GBM Awareness Day

 Life is...

 ...worthy of keen awareness.

Hi Friends,

Here we are again!  So soon?  Today's topic deserves all the attention and conversation we can muster.

With simultaneously somber and appreciative hearts,

Andi and Darrell

 

GBM Awareness Day

When Darrell went to the St. Jude Emergency Department in February 2016, the surgeon told us that the mass in Darrell's brain was likely Glioblastoma Multiforme.  The doctor's actual quote was, "GBM:  Look it up."  

We did.  And it was.  We had never in our lives seen the letters g, b, and m standing right next to each other.  We were completely unaware, despite the facts that, according to the National Brain Tumor Society:

• GBM is the most common form of brain cancer.  Approximately 13,000 Americans will receive a GBM diagnosis this year.
• GBM is the most aggressive form of brain cancer.  Only 7.2% of GBM patients survive to five years.  Most survive about one year.
  
• Brain cancers (including GBM) have the highest cost of initial treatment:  $150,000 annualized, per patient.
  

2016 was a long time ago.  We (Team D) have seen, learned, and lived through so much since then.  What a head spinning ride it's been...and continues to be.  Darrell has appreciated every single one of those days here on Earth.  Bonus days!  

 

He (and we) are also keenly aware of the fact that the length of Darrell's journey is unusual.  For example, who knew that he would have the opportunity to love two granddaughters?  Or that we'd be preparing for an Appalachian Trail adventure five and a half years post diagnosis? We have had the privilege of making so many new friends through the GBM community.  And our hearts ache for those we've lost to the disease.

One lost friend is Gary Dominguez.  Perhaps you remember when we made our new friends, Gary and Suzie Dominguez in 2019 (this post)? Above you see Gary and Suzie surrounded by their children and grandchild at their daughter's 2020 wedding.  Gary left Earth on May 5, 2021 as a result of his GBM.  His passing leaves such a hole in our hearts, and our lives are better and richer because of his humor, diligence, and loving presence.  

 

And we had the gift of Gary's friendship for such a short time!  Imagine the loss to his family members and his colleagues and mentees.  When we look at the photo, above, we are both saddened by the future ripples of Gary's loss in the lives of each of the precious loved ones we see pictured and gladdened that Gary's influence lives on in the faces of his children and through the way he and Suzie reared their kids and lived their lives.  

 

Now we multiply the loss of Gary by 10,000, one for each of the people who will succumb to GBM this year.  GBM takes a staggeringly heavy toll.  That's one reason that we are very grateful that July 21st is now--with bipartisan support--Glioblastoma Awareness Day. 

 

Thank you, Elke, for sharing this site with an informative video to honor the day:

Connections to GBM at braintumor.org

And thanks to all those who continue to raise awareness and funds to support research into the fight against this horrible monster of a disease.  In this vein, it's a good time for us to say thanks again, Colin and all of Stache Strong, for making something wonderful come from GJ's battle with GBM through your continuing efforts. (Here's our 2018 post.)

Stache Strong

It's an honor to call you friends.

Despite the major role for us, we also know that GBM is only one hard thing people face.  An awareness day gives us pause to consider just how many different kinds of difficult circumstances and diseases people face.  Everyone has a story.

If we aren't aware, we can't care.  And we can't act. 

Here's to becoming aware...together.

Today's Blooms

Thanks, Mayfields!