Hunter LiveStrong: August 2010

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, August 11, 2010

Doctors Update..

This week we have had a busy week visiting doctors. We saw the Radiologist and Oncology doctor and one more visit to the doctors tomorrow. Hunter is doing well, healing well, and went back to his job at Dalton's.

The Radiologist said that his back is looking good, he has one more area that still needs to heal and then he will be good to go as far as his back is concerned. That will probably take a week or so and when it does he'll finally be able to go into the Ocean and do what he loves, bodyboarding! He has really, really missed that and can't wait to do it again. He'll be there soon and for that he is so excited. He gave Hunter the go ahead to start working out again, although he did tell him not to push himself and realize that it will take awhile to get there and to listen to his body. The good news he gave us is that we don't have to go back and see him anymore....YEAH....one doctor marked off of our list. He is an amazing doctor and we really liked him but it's also great to see that part of Hunter's treatment over.

At the Oncologist today we did Hunter's normal lab work that he has to do for his monthly check ups. He saw his doctor and she said that all looks great. Hunter has lost about 10 pounds from when he started Chemo about a year ago and this is a good weight for him, which they were happy with. They are going to set up a CT scan which will take place at the end of the month or the beginning of September. We go back to see the Oncologist on September 8th and hopefully then they will set up more scans and tests. She is not exactly sure when she wants to take those because she want's Hunter's bone marrow to "settle". I'm not sure if I will "settle" until I actually hear those "cancer free" words, and even then it's still a bit of a journey before anything and everything "settles". These past three plus years have left Hunter with many highs and lows which has left him with many things to work out. Please continue to keep him in your prayers for complete and total healing. Although, this has been a long journey we learn to appreciate ALL the little bits of joy that come into our lives each and everyday.

EACH and EVERYONE of you will forever be in our HEARTS, there are NO words that can thank everyone for all that they have done for Hunter and our Family....We are truly BLESSED!!!

All of our LOVE,
The Herrick Family