Good Morning Team Zachary,

What a privilege to be part of such an amazing group of people. Wow.

And this morning it's Bonnie Raitt singing to me:

All I ever wanted
Was a love to be true
More than just enough to get me by
I want a love to see me through

That's what Team Zachary has come to be for me ... A love to see me through ... I thank you for that.
 

Today's Medical Update comes from his father who is in Omaha with Zachary and Dara

The Current Medical Situation: Zachary's heart, lungs, liver, brain, and kidneys are functioning well. In fact, recent scans have shown that his lymph nodes in the most troublesome areas of his lymphoma has all shrunk and could indicate that the Stem Cell Transplant and Zachary's new immune system may actually be working and killing the cancer.

However, as we have said before, this Stem Cell Transplant is a very radical cure and has its own serious risks. The current and very serious challenge to Zachary's survival exists in the Graft-Vs-Host (GVH) disease, a direct result of the transplant, and its impact on his stomach, bowels and digestive track.

To illustrate the situation it is as if a forest fire has raged through the interior of his digestive system. If you place your hand on a hot iron it can become seriously burned very quickly but can take a long time to heal. This is the situation in the aftermath of Zachary's internal forest fire. His stomach and bowels are raw, inflamed and swollen from the GVH event. In order to give this part of his body the time it needs to heal all of the functions that normally would be done by this part of the system are now bypassed or minimized.

It has been a long time (approaching weeks) since Zachary has had anything to eat or drink (including water). All of the nutrients, medicines, fluids etc. that are now sustaining him are delivered by one of 8 different bags that are continuously dripping into him. Another tube that runs through his nose into his stomach (called a Nasal Gastro Tube (NG)) continually suctions the contents of this area and delivers them to an external container.

The whole point of this phase is to provide time and rest to this fire-ravaged area. Not all patients who reach this point recover and heal even with time. But providing enough time for healing to happen is the order of the hour. The most dangerous element in the current stage remains the risk of infection to these very vulnerable areas, which, under normal circumstances can be sensitive to the dangerous bugs that can grow here and then affect the rest of the body.

The Medical Team at the UNMC is doing everything possible, 24/7, often monitoring Zachary in 15 minute intervals, to create the medical environment for this healing of the digestive system to take place. For the rest of us, the appropriate visualization to affirm is a light pink, strong and healthy, pulsating digestive track winding its way through his interior.

The actual medical situation is best summarized in the words of Mark, one of the several outstanding Physician Assistants at the University of Nebraska who has been caring for Zachary. It was this address that, in our estimation, qualifies him for good-guy-of-the-month award. At a very down moment for Zachary, Mark put his hand on Zachary and said,

"Zachary, I cannot look you in the eye and tell you that you will recover from this." But, I can't look you in the eye and tell you that you won't. Your probability of making it through this is not yet zero. I have been watching patients at this stage of the Stem Cell Transplant process for the past 10 years and I can tell you that this is the lowest point. Yet this is the point you have to continue to push through and choose to live. At this stage it is often one step forward and then two steps backwards....one step forward and two steps backwards. Then, after awhile it can become one step forward and one step backwards. Only later, after much pain and struggle, can we begin to take tiny baby steps forward one after the other. This is where we are. It is a long road. I know exactly what happens if you give in now. I know exactly where this ends. But, I know you. You are a good soldier and a man of faith. I know you won't quit."

Zachary responded, "I won't quit."

Ann's Journal

What could I possibly add??

Update on Helping Zachary help others

I'd planned to give you an update on our "Help Zachary Help Others" campaign, but since some contributions are coming through the University of Nebraska website, there is a lag time before they "show up." So I'm going to wait a little longer before giving you a tally. That's good news because if you want to give but haven't yet, your contribution can still be included in my first official tally (which will be coming soon)! I do know that between the checks and website, about thirty people have given. Yippy Skippy!!! Thank you for helping Zachary help others. If you'd like to contribute via the website go to www.nufoundation.org/teamzachary; you can use any major credit card. Just think ... if you have one of those frequent flier cards, Zachary will actually help you get closer to your next free trip! ☺ If you prefer to send a check, you can make it payable to University of Nebraska Foundation and mail it to me: Ann St. John, 210 E. Gilbert, Bloomington, IN 47408.

Of course, as I've said many times before, you're already giving the most important things: your love, support, thoughts and prayers. For those I am constantly grateful.

Love,

Ann