Hunter LiveStrong: December 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...

Friday, December 10, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS..

Today we received the best Christmas news that we could have received, Hunter's PET scan came out clean and clear. Thank you God for answering our prayers! He truly is AMAZING. As our children were growing up, at each christmas time I would always tell them that, "If they didn't believe, they wouldn't receive." I never knew how that would relate to ALL of us on SO many levels as our family would continue to grow and go through life experiences. "WE" truly have to believe..BELIEVE in all that is possible, all that is good, and of course ALL that CAN BE. Believe in the power of prayer, and God. We are so blessed is so many ways.

We hope that each of you have the Merriest of Christmases and a WONDERFUL New Year ahead of you. We are TRULY blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives. THANK YOU for all that you have done for Hunter and our family through-out the year. May God bless you and your families.

Our love to ALL,
The Herrick Family,
Joseph, Jeanna, Lauryn, HUNTER and Maddison

Monday, December 6, 2010

December's Doctors Visit..

Hunter had his doctor's visit last Thursday on December 2nd. The visit was a pretty routine one. Took blood, was weighed, was checked out and talked to the doctors for a little while. Since we are not in there daily, or weekly anymore it is nice to see them and talk to them all in the office. They are all truly ALL amazing people there. I think Hunter almost gave his doctor a heart attack though when he asked her about getting a tattoo after his 18th birthday in January. She asked why and he said he wanted a cross and rosary to remember what he has been through and she told him to just wear one or just look at the scare on his back. It was pretty cute.... He was a little bummed that it can't even be talked about until his one year mark which will be in July, but it gives him something to look forward to and also something to really think about. I'm sure it will be more around after around his two year mark, since that is so critical for him, but I guess time will tell.

Hunter has a PET scan scheduled for this Wednesday the 8th of December. Please keep him and clean test results in your daily prayers! This would truly be the best christmas present I/we could ask for. We will keep you posted as the test results come in.

Thank you for all of your love, support and prayers. May your holiday season be full of love, laughter and many joyful memories that will last a lifetime.

All of our love,
The Herrick Family - Joe, Jeanna, Lauryn, HUNTER, and Maddison