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.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

so proud of Hans!




I'm so proud of this kid right now.  We had something  going on -I didn't mention it to hardly anyone until I knew which way I'd go with it.  I had a feeling that I had better get another iron in the fire for a little while.  On a whim, I sent an email to Dr. Sholler in Michigan a few weeks ago.  The result of that email was a consult in San Diego set for Sept. 10th.

I had been all over the map about this consult.  I am aware that one of my personality strengths is being able to see the plusses and minuses of all possibilities.  The flip side of that strength is that I struggle with making a final ultimate choice sometimes!  San Diego is 225 miles from home, a four hour drive  (better than a 5 hr flight to Michigan to see Dr. Sholler,) but a four hour one-way drive and a day in a new hospital is a lot for a boy whose legs are really hurting him and who is not getting around so well. The decision was really getting to me, and I was a real mess!  I went to bed on Saturday night 99.9% sure we wouldn't go.  But, for some reason (Kate's blog comment maybe??) I woke up on the fence.  Kevin was really supportive and just kept saying I needed to do what I needed to do. Elle had a strong feeling that we should go.  (Elle gets feelings about treatments sometimes and they have always been right.)  I talked to Hans about 7:30 at night and we had a real heart to heart.  He has a lot of anxiety about going around to other hospitals, and is clearly against it.  He wants to get better, but he'd  prefer to get better from LA, or even Bakersfield, or the couch!  But, Sunday night, he was able to buck up and do it for his mama. I explained to him that I thought it might be important to go talk to this other doctor in San Diego.  I asked him to trust me on this, and to do it for me if he thought he could.  He came around, he said "FINE".  And then he started giving me his list of conditions! I was so relieved my big boy made the final choice so easy for me! 

We left at 6:30 am yesterday and didn't have too much terrible traffic through LA.  We were able to meet up with our friends the Hutchisons.  They were the perfect ambassadors to San Diego. They treated us to a great chips and salsa lunch in Old Town,  let Hans loose in a candy/tshirt shop, and even called in a few favors at Rady Children's in SD. We were given royal treatment.  By the time we got all the way down there Hans needed a bed and a little push of IV pain meds.  The nurse recognized that before I even did!  Amazing.  Hans was so cute, when I said "They're treating us like royalty", he said, "Yeah, they're treating us like the Queen and Prince of San Diego!!! "

Rady's Children's in San Diego is a full partner in the Neuroblastoma Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium.  This is another perspective on NB offering  options that differ from those offered through COG and NANT...  The SD doc fully endorsed our next step - going ahead with the chemo/stem cells, and suggested one or two trials Hans MAY be able to qualify for after that. Anyway, we're in the system, and a whole new Consortium of options may be opened up for Hans.  Everyone left the meeting with the same idea.  Hans is in charge.  We're not switching docs, or hospitals, but we are open for all collaboration of ideas on how to help our boy.  It was a 16 hour day.  It wasn't easy for Hansie, but I felt so very proud of him!  He trusted me and got that trip done.

The Hutchison's spoiled us even more.  Neil grabbed my keys and topped off our tank!  Who does that???  I felt like, oh my gosh, in Philly we have the Tennesons, in San Diego we have the Hutchisons.  Two more miracles for Hans (and the rest of us too).   Hans got to meet Charlie and Andrew.  Neil and Margot brought them up to say HI at Rady's before we headed north.  All I can say is I just hate it that I never get to meet soccer-playing, awesome smart sweet fun Sam who lost his battle to NB two and a half  years ago.  Neil and Margot have done a lot for NB and for me, personally.  I reached out to them when Hans first relapsed and I was so desperate!  We made it through LA traffic and home by 9pm, with only a pit stop at our favorite Hawaiiian BBQ on Sunset!

 As I type this we are getting blood at CBCC in Bakersfield.  Poor Hans had to get here at 7:30 am for the first lab draw, the infusion was scheduled for 1pm, but they brought us the wrong bag o blood.  I freaked b/c his HGB was 5.5:(  They brought the right bag and the nurses are working overtime to stay with him til he gets his last drop.  Stressful week!  Hans goes in for another CT scan and a meeting tomorrow.  We are hoping to get the final thumbs up for our chemo plus stem cells.  Hoping and Praying! 


18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great post, great news. And anything, ANYTHING that gets me an extra picture of Andy and Charlie merits a "great," for that alone.

It is so wonderful to know that through San Diego you have access to the work of Dr. Sholler and others. We are so hoping for a treatment that puts Hans into some sort of stable status so that he can get on with playing, laughing, and having fun! Tell Elle "good call."

NW Hans Fan

Anonymous said...

Way to go Hans! And, good job Weberling family for making the decision! So grateful to the Hutchinsons for making your trip special :)
Love, hugs and prayers
Aunt Holly and Uncle Michael

Kate said...

WOW! So happy to hear more options are opening up for Hans! What a trooper- Hans and you both. Praying this brings new hope and stable results for Hans!

Anonymous said...

We are so proud of all of you and grateful to everyone for the love and prayers that are continually showered on you all.

Hans' strength is amazing. Prayers that tomorrow goes as schedule and a new plan is in place soon.

Love,
G.Kathy & G.Dale XOXO

Anonymous said...

We are keeping Hans and your entire family in our prayers. Praying for good days full of family fun, strength, hope, and healing. We love you guys and miss you all.

Love & Prayers Always,
Theresa Williams

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a great photo of a fabulous threesome!

Our children's story this week mirrors exactly what Hans, family, and friends have experienced during the past few days...it IS in the giving that we receive!

Delighted to hear the new turn of events, and I applaud Hans, Elle, Mom, and Dad for listening to intuition and heart!

Cheering you on with BIG love, hugs, and smiles...
Aunt Susy

Anonymous said...


The weberlings are truely a
amazing family.

Pat K.

Kim Tyler said...

Thinking of you every day, and glad that more options are opening, and more experts are joining Hans awesome team. So in admiration of your continuing strength and courage, Lara!
xox

Charon said...

Good job Hans!! And, of course, good job to Mama, Daddy, Elle and your local support system. So happy you are getting the royal treatment! Much love and prayers to you all.

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Anonymous said...

Praying...and praying.

Sending love.

xoxo

Roxie

Anonymous said...

Getting good vibes from your new Dr

www.youtube.com/watch?v=V27bNWbKMjI

Anonymous said...

Lara,

It was wonderful to meet you and Prince Hans. So so glad we got to spend some time with both of you. We are glad to hear Hans is home where he wants to be and tanked up on blood and platelets. On to the chemo to kick some NB butt. You tell Hans we are ready and waiting to spoil him some more.

Margot, Neil, Andrew, Charlie and Angel Sam

Anonymous said...

Sending prayers, love and good thoughts! Thinking about you guys all the time. May peace be with you and in your heart.
Love,
Sarah

Anonymous said...

You guys are such warriors!I'm praying and sending extra love your way. You are always on my mind, just like willie nelson says.
xojana