Christmas 2011

Zach had a CT scan Tuesday Dec 27th. The cancer had not grown and was about the same size (smaller in some places) as the last CT scan 2 months ago. The doctor decided to put Zach on a maintenance chemo (2 chemo medications instead of 3). The third chemo medication that they aren't giving him is the one that made him feel nauseated and caused him to loose his hair. He is currently seeing his doctor every three weeks and receives one medication via iv while we are there. He then takes chemo twice a day for two weeks in a pill form. Zach has had a lot more energy since the 27th and has not felt as sick. He continues to have pain in his colon. We are praying that this schedule will keep the cancer from growing and allow Zach feel better so he can be more active. His next CT Scan will be late Feb or early March.

On January 13th Zach had chemo and they took out the stint that was preventing his left ureter from being blocked off by a lymph node. The lymph node was a lot smaller on the CT scan so Zach was hoping to go without the stint which causes him some discomfort. Soon after we returned home on the 13th, Zach started feeling really sick and we ended up back at IU on the 14th to put the stint back in since his kidney was not able to drain through the ureter. While it was frustrating to spend our Saturday at the hospital, we are really thankful that the Urology Team was willing to perform the surgery on the weekend.

We continue to feel really blessed by the support for the Cancer Redemption Project. We mailed out a Daily Devotional Book in December written by Zach, Brad, and Ryan (please let us know if you didn't get one and would like one). Zach had the opportunity to share his testimony on one of our local Christian Radio Stations (link at cancerredemption.com). Our prayer is that our story can be used to bring people to Christ. Building continues and we are looking forward to seeing more pictures when Zach's sister Cassie returns from Haiti. She visited the Cancer Redemption Campus yesterday.

Balloon Ride

Over the weekend we enjoyed a balloon ride with Jay Grube. The ride was Zach's birthday present from his parents and my gift to Zach was being brave enough to go with him.

Cancer Update-from Zach

I had a CT scan last Tuesday (August 23rd). It showed that the cancer had not grown any over the last 2 months. This is a blessing because this type of chemo only works in 30% of people. We’re not sure how long it will last, but we’ll take every day that we can get – and try to use it for His glory. Thanks again for the love and prayers.

P.S. Head over to the Cancer Redemption Project web site to check out the exciting progress and to see pictures of the campus.

Snapshots of Summer

Old Time Photos

We had these taken during our vacation with the Pfister Family in Gatlinburg, TN in early July.

Zion's Birthday

Zion Michael Bertsch
Age 4
Height:37 1/2 inches tall
Weight: 34 pounds
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Stuffed Animal: Doggy
Other things he likes:
-Dad's Scary Story and Bible Story at Bedtime
-Dressing up like a Cowboy
-His $1 weed wacker he got at a garage sale this week
-Playing in his Sandbox
-Singing with Mom and Moriah
-Watching Children's DVDs