Hi, my name is Adrian.

I was diagnosed with inoperable stage IV Pancreatic Cancer in February of 2015 and given a prognosis of 2 years. By some miracle, I am still here almost six and a half years later! Tragically most people die from this disease within 3 to 6 months and the 5-year life expectancy for those like myself who weren’t eligible for surgery is less than 1%.

My oncologist doesn’t know why I continue to bounce back and beat the odds. I feel the reason I am still here is because of the huge amount of love and support I have received from my friends, family, and fellow singers from all over the world. My love of Singing started when I downloaded the Smule app in 2012. Through the app, I discovered a whole community of people like myself (secret shower singers) and gained the confidence to perform in front of a real audience. In 2013, two friends and I created  Singtopia, a Facebook Community dedicated to Smule, which now has over 12000 members worldwide. The connections I have made through this app, most of whom I have never met in real life, have become some of my best friends. I shudder to think of what the early years of chemo would have been like if I couldn’t jump on Smule and sing my heart out till 3 am!

I’m not in denial about the fact that this disease could take over my body like a tsunami at any moment, but I choose to live life in a fun, purpose-driven way and not dwell on what is a fact - that I have come to the end of treatment options. My bone marrow has been destroyed by the years of chemo. I’m sad about that but not angry. If it wasn’t for modern medicine I wouldn’t be here today!

I feel good physically. I am not in pain. Right now I live independently which I plan on doing until I eventually have to go into hospice. I am hopeful that another treatment will come down the pipe and that my body will keep my cancer stable until then, but I accept my current situation. Worry and fear don’t accomplish anything and won’t keep the inevitable at bay. 

Right now my only goal is to fill every day I have left with as much joy and purpose as possible. I don’t want pity but I would love your support. In return, I will do my best to leave this earth better than I found it by being the best friend, brother, and son I can be.I will continue to advocate and educate about anxiety and depression, living with a terminal illness, chronic pain, trauma, and cancer. I want to build as many memories and impart as much of the wisdom I have gained through my journey as I can.

If I can help even one person recognize the early warning signs of the deadliest but least researched cancers early enough so they can get life-saving surgery, help someone be more comfortable in supporting a loved one’s struggle through whatever painful journey they are on, then I can leave this earth feeling that my purpose has been fulfilled.

Adrian