Hunter is active and dangerous, even in his quietness he is deep in thought. He is a climber like his favorite superhero Spider-Man. He loves art and dance and finds evocative emotional realities in nature, paintings and music. He loves the outdoors as much as the art gallery or a dance show. Hockey has kept him close to his brother. He has created worlds of escape in drawing and reading. He has found musical expression for the deep torments of his soul. He looks up to his big brother and is literally cracked up by his little sister.
Hunter was diagnosed with Leukemia in November of 2009. In the time leading up to his diagnosis he had general flu like symptoms, low grade fevers, was fussy, and experienced loss of appetite. Treatment has included years of oral chemo combinations, feeding tubes, invasive diagnostics and GI procedures, surgeries, scans, and tests. Hunter continues to require significant assistance with daily living as he suffers from chronic pain and continues to struggle with eating and drinking.
The stress and strain of cancer on two siblings, a marriage, finances, careers, and the physical, emotional and mental toll on all of us for almost 8 years is enormous. We lived in s bubble for almost 4 years. Hunter continues to have side effects from his treatment including hearing loss and chronic pain. We are resilient, but fragile. We struggled to survive but haven’t regained our life back. There are years and joys and experiences you simply can’t get back. We balance that with how grateful and lucky we are to have our son here with us. We have lost so many young friends to this horrible monsterous beast.
The journey has been a long haul. There have been so many ups and downs. We have made it through this far but have our share of wounds and scars. Hunter is wise beyond his 10 years with deep compassion and understanding. He is an advocate for childhood cancer and holds close to his heart the friends who have died, those who’ve journeyed along side him, and those who continue to fight. He believes his struggles have made him who he is, and opened him to a world and a side of himself he may never have know had it not been for his diagnosis.
Hunter is holding a gold number 5 for an incredibly special reason. This past April, Hunter reached that magical 5 years off treatment, 5 years cancer free! He is now officially a cancer survivour! We definitely have plenty deep scars, and some battle wounds which refuse to heal. However when I look through those breathtaking photos of our family, I am hit with the power and weight and the tremendous joy of the gift that we are all still here. together.
Hope Session by Janis Lempera Photography | Facebook | Instagram