Hunter LiveStrong: Radiation BEGINS on May 23rd..

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, May 18, 2010

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