Zach
Zach loves to play video games, airsoft, basketball, and go on cruises. In September 2023. Zach was diagnosed with a peripheral nerve sheath tumor, (MPNST) a rare cancer that impacts his cervical spine, arteries, esophagus, and trachea. After chemotherapy and radiation did not shrink his tumors, he had to have multiple surgeries: one to remove the tumors from his spine, one to remove the tumor wrapped around his artery, and one to fuse his cervical spine together. Despite high risks – paralyzation, stroke, blood loss – these surgeries were a success.
In October 2024, Zach was diagnosed with therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which required him to spend 7 weeks inpatient. On December 26, Zach woke up and was not himself. He suffered a brain bleed. After 2 weeks in the PICU, 1,000mg of steroids a day, and multiple other treatments, he was himself again. Doctors pondered on his condition and were fearful he might not improve, but eventually determined that Zach had methotrexate toxicity from a lumbar puncture. His dad donated stem cells for his transplant. Zach was able to return home after 100 days since the transplant. Zach’s heart soars when his mother says he is cancer free.
JUST TRYAN IT provided Zach’s family an emergency relief grant to assist with their mortgage and car loan payments.
