Death of a Superhero

A Family's Story about Courage, Bravery and the Defining Moments of LOVE

Our sweet, lil' baby love lost his battle to AML Leukemia on March 8, 2010. We fought long, hard and very aggressively for 2.5 years, only to have his cancer come back for the fourth time to finally take his life. He was only 3 years old.

This entire blog is about Hunter's amazing journey. It's about his life and his love......his determination and his courage.......his absolutely, brilliant personality, and the affect he's had on people all over the world.

He's left an unimaginable footprint on this earth and has changed the lives of thousands of individuals. People who didn't realize how precious life was, now live it with extreme gratefulness. People who took every minute they get to spend with their children for granted, now savor every last second. And people who weren't quite sure what love is all about, now love deeper, love stronger and love with every ounce of their soul.

People all around the world have shared their love, their well wishes, their prayers and their inspiration, and we could have NEVER achieved as much as we did without them. We are humbled by their generosity & their true friendships & are forever grateful for every last person that has come into our lives through our experience with Hunter. He was our precious baby love who we loved and cherished with all our hearts and we are forever crushed and terribly, broken-hearted.

Dance in the clouds baby cakes. Mom & dad are watching proudly & you will remain so very close to our hearts for all of eternity.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Hunter's Doernbecher OHSU Check-Up

Well for those that don't know, we've relocated to Oregon for a little while. We felt as if we needed to take a breath of fresh air and rejuvenate from the last year. Halloween is coming up on Friday and last year at this time, Hunter was still being diagnosed with the stomach flu. wow.

Hunter is healing tremendously well and has received an A++ on all of his check-ups. He's now a little over 5 months off chemo. He gets routine blood tests and will get them monthly for the next two months. After that, they switch to every other month. He is still on one medication that he takes orally every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and he'll be taking that for another month.

Zen kindly asked the doctor on our last visit if she could reassure us and promise that the leukemia will never come back. Hee hee. Well of course the doctor wouldn't promise anything, but she did say that every day that passes is another step away from the deadly disease. We'll take that and count every step as five steps! In fact.......I think we'll run like hell.



This is Hunter's hospital in Portland, Oregon - Doernbechers OHSU. It's truly an amazing hospital that sits atop this lovely mountain and the tram ride alone makes it all worthwhile. We also love that instead of a McDonalds in the lobby, like at Childrens Hospital LA, they have an organic cafe that gets all of their fruits, vegetables and snacks from local farmers.



The TRAM



Wagon ride up. He doesn't look too happy. I think he knows what's coming.



The fun BLOOD TEST. They have to poke him every time now since he doesn't have a pic line anymore - which we'll gladly take, however........it still sucks. As soon as they take out that long rubber tubing................



The view from the TRAM top.



Hunter Chillin'. Much more relaxed after the blood test.



Hunter and Dad. Job well done.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Happy Birthday HUNTERMANIA!

Hunter turned 2 years old! He's been quite the busy little guy, and I'll have to say
we absolutely LOVE it. On top of him always on the go, we've had lots of catching up to do............so he doesn't rest often!

He's been in remission now for over 9 months and its officially been 4 months since his last round of chemo. He was allowed to discontinue one of his antibiotics on his birthday. Yay!! What a great present! He has to continue taking another medication due to his immune system still building back up and he'll be able to stop that med in 2 more months. He's had two check-ups since we've been out of the hospital and all of his blood tests have come back normal. We will continue to go to monthly check-ups for the next year.

His birthday was great. It was celebrated over the course of about 4 days. He had presents constantly coming in the mail!

A very appropriate balloon



Hunter and his friend Jack analyzing a present.



He was waiting very patiently to open this one. I think he knew it was full of cars.




He was quite fascinated by the whole "birthday" thing.



Loved eating his red velvet cake.



.....and of course passed out......Sleep tight.




Some quick pics.




He always finds time to stop and smell the flowers.




Lots of walks.



First day at the pool. He wasn't quite sure he wanted all of his fans to know he was there......hence the shades. He's been bombarded with requests for autographs these days and was just looking for a little rest and relaxation...........go figure.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Hunter's First Day at the Park!!







He just walked.......and walked......................and walked.













Blowing Kisses to EVERYONE!





Hunter's Life Journey Officially Begins!

Hunter's Last and Final Surgery!

Mom and Dad's last dressing change at home. This is an extremely sterile procedure and has to be taken very seriously.



However, there is always time for a little fun.



At the hospital getting ready to start the process. Hunter finds a peacock along the way.



Getting labeled. He's always very patient.




Waiting with dad.




Gets bored and decides to belt out a tune.




Almost Hunter's turn.




"Game on" once the purple jammies are given.



Gets tired of waiting and passes out. We had to get up at 4:30 in the morning and it was about 9am at this time. Long process.




Off he goes.



All done about 30 minutes later. Here we are in recovery.




aaaaahhhhhh......nothing that a cherry popsicle can't make better! And no more hole in his chest!


Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Brain Lesion Schmesion

We received FANTASTIC news yesterday. Hunter's Brain Lesion has disappeared! According to the results of his Cat Scan on Monday, the infection in his brain has officially left the building. Yesterday was the first day without his daily 2-hour dose of Antibiotics! We have clinic today to follow up on everything, but as of now, Hunter is in perfect condition! (Aside from the two biffers on his forehead from when he bit the dust). We'll have one more surgery in the next week or so to remove the Broviac Line from his chest, but that should be a pretty simple procedure and the end of his surgeries.

He's on his way to a normal kids life!

Hunter and Dad getting ready for the Cat Scan on Monday



Hunter not wanting to hear what anyone has to say. Talk about selective listening.



Hunter not wanting dad to let go. He's not really a fan of the Cat Scan machine anymore.



Dad not wanting to let go.



Mom waiting patiently for him to wake up.



Sunday, June 29, 2008

Lovin' Life.......and always will!

We're home! We've been busy, busy, busy, but I wanted to get everyone a quick update. Hunter is doing amazingly well and we are thrilled beyond belief that our hospital sleep overs have ended!

I will write more in a bit but here are a few images from the last days in the hospital!!!!!!!!!


This was us waiting to go in for his 4th pic-line surgery. That was the one that went bad three days later.




This was a typical days dosage of antibiotics, tylenol and potassium when he's getting a blood transfusion and his anti-fungal.



Here is Dad and Hunter waiting to go in for his Broviac surgery. The Broviac is the new access line that will be placed in his chest instead of his arm. This will allow us to continue to deliver his anti-fungal for the next 4 weeks at home.



Here is where we say goodbye before the surgery.



Always easier once the "happy juice" kicks in.




Here is the actual Broviac line after the 45-min surgery.



Sitting cool looking green from the surgery soap.




Getting annoyed with mom & dad taking photos. I guess I would be too if I had a hole in my chest.




Last day in the hospital waiting for the discharge papers. Can you tell we are excited to leave.



Hunter's last hang out in the windowsill.



We saw our last helicopter coming in to land - you can't read it, but underneath on the belly of the copter it says "Baby on Board".



Hunter's last stroll through the 4th floor hallways. Hopefully he never walks those halls again.



This was the fourth and final wagon load the day we left. Don't mind not doing that ever again for the rest of our lives.




Hunter at home after his hospital scrub down!



Hunter passing out in bed. He slept like a rock.



What we left behind on our hospital dry erase board.