry free. Hakuna matata! Thank you, Adam, for taking care of me for these past few years. Now it's my turn. I love you so much.