Hunter hits 3 YEARS, 2 MONTH mark!!!

As always each and every day that passes is a blessing but when we hit big marks its a breath that can be taken a little lighter.

Hunter had tests ran in July and had doctors follow up appointments in August.  The doctor said that all test came back CLEAN AND CLEAR!!!  That was the best news that we could of heard and as always I literally start to cry.  Hunter was very excited when the doctor told him that moving forward he would only have to take tests now once a year.  Hunter has a hard time going to doctors and taking test, as you can imagine it brings back a lot of terrible memories for him and it's a place that he would and does avoid at all costs.

Hunter is doing great!  He is still at Long Beach State, trying to figure out what exactly it is that he wants to do.   I'm sure that he will be making that decision soon.  He is still working at Downtown Disney at Tortilla Joe's but looking for a new job.  He is enjoying life and lives each day to the fullest.

When I look back on the years I can't help but think of ALL the amazing people that helped us through the days, months and years.  I'm not really sure how we made it but I do know with all my heart that we couldn't have done it without each and every one of you.  THANK YOU again for all of your support, love and prayers through the years.  Please continue to keep him in your prayers because as we know .. we never know what tomorrow will bring.

THANK YOU AGAIN,
All of our love to each of you .. Joseph, Jeanna, Lauryn, HUNTER and Maddison

Hunter Hits 2 1/2 Years

Hunter hits 2 1/2 years and what a true blessing it is.  Last year was filled with healthy days for all and there is no better way to end the year and start 2013.  Hunter had his MRI in the middle of December and a few days before Christmas we received the best gift of all, clean an clear test results.  It's those little things in life that bring more joy to one than anyone can imagine.  We had a wonderful Christmas filled with some great memories to last a lifetime.

Hunter is on winter break right now but is still going to Long Beach State.  He had a great beginning of his Sophomore Year and is looking forward to finishing it up this year.  He had found his true passion and is loving his new Major.  He is loving his film classes and is looking forward to moving forward in that direction. He has been doing a lot of research and saving so he can start to purchase the things that will help him in his new career.  It's very exciting to see him have that passion.

We are praying that 2013 will be full of healthy days, love and new memories.  We hope that everyone also has days filled with health, love and new memories.  Remember to try to always find the little joys that each and every day has to offer us. They are there but sometimes we forget to look for them because we are too caught up in our daily activities.

Thank you for all the continued love and prayers.  Please continue to keep Hunter in your prayers as every day is a struggle in so many different ways. Thank you again for all of your love, support and prayers.

Blessings for 2013,
Joe, Jeanna, Lauryn, HUNTER and Maddison

Hunter Hits His 2 YEAR Mark

September 2, 2012 .. Each day we are THANKING GOD for our continued blessings.  Hunter has hit his two year mark as of July 1, 2012.  We had his two year tests ran and we are truly thrilled to say that ALL tests came back clean and clear.  For the first time in over five years he doesn't have to go back to the doctors monthly, weekly, or daily.  We don't have to return for three months .. SO awesome and weird at the same time.  A type of weird that we will take any day of the year.  It's those little baby steps that we are all looking forward to walking.  We are praying that all these baby steps will be taken one day at a time and for many many years to come.  Each step is a true blessing and ones that we look forward to taking.

Hunter has just started his Sophomore year at Long Beach State University and is loving it there.  He recently moved out with his cousin and is really loving that independence and freedom.  He is still working at Tortilla Joes at Downtown Disney.  He is growing up and WE are loving watching him grow into the individual man that he will becoming.  He is expressing himself in many different ways but we continue to pray that no matter how he expresses himself he continues to stay healthy and focused on the true blessings that each and every day brings him.

Please continue to keep Hunter in your daily prayers.  The internal daily struggles are with him always as the fear of what each day could bring.  May time and health be on his side for all the days that are ahead of him.  THANK you to ALL who has helped us with this journey.  There are no words that can express the love, gratitude and blessings that we feel from having so many wonderful people in our lives.

ALL of our love,
THE HERRICK FAMILY
Joseph, Jeanna, Lauryn, HUNTER and Maddison

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

PET Scan

Hunter had his 18 month PET Scan and we are extremely blessed to say that it came back CLEAN and CLEAR .. Live each day, tell the ones in your life that you love them, NEVER take any day for granted and always LIVE each day to the fullest. We are truly blessed to have each of you in our lives, and you make our days and lives fuller.

Thank you again for all the continued LOVE and SUPPORT!
The Herrick Family
Joseph, Jeanna, Lauryn, HUNTER and Maddison

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

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