MY JOURNEY Sort by Date

My Journey

The Unexpected Journey

My journey started on January 16th of 2017.  I was off school for Martin Luther King Day, and was out for a normal mountain bike shred...

Continue reading

SurgeriesMy Journey

Cracken open the skull – Surgery #1

I had brain surgery to remove the tumor on January 23, 2017.  The surgery took about 2 hours and the best news we received, was the tumor...

Continue reading

My JourneyComplications

What happened after brain surgery?

I spent five days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) following my tumor resection.  Not all went perfect after surgery and when I...

Continue reading

My JourneyRehab

Learning to do things all over

My initial physical therapy session goal was 5 steps at a time walking from my bed, to a wheel chair or wheel chair to the toilet.  I...

Continue reading

My Journey

Woo whoo… got to go home

I was released from the hospital on January 28th. For the next couple of days, I chilled on the couch, slept a lot – sleeping is the best...

Continue reading

SurgeriesMy JourneyComplications

Back to Choc for the second time

I was readmitted to the hospital February 2.  Upon admission to the hospital I had a MRI, and it showed my ventricles in my brain were...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Not just a ventricle issue… battling three issues now…

Upon sampling the CSF it was discovered I acquired bacterial meningitis during the initial surgery.  What that meant, is I had an...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Fighting the infection in my brain

Enter a new department to help with my case – Infectious Disease (ID).  Dr. Arrieta is the president of the medical staff and division...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Pressure relief – Surgery #2

The only way to relieve the pressure and test to see what was going on was to put in an External Ventricular Drain (EVD) in my skull....

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Cleared for Surgery #3

In order to be cleared for surgery to fix my ICP issue, I had to be infection free.  To be cleared, Infectious Disease had to pull 3 CSF...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Surgery number #3

Your body produces CSF continuously to protect your brain.  As you produce more, your ICP goes up. As your brain excretes/eliminates it,...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Normal for the most part… for a few weeks at least…

For the next few weeks, I started MY normal routine.  Each day I got IV antibiotics every 8 hours – 6am, 2pm and 10pm.  But, one thing...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Back to the Hospital but with some different issues

In addition to not feeling good for a few days, on March 2, I had some pain on my right side, and when I went pee, there was some blood in...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Kidney Issue – Surgery #4

On March 3, I had a 2 hour kidney surgery at Choc – by Dr Wehbi, one of the best pediatric urologist in the world – to remove...

Continue reading

SurgeriesMy Journey

Another Brain Surgery – #5

March 4th was a bad day where I was really sick and I got to a point that my ICPs were so high, that I began to reach a critical level from...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Surgery #6 – EVD Redo

When you have an EVD or any type of device to help your body function for a while you sometimes need to have it changed so you don’t...

Continue reading

SurgeriesMy Journey

Surgery #7 – Shunt

The surgery to insert the Shunt was performed on March 20.  The good thing about the Shunt surgery, is that I only needed to stay a day or...

Continue reading

My Journey

At home – again after 20 days in PICU

I was released from the hospital on March 22.  I had to go home with a PIC line in my arm so I could get IV antibiotics through May 1. ...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Lack of Sun and Vitamin D not good – Surgery #8

On April 14 – not so Good Friday – I was supposed to have an easy surgery to remove the balance of the kidney stones and the stent...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Tube Free! – Surgery #9

On May 1, I had outpatient surgery to remove the stent, the catheter and PIC line.  This actually was the first procedure I had that...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Gamma Knife – remove some left over tumor – Surgery #10

I had outpatient surgery/treatment on May 31 at San Antonio Hospital to treat some residual tumor tissue that was not removed from the...

Continue reading

My JourneyRehab

Rest, PT and trying to just be a kid

Following Gamma Knife, my focus was on rest, PT and healing so I could be ready to start school in August.  I went to PT 4 days a week,...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Checking ICPs – Surgery #11

Since I started back at school in August, each day I woke up with a stomach ache.  It progressively got worse to the point in which I had...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Uncrossing the eyes almost – Surgery #12

For the last year, I have had double vision left to right and up and down. This is due to 6th nerve palsy – my 6th cranial nerve is...

Continue reading

My JourneyComplicationsRehab

No, I am not a Pirate – why the eye patch?

In addition to the right side deficits, the surgery also affected my vision – right eye specifically.  After surgery, I experienced...

Continue reading

My JourneyComplicationsRehab

Why do I walk funny or stumble some times?

As expected, I did experience some deficits (balance and coordination issues) as the result of the initial tumor surgery.  Primarily, my...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Opening up the skull again – Surgery #13

So for the last year, I haven’t felt real good consistently.  Most mornings I wake up with nausea, my vision even though I’ve...

Continue reading

My JourneyRehab

What’s a typical day

There really aren’t typical days. My hope for every day, is when I wake up, I feel good. For the most part of the last year, I woke up...

Continue reading

My Journey

CLEARED… No restrictions… Let’s go crazy!!!!

March 12 was a great day. At my appointment with my neuro surgeon, I finally got my release note from Dr. Loudon to return to normal...

Continue reading

My Journey

Faith based activities and honored to be recognized.

I had three big things happen recently that where exciting experiences and humbling as well.  I recieved my First Communion and was...

Continue reading

My Journey

Thankfully, things are moving along….

For the most part, I am feeling pretty good physically.  I haven’t had any stomach issues or anything else other that a sinus infection...

Continue reading

My Journey

My Journey

My Journey

My senior year has begun!

It’s been a long road to get here and I am glad I made it.  A lot goes on for your senior year, and I am ready to get going. As I’ve...

Continue reading

My Journey

My Journey

Great Season, great year… now time to prep for College!

I am so grateful to have had an amazing Senior year so far, and a great football season as well.  There are many doubters, but more...

Continue reading

My Journey

I Love a Parade, Thanksgiving, and Search for a College…

To kick off Christmas, I had the opportunity to represent the Make a Wish foundation, and grand marshal the San Clemente Christmas Parade...

Continue reading

My Journey

Set for my next chapter… almost…

I have decided on St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin where I will study Physics and Math, and have an opportunity to play football...

Continue reading

My Journey

My Journey

My Journey

My Journey

College is hard

I am not going to lie, college is hard and St Norbert College in De Pere, WI is 2131 miles from home.  I also have to remember, that my...

Continue reading

My Journey

Half Smiles are Cool™ for a little while… Surgery #14

A little background about my face… One of the things that happened after my cyst fenestration surgery in January of 2018 was...

Continue reading

My Journey

Lock down can’t keep me down… got things to do!

It has been a couple months since I came home from St Norbert College due to COVID-19. As students, we originally were going to take two...

Continue reading

My Journey

Not Everything Goes as Planned, or as You Hoped

First, I’ll start out with letting you know I am feeling pretty good and have not had any major health issues recently.  I had my annual...

Continue reading

My Journey

Working on the Face – #halfsmilesarecool for even a little while longer – Surgery #15

              On December 16th, I had my second facial nerve reconstruction surgery.  Dr Azizida and...

Continue reading

My Journey

My Journey

My Journey

Symmetry and Smiles – The process is slow

Here’s an update showing the progress with my smile post facial nerve reconstruction. It’s taken many hours in the mirror at...

Continue reading

My Journey

What I’ve Been Up To

Hey, Zach here, it’s been a little bit since I updated the website. This year has been quite the unexpected year for me. In the last...

Continue reading

My Journey

Golf Balls Seem to be a Recurring Theme = Surgery 17

Well, this was bound to happen, my 17th surgery. You might ask yourself, “how did Zach get to surgery 17 without 16?” The answer is, I...

Continue reading

My Journey

Golf Balls Seem to be a Recurring Theme = Surgery 17

Well, this was bound to happen, my 17th surgery. You might ask yourself, “how did Zach get to surgery 17 without 16?” The answer is, I...

Continue reading

My Journey

What I’ve Been Up To

Hey, Zach here, it’s been a little bit since I updated the website. This year has been quite the unexpected year for me. In the last...

Continue reading

My Journey

Symmetry and Smiles – The process is slow

Here’s an update showing the progress with my smile post facial nerve reconstruction. It’s taken many hours in the mirror at...

Continue reading

My Journey

My Journey

My Journey

Working on the Face – #halfsmilesarecool for even a little while longer – Surgery #15

              On December 16th, I had my second facial nerve reconstruction surgery.  Dr Azizida and...

Continue reading

My Journey

Not Everything Goes as Planned, or as You Hoped

First, I’ll start out with letting you know I am feeling pretty good and have not had any major health issues recently.  I had my annual...

Continue reading

My Journey

Lock down can’t keep me down… got things to do!

It has been a couple months since I came home from St Norbert College due to COVID-19. As students, we originally were going to take two...

Continue reading

My Journey

Half Smiles are Cool™ for a little while… Surgery #14

A little background about my face… One of the things that happened after my cyst fenestration surgery in January of 2018 was...

Continue reading

My Journey

College is hard

I am not going to lie, college is hard and St Norbert College in De Pere, WI is 2131 miles from home.  I also have to remember, that my...

Continue reading

My Journey

My Journey

My Journey

My Journey

Set for my next chapter… almost…

I have decided on St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin where I will study Physics and Math, and have an opportunity to play football...

Continue reading

My Journey

I Love a Parade, Thanksgiving, and Search for a College…

To kick off Christmas, I had the opportunity to represent the Make a Wish foundation, and grand marshal the San Clemente Christmas Parade...

Continue reading

My Journey

Great Season, great year… now time to prep for College!

I am so grateful to have had an amazing Senior year so far, and a great football season as well.  There are many doubters, but more...

Continue reading

My Journey

My Journey

My senior year has begun!

It’s been a long road to get here and I am glad I made it.  A lot goes on for your senior year, and I am ready to get going. As I’ve...

Continue reading

My Journey

My Journey

My Journey

Thankfully, things are moving along….

For the most part, I am feeling pretty good physically.  I haven’t had any stomach issues or anything else other that a sinus infection...

Continue reading

My Journey

Faith based activities and honored to be recognized.

I had three big things happen recently that where exciting experiences and humbling as well.  I recieved my First Communion and was...

Continue reading

My Journey

CLEARED… No restrictions… Let’s go crazy!!!!

March 12 was a great day. At my appointment with my neuro surgeon, I finally got my release note from Dr. Loudon to return to normal...

Continue reading

My JourneyRehab

What’s a typical day

There really aren’t typical days. My hope for every day, is when I wake up, I feel good. For the most part of the last year, I woke up...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Opening up the skull again – Surgery #13

So for the last year, I haven’t felt real good consistently.  Most mornings I wake up with nausea, my vision even though I’ve...

Continue reading

My JourneyComplicationsRehab

Why do I walk funny or stumble some times?

As expected, I did experience some deficits (balance and coordination issues) as the result of the initial tumor surgery.  Primarily, my...

Continue reading

My JourneyComplicationsRehab

No, I am not a Pirate – why the eye patch?

In addition to the right side deficits, the surgery also affected my vision – right eye specifically.  After surgery, I experienced...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Uncrossing the eyes almost – Surgery #12

For the last year, I have had double vision left to right and up and down. This is due to 6th nerve palsy – my 6th cranial nerve is...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Checking ICPs – Surgery #11

Since I started back at school in August, each day I woke up with a stomach ache.  It progressively got worse to the point in which I had...

Continue reading

My JourneyRehab

Rest, PT and trying to just be a kid

Following Gamma Knife, my focus was on rest, PT and healing so I could be ready to start school in August.  I went to PT 4 days a week,...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Gamma Knife – remove some left over tumor – Surgery #10

I had outpatient surgery/treatment on May 31 at San Antonio Hospital to treat some residual tumor tissue that was not removed from the...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Tube Free! – Surgery #9

On May 1, I had outpatient surgery to remove the stent, the catheter and PIC line.  This actually was the first procedure I had that...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Lack of Sun and Vitamin D not good – Surgery #8

On April 14 – not so Good Friday – I was supposed to have an easy surgery to remove the balance of the kidney stones and the stent...

Continue reading

My Journey

At home – again after 20 days in PICU

I was released from the hospital on March 22.  I had to go home with a PIC line in my arm so I could get IV antibiotics through May 1. ...

Continue reading

SurgeriesMy Journey

Surgery #7 – Shunt

The surgery to insert the Shunt was performed on March 20.  The good thing about the Shunt surgery, is that I only needed to stay a day or...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Surgery #6 – EVD Redo

When you have an EVD or any type of device to help your body function for a while you sometimes need to have it changed so you don’t...

Continue reading

SurgeriesMy Journey

Another Brain Surgery – #5

March 4th was a bad day where I was really sick and I got to a point that my ICPs were so high, that I began to reach a critical level from...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Kidney Issue – Surgery #4

On March 3, I had a 2 hour kidney surgery at Choc – by Dr Wehbi, one of the best pediatric urologist in the world – to remove...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Back to the Hospital but with some different issues

In addition to not feeling good for a few days, on March 2, I had some pain on my right side, and when I went pee, there was some blood in...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Normal for the most part… for a few weeks at least…

For the next few weeks, I started MY normal routine.  Each day I got IV antibiotics every 8 hours – 6am, 2pm and 10pm.  But, one thing...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Surgery number #3

Your body produces CSF continuously to protect your brain.  As you produce more, your ICP goes up. As your brain excretes/eliminates it,...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeries

Cleared for Surgery #3

In order to be cleared for surgery to fix my ICP issue, I had to be infection free.  To be cleared, Infectious Disease had to pull 3 CSF...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Pressure relief – Surgery #2

The only way to relieve the pressure and test to see what was going on was to put in an External Ventricular Drain (EVD) in my skull....

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Fighting the infection in my brain

Enter a new department to help with my case – Infectious Disease (ID).  Dr. Arrieta is the president of the medical staff and division...

Continue reading

My JourneySurgeriesComplications

Not just a ventricle issue… battling three issues now…

Upon sampling the CSF it was discovered I acquired bacterial meningitis during the initial surgery.  What that meant, is I had an...

Continue reading

SurgeriesMy JourneyComplications

Back to Choc for the second time

I was readmitted to the hospital February 2.  Upon admission to the hospital I had a MRI, and it showed my ventricles in my brain were...

Continue reading

My Journey

Woo whoo… got to go home

I was released from the hospital on January 28th. For the next couple of days, I chilled on the couch, slept a lot – sleeping is the best...

Continue reading

My JourneyRehab

Learning to do things all over

My initial physical therapy session goal was 5 steps at a time walking from my bed, to a wheel chair or wheel chair to the toilet.  I...

Continue reading

My JourneyComplications

What happened after brain surgery?

I spent five days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) following my tumor resection.  Not all went perfect after surgery and when I...

Continue reading

SurgeriesMy Journey

Cracken open the skull – Surgery #1

I had brain surgery to remove the tumor on January 23, 2017.  The surgery took about 2 hours and the best news we received, was the tumor...

Continue reading

My Journey

The Unexpected Journey

My journey started on January 16th of 2017.  I was off school for Martin Luther King Day, and was out for a normal mountain bike shred...

Continue reading