Hunter LiveStrong: December 2011

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...

Monday, December 19, 2011

Cardiologist Appointment ...

Hunter had his Cardiologist appointment on the 16th of December. The doctor said Hunter has what is called: Heart Failure. Last year when he had is Eco-Cardiogram his heart was pumping 53 units. The average is between 50 and 60 and this year when he took his test his heart was pumping at a rate of 43. This basically means that his heart is damaged due to all the Chemo that he was given. The doctor wants him to go on a low dose daily medication, work out and basically take care of his body the best he can. In about 6 months to a year they will re-test him to see "if" the medication is working. There is no guarantee that the medication is going to work but we are praying that it will strengthen the heart. Hunter is having a little bit of a hard time with this... We are once again praying that he will come to "try" to understand this and give this a year to see what it can do for him. Please keep Hunter in your prayers! Pray that he continues to fight whatever lies ahead of him and give him strength that he needs each and every day.

May your holidays be filled with love, family and memories. Take time to enjoy each and every moment for those are the memories that are going to last you a lifetime. As for us, we are going to enjoy the love, laughter, and family time that we get to spend together. Those are the memories that you can never get back. May god bless each and everyone of you along with your families.

Love, thoughts and prayers,
The Herrick Family
Joseph, Jeanna, Lauryn, HUNTER and Maddison

Thursday, December 8, 2011

As life moves on ..

As life moves on each and every day we get comfortable in our daily routine but never forget how grateful we are for each and everyone of our blessings. Then we get that phone call that seems to reel us back into reality, that phone call from Hunter's oncologist. We received a phone call last week from his doctor telling us that there was a problem with Hunters heart. She said that his heart muscles are working harder than they are suppose to due to all of the chemo that he has been given. She wants him to go and see a Cardiologist. We have that appointment scheduled for Friday, December 16th. He also has to go and get some tests on the 15th of December on his lungs. We will keep you informed as we get information on all of his appointments.

Hunter is seeing the doctor on monthly visits still and he is scheduled for his PET scan on January 11th. Prayers are truly powerful, please keep him in your prayers. Prayers for a healthy 2012, prayers for positive doctors appointments, and most of all prayers for continued healthy days ..

THANK you for all of your love, support and prayers..
ALL of our love,
The Herrick Family