The holiday season is a time of sharing love and spreading goodwill. For some families, it is a time of worry, as they deal with an unforseen crisis.
Today we share the story of a longtime Daytonian and a new struggle he is facing.
Adam Arnold is a well known local foodie. That’s how we got to meet him over the past 7 years at various events, restaurant openings and festivals. Talk about a guy who’s passion and life has revolved around food…..
Adam’s first job was at the Hamburger Wagon in Miamisburg and from there he worked off and on at Ron’s Pizza over the years. As he found his lifelong love Marie in 1990, they met at Old Country Buffet and moved to Kettering. Adam then worked at the iconic Kettering Village Inn and even took pizzas with him to the Miami Valley hospital the night his daughter was born.
Other food places he has worked at was a short order cook Imperial Bowling Lanes (Royal Z)
in Miamisburg to the Harbor House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach Florida. In fact, his family has a history with restaurants, his grandma worked at The Trails Inn Club, and his daughter has worked at Voltzy’s. Adam even owned his own restaurant, a spot called Millie’s Phillies – Philly Cheesesteaks for a while.
His daughter is now 25, and the family is dealing with a new challenge brought on by a recent health scare.
Last week Adam was diagnosed with Acute Lymphobastic Leukemia the day before Thanksgiving.
It started out with Adam having a cold for a couple of weeks. After taking medicine he noticed his jaw was swelling. He went to the doctors and for 5 hours they did some tests. After that, the family went to Steak n Shake and had lunch. While there he received a call from the doctor. He said
you need to check yourself into the emergency room right away. They saw certain indicators in his bloodwork that led them to confirm that he had leukemia. After being in the emergency room in Sycamore, he stayed for 2 days and was taken by ambulance to Ohio State University’s Medical Center.
They actually released Adam for a day so he could have a day at home for Thanksgiving week.
He is now staying in the James Cancer Center in Columbus and will be for at least the next month. The reason is he will be receiving Chemo- therapy starting November 30th and it will last for a month. They are putting a needle in his spine to get the medicine into his nervous system.
Adam says you live your life hearing about these things, but it is different to be confronted with it.
If you want to help this family, they have set up a Facebook Page to detail the situation. It is the best source for info. You can also go directly to their Go Fund Me page.
Consider donating this holiday season and having the Arnold family on your Christmas list. Donations will be used for unforeseen transportation, medical and personal expenses that the family is incurring.
If you would find it in your heart to share this article on your Facebook page, the family would be grateful.
The family writes:
This is a very rare and aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells. It will most likely involve chemotherapy, targeted drug treatments, and very possibly a bone marrow transplant. We are of course hoping that Adam can be cured, but there are so many uncertainties with leukemia that we just have to take it a day at a time. This has already been a shocking and incredibly overwhelming journey emotionally, physically, and financially…especially
given this time around the holidays. If you can, please consider donating to assist our family in making trips to be with Adam during his treatments, decrease the stress over medical/drug bills, and support Adam’s long battle with this devestating diagnosis. Nothing is too small and anything is so greatly appreciated!”
From the Food Adventures Crew….
We look forward to catching up with Adam after his treatments. We are hopeful to take him to DiSalvo’s Deli soon, a place Adam has yet to try. Until then, always remember to be grateful for what you have, keep your friends and loved ones close and consider helping this family in need.
Thank you to Dayton Most Metro for letting us share this hometown story.