Family fights brain tumor, looks for support
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As the month of May wraps up, so does Brain Cancer Awareness Month. But one Merrill couple wants to spread the word about the common disease all year long.
Just over a year ago, Steve & Amy Rajek’s world turned upside down. On Steve’s way to work, he’s hit with the worst headache of his life.
“There was a lot of pressure on this one particular side. I thought, they make Tylenol for that stuff and I’ll be able to treat it myself.” Steve says, “Then I thought, maybe I should go get the doctors advice.”
Inside the doctors office, another massive headache and Steve passed out. Four hours later, with his wife by his side, he’s diagnosed with a GBM Stage Four brain tumor. He has an aggressive, incurable brain cancer.
“They don’t know how to stop it. It’s very fast growing.” Amy, Steve’s wife says, “It takes the healthy cells called glio cells in the brain and they just kind of go crazy and start multiplying.”
Doctors removed most of the tumor and started Steve on a round of chemo and radiation. He finished in January and returned to his normal life; grilling out, playing with his three kids and family dog Coco.
But just months later, the cancer came back. Steve now needs another surgery and more treatment. This time he’ll go to Mayo Clinic and try experimental treatments.
“I don’t want to play fair.” He says, “I want to be, whatever plans they have over there, with some clinical trials and drugs, let’s go. Let’s hit this hard.”
Cancer has hit his family hard, especially his wife, Amy. And not knowing anyone else who’s been in her shoes, it’s tough.
“I would love to do a support group.” Amy says, “I would even be interested in doing a walk/run type of event to help give funds to the American Cancer Society or to the Brain Tumor Society to help with the research.”
The cancer makes Steve tired and when he needs to take a break, he and his wife sit quietly together. During those moments they think about the future. For Steve it means living another day with his family. For Amy, it means keeping her husband alive and finding other people who are fighting the same fight.
“I think it’s very important to know that there are other people out there that have been through it, are still battling it and know that they’re not alone.”
Amy is extremely interested in starting a support group for patients, spouses and family members who are fighting brain tumors and cancer.
If you’re interested, e-mail her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Online Reporter: Cami Mountain
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