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.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Our little WARRIOR



So Hunter had a Bone Marrow Aspirate, a Bone Marrow Biopsy and a Spinal Tap earlier today. Wheeeeeew.........that's quite a big breakfast. Almost makes me want to throw up. But Hunter didn't..............so I guess I won't.

And so.....this is it.....................our last hope. If Hunter's marrow comes back with less than 20% Leukemia, we can move forward with the transplant, even with the odds not in our favor, (according to the stats......which we've now started to ignore). If his marrow comes back with MORE THAN 20% Leukemia.......then the doctors have stated that it wouldn't be ethical or in Hunter's best interest to go through with the transplant because the chances of it being successful and him surviving are slim to none. And the suffering would be unbearable.

We are super stressed, very nervous, kinda nauseous, and really, really, really want to see the results........but then again, NOT really.

The good news is that his spirits are super high and he was laughing and giggling and playing last night in his bed for the first time in almost 3 weeks. He's was down for the count for the last 18 days with a case of Typhlitis and also Myositis.....on top of getting slammed with super powerful chemo. But he is once again............coming out of the dark.

We've put a hold on the herbs for right now until we see what is going on in his body. He's still on multiple antibiotics and antifungals and continues to get food and fluid through his IV. Although he did finally eat about 10 pieces of Bananna Flakes today.......YAY!! Munch down little man! He's been getting transfused with Platelets and Red Blood Cells on a daily basis for the last 13 days, but he is off his oxygen which is FANTASTIC and we haven't had to hit his morphine button as regularly as we did before. We LOOOOOOVE THAT! Although dad and I might take a swig or two if we get the chance. I wouldn't mind being a little numb right now.

We've opted to only think of the best possible outcome. Whenever we think of anything else we fall apart. It's so incredibly painful and maddening when we truly face what is happening.

We actually attempted to go out for a meal two nights ago just to get out of the hospital and we hadn't even been there for 10 minutes before we started crying. We are constantly taking deep breaths and pushing demons out of our heads and out of our hearts. I've never been so challenged before in my life. Zen thought the hospital should have a button for parents to wear who have a child dealing with cancer so that people know not to ask us any personal questions...............it just opens up the floodgates. By now, we've pretty much broken down at the grocery, Costco........random restaurants .......the gas station, the post office, elevators..........you name it - we've cried there. And have no problem doing so. And even if we did...it wouldn't matter - because we no longer have any control when it hits us.

I've attached a link to the video of us getting ready for our procedures today. We walk down our hallway on the 10th floor of the hospital and go into a tiny, little room and they slowly put Hunter to sleep. And then there is a video after when they come get us and we pick up his little body and carry him back to our room. It's kinda sad..........but gives you an ideal of our life as it happens.



Putting Hunter to Sleep.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUTUBE VIDEO CLIP

The tear that flows down Hunter's face right before he falls asleep just wrecks my insides. There are no words to describe watching your child go through something like this. I find it so hard to believe that this is really happening sometimes. We're living a nightmare.


Getting Hunter after Procedure.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUTUBE VIDEO CLIP



This is a photo of Hunter's Myositis. His left thigh is extremely swollen and looks like a watermelon compared to his right thigh. Although his right thigh now currently has some swelling in it as well. It's apparently pretty painful and definitely makes Hunter NOT want to have to go through any diaper changes. He doesn't even like to be moved for that matter.



Here is Hunter on our way to his MRI before the Myositis was diagnosed.



And here he is........once again........being put to sleep.






Welcome to our life.

No comments: