Central Line Came Out Today!!!

Today was a great day for Hunter, he was able to get his central line out of his chest. He can't wait to actually sleep on his stomach and not have a big bulky line stabbing at him. Today is Tuesday May 25, 2010 and Hunter got his second central line taken out and two years ago on June 4th 2008 is when he got his first line taken out. We are hoping and praying that this is the last and final time that we will ever have to have anything to do with a central lines.

Hunter began radiation on Monday the 24th and he said that it wasn't too bad. It was a little uncomfortable as to the way he is positioned but other than that it wasn't too bad. The doctor's are saying that it will take about two to three weeks before it will become tender and sore. We need to find some 100% Aloe Vera Lotion or Gel to put on it or the actual plant. Hopefully we will be able to begin that soon.

We are being told that Hunter's last day of radiation will be on July 1st, 2010, as long as all goes as planned. We are hoping and praying for smoother days in June so that July will be here before we know it. After Radiation, Hunter will still have to under go some testing and then hopefully he will be able to enjoy the rest of his summer before starting his Senior Year :)

Love and Prayers to ALL,
The Herrick Family

Radiation BEGINS Tomorrow..

Hunter will begin a new journey tomorrow of the unknown. He will be getting radiation for six weeks, five days a week. His appointment is at 12:30 tomorrow and Tuesday they will begin at 10:12 a.m. This is what we have been told so far but it can change and I'm sure we will be told more tomorrow and confirm all future appointments. We are still trying to get his line in his chest taken out but are running into a few problems. The doctors said that he can get it done it's just that we can't get in to see anyone soon. The soonest one of our doctors could get us in would be June 11th and Hunter really wants it out, like tomorrow. We have talked to one of our other doctors to see if they could possibly take it out in Los Angeles after one of his radiation appointments and we are waiting for a call back from them. For Hunter this is one of the hardest things, he hates having the central line. Hopefully we will hear something tomorrow or soon about getting this done.

We will keep you posted and let you know how Hunter is doing with the radiation. The doctors told us that he should be doing fine for at least the first two weeks and then he might get some of the side effects. Everyone is different as we have been told too, so we will see. Hunter is amazing and if they say he can't do something, he will do his best to prove them wrong.

All of our LOVE and PRAYERS to ALL,
The Herrick Family

Radiation BEGINS on May 23rd..

Hunter has been feeling pretty good and is excited to move on to the next phase. He has had many doctors appointments since he has been home from his Stem Cell Replacement, they have been keeping up with his counts and his overall health. He has also been to see the Radiologist Specialist, get some tests done and talked to misc. doctors about the radiation and the process. Hunter will begin radiation on Monday, May 23rd. He will be getting radiation for six weeks, five days a week and this will be done in Los Angeles at the Kaiser Permanente in Sunset. We are hoping to hear from one of his doctors in the next day or two about getting Hunter's Central Line taken out of his chest. Hunter is aware that he is going to have to get poked a lot but he would rather get poked then keep the line in. We are hoping that the doctors will agree too!

We went to our last doctors appointment at City of Hope today, they released Hunter back to Kaiser Permanente. We met a lot of amazing people there and they will never realize what a difference they made in our lives. There are no words to THANK them enough for all that they did for Hunter and our family. It is a great Hospital with a wonderful staff to go along with it.

Hunter will reach his 30 day mark since his Stem Cell Replacement on Thursday the 20th of May. He is very excited for this day because he will be off of certain restrictions but most of all he will be able to eat "fast" food. He can't wait!!! Hunter lost his taste buds during this whole process but they are almost all back. Just in time for the enjoy all the junk food, which is a good thing I guess. Hunter has been able to keep his weight pretty stable considering all. He has lost about seven or eight pounds through this process but we are hoping that will come back soon. Each and everyday he is getting stronger, feeling better and all around looking great!

Thank you EVERYONE for your CONTINUED love, support, and prayers..
The Herrick Family

26 Days and WE are HoMe..

Hunter is home after 26 days at City of Hope, It was a long journey but could have been a lot longer than it was. The Doctors, Nurses, PCA's and Staff were amazing there and there are no words that could thank them enough for ALL that they have done for Hunter and our family. Hunter had his ups and downs during his Stem Cell Replacement but he truly is amazing and came through it extremely strong. We are home now and although he is feeling well he still has to take it easy and not over due it. He doesn't want to get sick or end up back in the hospital. Hunter has a lot of restrictions till his 30 day mark since his Stem Cells were placed. That puts him at May 19th until he will have a little more room to roam free without a mask, and other fun things. Hunter has a doctors appointment on Monday at the City of Hope and Tuesday with the Radiation doctor. We are looking forward to seeing what they have to say and we will of course pass on all information as we get it.

We hope that ALL of our friends and family have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. May you remember to take time to enjoy all the little things because those are the things that we sometimes overlook.

All of our LOVE and PRAYERS,
The Herrick Family

May 5th..Day25..

Hunter is still feeling great and ready to go home. His counts are still really good and it's looking like we are going to be going home on Thursday the 6th..Day 26. Hunter has set the "new" record at City of Hope! He is the first Auto-Stem Cell patient to go home that early. Auto Stem Cell simply means that he received his own stem cells and not a strangers. Hunter is still going to have follow up doctor appointments, as we already have one scheduled for Monday. He is also going to have to still be extremely careful as to what he does so he doesn't get sick, over due it or do anything that is going to cause him to end up back in the hospital. Just because he is being released doesn't mean he is able to do everything that he could before and trying to explain that to him hasn't been real easy. Hunter is feeling good so he thinks that he can do anything but it is still going to take some time for his "actual" cells to really take ahold and be as strong as they were to begin with. We have an appointment with the doctors today so we will find out more information about his release but "we" are really looking forward to going home.

This month long journey has been a long one, but one we can now mark off the calendar..

THANK you for your FRIENDSHIP and LOVE,
The Herrick Family

Monday the 3rd..DAY 23

Hunter's counts are still up and he is feeling really good. He had a nice weekend since he was able to have visitors and some friends came up and spent some time with him. This made a huge difference in how he felt, his attitude, and his whole well being. Hunter has been eating pretty well, his mouth and throat sores are better, and he is ready to go home... We talked to the doctor today and they took him off some of his medications and if his counts continue to be stabilized, he continues to eat and all goes well, he might be able to go home at the end of the week. YEAH!! The doctors all have to talk, monitor him for at least a couple more days and then they will let us know.

We are keeping our fingers crossed and saying a lot of prayers that the progress continues..

Thank you for all of your LOVE, SUPPORT and PRAYERS,
The Herrick Family