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, May 28, 2009

MIRACLE on Doernbecher Street



The Doc just came in and informed us that there isn't a single trace of Leukemia in Hunter's body!!!!!!!!

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu*****k YEAH!!!!!! (excuse my language)

but seriously..............YAY.....YAY......YAY....YAY...YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!

We are still not out of the woods, but at least we've been given the chance to now enter the forest. And I have NO DOUBT that once inside, our little man is going to continue to beat this beast. Especially with all of the stealthy warriors that are standing behind him & with him, loving him, encouraging him and leading him on his path to victory.

We cannot thank you all enough. The love and support that has flooded our airways over this last week has been amazingly overwhelming and you all have gracefully lifted our spirits and relighted our flames. I am being completely honest when I say that we could NOT have done this without you. You have saved us....again....and you carried our little love......celebrating his life and cheering him on louder than a stampede of wild animals. The only thing that echoed through our hospital walls was to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT and we are forever grateful.

As of now, we'll start the conditioning for the Bone Marrow Transplant next Friday. It consists of 3 days of very intense chemo, then 4 days of radiation, then another 2 days of chemo..........a day of rest........and then Transplant. We are going with a Cord Blood unit that is a 4/6 match. We've been told that most bi-racial children go to Transplant with a 4/6 match and it's definitely considered a very good option. We'll be staying here at Doernbechers in Portland instead of going back to California and we'll be in the hospital for the next 45-60 days straight. We've decided that continuation of care and keeping Hunter stable is most important.

So the race is on. We have to get Hunter to Transplant before the Leukemia comes back again...............and believe me........we are in a full on SPRINT.....cheetah style.

Huntermania

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

YESSSSSSS!!!! Thank you for this post! Hunter hasn't left my mind for days and I am so HAPPY for you now!! GO Hunter! And GO Hunters mom and dad!
You are all heroes =)

(sorry if my English is bad, it's not my first language ;)

Big hugs from Iceland

Ira Gershoff said...

Wow!!!! I feel so much better today then I did last night. Thank you for fighting like a champ little guy!!! Keep on movin' don't stop!
Love, Ira

Marie said...

I have been keeping my eye on your updates about Hunter recently and I am absolutely amazed in this little guy!!! Keep up the fight...there are MANY loving and encouraging thoughts coming your way!!

MJ said...

Perfect picture to post with this fantastic news--I love Hunter's expression!

I am so very happy for all of you! You have all fought so hard and earned this moment of joy.

When the next battle gets tough, remember that moment the doc gave you today's news .. Hunter is a hell of a fighter, and he is going to win more than this battle--he will be the ultimate victor in this war with leukemia!

Peace & Love,
MJ

vikki said...

Praise God!!! This is the best news I have heard in a long time! I have been praying for you all since we left the hospital. You are an amazing family with one very tough little boy! Ready to to fight and WIN this battle! We will be back in on Mon. for our transplant as well ( hopefully ~ still waiting for the phone call.) See you soon.

Luke's Mom,
Vikki

StressedBlessed Mom in GA said...

Amen! That is the best news! Keep up the fight and know that prayers are being sent your way.

Sheri said...

WAHOOOOOOOOO!!! Oh my goodness that is just the best news, the news I have been so anxiously waiting for. What a freaken CHAMP Hunter is! Keep on strong, we will keep the prayers & positive thoughts full force. Big Hugs all around!

Anonymous said...

YEAH!!! SUCH WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!

Sarah

Cathy said...

What amazing news!! I will continue to pray while Hunter continues to FIGHT. I'm so thrilled for you all.

Anonymous said...

this is the best news i've heard in a very very long time! i've been following your blog for some time now and have been amazed at how incredibly wonderful and beautiful of a family you are. It brings tears to my eyes to read this news. My father recently passed from a very rare form of cancer and i'm just so so thankful to see/hear that there are miracles out there!! your love & support to your son has been magical.

GO HUNTER!!!

MKPatrick said...

Dear Lenore, Zen & Hunter,
YAY!!!!!!!! So fantastic to make this giant hurdle!!!!
We've been requested (by another family whose child is being treated for cancer) to give him 3 minutes a day....
Everyone is requested to do that. So we're doing it for Hunter too. Our whole family is envisioning a strong, healthy 2 year old Hunter, a boy, a teenager, a young man and old man. It's working!! Pass it on.
Love & Light, Strength & Health, Young & Old,
The Patrix

Anonymous said...

WAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! I'm soooo over the moon happy for you guys. I'll keep the prayers coming:)
Love and hope,
Kim Kow

Anonymous said...

Lenore - You don't know me but I did meet you once. My brother is Warren Kommers and I met you on the shoot at our parents' house in MT. I was on Warren's FB page, which led me to your page, which led me to this blog. I've been reading every word for 4 hours. You are sincerely my hero. I wish you and your family all of the longevity and health you so deserve. Sending all the best wishes. Faye

Lindsey Michelle said...

Praise God! Miracles DO happen!

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Lindsey

Matt Nolan said...

That made me weep with joy. Thanks for sharing the good news. Cheetah style is ON now! YES.