Help Scott Jump the Hurdles & Dodge the Potholes

Scott and Caroline Danforth have always supported fundraisers, whether it be with time, money, or donated goods. Never did they expect or anticipate a need for anything in return. Scott is one of the good ones, who has always led a life of independence – going where he wanted, when he wanted, doing what he wanted, helping his friends and family when they needed it. And then…Brain Cancer... Glioblastoma Multiforme grade 4; in layman's terms, the great white shark of brain tumors that currently doesn't have a cure. Scott was diagnosed in February 2021, and he's been leading the good fight since.

A lot has happened in the last 19 months: first a craniotomy to achieve a maximal safe resection (cut-out) of the tumor, and then a second after radiation treatment to remove dead/inflammatory tissue, a spinal fluid leak that wouldn't heal without six additional surgeries (including a major scalp resection/skin flap rotation/skin graft/craniectomy), chemo, radiation, more chemo, physical therapy, occupational therapy, some speech therapy thrown in for good measure, in-home physio, out-patient physio, and a half-dozen-or-so seizures have been the medical milestones on the calendar for the past year and a half. Scott's mobility was drastically affected after his 3rd surgery this year (he's had 5 in 2022), and he spent 7 weeks between in-patient care at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and in-patient physio/occupational/speech therapy. He came home in April and managed quite well using his walker and the bilateral handrails on the stairs (Caroline & Scott have a second-floor apartment). A couple more seizures, and a fall, have made mobility much more challenging. He has good days and more challenging days. Some days his balance/core stability is pretty good (relatively speaking), and other days it can be a bit like the collapsing thumb-dancing push puppet you may have had when you were a kid. He has managed with his walker, assistive grab bars in the bathroom, a borrowed wheelchair, and friends and family when he must do the stairs to get to appointments.

When Caroline first met Scott, it was on a sailboat in 2009 and he was the foredeck guy. For those who aren't sailors, the foredeck is the pointy end of the sailboat that is the least stable when the boat is underway, and Scott could do anything up there. Change a sail in stormy seas, no problem; hoist a heavy wet sail back to the cockpit, easy; run from the bow to the stern to pull an asymmetrical sail around, child's play; pull Caroline out of the lake and back on board; swoon. He's also the guy you wanted when the proverbial dung hit the fan - always aware of who needed the encouragement, the quiet confidence, the reassuring calm to see the challenge through. Since Scott and Caroline got the gut punch of a cancer diagnosis, he’s faced it with the same approach. Of course, there have been tears, anxiety, uncertainty, and fear; but generally, he has kept his calm disposition, quiet resolve and encouraged those around him to keep doing their best.

Scott and Caroline celebrated their 4thWedding Anniversary in September - the modern gift is "appliances (electrical)"; totally appropriate given they made the decision to have a stair lift installed to get Scott up and down the stairs - if he is exhausted, before he even gets to the car, his physio appointment is that much harder and less productive, and safety for both Scott and Caroline is a very real concern. Scott is determined and wants to keep doing PT and will hopefully be able to go more frequently if getting down the stairs is easier and safer. Scott spends many a night sleeping in a recliner and an adjustable bed frame would mean more restful sleep. A lift to help Scott transfer in and out of the car is certainly something that could be needed in the near future. Scott is being fitted for his own wheelchair and there will be other "things" needed as he and Caroline navigate this part of their journey together. Moving at this time is not an option -- Scott's recliner is literally 192 steps from Caroline’s desk at work, and her boss is very understanding when she needs to pop home when Scott needs help. Seizures are a very real concern and being less than 2 minutes door-to-door is critical.

As of the end of August, Scott's tumor site is stable (amazing news!!), and we want him to be able to continue to make strides in recovering from an exhaustive journey over the past 19 months. He's beating the odds thanks to Roswell, and he and Caroline are so grateful for their support system here in Buffalo, NY and literally around the world. Without everyone in their corner, their journey would be impossible. Scott has been “through the wringer” we are hoping will be able to help him, to keep encouraging him to find a new way, to push through to appointments, to reassure him that he can do this with just a little bit of help. If you feel moved to help them financially and share this campaign, we thank you; if you are spiritual and want to say prayers for Scott, we welcome all good energy as they keep on jumping hurdles and dodging potholes!

Donna Atkinson and Lysa Brewster