A diagnosis of cancer invokes a feeling of helplessness: certainly for the one being diagnosed, but also for the family. To learn someone you love is in danger and there is little you can do invokes a complete feeling of powerlessness. It is up to the medical experts to make treatment decisions, and it is up to Adam to find the strength to face each of these treatments. The rest of us are here for moral support.

For all of us, it has been a difficult transition from independence to needing to lean on others. But each time we reach out, we are never disappointed. Sometimes, we are surprised, especially at the kindness of strangers.

Out there in the country are many people who have never met Adam but are reaching out to help. There's a cloister of nuns in New Jersey praying for Adam. Retired Mets players promised to root for Adam (ask Dan about that one). There's a church in the tiny village of Proctorsville, VT, along with numerous other churches of which each of you are members, that keep Adam on the weekly prayer list.

Then there are the people who have gone above and beyond and helped us.

When we were still unsure of Adam's diagnosis, we were traveling back and fourth from the city daily. Kim's car decided to start overheating, not a great trait in traffic. So at 4:45 pm she pulled into the garage in Southampton and begged for help. A mechanic leaving for the day took pity on her and took the time to inspect the car. As it happened, he had the same vehicle and knew it was a simple sensor malfunction. He made a few calls, got the part and installed it while she waited. He stayed until 6 pm and only charged for the part, no labor. When Kim learned his name was Merlin (a name shared with our beloved dog), she burst into tears and kept hugging him.

Similarly, the BMW decided to overheat (these trips in and out of the city are strenuous on vehicles). Not daring to cross the Queensboro Bridge, Steve and Kim pulled to the side of the road in Queens. Picture this on one side is an adult toy store with viewing booths, next door is a pawn shop... and right in front of us is a garage! Steve entered the garage to find seven guys in the back playing poker. Overcoming a language barrier, Steve explained our problem and one of the guys claimed he could fix it. Despite the late hour and interruption of his weekly card game, he was willing to help us out. It turns out the mechanic had the same vehicle, loved it, and lost it to theft. Just like McGuiver, he was able to make a gasket out of goop and send us safely on our way. Plus he only charged us $55!

And here's the most amazing gift - a friend of a friend has given us an apartment on the Upper East Side to use until spring! Having a home away from home during this time is such a gift; a gift we treasure. Special thanks to the Paterson Family.