Hello everyone:

We have seen God's hands working in our lives over the past year, very obvious looking back now. We thought we were moving here for "our plans", but God got us here for Zach and His plans and He is continuing to handle this situation with Zach every day. We have been lead to some awesome drs, to a research hospital which networks with Boston Childrens hospital and dana farber cancer hosp in boston and other facilities throughout the united states, collectively called COG- childrens oncology group. (http://www.curesearch.org/)

As devastating as it was at first to hear the news, we are very blessed and thankful that he has leukemia because there are so many other things, worse things, that he could have....without cures. I'm not sure where this journey is leading us, but Jim and I both feel that good will come out of this experience. Our hope is that Zach will do something new and different which will facilitate further research and help other kids. He was caught very early and he was perfectly healthy all his life .

Zach is doing incredibly well. The dr's just shake their heads. Dr Homenz stated yesterday "I've never seen such a health neutropenic kid in my career". He eats, drinks, plays and acts as normal even though he just completed a 10 day course of intense chemotherapy. We pray several times daily that the side effects are minimal, that he is protected from any infection, and that his blood counts recover quicker and better than they expect. He has had no side effects except 2 episodes of dry heaves which last all of 5 secs each and maybe a little more tired than usual (on a few occassions). Otherwise, he acts just like Zach. He has gained weight, eating well, drinking well. He loves to play Wii, which is provided by Child Life services here at the hospital. At his time he isn't allowed to leave his room, so they bring things (bleached and cleaned) right into his room. They expected for him to have sores in his mouth, but he has not. We had one night when he started to spike a fever, which is bad, but they started him on antibiotics immediatley and he hasn't had a fever since. He has psychologically adjusted amazingly well. He is just now starting to lose his hair, but that is expected and he is ok with it. We told him we could use a biker skull cap, knit caps or regular hats if he wants; he says "no, thats ok". We have decorated his room like we would at home. everyone here is wonderful.


We continue to ask for prayers. Zach has 2 further criteria to meet before he continues with chemo vs transplant. We need prayers that his blood counts (which are all manufactured in his bone marrow) come back within or before the time frame they expect and prayers that on the 29th day, when they redraw his bone marrow, the leukemia cells (or blasts) are 15% or less. If those criteria is met, he will continue with chemo. If they are not met, he will have to go for transplant (now that we found out his sister is a match). I'm hoping for the chemo route. And always, prayers that he does not have an infection during this time when he has no immunity. We are waiting for his blood counts to come up and this is the most dangerous time for him as his own bacteria can cause him to become sick. again: we are isolated to his room for now, we can't even go outside with a mask on, but he is amazing. We keep busy and he understands. For a 6 year old, having your whole world changed in a blink of an eye, he is fabulous.

We did find out last week that if needed, Ashley is a match for Zach. They don't feel that we are headed that way. They tested the chromosomes of the leukemia and they know exactly what they are dealing with and it most favorable to continue chemo, as long as the above criteria is met.


JIm comes up when he has time off. He started at home depot 92 miles from here and they haven't worked with him yet on his schedule. He just worked 7 days straight with 2 days off. he wanted work 4 days, 2 off etcc.....to maximize his time here. We hope the scheduler gets it together.

I stay with zach 24/7 , watch everything like a hawk. I have left a few times for an hour, like yesterday (jim was here), to get groceries, but I feel like I have panic attacks when I'm not here. Lorraine has been coming and keeping me company when Jims not here, which I really appreciate. We have had lots of family here in the initial 2 weeks as Josh, Tina and Ashley were here, Aunt Yvette and Uncle Bob came up with Phil and Lorraine and Karen, Bob and girls were here for a week and popped in often. All this is great and keeps things "as normal" as possible. We also are very thankful for all the support from friends and family who are not here but support us by phone calls, prayer and cards/gifts. Sharon, my sister, thanks for the zeal and zest you give when you are on a mission. Evelyn Richer's mom already knew about Zach before Evelyn told her of us as she had seen Sharons name on the church prayer list( Sharon had called the church's in our area here in vermont to make them aware of Zachary and have him added to all the prayer lists). Thanks for all the prayers.....keep them coming!!

They have been wonderful with providing us with a refridgerator in our room. There is also a Ronald McDonald Family Room on this floor where I can do laundry and cook food. There is a Ronald McDonald House 1mile from here and thats were josh and tina stay. We have a room for whenever family or friends come. I make all of Zachs food. I don't know who touches it in the hosp kitchen or if the plates/utensils are clean. So we are self sufficient with food, plates and utensils

Ray and Evelyn Richer have been a blessing in the midst of this. The Richer's are Jims parents neighbors. We always knew they were special people. The Richer's are planning a benefit on August 14th at Danville School where Zach is to go to school. All money raised will go to Zach. Ray is a wildlife photographer and is an expert on Loons. He will give a presentation on Loons complete with rare photos of these wonderful birds during nesting season. ( The Richers email: rloonnest@fairpoint.net and their website is: http://www.photosbyrayricher.com/ )
So, not only have they organized the benefit, they have prayed, let us store our stuff in their garage,and NOW they have found a home for us to stay in. Evelyn's Aunt Louise has a home in St Johnsbury that she has totally renovated, however, she is not living there. She currently lives in West Virginia. Aunt Louise has offered to have us stay in her home, rent free, for Zach. She states we have answered her prayers. Not only is it exactly what we need for Zachs sake, its only 1 mile (3 minutes) from the hospital, so when we bring Zach home, if he develops a fever we are very close to the hospital where the blood cultures and antibiotic could be given to Zach ASAP and we would be off to Burlington. Evelyns mom, Doris Demick, has also jumped right in and has been wonderful in showing the house and taking the time to clean and move things along with Ray, Evelyn and neighbors. Doris is a retired school teacher and realizes Zach will have to be home schooled/tutored for some of the 1st grade and is gathering the information for us. Thank you Ray,Evelyn, Doris and Aunt Louise.....God is good!

Thats the update for today. Feel free to email or make comments on this site for Zach to read. Today he wants me to tell everyone that he feels good and that he is having a great time beating his Dad at hockey on playstation 2!!

With God all things are possible