Last WEEK of Radiation..

We are in the last week of Hunter's radiation. He is very excited about this but at the same time very sore. The area that they are doing radiation on is very tender to the touch and is peeling. This makes it even more tender since the skin under is extremely raw. After radiation today we saw the doctor and they gave him some new creme to try applying to the area, it's a creme that they give to burn victims so we are hoping that it will do wonders for him. He is really dreading this last week but Hunter will push through it like he has each and every other day. The doctor said that it will probably take about a month or so till his new skin recovers. She said that he should limit some of the things that he does until the skin is recovered. That was tough for Hunter to hear because he just wants some of his summer.

We have a doctors appointment a week from Wednesday with his regular Oncologist and we'll know more then as to what the next step is. Until then we just look forward to being done with this week.

THANK you for ALL of your continued LOVE and SUPPORT
The Herrick Family

The Beginning of Hunter's Fifth Week

Hunter is starting his fifth week of radiation. We/HE only has NINE days left of radiation..YEAH!! Hunter is feeling the soreness on his back and through-out his whole body. His skin gets tender to the touch, especially when we put the lotions or gels on. His skin is really dry and starting to bubble a little around the scar. We have been trying to put things on it to help him feel better and they do help but it will be all a matter of time. Hopefully the next nine days will just fly by and Hunter's radiation area won't get to unbearable.

I am hoping to talk to Hunter's doctors this week to find out what our next steps are. I am assuming that we will have all of our tests to take to make sure that Hunter is still clear. I'm just not sure if there is a waiting period after radiation until he can get this done.

We will keep everyone updated as we get the information.

THANK YOU for ALL of your LOVE, PRAYERS, and CONTINUED support. We could have never made it without each and everyone of you. We are truly BLESSED and there are no words that can express how much we appreciate all that everyone has done for Hunter and our family.

Love to ALL..The Herrick Family <3

Radiation..

Hunter is going into his third week of radiation and handling it pretty well so far. His back is more tender is some areas than others, but I am assuming that is normal. They tell us that with each and every radiation this will happen. Our Dr. widened the margin on the area that was being radiated during the second week because we were a little concerned that the whole area that the tumors were would not be covered completely. The Dr. was going off the MRI's and all of the scans and since he personally didn't see Hunter before the tumors were removed, he said that he would rather be on the safe side and widen the margins to cover everything. That of course made Joe and I feel a little better, just knowing that it will ALL be covered no matter what. Hunter is almost half way done with this journey and then we are told that he will have tests to take when this is done. Day by day right now and then we will cross that bridge when it gets here, BUT we are getting closer and closer to those days.

Although Hunter was advised by his doctor that it wasn't a great idea to go in the ocean for a swim or two, he just had to go and get wet. He had been saving his money and was able to get a great wet suit which really helped. On the 30th of May, he and his friends went to Laguna for the day and he was able to get back in the water for the first time again. It's the little things like this that truly bring tears of joy, the excitement that he had was amazing! He was able to go to the beach a couple more times until his wet suit started to bother his back. He knew that this would happen but he just wanted to get in for the short time that he could. Now he is just counting down the days till he is able to enjoy summer completely.

Hunter has been doing great with school. He will be winding that up soon and will be finishing right along with everyone else. He kept up great and his GPA this year was amazing. He is looking forward to being a Senior next year!


Thank you for ALL of your LOVE and CONTINUED SUPPORT,
The Herrick Family