Hunter LiveStrong: Friday..April 30th..

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...

Friday, April 30, 2010

Friday..April 30th..

Hunter was up most of the night, but it wasn't because he was sick, it was because he was hooked on a DVD Series that was given to him by a friend. Hunter did wake up with some muscle pain still so they started him back on his medications to help with the pain. He also got a little rash on his legs and arms but they said that this too can sometimes happens. Hunters counts today were GREAT! The doctors said his bone marrow was working extra hard with his stem cells yesterday and it was obvious by his counts. His WBC (white blood counts) went from .200 to 1.5 and his ANC went from 100 to 1,200. What we want to see now is his counts stabilize or of course get better for at least three days. After three days they will start to take him off of some of his medications to see how his counts do on their own. They know he is going to need blood and platelet transfusions and are not worried about that. They just want to see how all the other numbers do. Hunter did pretty well today, is eating a little more each time, his mouth and throat sores are almost better and is improving everyday.

Hunter was given the alright to have visitors come and visit him...YEAH!! They do have to wear a mask and gloves when they go into his room but that is standard protocol anyway. They do ask that you be over the age of 15 and I'm not sure how many visitors they will let in at one time. It really depends on the nurse and how strict she is. So, if you have some free time I'm sure Hunter would LOVE to see you!!

Thank you for your SUPPORT, LOVE and PRAYERS.....
WE are Truly Blessed...
The Herrick Family