Help the Helgeson Family Through Adam's Healing

Hello Everyone,

My name is Amanda Baumann and I'm starting this for our beloved family friends, Adam, Ashley and their three children.

If you don't know, what began for Adam as aches, pains, and other minor symptoms three weeks ago, turned into an unexpected and terrifying event in the last week. What was thought to be a 3cm malignant brain tumor turned out to be a large abscess of still unknown origin. Although their situation is improving and Adam is feeling better after the brain abscess has been drained, the medical costs are growing.

These include: an ER visit, ambulance ride from Northfield to Abbott in Minneapolis, two nights in the Intensive Care Unit, two MRIs, neurosurgery, home antibiotics, and multiple future care needs such as scans and follow-up visits. Additionally, with necessary lifting restrictions because of possible pressure on the brain, Adam will be off work for 6-8 weeks.

The Helgeson's are a genuine, funny, loving, and caring family who always help others in need. Let's help put their minds at ease so they can focus on recovery and allow Ashley to be with Adam and their three children as much as possible. There will be a lot of recovery not only physically for Adam, but emotionally for all of them. This was a traumatic situation and I kindly ask that you give them grace with any response times or updates you ask for. Thank you for surrounding them with love and understanding during this unimaginable life event.

I understand financial support isn't possible for everyone and that's ok! Please reach out with a text, homemade card, or just pray for them from afar. You can even share the fundraiser. Everything helps!

I am including the full story of their journey so far, that Ashley gave permission to share:

On Aug 15 he became ill at work with fever, headaches, neck pain and his chest was burning. After 4 days of fevers he went to urgent care and was treated for a lung infection with antibiotics. He felt better, not completely, but mostly and life moved on. Last wed, he had developed a terrible headache and by Thursday we were back at urgent care. Left with a diagnosis of migraine and meds. Next morning, no better, crippling pain. He went to the clinic, more meds including a steroid. Saturday, felt better. No headache. Sunday severe headache. We headed to the ER. A quick CT scan showed a 3 cm mass in his brain. Not the news anyone wants to get. The radiology report said, “likely malignancy” (cancer). Ambulance ride to Abott Neuro ICU for MRI. We spend the whole night thinking he may not see our kids grow up. At 3am we were informed that it appears to be abscess- which is not great but the best news we could’ve gotten. We met with the neurosurgeon and he is currently in surgery. They will pull part of his scalp back, make a quarter sized hole, and drain the infection. Once the cultures and pathology are back he will be given precise long term antibiotics. We are so grateful for all of the support and love we have gotten over the past 24 hours. It takes our breath away and has had us sobbing together. We will never take another moment together for granted and will never complain or sweat the small stuff again. We have a long road ahead of us, it’s still brain surgery. But we are so surrounded by love we are not afraid. Hug your families tighter and please continue with good vibes/prayers- they are working! We love all of you!

-Ashley