It felt food poisoning, but it was short-lived. Zach Eden chalked
the episode up to heat exhaustion and dehydration after being outside most of
the day in mid-July 2019.
But several days later, he was sick again and when he suffered
a third bout, Eden went to the emergency room.
In rapid succession, Eden was facing a diagnosis of melanoma
and was in surgery to have one of three “growths” in his brain removed. Doctors
told Eden that because he was young – 38 years old – healthy and showing no
cognitive problems, his prognosis was great.
Eden stayed with his parents after the
surgery to recover for a few weeks. Then he was back at work in access services
at Love Library as classes began in August.
Eden followed his treatment plan to
shrink the other tumors, which included several immunotherapy sessions.
Headaches and nausea were worse in the mornings. At the end of October, Eden
received good news – MRI scans showed the tumors in his brain were shrinking.
But his battle with cancer is far from over.
Eden’s perseverance and positive attitude led to his
nomination for the Magic Moment from Union Bank, which he received Dec. 11.
“Each year we invite community members to submit nominations
on behalf of neighbors, friends or family who are in need and deserving of
something special around the holiday season,” Jill Mlinar, Community Engagement
Officer for Union Bank, said.
Union Bank is in their 17th year of offering
Magic Moments to the Lancaster County community. Nominations are reviewed by a
committee, which selects 10 families or individuals in need. Eden was nominated
by his former third-grade teachers, Judi Wittwer and Julie Matteer. The teachers are close family friends and they remember Eden as a
student drawing dinosaurs on his class work or bringing in snake documentaries
to watch with his teachers. Over the last few months they have been supportive of
Eden and his family. They have witnessed his determination to overcome his
diagnosis.
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| Judi Wittwer, Zach Eden, Julie Matteer |
“Facing cancer is daunting and has rocked
Zach’s world. We wanted to let him know people cared about him,” Wittwer said.
Matteer described Eden as the “kindest, most genuine person I
know,” and wanted to do something to help him make life easier. They both
recognized Zach’s positive attitude and laser-like focus on beating the
cancer.
“It seems that no matter what challenge he faces, he is
resolute. We can all benefit from Zach’s inspiration,” Wittwer said.
Through it all, Eden has exhibited a calm
and upbeat demeanor. He focuses on what needs to be done in the moment and consciously
visualizes being steady to avoid the extreme ups and downs of an emotional
roller coaster. He does admit he is afraid of losing memories of and around the
people in his life.
When friends and colleagues discovered he
was in the hospital, the outpouring of texts and calls was overwhelming.
“I heard from about 90 people and their
support meant so much to me,” Eden said.
More than 50 of Zach’s friends and
colleagues from the University Libraries attended Eden’s Magic Moment, where he
received a surprise visit from former Husker basketball coach Tim Miles. Eden
is a rabid fan of the Huskers and never got to meet Miles. Miles signed a
basketball for him.
Eden also received art and drawing supplies,
tickets to the Nelson Atkins Museum’s “Eternal Egypt” exhibit and a gift card
to stay at a hotel in Kansas City. Additional gifts included Nebraska shirts, a
Yeti thermos, gas cards and movie theater package.
“We can see how loved you are and that
everybody is behind you,” Miles remarked.
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| Zach and his colleagues in Love Library |
