Zachary is definitely full of himself right now and rightfully so. We have just finished 53 weeks of chemo since relapse. Zachary has now gone through 2 protocols for treatment (original diagnosis March 2006 and relapse September 2007) numerous surgeries and many radiation treatments. He was in tears last night as it was very emotional for him to have made it through another treatment course. He really hopes that some "normal" will return to his life sometime after the first of the year.
There are only a few weeks rest though, as Zach is scheduled to have reconstructive surgery on December 10th. We expect that he will be laid up for a week in the hospital then continued healing at home after.
Healing will take a long time though. After almost 3 years of treatments one does not just magically recover (if ever). We also will enter some sort of combination oral and IV chemo program at lower doses so that we can hedge our bets against the return of this beast.
We are so proud of you Zachary. Your desire to live and take what life has to offer is truly amazing. I want to thank all family, friends, co-workers and the other rhabdo families for their support and insight.
I also want to thank God for the blessings he has shown. Perhaps the blessing is that Zachary was not taken away from us as many children are that suffer from this awful cancer. We have him with us almost 3 years later. It is much better to live during this time as opposed at the turn of the century where these things were a 99% death sentence. We know there are no guarantees in life for any of us. We have learned to appreciate each day for whatever it has to offer.
Life will never be the same but it still has plenty to offer. We also will have MRIs, CTs and blood tests to help evaluate if we have indeed eliminated this cancer. We have been told there is no cure only remission (that hopefully lasts for another 60 years).
Please see the updated photos from this past Tuesday. Zachary at a concert celebrating this last week of chemo. We actually gave him his irrinotecan in the car on the way home from the venue.
We have much hope for Zach's future as well as our own.
We love everyone and again Plainfield you have our heart (as well as a sizable real estate tax).
Love,
Kevin, Paula, James, Zachary, Gage and Sierra (man is the girl cool).....
There are only a few weeks rest though, as Zach is scheduled to have reconstructive surgery on December 10th. We expect that he will be laid up for a week in the hospital then continued healing at home after.
Healing will take a long time though. After almost 3 years of treatments one does not just magically recover (if ever). We also will enter some sort of combination oral and IV chemo program at lower doses so that we can hedge our bets against the return of this beast.
We are so proud of you Zachary. Your desire to live and take what life has to offer is truly amazing. I want to thank all family, friends, co-workers and the other rhabdo families for their support and insight.
I also want to thank God for the blessings he has shown. Perhaps the blessing is that Zachary was not taken away from us as many children are that suffer from this awful cancer. We have him with us almost 3 years later. It is much better to live during this time as opposed at the turn of the century where these things were a 99% death sentence. We know there are no guarantees in life for any of us. We have learned to appreciate each day for whatever it has to offer.
Life will never be the same but it still has plenty to offer. We also will have MRIs, CTs and blood tests to help evaluate if we have indeed eliminated this cancer. We have been told there is no cure only remission (that hopefully lasts for another 60 years).
Please see the updated photos from this past Tuesday. Zachary at a concert celebrating this last week of chemo. We actually gave him his irrinotecan in the car on the way home from the venue.
We have much hope for Zach's future as well as our own.
We love everyone and again Plainfield you have our heart (as well as a sizable real estate tax).
Love,
Kevin, Paula, James, Zachary, Gage and Sierra (man is the girl cool).....
