We have BOLD and Handsome men too!   |   Thursday, October 4, 2012

At 22 years old, most young people are thinking about maybe their last year of college, what kind of job they'll land, probably about their career choice and the partner they'll spend their life with.... some probably dream of continuing on in school and making their fortune with some sort of post graduate degree. Some may be considering their current job in a trade, building new homes for families or contributing to the community as a volunteer, or the ultimate....serving our country in the military. But, Chad W., age 22 is considering life with cancer.


Diagnosed at age 21 with testicular cancer, it's been a battle since, but a battle he's  fighting with courage, determination, humor and a family and friends full of love and support. After finding a lump, where it shouldn't be, a CAT scan determined cancer was present and he went immediately from x-ray to surgery to remove the tumor and the testicle. A cancer that can be devastating to men and their reproductive abilities, Chad dealt with it. His Mom, Lori says, "he was a champion, he didn't let it slow him down at all. He was in college at the time and the doctor told him to stay as active as possible, so he did and hasn't let it interfere with his life" and his dreams. With plans to pursue a career as an Actuary, he has a long road ahead. But I suspect that his determination in fighting cancer, will make the journey to becoming an Actuary, seem like a kindergarten field trip.

Early this spring, the cancer had spread to his lung, seen on what are routine, frequent CAT scans. The prescribed chemotherapy would cause him to lose his thick head of hair and he was reluctant to tell his friends what was going on, but was forced to when the hair started coming out. His supportive group of friends planned a head shaving party and 30-35 people shaved their heads in support of Chad's fight. A few of Chad's friends, some whom he's known since grade school, came to his photo session in support of him, heads still closely cropped or bald.



Chad says, "The pictures are great!" Showing off his new tatoo of fellow testicular cancer survivor, Lance Armstrong's "LIVESTRONG", he wants everyone to know about his battle now. Certainly not shying away from the camera. His family has plans to produce some sort of book about Chad's journey and share it with the friends and family and plan to use the pictures from his session with Oldham.


Lori says to other parents dealing with kids fighting cancer, "Let them live as normally as possible. Don't let the cancer confine them....and don't let them hide behind the TV or stay in bed all the time. And don't let them get the 'poor, pitiful me syndrome.'


I never got the impression that Chad feels pity for himself, but only the will and drive to fight this and beat it.... now and forever.

UPDATE: From Chad himself:
" I was a bit hesitant at first to do the photos because I was not too sure if I wanted everyone knowing what was going on. Then I thought I really don't care, this is who I am and what I have been doing. I thought it does not matter to me who sees or knows, it wouldn't change anything I have done already or will be doing in the future. The opportunity to help other young males was another huge factor into doing the photo shoot. While at the shoot it was a great time. A lot of jokes and laughter was in the room so it made it an easy and pleasant experience. The pictures turned out great in my opinion. I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Labels: #bebold, #lancearmstrong, #livestrong, cancer, cancer in kids, childhood cancer, livestrong, Oldham Kids, Terri Shaver, testicular cancer, The Oldham Project

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Sometimes sick looks normal....   |   Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Samantha was very ill, before she even took her first breath.... diagnosed with Hydrocephalus at 28 weeks, long before she was even born, she's now endured over 250 surgeries and procedures to control the Hydrocephalus and it's complications.... the first shunt surgery when she was 2 hours old!


For those of you who don't know about Hydrocephalus, let me explain a bit. Commonly known years ago as 'water on the brain', its basically a 'back-up' of fluid in the brain due to malformations or blockages in the ventricles in the inside of the brain. Normally, we have fluid that circulates within the brain and up and down the spinal cord, called spinal fluid. Due to congenital malformations, etc, that fluid can't circulate as it normally does and it backs up inside the brain, causing fatal swelling of the brain and thus the head. It must be 'shunted' elsewhere to drain. The first surgery Samantha had was to insert the first shunt she ever had to move the fluid from her brain to her abdomen through a very tiny tube, where it's then re-absorbed. This shunt has had to be revised, repaired, changed, lengthed, unclogged and relocated hundreds of times, each requiring a surgical procedure. The abnormal pressure inside the brain then causes brain damage, slowed emotional and mental development, sometimes seizures and profound mental handicaps. These kids are always vulnerable to infections, blockages and even death from the seizures and swelling.



She may appear to look like a normal 17 year old, but the diagnosis has left its mark on her physically, mentally and emotionally. She's physically much smaller than the average 17 year old female, appearing more like a 10-12 year old. Mentally and emotionally functioning at about a 3-4 grade level, she doesn't let that affect her attitude and countenance. She just glows with happiness, despite having endured such physical challenges. She has frequent seizures and most recently, had to have open heart surgery, due to blood clots filling her heart. Another complication of the shunt.
Having been hospitalized most of her life, Samantha has been homeschooled for most of that time. She will never be able to participate with any physical sporting activities like other kids her age.


This family has endured more than Samantha's illness, having their home devastated by a fire, losing everything. Her mom shares, "Never give up hope. I let her do what she can... she knows her limitations."

Due to some very generous donations, Samantha was able to go shopping for a couple new outfits for her photo session. She was thrilled and shopped almost till she dropped!

Labels: hydrocephalus, Non-profit, Oldham Kids, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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  |   Tuesday, August 7, 2012

After a persistent cough for a couple weeks, Clara's Mom, Lisa decided she knew her child best and took her in to the Doctor to demand some labs be drawn... which determined, just 4 hours later that Clara was fighting Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. "It was the farthest thing from our minds when we asked for that blood test, they never even eluded to something like that", says Mom, Lisa. With aggressive treatment started immediately in June 2010, Clara's hair remained intact till about Thanksgiving that year. Mom reports that Clara has been a trooper and that this fall, her "port" is due out and finally, life will get back to 'normal' for them.


"Our Doctor, Dr. Scott is very reassuring, but always warns us to 'take one day at a time." Family has rallied around the family, even Clara's uncle Jeff who created a 'port' for her toy kangaroo, which she carries with her to every treatment and hospital stay.


Looking like a normal little 5 year old, she loved playing in the camera room, dressing up in all the costumes available, playing princess, as every little girl should feel!



Mom relates, "Don't ever take anything for granted and enjoy life!" I think that's a 'given' with kids.... they never quite understand the gravity of the situation and help parents cope with their childlike naiveté. Clara has never let the expression of joy leave her sweet little face! She even directed this 'special' hairdo!

Labels: acute lymphocytic leukemia, cancer, cancer in kids, childhood blood disorders, childhood cancer, childhood diseases, Leukemia, Non-profit, Oldham Kids, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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  |   Monday, July 23, 2012

Labels: brain tumor, cancer, cancer in kids, childhood cancer, childhood diseases, Oldham Kids, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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Sometimes you just look normal....   |   Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Everyone loves to see kids at play, laughing, running and jumping....but sometimes that just can't happen. Especially those with blood disorders... 6 year old Layla wants to be a phlebotomist someday, when she grows up, "to make peoples blood better."


After noticing some unusual bruising, parents, Jason and Jennifer took their daughter to the doctor to investigate. With several trips to Detroit Children's Hospital, CS Mott and Mayo Clinic, in 2011, she was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, which  is a rare disorder caused by profound, almost complete bone marrow failure. With no known immediate cause, she was immediately hospitalized to receive platelets, as she was at a very high risk for hemmorhage. Being poked and prodded with needles for constant blood draws, Layla told her Mom, "I promise I'm OK Mom, I just want to go home!" 




A year later, she appears to be a fairly normal child, still is being monitored for abnormal blood counts, still struggling with low platelet counts. I'm sure she'd love to run and play and ride a bike, but with hemorrhage a consequence, she doens't get to do too much of that....




What physical activity in your life do you take for granted? I'm sure Layla would change places with you.

Labels: anemia in children, Aplastic Anemia, childhood blood disorders, childhood diseases, Oldham Kids, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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One of our angels has been honored....   |   Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Our precious angel Adalin Farnum has been honored this week in the Detroit area in a "random act of kindness." The Arts and Technology Center school in Pontiac collected money and helped to build a small, landscape garden, dedicated to Adalin James Farnum (October 1, 2002- October 14, 2011), one of our Oldham Kids photographed in 2011. One of Adalin's last requests was that her family and friends who loved her and wanted to continue to honor her, would perform 'random acts of kindness' until she directed them otherwise. TV 20 was there to record the event which aired on television last week. Her mom, Tammy and siblings, Kate and Jack also attended the event to honor Adie. These school children, who didn't even know Adaline, have become part of her legacy through this garden. They will be reminded each time the see the plaque bearing her name, to again, think of someone or something in need and perform that random act of kindness. Adie would challenge everyone who reads this blog post to do the same thing... take a moment to look around you and find someone to help, someone to bless, someone to share Adie's legacy with. I'm sure you won't have to look far. Adie will open your eyes!

* Event photos and video courtesy of Zak Walsh, Tanner Friedman

Labels: cancer, cancer in kids, childhood cancer, Oldham Kids, soft tisssue sarcoma, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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  |   Friday, May 18, 2012

The Oldham Project is rocking the social media world!! In just the past couple days, Oldham has gotten at least 50 new followers on just Twitter alone! If you don't follow us on Twitter or Facebook, please do!

Our facebook page is HERE! And our Twitter handle is @oldhamproject. These sources will keep you up to date on a daily basis on what we're doing, where we'll be and the clients we're serving! And always remember, SHARE with your family and friends. HELP us, raise awareness of cancer and other illnesses that are taking the lives of loved ones daily!

Labels: #bebold, bald women, Be Bold Feel Beautiful, bone cancer, bone cancer in children, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, cancer, cancer in kids, childhood cancer, Oldham Kids, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project

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The Fingerprints of God....   |   Tuesday, May 8, 2012

13 year old Montana is a remarkable young women, full of faith. This is her story. Montana discovered a lump in her left thigh the day after a double-header softball game. Thinking it was just a pulled muscle, not much was thought about it, until an x-ray confirmed bone cancer. Her parents were called back to the Dr's office without Montana to discuss the findings and options. The tumor, approximately the size of a volleyball, was consuming her left femur. After further testing, it was discovered that she had 10 tumors in her lungs as well. As she and her parents thought about the options, Montana said, "I looked at what I wanted my life to look like", in making decisions about treatment. Initially starting chemo quickly to stop the tumors growth, she underwent 8 rounds of chemo, before considering any surgical intervention. "I wanna play sports" was her first thought when presented with the surgical options of amputation or limb salvage. Can you imagine a 13 year old being given the option of losing her leg or losing most of her mobility and potential activity with the other option? Her left leg was removed on October 25, 2011, almost at the hip joint and she got her prosthesis 6 weeks later. "I want to try out for the track team. I want to play lots of sports to show people that I may only have one leg, but I'm not disabled. Just because I have a metal leg...it won't limit me." The oldest of 6 children, Montana is showing her parents and siblings what determination and faith look like. "I want to participate in the Paralympics someday!"