In early 2024, Adam Schultz woke up at 4 a.m. with severe pain in his abdomen. His initial thoughts were that it might be a stone or perhaps a ruptured spleen. Sweating profusely one moment and shivering the next, Adam almost fainted. Living just a few blocks from a hospital, he quickly headed to the ER, where doctors found significant internal bleeding around his kidney.
Doctors initially suspected a ruptured adrenal gland, but the true cause was much graver: a tumor in the adrenal gland had ruptured within Adam’s abdomen.
During his hospital stay, a lump on Adam’s side that was initially thought to be unrelated was biopsied and diagnosed to be melanoma. Recognizing the complexity of his case, Adam’s surgeon told him his best shot was to go to Atrium Health Levine Cancer, renowned for its expertise in treating melanoma.
The shocking full scope
Scans soon revealed metastases all over his body. Adam recalls the shock he felt when he learned of the extent and seriousness of his disease. Despite his trust in his care team, his thoughts immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario. “I thought there was no way I would be able to survive these tumors all over my body,” Adam says. It was an emotional time, especially for his wife and two college-age children. He says he even wrote a letter to his family and closest friends, notifying them of his diagnosis and expecting he might be saying goodbye.
"Adam's case was particularly complex because those tumors were located in critical areas such as his brain and heart, conferring exceptionally high risk," explains Dr. Asim Amin, Adam’s oncologist. "Fortunately, we have a strong multi-disciplinary team of physicians from various specialties at Atrium Health, that work in close collaboration to provide state-of-the-art care."
Turning the Tide with a Team of Experts
Two concerns persisted: tumors in his brain and heart.
The primary concern was a tumor on his heart might be blocking the lower left ventricle and the tumors in his brain were also in tricky areas, which led him to the experts at Atrium Health Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute and Levine Cancer’s new Proton and Advanced Radiation Center.
His treatment plan started to come into focus: Gamma Knife radiosurgery, a non-invasive and precise form of radiation for the brain tumors, targeted therapy to kill the cancer, and immunotherapy to shrink the rest of the tumors.
Despite the intense treatment schedule, Adam’s side effects were so minimal that he didn’t miss any work. “I was incredibly fortunate to have experienced very minimal side effects. Even for my Gamma Knife radiosurgery, my appointment started at 9 a.m., the process was 35 minutes, and I went to my office to work directly after.”
Miraculous Recovery and Gratitude
Now cancer-free, he continues to receive immunotherapy and regular follow-ups. “It’s nothing less than a miracle. I’m still in disbelief to some degree,” Adam says. He credits his survival to the excellence of his care team, led by Amin. “Adam has done remarkably well. His resilience and positive attitude have contributed to his recovery,” Amin says.
“I was very fortunate to have an amazing care team,” Adam says. “From my oncologists to the people who help schedule my appointments, the infusion nurses, all the scan teams…they were all top tier. These people cured me of cancer. They’ve effectively saved my life.”
If there’s one thing Adam hopes others take away from his journey, it is this, “Don't ever give up hope. I have always associated the word ‘cancer’ with imminent death, but I’m living proof that’s not the case. There is hope, and I feel like the Atrium Health team gave me an extended life pass that I won’t take for granted.”
Learn more about our melanoma care at Atrium Health Levine Cancer.
