"I'm Gonna Fight Like Hell" -Adam Simmons

In early 2022, Adam heard the words no one wants to hear- “You have cancer.”

For over a year, Adam felt a lump growing in his lower pelvic area. At first it was the size of a pebble, then a small rock, then a golf ball, then a baseball, and finally, upon removal, a softball. When he first visited the doctor, it was the size of a pebble, and the doctor said it was nothing to worry about. However, by spring of 2022, the discomfort from the large mass was to the point something had to be done. Finally finding a doctor who heard his concerns, things moved very quickly and within a matter of weeks, he was diagnosed, in surgery and starting 6 rounds of chemotherapy. He was officially diagnosed with Hybrid Hodgkins/Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma because we all know if Adam is going to do something, he’s going to do it big or not at all! His care team at Memorial Hermann Cypress has been an incredibly supportive, taken the time to answer his hundreds of questions and address his concerns. He handled the 6 rounds of chemo like a champ, kept a positive attitude, and definitely lived up to his motto “I’m gonna fight like hell and beat this!” After 2 rounds of chemo, there was great news. The cancer had gone from lymph nodes, a spot on his hip, liver and spleen, to just the lymph nodes in his leg. He continued the last 4 to ensure every last cell was killed and finished his treatment in August. He even returned to work in September.

As any cancer patient knows, treatment doesn’t leave a person without taking a toll on the body. Through the process, Adam found out he was diabetic. He quickly changed his eating habits to accommodate his diagnosis and kept trudging on. He also found out his liver took quite a shot from the chemo. It’s being carefully monitored, and again he has made modifications to aid in the healing of his body.

Then came the results from his PET scan post treatment. There is a mass in his abdomen showing that cancer is still present. To say it was a blow is an understatement. Everyone was extremely hopeful that after the scan at 2 weeks into treatment showed so much progress, that this would be a one and done battle. Sadly, that is not the case. He had a biopsy that was inconclusive and is now being referred to MD Anderson for specialized treatment. While apprehensive about switching his care team, Adam trusts his Memorial Hermann team and knows they wouldn’t steer him wrong.

At a time when Adam thought things would finally be wrapping up from this nightmare of a year, it’s starting over. He will be assessed in the coming weeks and, while the treatment plan is not yet finalized, it looks as if a 2 week in patient hospital stay will be required. Due to the number of doctors’ appointments, and the pain and discomfort recent developments have caused, he has had to again step away from work. He didn’t even have a chance to recover financially from the first battle, and here he is teeing up for a second with deductibles starting back over just a few weeks into the new journey.

This is where all of us come in… yes you reading this story about someone you know, a friend of a friend, or something you just stumbled across… he needs our help! Adam has been sleeping on the couch for almost 2 months due to his bed no longer being firm enough to make him comfortable, he has bills piling up that he just can’t pay and he’s worried about what the beginning of 2023 will hold and how he will pay for his treatment and the ever growing bills. He's cut every corner, and even as I write this, he doesn’t want to ask a single one of us for help, but knows he has to. Please consider donating to this fund to help Adam with his upcoming medical bills, his outstanding bills he’s trying to catch up on, help with getting him back into sleeping in a bed at night, and let his mind be at ease as he goes back into treatment that is unchartered water.

If you can’t give financially, texts, phone calls, and snarky remarks are always welcome! I know Adam appreciates each text message, phone call or Facebook response he gets- even if he doesn’t respond right away.

All donations will go toward his medical bills, outstanding balances, living expenses and a new place for him to sleep at night.

Thank you!