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.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Happiness granted........& happiness taketh away

(109 days Post Transplant)

We found out in clinic on Wed. that they detected a Trisomy 21 cell in Hunter's blood work. They've told us that it could be an active cancer cell.......it could not be. They apparently only found 1........but, unfortunately, that's all it takes. We'll test him again in another month, and apparently the doctors are hoping that his new immune system takes care of it and terminates it on its own.

Sooooooooo not too bad.....just a months worth of stress & terrible heartaches and a constant fighting back of the mental demons that seem to be getting harder and harder to keep further away from the forefront of our minds.

So here's the deal - the Trisomy 21 genetic marker that Hunter has been spotted with is actually the down syndrome chromosone that is prevalent in most down syndrome children. Hunter doesn't carry this cell make-up throughout his entire body.......but his CANCER cells DO. So, in the past, whenever they've spotted the Trisomy 21 cell.............the cancer was usually piggy backing. It's very unusual and another characteristic that makes Hunter's AML Leukemia unique.

Needless to say..........Zen and I were once again devastated and spent most of Wednesday and Thursday confused, sad, randomly crying.......and just plain out of words. I feel as if there are a thousand needles stabbing at my heart on a pretty consistent basis, and those needles are speeding up and getting sharper every time Hunter says "mom", or "daddy" or laughs or shows us something cool or looks at us..........pretty much any interaction that I have with Hunter is slightly hurting right now and it's such a sad, sad, maddening state of mind to have to constantly continue to get out of.

For now we have to continue to focus on that little love of ours and enjoy every last bit of him. We completely realize that. Zen and I keep reminding one another of this simple act and definitely assist each other when one of us spots the other zoning out and about to crash and burn. It's pretty recognizable in our faces now when we are thinking about our life and our son and why we have to fight so hard to keep him alive and how truly unfair this all really is.

We will go to clinic twice next week and like they normally do, they'll draw blood and run labs and look for any additional unusual activity going on. We spoke to one of his doctors before the weekend and she reassured us that THEY are NOT freaking out yet. They feel as if they need to keep a VERY close eye on it, but that one cell just wasn't enough to feel as if Hunter is about to go into a full-on relapse. It is actually common for one or two to be spotted in post bone marrow transplant patients, but in Hunter's case......because of his history and how his cancer presents itself............it could be the devil.

Hunter going in for his Bone Marrow Aspirate, obviously already sedated. It was day 98 post transplant and it was actually on his birthday.........geez.......not such a fun birthday.



Zen and I waiting outside the procedure room waiting to pick him up.



Waiting anxiously for him to wake up.



Off we go..........just another day in the life of Hunter Zen Thawley.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have been trying so hard not to comment. Unfortuntly, I have been in shoes in many ways. You have been able to keep your beautiful son alive much longer the our daughter Sophia. My heart aches reading your posts and pictures. All of my prayers and thoughts are with you and Hunter. If I could give you anything, it would be to let the feelings come in, but know when to put them aside, long enough to enjoy your son. Live in the moment,live for today, I know how hard it is, but try. Your pain and sorrow is valid, but it should'nt shadow your day. Don't let Hunter see you worry, he knows you are hurting and in turn he can sense your pain. Our daughter was very receptive. I know you are holding on to every chance of hope and you should continue to. Continued strength, Villa family

Tamara said...

Hunter is definitely in my prayers. I pray that the Lord will give you strength to continue to be the great parents that you are.

God Bless!

Jennieanydots said...

My friend, Wendy O, sent a link to your story in her newsletter. I've read your whole story, and though I'm a stranger to you, I just wanted to say my heart goes out to you and your beautiful son. Sending thoughts of hope, joy, and happiness to the universe for Hunter.
Jen