Hunter LiveStrong: The NEW Plan

THE BEGINNING

January of 2007 we found a small lump on Hunters back located just under the skin, between the shoulder blades. The doctor told us it was a fatty tumor or sebaceous cyst, and it would get bigger, then smaller and go away. If it grew, or bothered him we could have it removed. June 27th it was removed in surgery and on July 3 we were back for a check up of the area and were told he had, cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma PNET (of the soft tissue surrounding the bone). A year of Chemo was started, which consisted being in the hospital every 21 days for 6 or 3 days at a time. He underwent a second surgery in October 2007 to clear the margins. On May 27th of 2008 he finished chemo and was "Cancer Free".

He was scanned and examined on regular intervals and his last clear scans were on August 19th 2009. October 28th 2009 we noticed a lump in the original tumor location. After a biopsy on October 29th, we were told the next day that the cancer has returned. The central line was put back in his chest on November 2nd and a series of tests have begun to determine the extent of the disease. Please view "posting" dated November 7, 2009 for treatment plan...

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The NEW Plan

Things have had to change a little due to the fact the Hunter was having a tough time recovering from his first Chemo. Since the first Chemo he has had 5 blood transfusions and 3 platelet transfusions. His body has had a tough time recovering after being hit with such a strong and powerful Chemo. They decided today that they are going to try to collect his stem cells soon instead of waiting till after the next Chemo. They want to make sure that they can get the stem cells to collect, and since Hunter had such a hard time coming back after the first Chemo they are a little worried how his body will react after the second time. Most importantly they don't want to loose the chance to get cells, so the shots have started today!! This means that Hunter has started taking 6 shots a day, as of today. He will have to collect and get his blood tested every two days to see where we are. It can take anywhere from 5 to 10 days to get to this point. Once we get to where they think that they can collect stem cells (a certain number in the blood counts) they will have us go to City Of Hope and start the process. Once we are there it will take anywhere from 2 to 7 days to collect the stem cells. We are PRAYING that they get more stem cells than needed, then they can harvest them until we need them in the future. After they collect the stem cells that they need we will continue a Chemotherapy treatment, followed by surgery when he is able. Please PRAY for strong stem cell collections, and an easier road travelled to get there....

ALL of our LOVE,

THE Herrick FAMILY