Please read the important update immediately following the original story. All donations are sent directly to the Hernandez family. (If you feel moved to make a donation, tips are optional and not required. Under "TIP GOFUNDME SERVICES," hit the arrow down where you see a percentage, select "Other," then type "0.")
ORIGINAL STORY. Please help Jason, our 11-year-old son, beat stage 4 neuroblastoma.
After undergoing extensive testing, our family finally received a devastating and heartbreaking diagnosis to explain the pain and weakness Jason has been experiencing for some time now. Stage 4 neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer which grows from nerve cells and almost exclusively affects children. It can be challenging to eradicate, particularly in more advanced cases like Jason’s. With the love, strength and support of our family and friends, however, Jason WILL beat it.
Jason is currently at Loma Linda University Medical Center undergoing his first round of chemotherapy. The treatment plan the pediatric oncology team has decided upon as the best course of action is: 5 days of chemotherapy and monitoring at the hospital, followed by 3 weeks at home. Repeat for 4 months. After the 4 months, he will undergo surgery to remove the tumor in his abdomen. Surgery will be followed by several months of more aggressive chemotherapy and finally a stem cell transplant. The entire process is anticipated to take approximately 1 and 1/2 years. Because of his age and how advanced his neuroblastoma is, the doctors have put Jason’s chance of survival in the long-term at 50/50.
Jason will NEVER be alone in this fight. His dad, Nelson, and stepmom, Briana, both plan on downgrading their work schedules to part-time status so that they can take turns being by his side 24/7. A dedicated space downstairs in their home for Jason to be with either of his parents alternately during the intervals in between chemotherapy is being set up. Meal trains are also being scheduled by beloved friends.
With love and deepest gratitude,
The Hernandez Family
JANUARY 30, 2021
by Catherine Scott, Organizer
From Jason’s parents:
This is not the news our family had been praying for, and we are utterly heartbroken and devastated. Jason was almost through with immunotherapy when, in December, he developed a lump on his knee and pain in his legs like it was in the very beginning. This was soon followed by excruciating pain in his right arm, so severe that it was nearly impossible for him to put a shirt on and even started eating with his non-dominant hand. We were worried and just knew something was wrong. His pediatric oncologist ordered a series of tests, and the bone scan showed cancer in the bones throughout his entire body. Jason’s neuroblastoma returned with a vengeance and is ruthlessly aggressive. We meet with his team on Wednesday to determine treatment options or, at this point, if the best decision is to halt all treatment and allow him to enjoy whatever time he has left with us to the degree that is possible. This is the most difficult thing we have ever gone through – facing the inevitable reality we will lose our precious son.
Our family hates asking for your help, but we are struggling and desperately need it. We had closed the original GoFundMe a few months ago since things were believed to be looking up, but given what we now know, we started a new one today. Every precious moment Jason has yet on this earth, we want to spend it with him making beautiful memories and supporting him through all that lies ahead. Donations of any amount are tearfully accepted with our deepest gratitude. Your prayers are kindly requested.
With love and thanks,
The Hernandez Family
MAY 15, 2020
by Catherine Scott, Organizer
From Jason’s parents:
Our initial thought was to sugar-coat this update but knew in our hearts that we had to stick to reality. We must be open and honest to honor not only our son’s battle with cancer but all who fight this beast. Cancer sucks, and the more people understand, the more they will be moved to do something about it.
Jason went into the hospital on May 3rd to prepare for his most aggressive and exponentially stronger chemotherapy sessions yet, to be followed by a stem cell transplant. He completed six rounds total of two different chemotherapies. His doctors said it was like hitting his body with a nuclear bomb that wipes out EVERYTHING and hoping his body survives it. They also told us to expect skin discoloration and sensitivity, lots of fevers, bad mouth sores, organ failure and a very high chance of him ending up in the ICU. This past Tuesday was “Day 0,” which is what they call transplant day. So far, he has been doing okay, but the mouth sores have become very painful. We have been advised that the worst is yet to come as far as the serious side effects and complications. Jason will most likely be in the hospital for four to six weeks, and we are just hoping for the best outcome. Once discharged, he will come home for a month and THEN has to return to the hospital to do this entire process all over again. The second time around is much riskier.
There are a few impossibly difficult months ahead, and the Covid-19 restrictions in place makes everything that much more challenging. I know everyone has their own opinions about the virus and what we should or shouldn’t be doing, but please keep us, especially Jason, in your thoughts when you go out and decide not to wear masks. He has, and will continue to have, zero defenses, as his immune system has been wiped out. Any virus or bacteria could be deadly to him. When the country finally opens, it will not be open for us. Nothing changes for us, and we still have to be cautious with everything we do and everywhere we go. We all just need to be compassionate right now and think of others who didn’t ask for their immune systems to be compromised.
We are kindly asking for your prayers and positive thoughts for Jason now and in the months ahead to help him survive this fight and to have peace and comfort if but for the briefest moments. He has been so strong but has had some completely understandable emotional struggles. Who wouldn’t? He doesn’t deserve this, nobody does. How our son has handled stage four neuroblastoma, however, has made us so immeasurably proud. We love him so much and want nothing more than to have him in our family for many decades to come. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your love and support during this time.
With love and deepest gratitude,
Nelson and Briana Hernandez
Click HERE for information about Neuroblastoma from NIH GARD Information Center
ORIGINAL STORY. Please help Jason, our 11-year-old son, beat stage 4 neuroblastoma.
After undergoing extensive testing, our family finally received a devastating and heartbreaking diagnosis to explain the pain and weakness Jason has been experiencing for some time now. Stage 4 neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer which grows from nerve cells and almost exclusively affects children. It can be challenging to eradicate, particularly in more advanced cases like Jason’s. With the love, strength and support of our family and friends, however, Jason WILL beat it.
Jason is currently at Loma Linda University Medical Center undergoing his first round of chemotherapy. The treatment plan the pediatric oncology team has decided upon as the best course of action is: 5 days of chemotherapy and monitoring at the hospital, followed by 3 weeks at home. Repeat for 4 months. After the 4 months, he will undergo surgery to remove the tumor in his abdomen. Surgery will be followed by several months of more aggressive chemotherapy and finally a stem cell transplant. The entire process is anticipated to take approximately 1 and 1/2 years. Because of his age and how advanced his neuroblastoma is, the doctors have put Jason’s chance of survival in the long-term at 50/50.
Jason will NEVER be alone in this fight. His dad, Nelson, and stepmom, Briana, both plan on downgrading their work schedules to part-time status so that they can take turns being by his side 24/7. A dedicated space downstairs in their home for Jason to be with either of his parents alternately during the intervals in between chemotherapy is being set up. Meal trains are also being scheduled by beloved friends.
With love and deepest gratitude,
The Hernandez Family
JANUARY 30, 2021
by Catherine Scott, Organizer
From Jason’s parents:
This is not the news our family had been praying for, and we are utterly heartbroken and devastated. Jason was almost through with immunotherapy when, in December, he developed a lump on his knee and pain in his legs like it was in the very beginning. This was soon followed by excruciating pain in his right arm, so severe that it was nearly impossible for him to put a shirt on and even started eating with his non-dominant hand. We were worried and just knew something was wrong. His pediatric oncologist ordered a series of tests, and the bone scan showed cancer in the bones throughout his entire body. Jason’s neuroblastoma returned with a vengeance and is ruthlessly aggressive. We meet with his team on Wednesday to determine treatment options or, at this point, if the best decision is to halt all treatment and allow him to enjoy whatever time he has left with us to the degree that is possible. This is the most difficult thing we have ever gone through – facing the inevitable reality we will lose our precious son.
Our family hates asking for your help, but we are struggling and desperately need it. We had closed the original GoFundMe a few months ago since things were believed to be looking up, but given what we now know, we started a new one today. Every precious moment Jason has yet on this earth, we want to spend it with him making beautiful memories and supporting him through all that lies ahead. Donations of any amount are tearfully accepted with our deepest gratitude. Your prayers are kindly requested.
With love and thanks,
The Hernandez Family
MAY 15, 2020
by Catherine Scott, Organizer
From Jason’s parents:
Our initial thought was to sugar-coat this update but knew in our hearts that we had to stick to reality. We must be open and honest to honor not only our son’s battle with cancer but all who fight this beast. Cancer sucks, and the more people understand, the more they will be moved to do something about it.
Jason went into the hospital on May 3rd to prepare for his most aggressive and exponentially stronger chemotherapy sessions yet, to be followed by a stem cell transplant. He completed six rounds total of two different chemotherapies. His doctors said it was like hitting his body with a nuclear bomb that wipes out EVERYTHING and hoping his body survives it. They also told us to expect skin discoloration and sensitivity, lots of fevers, bad mouth sores, organ failure and a very high chance of him ending up in the ICU. This past Tuesday was “Day 0,” which is what they call transplant day. So far, he has been doing okay, but the mouth sores have become very painful. We have been advised that the worst is yet to come as far as the serious side effects and complications. Jason will most likely be in the hospital for four to six weeks, and we are just hoping for the best outcome. Once discharged, he will come home for a month and THEN has to return to the hospital to do this entire process all over again. The second time around is much riskier.
There are a few impossibly difficult months ahead, and the Covid-19 restrictions in place makes everything that much more challenging. I know everyone has their own opinions about the virus and what we should or shouldn’t be doing, but please keep us, especially Jason, in your thoughts when you go out and decide not to wear masks. He has, and will continue to have, zero defenses, as his immune system has been wiped out. Any virus or bacteria could be deadly to him. When the country finally opens, it will not be open for us. Nothing changes for us, and we still have to be cautious with everything we do and everywhere we go. We all just need to be compassionate right now and think of others who didn’t ask for their immune systems to be compromised.
We are kindly asking for your prayers and positive thoughts for Jason now and in the months ahead to help him survive this fight and to have peace and comfort if but for the briefest moments. He has been so strong but has had some completely understandable emotional struggles. Who wouldn’t? He doesn’t deserve this, nobody does. How our son has handled stage four neuroblastoma, however, has made us so immeasurably proud. We love him so much and want nothing more than to have him in our family for many decades to come. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your love and support during this time.
With love and deepest gratitude,
Nelson and Briana Hernandez
Click HERE for information about Neuroblastoma from NIH GARD Information Center