Concerning News

Zach began suffering the effects of acid reflux when he was 5 years old. However, it was not until 2000 that he was diagnosed and began receiving treatment. At the time his doctor warned him that those who suffer from acid reflux for an extended period of time are more prone to esophageal cancer. So we knew that although slim, the chance of a diagnosis was there. 

Zach's stomach pains began a year ago.  The entire family got the flu--it was miserable.  But the pain in Zach's stomach was different. We just assumed the flu "bug" attacked him worse than the rest of us.  There were 3 more times when Zach's stomach would bother him so much he would lay on the floor in a cold sweat.  Then his stomach constantly began hurting. It seemed as though every food others him. On October 16, the day Max was born, Zach began to feel pressure in the area between his esophagus and stomach each time he ate.  We wondered if he might have a hernia causing the pressure or if ulcers were upsetting his stomach. Both are very treatable. 

Zach's doctor sent us to the Endoscopy Center of Idaho where the doctors there could look at his esophagus and stomach. I sat in the waiting room and talked to a close family friend who works there to pass the time.  Within 45 minutes the endoscopy was done.  I went back to see Zach.  He was very groggy from the medication. The doctor came out and spoke with me.  She had a stack of pictures ad news I wasn’t prepared to hear. She showed me the results of the endoscopy and the large tumor growing at the base of his esophagus. It is nearly blocking his entire airway.  She said she was very concerned about that growth because it looked malignant.  She had taken biopsies. We were told to immediately go across the street to St. Al’s hospital for a CT scan to look for other tumors.  I began to cry.  Zach was still too groggy to realize what was happening.  She held my hand and said we were in this together and some of the best doctors in the Northwest worked in this area.

As soon as he could walk, Zach and I went to St. Al’s for his CT scan.  As we were waiting to register Zach turned to me, still groggy, and very dryly said: Well, at least I have life insurance!  I assured him a life insurance policy wasn’t what we were thankful for at this point—but we were thankful for health insurance.  The CT scan took 15 minutes.  We were told to go home and wait for a phone call.  Within a few hours our doctor from the endoscopy center called with the results.  But the results didn’t confirm esophageal cancer.  Rather, the radiologist said the CT scan showed Zach might have lymphoma.  Given the 2 diagnoses, lymphoma was prefferable over esophageal cancer.  Zach then took a 3-hour nap.  I bathed the boys, fed them and put them down for the night.  Zach woke up about 9:00 Thursday night and we stayed up and talked about the “what ifs” we would face regarding teaching, basketball and life.

It was not a good night’s rest.