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

Doctors Visit..

We went to see Hunter's doctors and it was of course great to see all of those that we haven't seen in such a long time. The doctor said that Hunter looked great and was also very happy to see him after his long battle away! She looked at his back and told us pretty much what everyone else has been telling us, to keep the creme on it at all times so that it doesn't get infected. Hunter has a lot of open area on his back from his skin peeling from the radiation. The area needs time to heal and recover from all that it has been through. The doctor wants him to wait to start working out until he gets a release from his radiation doctor. That appointment is scheduled for mid-August. He is looking forward to slowly starting to get back in shape. I'm sure that his body will tell him his limits. We have to go back to see his Oncologist in August. At that time they will schedule all the tests that Hunter will need to take. They will have Hunter take all of these tests at the end of August so that they don't come back with a false positive (due to radiation). We do not want that to happen so we will wait as long as necessary, although it is probably one of the hardest things to do.

Hunter looks great and is feeling great too. This past weekend we went to a friends house at June Lake and he went fishing which he hasn't done in many years. He fell in love with it all over again. It was great to see him enjoying himself and having fun like a 17 year old should. Thank you to the Isreal Family for letting us use their beautiful home at June Lake. Many wonderful, amazing memories were made...

Thank you again for everyones LOVE, SUPPORT and PRAYERS. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't THANK GOD for all the wonderful people we have in our lives.

LOVE, THE HERRICK FAMILY

TREATMENTS ALL DONE..

Hunter has finally reached home plate with ALL of his treatments being complete! YEAH.... We finished up radiation last week and he couldn't be happier. I'm sure that it's a feeling that everyone is sharing with us. Our family knows with all of our hearts that we could have NEVER gotten through these months without all of the love, support, and prayers from those ALL around us. From those that we have known for years, just met and those that we have never met, there truly are no words that can THANK YOU everyone for all that they have done for Hunter and our family. Each and everyone of you will forever be in our hearts.

Hunter has a doctors appointment on Wednesday with his regular Oncologist, which we haven't seen in a couple months since the beginning of City of Hope. We are assuming that we are going to have our follow up tests, which is what we really want as soon as possible so that we can hear that he is cancer free. We're not sure if they have to wait a certain amount of time after radiation or not but we will find out on Wednesday. We will keep everyone updated as we get information and test results but until then THANK YOU AGAIN for everything...

All of our love,
The Herrick Family

Last WEEK of Radiation..

We are in the last week of Hunter's radiation. He is very excited about this but at the same time very sore. The area that they are doing radiation on is very tender to the touch and is peeling. This makes it even more tender since the skin under is extremely raw. After radiation today we saw the doctor and they gave him some new creme to try applying to the area, it's a creme that they give to burn victims so we are hoping that it will do wonders for him. He is really dreading this last week but Hunter will push through it like he has each and every other day. The doctor said that it will probably take about a month or so till his new skin recovers. She said that he should limit some of the things that he does until the skin is recovered. That was tough for Hunter to hear because he just wants some of his summer.

We have a doctors appointment a week from Wednesday with his regular Oncologist and we'll know more then as to what the next step is. Until then we just look forward to being done with this week.

THANK you for ALL of your continued LOVE and SUPPORT
The Herrick Family

The Beginning of Hunter's Fifth Week

Hunter is starting his fifth week of radiation. We/HE only has NINE days left of radiation..YEAH!! Hunter is feeling the soreness on his back and through-out his whole body. His skin gets tender to the touch, especially when we put the lotions or gels on. His skin is really dry and starting to bubble a little around the scar. We have been trying to put things on it to help him feel better and they do help but it will be all a matter of time. Hopefully the next nine days will just fly by and Hunter's radiation area won't get to unbearable.

I am hoping to talk to Hunter's doctors this week to find out what our next steps are. I am assuming that we will have all of our tests to take to make sure that Hunter is still clear. I'm just not sure if there is a waiting period after radiation until he can get this done.

We will keep everyone updated as we get the information.

THANK YOU for ALL of your LOVE, PRAYERS, and CONTINUED support. We could have never made it without each and everyone of you. We are truly BLESSED and there are no words that can express how much we appreciate all that everyone has done for Hunter and our family.

Love to ALL..The Herrick Family <3

Radiation..

Hunter is going into his third week of radiation and handling it pretty well so far. His back is more tender is some areas than others, but I am assuming that is normal. They tell us that with each and every radiation this will happen. Our Dr. widened the margin on the area that was being radiated during the second week because we were a little concerned that the whole area that the tumors were would not be covered completely. The Dr. was going off the MRI's and all of the scans and since he personally didn't see Hunter before the tumors were removed, he said that he would rather be on the safe side and widen the margins to cover everything. That of course made Joe and I feel a little better, just knowing that it will ALL be covered no matter what. Hunter is almost half way done with this journey and then we are told that he will have tests to take when this is done. Day by day right now and then we will cross that bridge when it gets here, BUT we are getting closer and closer to those days.

Although Hunter was advised by his doctor that it wasn't a great idea to go in the ocean for a swim or two, he just had to go and get wet. He had been saving his money and was able to get a great wet suit which really helped. On the 30th of May, he and his friends went to Laguna for the day and he was able to get back in the water for the first time again. It's the little things like this that truly bring tears of joy, the excitement that he had was amazing! He was able to go to the beach a couple more times until his wet suit started to bother his back. He knew that this would happen but he just wanted to get in for the short time that he could. Now he is just counting down the days till he is able to enjoy summer completely.

Hunter has been doing great with school. He will be winding that up soon and will be finishing right along with everyone else. He kept up great and his GPA this year was amazing. He is looking forward to being a Senior next year!


Thank you for ALL of your LOVE and CONTINUED SUPPORT,
The Herrick Family

Central Line Came Out Today!!!

Today was a great day for Hunter, he was able to get his central line out of his chest. He can't wait to actually sleep on his stomach and not have a big bulky line stabbing at him. Today is Tuesday May 25, 2010 and Hunter got his second central line taken out and two years ago on June 4th 2008 is when he got his first line taken out. We are hoping and praying that this is the last and final time that we will ever have to have anything to do with a central lines.

Hunter began radiation on Monday the 24th and he said that it wasn't too bad. It was a little uncomfortable as to the way he is positioned but other than that it wasn't too bad. The doctor's are saying that it will take about two to three weeks before it will become tender and sore. We need to find some 100% Aloe Vera Lotion or Gel to put on it or the actual plant. Hopefully we will be able to begin that soon.

We are being told that Hunter's last day of radiation will be on July 1st, 2010, as long as all goes as planned. We are hoping and praying for smoother days in June so that July will be here before we know it. After Radiation, Hunter will still have to under go some testing and then hopefully he will be able to enjoy the rest of his summer before starting his Senior Year :)

Love and Prayers to ALL,
The Herrick Family