Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer and it often strikes without a warning.
Senator Ted Kennedy has it. It took the lives of composer George Gershwin and Movie Critic Gene Siskel.
Scott Patrick is finding a web of support as he braces for the fight of his life.
“It's just pure and sincere,” says Scott.
In the pages of a Caring Bridge, a site that connects people through serious illness, Scott and his family have found a find a team of care brought together by a man playing his toughest game.
“We've seen a huge connection of friends and family that may not have happened had Scott not had this challenge,” says Scott’s wife Ronda Patrick. “Those connections are really energizing. So for me, having the feedback from people that are really sincere and wanting to know and care about Scott, it's really made me feel the human spirit is alive and well.”
“My childhood friend growing up, Kevin Bergstrom,” says Scott, “he reached out, and few days later he was at my doorstep here as a result of Caring Bridge. That’s a pretty powerful connection.”
Scott has been the Vice-President of Corporate Sales for the Seahawks for 11 years. He was also with the Sonics for 11 years and helped open two stadiums here in Washington.
But at the height of his career, life threw him a big curveball.
Two years ago, sitting in a hot tub after a workout, Scott had a seizure.
“But just by luck a maintenance man was nearby and he pulled me out of the tub and called 911,” he says.
“That was the first miracle, “says Ronda, “We figured he was meant to be here a little bit longer.”
A blur of surgery and tests concluded: Scott has Glioblastoma, which is an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.
“So now I’m trying to fight hard to stay in this game,” says Scott.
“You look up words that are really big that you've never heard before,” says Ronda, “but I had a need to know what we were dealing with.”
20,000 people will be diagnosed with Glioblastoma this year--500 in the state of Washington.
And it’s a tough one: Glioblastoma is highly aggressive and resistant to treatment.
Dellan Elliott’s husband Chris died of Glioblastoma 6 years ago. She’s been fighting for better research, treatment and education ever since. This summer has brought exciting news:
So, for now, the fight for Scott and his family, the fight goes on…
“Just put one foot down and put another foot down in front of it,” says Scott, “and here we go.”
…for a family that knows, this, is worth fighting for.
“There are a lot of great people with big hearts out there working on it and I believe we are going to find the way.”
Web Extra: An Interview with Ground-Breaking Advocate Dellann Elliott
Founder of the Chris Elliott Fund Dellann Elliott talks about Glioblastoma
August 27, 2000, we were up at Crystal Mountain and my husband said let's go home. When we left my husband kept thinking I was drifting on the road. He worked on the yard, I went to the store and when I came back my husband was sitting with my children and he said I feel really weird. I'm smelling all kinds of smells like rotten tennis shoes. I thought he had the flu, I had no idea that was a symptom of a brain tumor. Later he said call 911. They thought he had meningitis. He said the man in the ambulance had a seizure.
The neurosurgeon came and got me and showed me that he had a primary brain tumor, and I remember being told if you have it this is the right place to have it in the right temporal lobe.
I as pacing and his neurosurgeon came out and he said to me, this is the type of tumor that will end his life sooner than later. So that was really tough. That was really tough
At that point in time I never knew anyone with brain tumor let alone brain cancer. So friends did some research, and it wasn't good. In fact it was really scary. At that time standard protocol was radiation and then intravenous chemo. Now standard protocol for this type of disease has advanced. Now you have radiation and a drug called Temador so we are seeing some advancement. You also don't have to wait for the drug to reoccur to get that drug. 8 years ago you had to wait until you had a second brain tumor until you had the drug Temodar.
You've had a quick education. Yes I have. So, I like to share that with people because I know how important it is because I would have loved to had someone there sharing that with me. What were some of the last things Chris told me? We sat down together. We made a list of the things that he wanted to do. Besides spending time with his family and traveling, but he also said please do something about this disease so that's where I built my strength. I also know we've made a difference here and world wide. Chris left a beautiful legacy in that fact, as well as a beautiful legacy for his kids.
What are you doing to change what's happening with brain cancer? I know you're traveling a lot... I've been going to Washington D.C. We also educate, advocate and spread awareness. I advocate for increasing our national health institute of health budget for cancer, also to eliminate the 2 year waiting period for medicare for people with life-threatening diseases. People with brain cancer often don't last that long. It's happening all over including here. There will be 500 new cases here in Washington this year. So people need to know what. Work with the experts. Swedish has a brand new center for advanced brain tumor treatment. Everyone's brain tumor is different so it doesn't make sense to have a standard protocol. You want to have the genetic markers tested so you can find the drug that will respond to that. Why has it been more difficult to get the funding? Part of the problem the life span is short for people with brain cancer. But also because we've been treating with a protocol that only works for 30 percent. That has stunted our research that way.
What I would want people to know for sure is that we are there for them. It is not an easy disease. I would like people to see us as a resource to help them on their journey. The more we can get the word out about brain cancer and that it is an individual approach is beneficial the more we can do that the more we will be having success with brain cancer.
The Chris Elliott Fund supports research at the Dana-Farber Institute. Years ago we sent them the seed money to get enough to do more research. We have actually identified the genes that cause glioblastoma.
With are now with the National Institute of Health to prioritize those genes. 13 exciting and wonderful and fabulous. So go to our website to find more information at www.chriselliottfund.org and you will see on there many ways to get involved.
Web Extra: An Interview with Ambassador Tamara DePorter
Mrs. Seattle and Ambassador Chris Elliott Fund Tamara DePorter talks about Glioblastoma
I had a good friend and colleague who died of brain cancer. 10 years ago I couldn't do anything but now I feel like I can thanks to the Chris Elliott Fund and Dellann Elliott. Cancer touches everyone. I know so many people and it is personal for me to. So, it's just awesome to be a part of it. So what impressed you? The people. We can see the impact we are making especially because of my title but also be cause of my work with the Chris Elliott Fund.
What do you hope to do? I hope to get the name Glioblastoma out there so people don't say 'what is that?' I keep running across people that have Glioblastoma. What have you learned about brain cancer? It's scary. But everything helps. I just want people to know that we are here and we can help. It's so overwhelming sometimes we are happy to help. So let's try and make it better because this is not going to go away. Not yet.
MORE LINKS & INFORMATION:
Caring Bridge: Visit Scott Patrick