"Chipping in" to Support the McAdam Family

The McAdam family's lives changed forever on August 1st.

Jeff went into the Emergency Room at Scripps Memorial with back and neck pain and a slight tingling sensation down his left arm and leg. He thought maybe a blood clot? Or a simple pinched nerve? Instead, CT scans and multiple MRIs revealed a large, cancerous tumor on his neck - A kind of cancer so rare that only one-in-a-million people will get it.

More testing lead to more questionable spots/lesions, But none of them as scary as the big one on his spine. Their world turned upside down. Jeff's family flew in immediately from Colorado to take care of the 39-year-old father of two, Jeff and Danica's two children, Landon, 3, and Goldene 2.

The most aggressive tumor, doctors are calling a Chordoma, was wrapped around multiple vertebrae on Jeff's neck, damaging one of the vertebrae severley enough that it needed to be removed. While removing that vertebrae, doctors were able to thread the needle and get most of the tumor lodged behind it, but had to leave part of it behind in fear of paralyzing him, or causing him to stroke. Jeff is currently recovering from the surgery and now strategizing for the long road ahead.

The next few months are equally critical, as they are unknown, as they may have to travel out of state to consult with doctors who specialize in this extremely rare spine cancer to explore additional surgeries and radiation treatment possibilities.

And yet, insurance only takes them so far...

It's going to be a long and exhausting journey for the family, both emotionally and financially. The McAdam's send their heart-felt thank you's to those dear friends who have already shown up to support them. They welcome anyone who has the ability to send a prayer or support. Your kindness will never be forgotten.