– photo furnished

Adam's Journey: Local teen fighting Hodgkin's Lymphoma

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

BRIENSBURG – If there’s one thing Barry Darnall said he’s learned over the last few months, it’s that “it won’t happen to me” can, in fact, happen.

On Feb. 16, Barry realized just how wrong he’d been when his 17-year-old son Adam was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

It had started in June with what Barry and his wife Shaun thought was a case of mono, and may have actually been. However, the swelling in Adam’s glands continued, sometimes getting better, sometimes a little worse.

After several doctors visits and trips to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, the problem had yet to desist. And while physicians still felt the problem likely to be a lingering infection from mono, Adam said he knew better.

“I knew what I had a month and a half before they tested me,” he said.

“I guess that’s why it didn’t hit me as hard as it did them.”

When doctors performed a surgical biopsy on Feb. 10, the results that came six days later were no surprise.

His parents could not say the same.

“When you hear the word cancer, you don’t really hear anything else,” Barry said. “You hear the worst.”

Two days later, Shaun said the family found themselves at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

“They did a bone marrow biopsy and ran some tests,” Shaun said. “And they didn’t find it anywhere else.”

It was good news for the family, however, Adam must still undergo chemotherapy. For two weeks, Adam will return for intravenous chemo treatment and a strict pill regimen.

“Ideally he’ll be off for three weeks, then,” Shaun said. “Then he’ll go back for more and it repeats.”

Four bouts of treatment with pills in between and the possibility of radiation may sound overwhelming, but thus far, Adam is taking it well.

“He’s keeping a good attitude,” his mother Shaun said. “We’re very proud of him.”

Adam has been fortunate, as well, Barry said. While he tires more quickly, thus far, treatment has not hindered him. Over the weekend, he spent some much needed time riding four-wheelers with friends.

Still, the risks are there. Barry said Adam’s blood count must be watched closely, and should he run any fever, he must be taken to the hospital immediately.

“They told us not to be surprised if he ends up in the hospital at some point in the beginning,” Barry said.

The family is learning to live with the change in routine, though, and they are drawing strength from those around them.

“They say there’s a 95 percent cure rate for someone of his condition,” Barry said. “He’s a healthy, non-smoker, so he’s got a very good chance. Some of the potential side effects of the medication are scary, but you do what you’ve got to do.”

Those side effects are the one concern for Adam. Barry said one of the medications prescribed him has in the past been linked with lung problems.

Adam is an avid scuba diver.

“When they told him he might not be able to do it again it was like ‘whoa – time out,” Barry said. However, after careful research he said they discovered the outcome might not be as detrimental as once thought.

“He’s determined to do it again,” Barry said. “He was supposed to leave April 3 for Hawaii on a dive trip. He’s still going, it’s just been postponed for a while.”

And it’s that determination that Adam and his parents are confident will carry them through.

He’s got a whole team of supporters pulling for him, too. Adam’s sister-in-law Jessica began a Facebook page to serve as a chronical of his battle and a place for all who know him to gather and offer support or get updates. Adam’s Journey now has over 500 members.

“It’s lightened up the load of having to make so many phone calls,” Shaun said. “And they don’t have to wait on a phone call.”

A fund has been established in Adam’s name, as well. Those wishing to contribute can visit 1st Kentucky Bank in Draffenville.

“We’re just hoping for the best and trusting the doctors, right now,” Barry said.