February 2007 Jake walked into his father’s office and said,
“Dad, I think I have carpel tunnel”… “Jake, people your age don’t get carpal tunnel.”
Jake’s father will remember that conversation for the rest of his life.
On February 16, 2007 my brother Dan first told me that something might be wrong with his 18 year old son, Jake. Being an avid teenage guitar player, his doctor thought the pain in his hand was carpe-tunnel. After two weeks in a brace, his hand was getting worse and he was having pain in his leg. Jake was referred to a neurologist.
On Wednesday Feb 21, 2007, we, the Pastel family got the news, it was a brain tumor 2 inches in diameter. He was hospitalized immediately at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego and a needle biopsy was scheduled on Monday Feb 25th. As Jake walked to pre-op with his parents we realized that he was dragging his leg. The tumor was growing. And than our greatest fears were realized Jake has a GBM, Glioblastoma multiforme, a non-operable stage 4 malignant brain tumor located in the Thalamus. Watching my brother and his family get that news was a day I will never forget.
Each year approximately 190,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a primary or metastic brain tumor. Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children under age 20, now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and are the third leading cause of cancer death in young adults ages 20-39. Treatment can involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, but they still do not provide a cure. Even with complete surgical resection of the tumor, combined with the best available treatment, the survival rate for GBM remains very low. However, many advances in microsurgery techniques, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are slowly increasing the survival time of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. It is very difficult to treat glioblastoma. Many drugs cannot cross the blood brain barrier to act on the tumor. The tumor cells are very resistant to chemotherapy and other conventional treatments. Plus, the brain is susceptible to damage due to therapy with a very limited capacity to repair itself.
Jakes course of treatment was an intense radiation and a chemotherapy regime, which significantly changed Jakes lifestyle, physical abilities and personal appearance. Remarkably we were able to see a significant (50%) decrease in the size of his tumor. Some function returned and he started playing the guitar again. But ten months into the treatments, Jake suddenly got worse and an MRI showed that the tumor had begun to grow again.
One year after Jakes diagnosis he continues to fight a tumor that does not want to shrink. Jake faces each day with a positive attitude, humor and more mental strength than any of us could possibly imagined. His battle now continues with advanced chemotherapies and homeopathic medicine. If no improvement occurs their next strategy is to re-location to the East Coast to participate in new clinical trials ever searching for a cure for this terrible disease.
Unfortunately Jake’s cancer came at a time when his family was already in crisis. Four months before his diagnosis Jake lost his grandmother after a 9 month battle with pancreatic cancer. And while Jake's mother was caring for her, Jake's grandfather had a heart attach and died. Additionally, his parents were forced to sell their business of 20 years due to changes in technology and the economy. Eventually what followed was the loss of their home due to a combination of reduced income and increased medical bills. And now Jake's mom and dad are getting a divorce. Unfortunately with this disease comes not only emotional hardships but financial challenges.
Jake and his family, like other cancer families and focusing on beating this disease. . Jakes courage, faith, and personal strength amaze those around him. Time after time Jake displays a positive attitude in the face of disease-related setbacks and disappointments. Together, the family, friends, and doctors continue to maintain hope for Jake, whose brave fight continues in what has become a battle against time as new cures are found. The Family agrees they will continue their efforts, and will strive to help others who are battling this disease.
The one thing we have learned is we’re not alone. The out-pouring of kindness and generosity fills our hearts. So when I started setting up this fund Jake and his family where excited to be able help other children with cancer and their family like Jake’s.
Our thanks,
Pamela Zimmering
Jake’s Aunt
A message from Jake:
“Hello it’s me
As many of you know I have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. It is quite a surprise for myself. At first one could see it as a sharp attack from behind which in many instances it feels like it. Not many people do recognize a sense of magic that comes with this situation. I am not the person to see the situation as all black and morbid. It is as simple as ordinary existence. It is important to know that there are shadows and that there is light. This tumor has I feel given myself a greater reach for knowledge, which is exciting because there is still so much more. This tumor has even brought more than I thought spiritually and emotionally.
I am truly grateful for all the support everyone has given me. My medications cause side effects of extra hunger. The food has very much helped and I very much enjoy people’s unique recipes. Eating has always been s favorite of mine but even more now. True all this food can be overwhelming yet the day it stops coming scares me.
Everyone at many points in their life are told that people care for each other’s well being. True that information can be told but it is just now that for myself it is truly known. The support shown and given has alerted me of good people in the world. Everyone has shined good character. Maybe I can’t communicate the magnitude of appreciation and realization of everyone’s kindness but this is the best way I know how. I am very grateful.
“There are more things to admire in men than to despise”- Albertt Camus
It is important to understand I am doing well and my days are good. My days consist of movies, reading, and eating. I attend school but my work has been provided so I can complete it at home. Now this is my first update. I would like to close by passing on my thoughts. It is important to say anything and everything. I would also like all of you to Realize. I can’t expand on Realize it’s going to have to be your experience and thought. Once again thank you for your support and I am doing just fine.
Warm regards,
Jacob S. Pastel”