Adam’s Childhood Cancer Story

In the words of Julie, mother to Adam, childhood cancer survivor.

Meet the Weckel Family:

We are a family of four and live in Bettendorf, Iowa. My husband, Jamie Weckel, and I have been married for 16 years and together we have two boys, Adam, age 11, and Luke, age 8. In October 2000, our first child, Adam, was born perfectly healthy with no health concerns. Nine months later, our whole world changed when he was diagnosed with extraosseous Ewing sarcoma – a tumor in his left forearm.

What I heard: “Your son has cancer.” What I thought:

When we found out Adam had childhood cancer, we were devastated. We could not believe Adam had cancer and had no idea children, especially babies, could get cancer. I wondered how it happened. How did my baby get cancer? I had a normal pregnancy and Adam was born perfectly healthy. No amount of parenting books could have prepared us for the terrible news that our baby boy had cancer.

Adam spent the first year of his life in the hospital:

At 10 months old, Adam was admitted to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital to begin chemotherapy. From the very start, doctors told us that he may lose his arm. Looking back, that was the least of my worries. I remember asking, “What are my son’s chances of surviving?” Of course, the pediatric oncologist was extremely careful with his answer, but said he would do everything he could to save his life.

A parent never wants to hear the word “cancer,” nor hear the word “amputation,” but those were words we unfortunately had to hear and accept. After Adam’s fourth round of chemo, another biopsy was performed on his left forearm and his pediatric oncologist and orthopedic surgeon presented us with the best option to save his life: amputate his left forearm to get local control of the tumor.

Adam was only 1 year old when he lost his left forearm to cancer, and I vividly remember that day. As painful as it was, I was thankful and relieved that the tumor was out of my son’s body.

Today, Adam is an active, happy, healthy, cancer-free 11-year-old who can do just about anything. He will be in 6th grade this fall, and truly is an inspiration to others.

You need to know this about childhood cancer:

Childhood cancer can affect any child, at any age. That is why cancer research is vital, so children who are diagnosed in the future can have a positive outcome like Adam.

Why we shave for St. Baldrick’s:

My family shaves for St. Baldrick’s because it reminds us of Adam’s cancer journey, and that he is a survivor. It is my hope that one day, childhood cancer will cease to exist. Until then, childhood cancer research must continue. It is because of this research that my son is alive today. Thank you St. Baldrick’s for the wonderful work you are doing!

(Head-shaving photos by Shauna Welch Photography and Dustin Frost Photography)

Read another childhood cancer story: “Until There is No More Cancer!” – Spencer’s Rally Cry