Updates and Information.

March 28,2007

Zac and I are home at the moment.  The scans we had done in February reveled significant
growth of the liver and no new  growth in his body.  His heart is fairing well and his bone marrow
shows no signs of abnormal growth.  It has been almost 2 months since Dr Healey placed
Zacs port.  I am very happy to report my son has not had an infection since then.{ a record for
Zac]  Although we have battled with Zac s body trying to re cooperate from the blood infection  
His counts dropped really fast after the chemo following the blood infection as well as the next
and we believed it was the accumulative effects of the chemotherapy, but having endured
another round of chemotherapy, we have been astonished by my big guy once again.  He
rebounded with flying colors.  With chemotherapy being administered to his body for 8 months
now, the team had warned me Zac would need more blood transfusions to restore his white
blood cells, so far have not had one yet...  My son is a trooper.  Thank you to everyone who
keeps my son in their thoughts and prayers, I truly believe that is the real reason my son has
done so well.  We have 4 more rounds of chemotherapy to endure which will end in June.  The
end is insight, now.  After I was told on the 14th of December my son had 27 more weeks of
chemotherapy till he was administered his last dose, I was truly horrified, I had no idea how we
were going to do it,  Now we have 12 weeks left, I am finally starting to reflect on our path.  We
are a very blessed family...  I could not have done this without the Help I have received from
Woodside Elementary and Windermere of Mill Creek. Thank you for all the amazing things as
well as Cascade High School, and the numerous individuals who have crossed our path to
ensure our success.

Zac will not get his feeding tube reinserted he is a whopping 66 lbs now,  I am updating a
journal page tonight  For everyone who reads the updates please check back for my new
journal page.
Thank You ~  The proud mother of Destini, Haven, Salem and of course Zachary Cole
Please feel free to send your good wishes and prayers to Zach and his family

February 12, 2007

Last time I journalized I was facing 7 more months of chemotherapy.  I found this out on the day
Woodside hosted a fundraiser for my son[December 15, 2006].  We were late in attending this
event, it was a struggle to even go.  I was truly devastated by the news that chemotherapy was
not going to end until June.  During this event for Zac I met some amazing people.  The whole
event made the news easier to swallow.  I received a tremendous amount of encouragement
and was truly touched by all these amazing people did for my family and the rewards of their
efforts showed in the success of this event.   It was a great ending to a truly devastating day.  
The next day Zac had surgery for placement of a Hickman, to replace the one that was removed
during tumor removal, after surgery he was admitted for 5 days of chemotherapy.   We were
released on the 19th.  From the 19th till Christmas Eve we were home, during this time we had
a number of visitors to our home, helping our family with Christmas.  We had 5 days of
Christmas, we were not able to do much during these 5 days, Zac was not feeling all that well.  
Well turns out he had an infection brewing, I noticed some swelling surrounding the line
underneath his skin, he was complaining his shoulder hurt, he did not have a fever.  I
proceeded to have my children at 9 pm on Christmas Eve unwrap the presents they had
received, while my son cried because he did not want to spend Christmas in the hospital.  It
was truly heartbreaking to watch my children getting upset due to the fact that Zac was going
into the hospital.  By 11 PM, we were in the emergency room.  Zac was admitted with a normal
temperature and slightly abnormal blood pressure, within 2 hours his temperature reached
104, and his heart rate was above 150, with the blood pressure fluctuating.  Cultures were
taken and heavy duty antibiotics were given.  By 4 am Surgery interns had examined Zac, after
they administered his other antibiotic, which was around 7 am we were admitted to the hospital.
 At 10 am.  A surgeon came by to let me know they were taking Zac to remove his Hickman.  On
Christmas Day that is what he was dealing with.  He still had an elevated temperature as well
as fluctuating blood pressure.  As the days went on we learned Zac had a blood infection that
could possibly move into his bones.  Luckily for us it did not progress that far, it was a concern
though,  They discovered the bacteria was Staff stemming from the skin.  Although his site did
not reflect an infection some how it had appeared in his blood, his line tested negative for this
bacteria, although his site started to excrete a white colored puss at the time of the swelling, it
did not present any redness or signs of irritation.  Nevertheless less, I knew my son was sick
that day and was waiting for something to present itself, so once the swelling and pain
appeared I brought him in. 2  weeks after being admitted we were released, he completed all
his antibiotics and had another line placed, this time in his arm... He also complete another
round of chemotherapy...  On the 25th of January, he was admitted for port placement another
central line and another round of chemotherapy which was for 5 days.  He has managed to stay
out of the hospital, after these last 2 rounds of chemotherapy..  On the 16th of Feb. we will be
admitted for another round.  This week we will also be doing all his scans to gauge any
damage done to his heart as well as Cat Scan and bone marrow scans,,  I will do a personal
journal tomorrow after I get the news on the Hearts progress.  I have a lot of things I need to
share on what the last 2 months of our lives have been like...  Roxanne  

more past updates


Please feel free to send your good wishes and prayers to Zach and his family, click here to
email the Cole family.

Click here to read Zach's mom latest journal entry.