Hunter LiveStrong: April 2012

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, April 23, 2012

PET Scan and Heart MUGA Test ... Hunter has just hit his 21 month mark and had to get both his routine PET Scan and a MUGA Heart test for his heart. We are truly blessed to say that BOTH of his tests came back GREAT!!! Hunter is 3 months from his 2 year mark and with every passing day we THANK GOD for all the blessings he has given us. Hunter's PET Scan came in clean and clear!! His MUGA Heart test came back showing that his heart is doing better than they originally thought. His heart is now pumping at a rate of 57 where as before they thought it was in the 30 range. This is wonderful news in so many way. One is that his heart is at a "normal" rate and two is that he doesn't have to take any medications. That was really hard for Hunter so again I thank god for that blessing. Please keep Hunter in your continued prayers as hitting the 2 year mark is a big one for him and the type on cancer that he HAD... I also want to take a moment to THANK all of those that have been with us through this long journey. We couldn't have gotten this far with out all the love, prayers and support from each and everyone of you. There are truly some things that can't be described in words and the appreciation/love we feel is one of them. Thank you again for all of your continued blessings..... Love, The Herrick Family ... Joseph, Jeanna, Lauryn, HUNTER and Maddison