Adam Cook: an inspiration to many
3:47 PM Posted In Adam Cook , brain cancer , Burkitt's Lymphoma , cancer , David Cook , melanomas , skin cancer Edit This 2 Comments »I was away from my computer for most of the day today, so I didn’t find out until just a little while ago that David Cook’s older brother Adam Cook had passed away, following a long and very courageous battle with brain cancer.
I remember watching American Idol last year and being touched by Adam’s story. I was also touched by David’s decision to not use his brother’s illness as a way to gain sympathy votes.
I became very emotional last year when I saw Adam in the audience, supporting his younger brother, because I knew how much strength that had to take. Adam, in the midst of fighting for his life, took time to show his support for David and that spoke volumes about the kind of person Adam was also. (Those Cook boys come from good stock!) Adam is an inspiration and won't seen be forgotten.
Since the end of last season, I've kept up on how Adam's been fairing, frequently checking the internet for updates. My best friend is the one that emailed me to tell me that Adam had passed away. I promptly went to find an article on it and saw the video of David announcing Adam’s death. I couldn’t help but cry while watching it.
Here it is for those that haven't seen it.
I think it’s fantastic that even amongst his grief, David stuck it out and ran in the Race for Hope 5k and served as its Grand Marshal. He sets an example for others, showing them that life continues to go on once our loved one’s pass away, and that the ultimate way to acknowledge their impact on our lives is to go forth and make a difference in another person's life, essentially paying it forward.
I, like so many people I know, have been impacted by cancer in some way. I think most people can say they know at least one person who has, or has had, cancer. I can count far more than that. In fact, I was discussing with my best friend the other day how it seems more and more people are being diagnosed with this horrible disease.
My mom’s step-father, David, fought a very hard battle with cancer that, in total, spanned over several years. When he died, he was down to skin and bones, which was a dramatic change from the man that we all remember him as, a big guy full of a love for life and all that it holds.
My dad’s father,
Just recently, my 35-year-old cousin Jody was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. She went from being someone my family and I saw outside all the time, working in the garden, to a person who is now in intensive care and the doctor’s think will never leave. Burkitt’s spreads rapidly, as it has with my cousin. It’s extremely rare for an adult to get it, never mind someone in the
Jody is one of the kindest, most genuine souls you could ever meet. She never has a mean word to say about anyone, and she gives selflessly to others with no regard for herself. There’s not a mean bone in her body, so why does she have to be sick when she’s done nothing but good?
Since being diagnosed several weeks ago, Jody suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak or see. In a miraculous turn of events, she did regain both functions, but her diagnosis is still as grim as it can get.
Some of the bravest people that have touched my life are the children that are battling cancer. Cancer is a horrible disease, as I’ve stated, but it’s even worse when it strikes a child who has barely had time to live. It makes you ask a lot of questions that there really aren’t any answers for.
Personally, I’ve faced my own cancer scare. When I was born, I had a mole on my inner thigh, which my family always referred to as my “birthmark.” As I grew older, it grew and changed shape.
When I was 25, I noticed it was exhibiting signs of melanoma, which instantly concerned me. I telephoned my doctor and made an appointment to get it checked out. I wasn’t taking chances, not when I had two children at home that needed me. My youngest wasn’t even a year old and I wasn’t ready to leave him or his sister, not when I had so many things I wanted to teach them in life.
My primary care physician took one look at the mole and said I need to see a surgeon to have it removed as soon as possible. A few weeks later, I was in for surgery having it, and two others, removed. The mole from my leg was sent off to be biopsied. The doctor told me that there was no way to tell if it was in fact cancer until the results came back, but that it didn’t have many of the characteristics of skin melanoma.
From the time I decided to call my PCP, to when I finally got the results was the longest period of my life. Every day, I would get up and look at my kids and pray that it wasn’t cancer. I would think about what they would do without me. I would cry at night because I was so scared of leaving them without their mom.
Some days, it felt like no one understood my pain and how scared I was. I tried to be positive and think good thoughts, but at times, it was hard. When you’re a parent facing the possibility of a disease that claims so many lives, you can't help but think about your own mortality or about leaving your children without one of their parents.
I was lucky. My tests results came back and the mole was not cancerous. Had I waited to get it checked, who knows how long it would have been before it became cancerous. I feel I was granted a second chance of sorts, a chance to make my life better and more meaningful.
I’m very pale-skinned, so I do burn and tan rather easily. Yes, my skin looks so much better when there’s color to it, but not at the price of my health. Since being told I was okay, I’ve made every conscious effort to take care of my skin. I don’t like to go outside for any length of time without sunblock on. I don’t tan anymore. I don’t stand out in the direct sunlight for long. I try to stay in the shade. At the end of the day, I may resemble a ghost, or vampire, but at least I know I’m taking every precaution necessary to protect myself.
Because of all I’ve seen and experienced, cancer research is one cause that holds a special place in my heart. I hope that I can lend my voice to the fight against cancer. If I can encourage people to take better care of their bodies and not take their own health for granted, I'll feel like I’ve made a difference.
I hope, as I grow older, that I continue to have my life impacted by people like Adam and David Cook, my grandfathers, my cousin Jody and countless others who continue to fight every day to survive and see all forms of this disease eradicated.
