He was only 6 years old when he was diagnosed. It has been three years now. And he is officially done with round 1 against cancer. Zack has beaten it. Three years of chemo and spinal taps. Three years of thousands of pills. A port in his chest (he has a necklace with the port on it now). Endless drives past his elementary school (missing his friends) on the way to doctor checkups. Numerous nights in the hospital fighting pain that the pills could not fix--and the doctors couldn't find the main cause. And the tears--countless. I can't even continue to list the things that Zack (and his brave family) has battled for three years. But the good news--Zack won round 1 with cancer.
Now, round 2 begins. A life of 'what did I miss', 'what if', 'why me' 'why any of these kids' and 'will it come back'? Questions without answers. His life, his family's life, changed forever.
Even for kids who survive, the battle is not over. A recent study shows that because of the treatments they had as kids, by the time they’re 45, more than 95% of survivors will have a chronic health problem and 80% will have severe or life-threatening conditions.
So in addition to finding cures, a lot of research is focused on preventing the lifelong damage that results from surgeries, radiation and chemotherapies given while young bodies and brains are just developing.
So we will continue to fight the good fight. Round 1 or Round 100, we will continue to help cure childhood cancer (cancer overall). And we do so with St. Baldrick's.
This past March (2015), we had the lucky opportunity to go to the Raleigh St. Baldrick's Shaving event while Zack was in town. We did not sign up to shave b/c we were supposed to be out of town on vacation--but the winter weather changed our plans (luckily). We discuss jumping in line to shave our heads again, but the line is long. Mason and I have shaved our heads since we learned about Zack's diagnosis, so we are upset we aren't part of this year's event--especially since Zack is in town. All the sudden, I hear over the speaker system: "let's give it up for Zack Green--not only is he fighting cancer but he is shaving his own head to help beat cancer!" On his own, he simply stepped up onto the stage and said he wanted to shave his head. After all he has been through--losing his own hair during his therapy--he voluntarily jumps on stage and says SHAVE MY HEAD!
Countless tears. Tears of pride. Tears of sadness. Tears of joy.
After all he has been through and has yet to face, he's 'OK' with it and he is willing to shave his head to help raise money for all the other children he sees facing similar battles.
Five of us jumped up on that stage with him. To cheer him on, congratulate him, help him raise a couple of hundred extra bucks on the spot to help cure childhood cancer. And shave our heads in unison with him. He is our hero and we will battle with him everyday!
So proud of you Zack. Fight the good fight!
