IngerStrong Golf Tournament and Clinical Trials

I have put off updating the blog for awhile because I needed more information before I shared what Zach's future treatment options are.  Zach spoke to Dr. Dan last Friday.  I wasn't there to hear the conversation so I didn't exactly understand what the plan was.  But I do now.  Zach began a different chemo this morning.  He will receive these 2-hour infusions every other Friday.  The drug isn't as toxic or aggressive as what he faced the first 3 months so the side effects will be more minimal.  Unfortunately however, the odds still aren't in Zach's favor so we continue to pray and hope!

Regarding clinical trails, Dr. Dan didn't find anything as promising as the different chemo Zach began. Dr. Dan searched all over the country and spoke to his many contacts. Clinical trails are not out of the realm of possibility, but there isn't anything now that would do Zach more good than his newest treatment. If the scans don't show marked improvement we will leave the area.  For now Zach will finish the school year, receive chemo every other week, rescan in 6-8 weeks and we will make more decisions after the scans. 

The IngerStrong golf tournament was so much fun!  Zach and I are in awe of everyone who reached out to support us and make the tournament a success.  Dave Radcliffe of Eagle Hills is a good friend and devoted many, many hours to organizing this, beginning back in January.  Tamera Wheeler, a local business owner and mom of an Eagle student, reached out to me several weeks ago to offer her help in any way possible.  The silent, live auctions and dessert auctions were a resounding success because of her.  I couldn't have done what she did--what an amazing heart that woman has!  We are also very appreciative of the golfers who played, our friends and families who came for the day, and the businesses who donated to the auctions. The day was a fun and welcome distraction!

In January I posted a prayer request and asked if anyone had connections in the hospitality industry. Several people reached out to me including Mrs. Susan Jenkins. Susan was Zach and Nathaniel's 6th grade teacher at Cynthia Mann. She retired after 37 years of teaching and is now President of the Idaho Licensed Beverage Association. Susan kindly reached out to her contacts in the restaurant industry. After a 3-month process I can finally share that Nathaniel got a job here! He will move home in late May to manage the downtown Boise Lucky Fin's restaurant. Nathaniel, although he is an amazing human being, was not the model student. How ironic that 20 years later his 6th grade teacher is the reason he's able to move home. God answered that prayer!

Nathaniel and Zach before the golfing began.

Zach and me on the driving range.

Golfers warming up on the driving range.  It was a cold morning but once the sun came out it was a beautiful day. 

64 sad and lonely golf carts waiting for golfers. They were soon filled!

The early morning silent auction set up.

My dad Pat Lecertua and family friend Al Musser.  I haven't seen Al in years!  I was touched that he came and golfed.  

Zach's brother Nathaniel and me.  It was fantastic having him home--he loves our boys and is never lacking for lively conversation or a good story. 

Zach, Dane Roy (Rocky bb coach) and Matt Hitchcock (former coach). They are good friends to us!

Ben, Chuck (Zach's stepdad), and Zach

My dad gave up golfing 20+ years ago.  But that didn't stop him from buying a new set of clubs and playing in the tournament! He's re-found a forgotten hobby :) 

My mom Kathi and me.  

My dad and his friends.  Julio Bilbao (far right) has been a longtime friend of my dad's and was Zach's principal at Hillside all those years ago.  Zach was touched to see him golfing!

The carts are off!

Tamera Wheeler and me.

Putting.

Mickey Shields, owner of Mickey Ray's BBQ in Eagle and Boise, is an amazing human being.  He bbq'd a delicious lunch of chicken and bacon wrapped pork chops and also provided twice-baked potatoes, salad and rolls.  This man has a heart of gold!

Our family: Aunt Karma, Grandma Shirley and cousin Kyla.

The Nelsons came from Vancouver to show their support!

More family! The Ipsens and Ingersolls.

Family friend Lorrie Panzeri and Zach's mom Kris.

Rocky Mountain crew enjoying lunch!

The dessert auction.  Thank you so much to the businesses and individuals who prepared delicious treats!

The live auction and lunch in full swing.

Crystal, Kellie and Virginia were a few of my friends who came out to enjoy lunch and the auction.  What great friends I have!

My mom and brother with his girlfriend Jessica and her folks, David and Linda.  

Max!  Happy 6 Months!

Oliver and Uncle Nate teeing off.

Oliver's motto: One can never have too many golf balls.

What a beautiful day!

This cutie never stops moving.

Oliver playing with his dump truck and loader.  

Celebrating Ben's 25th birthday with a delicious apple pie from the dessert auction.  Yum!

Oliver's a fan too!

Zach and his brothers.

It was impossible to get everyone's attention for a picture.  

Max enjoys his thumb more than bananas!

A Touching Memory

       I did not grow up in a family who loved sports.  In the 6th grade I gave softball a try.  Fielding a ball, I knocked off a press-on nail and decided softball wasn't for me.  I faithfully ran cross country through middle school and high school though I never excelled.  But long, hot runs after school that included a stop at Diary Queen for a blizzard probably didn't help!  Maribeth Bleymaier-Oscamou--remember this??  I liked running because it wasn't a team sport like volleyball or basketball.  The thought of the opposing team cheering against me did not spur me on to become better.  Ironically, I coached cross country and track while I was a middle school teacher.  You can be sure my family laughed about that one :)   

       Zach was quite the opposite.  He excelled in 3 sports, not for his innate athletic ability, but because of hard work.  He loved hearing the opposing team cheer against him and said it made him work harder and perform better.  When we married I was only partially aware of how much time he wanted to commit to coaching.  At one point he coached 3 sports in a single school year.  Oy vay--that was rough even for him.  Zach's battle has made a lot of things come to light for me.  Although sports wasn't an important part of my life growing up, I now understand how important a coaches' role is in the lives of athletes.  

       The following reminds me why I am thankful for the sacrifices we made so Zach could coach.  Ryan Lundgren, a friend of the family, wrote the following and I am sure some of Zach's former and current basketball players can attest to his passion for the game, his love of coaching and his high expectations.

        Way too late on a Sunday night to be composing a full blown "note" on Facebook but it's necessary. Let me reflect.  I can't lie, the thing that spurred me writing this thing was the concert we saw tonight. Wow... let's start there. Bruce Springsteen absolutely rocked Reunion Park in Dallas Texas tonight. The man played for three straight hours in the pouring rain and no one seemed to notice or even care. It was a life changing performance, something I've only experienced one other time with live music, compliments of the Rolling Stones. This show was more than that, it was something spiritual. I vow to myself that won't be the last time I see Springsteen live in concert. Quoting the great Jimmy Valvano "If you laugh, cry and think in the same day....that's a heck of a day." That notion can be applied to tonight's concert. The real reason I want to write this is to talk about a couple people in my life that are fighting a hell of a fight with cancer. 

       My cousin Vinny is 25 years old and is currently in Salt Lake City battling his second bout with cancer. This time, tumors are spreading around his body and they are hoping that the chemo/radiation will stunt their growth and move him on the path to recovery. The SLC news stations came in the other day and filmed him marrying his fiance in the hospital....pretty special moment. I remember growing up and hanging with Vinny and his brother Trevor. Those were my two male cousins that I could really relate with, I have a lot of great memories at family reunions and get togethers throughout Montana. It's tough because life has sent Vinny and I down different paths, much like it does to everyone. We haven't had the chance to get together, or even talk often with eachother for the past several years. Despite that, I still hold you close to my heart as a cousin and friend. Sometimes life's not fair, but the only thing you can do is just keep moving forward and fighting each little battle until finally, you win the war!... and I know you'll do that, stay positive my man.

       The second person is Zach Ingersoll. Zach is the brother of one of my best childhood friends, Ben Tucker. I have so many memories from childhood of Zach and the entire Tucker family. That was my second home...Kris, don't think I forgot those Tuna melts!! $$$$! Hours of backyard baseball, football, dunk ball, kick the can, toilet papering, we did it all at the Tucker household...those are some of the best memories of my life. Zach was recently diagnosed with cancer and is battling like hell to kick the nasty diseases ass. I know he will. My main memory of Zach comes from my freshman year of high school. He was the assistant coach of our freshman basketball team, and was a hell of a coach. He was always intense, and demanded that everyone play hard in every drill. He could definitly get under your skin, but he also did a phenomenal job of building you up and giving you confidence as a player. It's funny the little things you remember in life, but this is one: We had just got done playing a home game, can't remember who it was against, but our starting 5 was injured and didn't play. Because of this injury I played a lot of minutes that game and played well, can't remember the stat line but I'm sure Stew could dust off the books!! 

     I remember after that game Zach pulled me aside and said something to the effect of "Ryan, you were incredible tonight. When you play like that, we are the best team in the league. Keep playing with that confidence." It's moments like that that stick with you and affect you going forward in life. I have no doubt that Zach positively affected hundreds of kids while he was coaching, both at Hillside and most recently at Rocky Mountain. I also do not doubt that Zach's comment and his commitment to coaching our team that year played a role in my love for the game, and chosen career path of coaching. That's the greatest thing about coaching, you touch and impact so many lives without even knowing it. If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!

       I've been following Zach's battle on his online blog and also staying in touch with Ben for updates. It sounds like Zach is kicking its ass, as expected. I know he will come out on top in his fight. It's incredible what positive thinking and bravery can do. 

       There are so many other people I could shout-out and talk about their importance in my life, but you know what? It's 3am and I got an early morning, so I'll spare myself and you. Life is too damn short to hold grudges, have regrets and not speak your mind. Hug your brother, kiss your mother and laugh with ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. Life has never been more beautiful.....Vinny and Zach, keep fighting the good fight!

News That Changes Everything

I'm not sure why we hold on to this life as tightly as we do; it is just a temporary place.  A home, a reliable car, money in the bank and a family are comforting to have.  It can be easy to forget that God promises a heck of a lot better for those who believe.  

Driving home from our appointment with Dr. Zuckerman, I felt numb so I asked Zach what he was feeling.  His response: reality.  That summed it up for me too.  Exactly 3 months ago today we met with Dr. Zuckerman to hear the diagnosis of stage IV cancer.  The past 12 weeks have been a whirlwind of chemotherapy, radiation, feeding tube complications, scans, late night ER visits (why can't things go wrong at noon?!) and treatment side effects.  But during that time we were able to hold on to the hope that everything Zach was facing would bring a promising outcome.  That is why today's reality is numbing for me.  

Zach's lymph nodes have not responded as well as we had hoped to the chemotherapy.  Although the chemo did kill some cancer cells, it had little affect on others.  We knew 3 months ago that Zach was going to receive the most aggressive type of treatment MSTI could offer.  So if his lymph nodes didn't respond positively then we would need to leave the area for a clinical trial.  That time has now come.  

Zach will finish out the school year with a different type of chemotherapy.  This 8-week period will buy us some time to research clinical trials and give Zach the chance to save his job and benefits.  (We are thankful it is already April and we are not placed in the situation of needing to leave the area in October!)  This summer will be our opportunity to attack the cancer with a different treatment.  Seattle, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, UCLA/Cedars-Sinai and Houston are all possibilities.  Their hospitals offer a great number of clinical trial--500 in some cases.  We do have extended family in Seattle and California so we would likely try one of those areas.  

I ask for prayer for the right clinical trial for Zach.  A good fit in my mind would be a place where we have extended family.  Somehow Houston in July doesn't sound like an answer to prayer :)  Please also pray that God guides Dr. Zuckerman as he researches trials for us.  Lastly, pray for hope for our family.  I don't know how long Zach has.  This news really changes everything for us and greatly concerns me.  When I think about Oliver and Max growing up without their dad I am gently reminded not to hold onto such a temporary life.  Greater things are yet to come.  

Thank you for your support and your prayers.  

Zach and Oliver enjoying a story before nap time.  

Max!

Zach and Max.

Zach and Oliver built a pillow fort one afternoon after school.  Oliver left to take a bath…and Zach fell asleep.