Hunter LiveStrong: Radiation..

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...

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

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