Zach McCulloch Update - 1/21/2009 - Kinder gentler poison..

Hello from the frozen tundra of CHICAGOLAND.....

Zachary started his maintenance program last week. It involves daily doses of Cytoxan (oral) and an intravenouss dose of Vinorelbine each Monday for 3 weeks straight and then a week off from everything. They call this a kinder gentler chemo but in reality it comes with a certain level of toxcicity that has made Zach tired. His blood counts were all good but the expectation is that he will need to take Neulasta shots which is a drug that helps keep his white blood cells at an acceptable level so that he can keep an ability to fight off any other type of sickness that he would be more susceptible to. Zachary will be on this maintenance for at least a year. He also will have MRI of the head every and CT of the chest every three months with complete bone scans every 6 months.

This cancer is really nasty business. We need to stay ever diligent and Zachary has an attitude that will help him stay the course. We are still in the game and grateful even though the poison keeps coming.

Thanks again to everyone this past year for your messages of encouragement. We also want to thank our neighbors and friends. We love you all the meals and support went a long way to helping Zach have a better prognosis and helping us keep our sanity without an abundant use of subscription drugs (none) or alchohol (very little). We also want to thank the heavenly father for his grace last on the list but certainly not least. I suspect the updates will be fewwer as Zach continues to settle in but anyone that would need info on this course of treatment and how Zach is doing please e-mail or leave a message and we will provide info regarding the experience.

The new normal is here and we seem to be used to it (this is a good thing).

Love,

Kevin, Paula, James, Zachary, Gage and Sierra

Zach McCulloch Update - 1/9/2009 - Not much going on

Hi everyone...

Just a quick update to let you all know that we have been fortunate to have had quiet days.

Zachary continues to heal nicely from his reconstruct and although we always felt he looked beautiful anyway, it is amazing what the Doctor at Loyola and his team have done to piece Zach back together and help with the mental healing process as well as the physical.

Prayers need to go out for to following:

The Miller family and their daughter Ashton. She just went through a lengthy operation to remove this Rhabdo beast which came back after the first round of treatment. We now need to pray that they are able to make the right decisions (which they will) for the next course of action.

Here is the link to their site.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/ashtonm

Jessica LaMere and her son John, have just found out that this young man's Rhabdo has come back as well. Please pray that they find the strength to stay the course and go through the needed treatments once again to finally eliminate this beast.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/johngrable

Devin Reid was a young man who defeated the rhabdo beast at least twice and a secondary leukemia caused from treatment. Devin became a "Rhabdo Angel" on 1-6-09. Please pray that his family gets the strength to heal their broken hearts.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/devinreid

Archie Wilson and family lost their 18yo son Alastair on New Years day to the Rhabdo beast. They are from Sydney Australia. As Archie states, when will this ever end. This cancer is so relentless on so many.

Of course there are many families in various stages of distress/healing with this cancer as well as many other childhood cancers. They stay the course and show so much courage when their worlds have been turned upside down. I hope (more often than not) that I can continue to not sweat the small stuff. My problem is as well as many others is that this cancer scares the living daylights out of you and now you start to lean towards an attitude of indulgence for your kids rather than the proper perspective which I think is usually a heavy dose of no. Love abounds of course and is what remains steadfast in all of this. I wish that these families could have their angels walk through the door but unfortunately we are left behind to make the most of our changed worlds. I can tell you that if you ever need stories of hope and courage that will uplift your spirits please visit any of the sites or blogs that these families use to convey the status of their lives and loved ones.

Here is to 2009 which will unfold before we know it. We are still here and all together, this makes it the best year ever for us and we are thankful and humbled for each day that unfolds that way.

Love,

Kevin, Paula, James, Zachary, Gage and Sierra (thank God for the girl because boys seem to want to kill you slowly where with girls I think it will be much faster).