About Me

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Bakersfield, CA, United States
Hans was a busy, happy, sweet and fearless three year old when he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. He fought his disease like a "gladiator" for nearly 6 years. Hans was an animal lover to his core. He was 'guarded' at home by his three cats, Black, Orange and Cotton. He also had his Golden Retriever, Honey, to keep him company. Hans enjoyed swimming, biking, gardening, grilling (he had his very own grill!), horseback riding, playing video games, building Legos, and flipping between Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Animal Planet. Hans loved all members of his family and he was a loyal friend. He had to go through a lot of treatment in his life. But Hans powered through it. His attitude was let's get this done! His motivation was always to get back home, to his family, pets, favorite foods and pool.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Very Good Response!

Wow, wow, wow. I'm wonderfully relieved today with our news. Dr. Marachelian said she had to run down the hall to tell us that Hans responded very well to the MIBG therapy! There is no more disease in the vertebrae. There is no soft tissue disease! They actually now think there never was any soft tissue disease. They now think that the little spot behind the heart was a tiny bit of disease on the vertebrae that is now gone. There is still a touch of disease in the skull and a teensy spot of disease on his hip. Our onc actually said "he's not in remission, but he's almost in remission!"

Our plan is to go to UCSF next week and get through the terrible awful but yet again wonderful MIBG therapy one more time. Trust me, I'm not being a drama queen...it's pretty sucky. Hans will then get his stem cells back in about two weeks time. I looked at our doctor and I asked "does Hans just have a weird kind of Neuroblastoma???". She said, yes, he does!

We don't know what will happen, no one possibly could. But let Hans be one more illustration to us all that it is worth a shot. No one has the answers, no one knows the future, or has a crystal ball. But with faith and love and sometimes tremendous effort and a cup over runneth with hope, you just never know...

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay!!! What wonderful, awesome news! I'm so glad to read this--it will surely make next week's horrible time much more positive. Hooray for Hans--such an amazing, brave little NB warrior, blazing his own, incredible path. Sleep well tonight!!
Love, Sarah

Patrick said...

GREAT NEWS!

Anonymous said...

WHOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Fabulous news!!! Way to go, Hans!!! My hero!

May the researchers use all of Hans' data to reveal NB's sneaky ploys!

Kevin, Lara, Elle, AND Hans kick up your heels and jump for joy!!! I am! (May that vision may you giggle!)

Have fun in the computer lab tomorrow, Hans! My third grade students often look at the photo of you brushing the horse's tail, comment on your braveness, and say, "Wish we could meet Hans!" So, enjoy sharing time with your new friends!

Love and hugs,
Aunt Susy

Anonymous said...

Great news!!! Sounds like we need to put together another MIBG care package. Where should we send it?

bud elkins said...

HooRay

Anonymous said...

Amazing!
Thank everyone for their prayers and good thoughts.
Thank contributors who help advance the research that will find the cures kids must have.
Thank the researchers who dedicate their lives to figure this out.
Thank the medical staff who know and lovingly treat sick kids.
Thank the families who sacrifice and make hard decisions to insure progress is made.

Bless the warriors who teach us what heroism is!

Anonymous said...

Amazing, wonderful, fantastic, joyous, awesome news!!!! We're soOOooO happy for you - couldn't be happier about anything!

Love Shelley, Tim and Greta

Kate said...

WOW!!!! Best news ever -- couldn't be happier for you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Alexander's said...

Love reading news like this! Yahoo.

Blair said...

This makes me so happy. Tears of joy for you! Prayers that the next MIBG therapy kicks the rest of those cells outta there! And that it goes by quickly and smoothly. Continued prayers.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic News!!! We are so happy for you and your family!

Anonymous said...

So happy for you !!
Fabi

Sonya said...

That's amazing! God bless!!! :-)

Charon said...

That is such great news Lara!! Praying for a smooth and speedy next round of MIBG and then a nice, long break for you all.

xoxo, Charon

Anonymous said...

This is super great, wonderful news! What a GREAT DAY!!

Kerry, Sean & Madison

Anonymous said...

Amazing! We'll keep the prayers coming.

The Burgharts

Anonymous said...

Wow!!!!!!
I am so glad for this good news!
Will continue to pray for all of the treatments to go well!
Love, Claire

Anonymous said...

Wohoo! Fantastic news!
Margot

Jan said...

Wahoo! Great news! We are so happy for Hans, and for you all!

Sunny Mulholland said...

YAY!! What AWESOME NEWS!!!!

Love you all so much!!

Lisa said...

Yes, yes & Yes! Amen!!!!!