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Peter Marcello Zucca "Mission Miracle" 
Mission Accomplished!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Welcome to Peter's Web Page. It has been provided to keep you updated about Peter's journey back to good health.
Peter had a MRI on December 23, 2003; and was diagnosed with a pelvic mass. On December 24th he underwent needle biopsy of his abdomen and was diagnosed with a Rhabdomyosarcoma a malignant lesion of the muscle. On December 31st he underwent a lung biopsy, his tumor had spread to his left lung. A central line, an access port with two different tubes on it, was placed for easy access of his chemotherapy. He underwent two courses of chemo and was rescanned. His tumor doubled in size.
We were referred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for consultation with two of their doctors. On February 4, 2004 Peter’s 1st Birthday, we were told that he was not a candidate for surgery or radiation. In fact we were told that he had 2 months to live. We returned to duPont Hospital and decided to try one more type of chemotherapy. After completing two courses of this new chemo he was scheduled for a scan.
Peter was rescanned on March 19th. There was a significant reduction in the size of his tumor. However, his tumor was still very large and at that point was not operable. He would need a significant reduction on two more scans and then hopefully the tumor could be could completely removed. If they can remove the tumor completely he would not need radiation therapy.
On April 7th we were at duPont for Peter’s routine examination and to be admitted for chemotherapy. After his doctor examined him she turned to us and said; “I do not want to give false hope but I cannot find his tumor.” We were astounded, since Peter was supposed to pass away by Palm Sunday and there it was the Wednesday before Easter and the doctor couldn’t feel his tumor.
Our next appointment at duPont Hospital was April 20th. If Peter’s blood counts recovered and this checkup went well we could take him to Disney World April 23rd-30th.
Peter’s next scan was scheduled for Tuesday May 4th.
We made it to Disney World; we had a wonderful trip, and Peter held up very well. We enjoyed the break from doctor visits and hospital stays.
Peter’s May 4th scan showed another significant reduction in the size of his tumor. His doctors asked our permission to send his films to 3 pediatric surgeons in New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Peter’s tumor is now smaller than it was at the time of his diagnosis in December. Unfortunately it is at a very bad spot. Two of the three surgeons have informed us that they would not operate on Peter because they would have to mutilate him to get around his tumor. As you may know radiation on a child under the age of two is very damaging and for us is also out of the question. We have chosen to proceed with his chemotherapy. Peter’s next scan was scheduled for June 15th.
Praise God, on June 15, 2004 we learned that the third doctor had reviewed Peter’s scans and wants to meet with us. He works out of Sloan Kettering in New York. He is doing a limb sparing surgery that includes radiation therapy, while in the operating room, using shields to protect healthy cells. We were told that Peter’s scan, which was performed on June 15th, would have to show his lungs clean and his tumor staying the same size or smaller. On the 16th we learned that there was another significant reduction in the size of the tumor and that his lungs look good.
We are traveling to Sloan Kettering on July 8, 2004 to meet with a team of doctors who will be coordinating Peter’s care, should we choose to proceed. This surgical procedure is very difficult and could possibly include the removal of Peter’s bladder and a resection of a part of his bowels. His sciatic nerve is also involved and the tumor will need to be removed from it as well. This will most likely result in a drop foot, which will require a brace on the foot and ankle to allow Peter to walk.
When Dennis and I were staying at duPont Hospital during Peter’s first admission we opened our Bible one night to Psalm 40. There we read the following: “ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be Astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord.”
We pray for a miracle of healing for Peter; a full recovery from his cancer with his entire precious parts intact. We pray that God will astound the medical community and all of us with his precious gift of life.
Journal
Friday, April 10, 2009 11:57 AM CDT Peter did very well on his last trip to NY for scans. He had some anxiety about being in all the scanners without anesthesia but he did well. We had practiced for this day and it paid off. It was nice to arrive at Sloan-Kettering without the luggage and linens necessary for the 3 day stay at the Ronald McDonald House.
They were waiting for us in the infusion room and we had prayed that Peter’s line would be placed on the first try (one needle stick, please). Well, it was sort-of, all 3 were placed on the first stick but they were unable to draw labs out of them or flush them. On the 3rd try they were able to place a small gauge needle into the top of his hand and draw his labs from it. Dennis waited in the hall outside the infusion room and could hear him screaming with each try. I held Peter on my lap and hid my tears from him as they went from arm to arm looking for a good vein. Peter held up well considering all the attempts.
The next snafu occurred when we were unable to get his contrast. The order was in the computer to release it to us but the pharmacy was closed. By the time it was released he had a very brief period of time to choke it down and choke he did; choke, gag, wretch, and cry and nearly vomit it down. We were near the end of the cup and he was such a wreck that Dennis said, “throw it away, just throw the rest of the container away.” I couldn’t get it into the trash can fast enough and I have never loved my husband more. Then entire time I’m thinking will this nightmare every end?! I’m sick to death of watching my child tortured over and over again!
More fun to come in nuclear medicine. Remember the small gauge needle that was finally placed in the top of Peter’s hand? Well, it was too small to inject the contrast into during the scan. JUST SHOOT ME! Now I’m crazed!!! You really have never seen anything like a good Mother fighting for her child. I get the attention of every nurse, tech and doctor that will listen to me involved and finally the nuclear medicine supervisor. Mission accomplished; they have someone physically standing next to the scanner pushing the injection into Peter line with a fine gauge needle that was compatible with the line he had placed in his hand. So for the next 30 minutes Peter and I play freeze tag in the scanner. He lies very still and pretends that he is riding into a volcano and I stand at his head and tell him he’s frozen until the scanner stops and he gets to ride back out of the volcano. As is his style he rides into the volcano, freezes and waits for the ride out…what a great kid!
We leave nuclear medicine head to the play room and get some food into the belly of our hungry man. Interestingly enough they were having an inaugural party in the play room. The child life people were dressed like secret service men and they had large screens T.V.s available to watch President Obama take his oath of office. We were given American flags to wave and hats with flag bands to wear. They served hot food and had a sparkling cider toast to our new President. I looked at Dennis and started to cry, “I just can’t believe we are here, again, experiencing life inside the walls of the pediatric cancer center playroom”. He said, “Its fitting isn’t it” “We have experienced every sorrow, joy and celebration we could think of in these 4 walls”, so why not the inauguration of the President of the United States.
We head to MRI and knew that this would be a tough scan for Peter. He had to lie still for about 1 ˝ hours. He really was a trooper but near the end of the scan he just couldn’t take anymore and he started to cry. Well, that was all I could take and I pulled him out of the scanner and told him he was done. I know I sure was!
The great news is that all of the scans were free of disease and Peter is CURED! We were asked to return annually for a chest x-ray next year and an MRI the following. There will not be PET/CT in the future because they are done looking for disease. No more contrast to drink and no more radioactive injections. Hip, Hip Hooray! We made it!
The doctors were pleased with Peter’s happy outgoing nature and his ability to move around. We discussed the upcoming surgery to rebuild his right hip socket. This was proposed by his orthopedic doctor at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, De. He wants to use cadaver bones to graft a right hip socket for him. The sarcoma team at Sloan basically said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you”. Can he walk…yes, can he run…yes, is he in pain….no, and did he have massive amounts of radiation to that area…yes. He needs a minimum of 1 -2 other opinions before you proceed.
Return in 1 year for a chest x-ray, no hip surgery, and no more cancer. Thank you for your prayers!!!!
Peter turned 6 on February 4th; we celebrated with the family and friends who were with us for his first and very painful birthday party. This year was a blast it was simple and happy and stress-free. We wish for Peter many, many years of happy, healthy, stress-free celebrating.
He lost his 1 tooth on Friday, February 27th. We were so excited. We were driving in the car with Grand pop and we pulled off the street so we could call Dad and take some pictures. He was so proud and he looks adorable. Remember when we were told that he would not have secondary teeth coming because he started chemo before his tooth buds formed? Well, right behind the little hole that his tooth fell out of was the next tooth sticking up out of his gum; like a beacon of hope that God’s miracle of healing for Peter will continue. Just one more sign from our awesome God that he has never failed Peter nor left him. We will never forget all that we have endured on this journey and all the ways that God has shown his face and his blessing to us.
We have been working with the school district to transition Peter into Kindergarten at Vernfield Elementary School in September. He will need hearing impaired services and PT. He will also be evaluated for OT. Please keep this process in your prayers as a smooth transition and high quality services will be an important part of his school success.
We will be traveling to DuPont on Thursday to see his orthopedist and to have a gait lab analysis completed. He has out grown his leg brace and worn out his shoes. So he will be casted for a new brace and a lift will be added to a new pair of sneakers.
He has an appointment with his audiologist next Wednesday for a hearing aid check.
Lastly, and sadly, please see the link below for our friend Big Ryan. Ryan has earned his angel wings. Please visit his site and leave a note of encouragement in his guest book for his family. Please keep them in your prayers as they are faced with the impossible task of picking up the pieces of their shattered hearts.
We wish the peace, love and joy of serving a Risen Savior…Happy Easter from the Zucca’s
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Happily at home in Harleysville
P.O. Box 452
Harleysville PA 19438
Links: http://www.caringbridge.org/ne/ryan Big Ryan
http://www.caringbridge.org/oh/grace.eno Angel Gracie
http://www.caringbridge.org/de/haley Angel Haley
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