Tomorrow is a very exciting day, as Ty, Erika, and Peter will board a plane at 1:30 Eastern and head back to Minnesota. What a month+ it’s been. On August 1st, they flew to NYC. On the 3rd, Peter had extensive (and successful) surgery to scrape away some cancerous cells in his abdomen. For days he was in recovery. Then on the 8th, what looked like “big pneumonia” was discovered. Hours later Peter’s lungs seized, he slipped into critical condition, and was put on the vent. It was determined he had ARDS days later (cause will never be known for certain). He remained on life support until the 22nd when he began breathing on his own again. During that time on the vent, the one year anniversary of Peter’s diagnosis passed while he was fighting against something OTHER than cancer. On the 30th, they were able to leave the hospital and now, on September 5th, they will be coming home and Ty can begin writing his book, “How to Live in New York for 35 Days (when you’ve packed 4 days of clothes)”.
I know that’s repeat information for you, but when I thought about all that’s happened since they left, I started shaking my head in disbelief. Bunching all those events into a single paragraph illustrates the severity of life, the disruption to a family (and their total love), a miracle in process, and more. We’ve all seen great comebacks in sports, but that’s just a game after all. We’re witnessing a comeback of an entirely different proportion.
That’s enough editorial. Here are the facts of the meeting today. The surgeon, Dr. LaQuaglia, is the doctor that said they could go home. They asked him why the MIBG scans were negative for so long, yet there was still disease in his abdomen. He said that it just wasn’t a huge clump of cells. The cancer was actually in three lymph nodes in the abdomen and the chemo may not have reached them, because the blood vessels that carry the chemo may have been killed by the chemo in the early rounds.
Dr. Kushner is very excited for Peter and family. He said that “Peter is made up of something very special.” He laid out a course of action in the near-term, including CT scans at the U of M next week. These scans are necessary because the disease was in lymph nodes, so spreading is a concern. On Monday, Peter will start taking pills of Accutane, a drug typically for acne that has some benefits for fighting cancer. He will take these “horse pills” each day for six months, two weeks on, two weeks off. There can be side effects of dryness, peeling skin, and irritability. They will head back to NY in a month for a full gamut of tests and they will determine the plan for radiation, continued antibody treatments, etc.
In the meantime, they need to be hyper-vigilant in observing any symptoms of a cold, flu, or… anything. The simplest little bug could be disastrous. So school is on hold while Peter gets stronger and continues the ultimate comeback.
All I can say is WOW! What am amazing little boy you are, Peter, with an AMAZING family!!! I feel blessed to “know” you all.
We continue to pray for all of you and send our best-
Shannon and Eli Wilson
Here’s a high five to you, my friend! WOW! How exciting!!!!!!!! I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy that you are coming home! I bet you all have enormous smiles plastered to your faces!!! Gramma Barb called me this afternnon and told me the news – so I knew all day that you were heading home (but I did a good job keeping a secret, huh!!). Ah, what a huge sense of relief for ALL of you!! I could hear the joy, the excitement, the relief and the love in Gramma’s voice today when she told me!! I think we all already knew that you are “made of something special”….. but how wonderful for Dr. Kushner to reinforce it!! 🙂
My prayers for tonight will be capped with excitement!! We pray that you have a wonderful flight home (you’ll be coming home to 90 degree weather!!) …. we pray that your scans next week show good things… we pray that your “horse pills” slide down with ease….we pray that your incredible comeback continues so that you may soon add “kindergartner” to your list of subtitles… and we pray that daddy makes millions on his biography! 🙂
Sleep well Peter! We look forward to seeing you whenever the time is right! Have a safe flight home! Did you hear that? Home.
Love You So Much~
Jenni, Ryan, Emily, Lily & Parker
What GREAT news for all of you that you will be able to come home and be with the girls and sleep in your own beds etc. etc.
We are so happy for all of you and are praying that all your tests go well too. You are all such an amazing family and have a lot to be thankful for too. Try eating and drinking as much as you can so you get stronger each day to help you with your fight, we know you can do it.
Rest well while the angels watch over you ( they sure have been doing a good job so far ) havent they??
Thanks Matt for all the information on your updates, it helps us so much to understand what is happening. We do appreciate it.
As Always, lot of hugs, love and prayers coming your way. Have a safe flight HOME.
Uncle Chuck and Aunt Rose
Hi Peter, Ty and Erika
Oh my gosh, I am so excited for you guys to be able to finally come home. I am sure it will still be a challenge at home but at least you will be able to be in your own home and in your own beds. Yahoo!!! I can’t imagine how excited the girls will be to see you all. I am excited and I am not even your family. Oh man that is such good news. I have happy tears right not that will not stop.
You guys have a great flight and hopefully we can talk soon.
Love ya
Jill S.
Hello Peter –
What wonderful news that you are able to come home! There is no place like home! We will continue to pray as always for continued healing and that your Guardian Angel will stay forever at your side.
The Scherpings
Thank you for the updates Matt. The synthesis of the more than a month’s worth of events in NY did bring to light the immensity of the situation and the fullness of the miracle.
Peter–All my love little man. May you continue to keep throwing us all curve balls.
X Jackie
Way to go Peter- That accutane really Helps Mature any cells that might be Left- good news all around.. I am so Glad you all Get to go Home
Keep It going buddy – You can Make it all the way Back and Then some….
Love
The Cohen Family
Wow, I can not even imagine how great it will be for you guys to put your heads on your own pillows and snuggle with each other in your own beds. Afterall, as the good fairy godmother said, “There’s no place like home.”
Mary Catherine has launched into her college experience now its time for you (Peter) to start the kindergarten round, maybe they would let you do online classes like Mary did for college until you can get there yourself!!! Set up your own little video of the classroom so you can get in on some of the great action.
Take care, love and prayers to all.
I’m very glad to hear youre coming home pete!!!! good job buddy!! you and your dad will have to come up and visit sometime in Bemidji and we can go to a hockey game!!
Dear Peter,
We are so happy that you get to go home! Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you. You are such an inspiration!
Erik and Kelly Westrum
How exciting for you and your family. There is nothing quite like home. Have a wonderful trip. Stay strong, eat lots, drink even more, and keep those super hero muscles working hard.
Congratulations- you can be in your own house with your own toys, your own bed. You can watch the leaves turn from green to yellow to red in the next few weeks. You are an inspiration to all of us- keep up the fight.
YAHOOOOOOOO!!! Can you hear that all the way in NYC? Eden Prairie and beyond is celebrating today. We are so very pleased to hear you are all on your way back to the comfort of your own home and being surrounded by all of those who support you and love you so much!
Tonight, we will be going to your cousin Macy’s 4th birthday party, I’m sure she will be missing you,but will be able to see you soon. She’s a pretty funny cousin, I know she’ll be making you giggle soon.
Have a safe flight home! Prayers never ending in EP!
The Nahorski’s
We are soo… happy to hear you are coming home. What a miracle you are! I pray for contiuned strengh and healing on your little body. Eat lot’s so you can get stronger, faster. Kindergarden is waiting for you. We hope to see you soon. God Bless and have a great flight.
Love and prayers always,
LaCoe, Dan, Gavin and Lucas Inwards 🙂
Peter and Family,
We are very happy to see you heading home. Once again the strength of family, love, prayer, and one tough little boy has pushed you all through another incredible challenge. Peter, you and your family are greatly admired for your courage and strength. We will continue to pray and think of you often as you continue to get better and better. Look forward to seeing you next month at the Excel Energy Center. Also, your buddy Joe looks forward to seeing you, as well, and I am sure he wants you to tell him to get another goal for you. LOL from all of the Granato family,
Tony g
Pete, Ty and Erika,
WELCOME HOME!!!
Each day we think and pray for you. We are so happy that you are able to come home to Brainerd, finally. Seeing his sisters and being in a familiar place is sure to raise Peter’s spirits. Keep eating and gaining strength. Continue to feel the support from all those who pray and think of you. Pete you and your family are simply amazing.
The Lemkes
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!! YAHOO!!!! Prayers are answered – miracles are seen – evidence once again that you my little friend are sitting in Gods hands. I bet you can’t wait to see your sisters, your own bed and just have everyone stop poking at you for some time. We love you little man. Have a safe flight Eigner family.
love hope and hugs
My eyes are welling up–I am so glad that you are all able to come home.
It has been a tough frightening fight and now it is time to rest, sleep, eat and repeat. Take care and enjoy the fall colors. Ann
My eyes are filled with tears and my heart with relief and marvel reading your post, Matt. Thank you for your eloquence, your tenderness in describing and summarizing the multi-layered events over the past several weeks, yes, months. Peter, Ty, Erika: how sweet it will be to hug and hold your beloveds, sleep in your own beds. Love and support continue to hold and nourish all of you.
Eigner’s,
Wonderful news and many prayers answered!!!! So glad that you are able to come home. You have endured so much over the course of a year let alone the past month. Have a safe flight .
Peter-
You are such a fighter, like your doctor said, “you are made of special stuff”!! Can’t wait to see you back in Brainerd. Take care and keep up the great work.
Matt-
Thank you again for making it possible for all of Peter’s “TEAM” to be involved in his journey. Peter’s Page is truly amazing!!!
Love from the Olson’s
Ty Lisa Paige Drew & Hallsey
Welcome back, Peter and family. So much for that vacation! I’m so excited for you all. As for school, Peter may qualify for a home-bound teacher. With the current technology, maybe Peter could actually meet his friends thru computer to computer visual communication. We get to visit with our grandkids in California with our iChat. Oh, wouldn’t that offer a nice distraction while Peter is healing without fear of germs.
Keep fighting, Pete. As always prayers and good healing thoughts.
Mike and Peg
Welcome home, Eigner Family!!
Welcome Home Eigners!!! Such wonderful news. The power of pray is wonderful. We will be continue to pray and believe. Hope your trip home is good and may you all rest peacefully tonight in your own beds and with the girls. Stay strong Peter.
Bless you,
Nancy, Bryan, Jake and Abby Bushey
Good for you, Pete. It’s been all about the “mission” since day one, Pete. You have been fighting everything with no griping and no complaining. Just taking care of the “mission”; in your case the mission of defeating cancer and getting healthy again.
How many athletes, or people in general, can say that, Pete? Most of us complain or gripe about every lil thing that goes wrong instead of focusining on our “mission” in life. You remind me of the soldiers that help preserve our freedom. That just do what they have to do; they focus in on the “mission” and do their best to get it done.
For this we are grateful; grateful that you are getting better with each passing day and grateful we have our military preserving and protecting our freedom.
It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we take the time, and have the passion, to get to know what people are made of inside. All the great people and coaches do that, Pete. They bring out that unique skill that makes you something special. -ole gringo-
Dear peter,
Congratulations on coming back to Minnesota., You have so many friends waiting to see you and miss you so much. I bet your sisters can\’t wait to see you too!
We keep you in our prayers everyday! Keep getting stronger and maybe we will be up in Brainerd for a Golf tourney or Hockey and Molly and Mikey can visit you!!
Love to you all!!
The Hollways
Mary, Bill, Billy (back at UMD) , Mike…a senior now at Edina High, and Molly….9th grade at Valley View and a 13+ year neuroblastoma survivor!
Knock, knock Peter. Who is there? Peter Eigner coming back into Minnesota!!!! Yahoooooooooooooooo……… What a great comeback, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family. This is the best news. See you soon. Our best and love to you, your mom and your dad, your sisters, and Barren. OXOXOXOOXOXOOXOXOX
WOW! What a strong little man you are Peter!!! My son Lake is scheduled to have his last chemo on Sept 20. We are crossing our fingers and hoping he gets it. He has scans in Oct. You two have a few things in common! I am so happy for you and mom and dad- you get to go home!!! Keep healing Peter and know that you are in our daily thoughts and prayers. Take care big guy- Krista
WELCOME HOME EIGNERS
Oh my, what GOOD NEWS. Actually, you\’re probably on your way to Minnesota this very minute. Tonight you get to sleep in your own bed…with NO tubes attached! After all you\’ve been through, Peter, you\’ll be able to somehow get those pills down! Thanks for all the info, Matt…know you are all rejoicing today!
Dear Peter,
Welcome home Peter!!! WE are so happy that you are coming home to Minnesota! Your grandparents must be so happy too! God Bless you little buddy! We are very proud of how brave you are!
Uncle Matt has done a great job of what you have been doing in NYC.
We are just happy you get to come home!
Love,
Pat and Sandy Westrum:)
welcome home peter, we are so proud of you. we knew you could do it. we love you lots , bmc pediatrics…. ty and erika if there is anything we can do , please let us know .
Welcome Home Eigner family!!!! I can only imagine how great it must feel for you ALL! Hope you’ll be able to enjoy some ‘normalcy’ for a bit. “Made of something special” is for sure, Peter! All along I have said that about you. We think of you so often. Take care buddy – look forward to seeing you soon.
Love,
Papa & Monga
Welcome home, Peter! All your friends in Brainerd/Baxter have missed you! What an amazing little boy you are! We will keep you in our prayers.
Enjoy sleeping in your own bed!
Ruth and Z
Eigner’s~
I couldn’t have asked for better news when I logged on tonight! I’m sure you guys can’t wait to get back “home”. Peter~ didn’t we all already know that you were something special. You have proved that time and time again. Have a safe trip back! Still praying daily for you and your family.
All our love and prayers~ Ryan, Megan, and Logan
Welcome H-O-M-E Peter, Ty & Erika! I imagine you are all snuggled up close tonight sharing hugs and cuddles and giggles and laughs! Kate & Ellie were so very excited all day today —- they knew Peter was coming home (and mommy & daddy, too!) and they both were just giddy with excitement!
Enjoy your time together this next month! Continue to get stronger Peter….. maybe now that you are home and have mommy & daddy as your personal chefs you will be more willing to eat, eat, eat!! We look forward to seeing you soon —- WE ARE THRILLED YOU ARE HOME!
Love, hugs, hope and prayers~
Jenni, Ryan, Emily, Lily & Parker
Peter,
That is great news!!!! coming home to your own house and bed and toys and sisters!!!!! Good for you. We are very excited for you and your family. Keep up the great fight and continue to get stronger. I’m sure your classmates are waiting for you to be able to come to school!
We love you Peter!
The Larsons:)
Welcome Home
it was great to Talk to you today..
I am so Glad you are home
Your recovery continues…
Love
The cohen Family
Good morning Peter & everyone!
Thanks be to God that you’re home and doing so well–I imagine you’re very happy, and very thankful, to be home.
We pray for you every night, and think of you every day–God bless, and hang in there!
Pastor Chris, Tammy, Alex & Kaitlynn Meier
What more can we say? Go God!!….Go Peter!!…..Welcome home Eigners!!! There truly is no place like home.
Yay, rah rah, Peter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love reading Matt’s entries and especially the latest with the airplane news. Who would be so thrilled to sit in a crammed plane for 3+ hours but it will be a thrill. So glad to hear you can all return to MN. Prayers continue from Rosemount High School fans!
WELCOME HOME, PETER. Wow ! You just never cease to amaze me. I am so proud of you and the way that you fought all of this. Now you need to do well at home so you don’t catch any bad colds, etc. and have to go back there. I am just so happy that you are home. I will stay in touch. By the way, when you want some more of that jerky, you just call me. This may be a good time to celebrate. At Friday’s football game, we will be passing the jerky for a Warrior score and in honor of you, Peter.
Way to go Pete and keep getting better.
“the jerky man”
I shake my head in disbelief too! Matt has summed up my feelings exactly in this update. I am amazed and so thankful. I wish I had the strength of your family. Thinking of you guys always. MJ p.s. What would we do without Matt too????
Peter;
It is great to have you and your parents in Minnestoa…..
You are a wonderful little guy. Take care of yourself
Bob and Karen
Happy to hear the good news…bet it felt good to sleep in your own bed last night! You’ll get stronger each day. Thanks for thorough note, Matt..interesting. All the best to your family and to dad on the book he is writing!
Dear Eigners-
We are so happy for you its great news that you will be in MINNESOTA soon . We know that your own bed and house will feel real good after all that you have been through. Peter you are a strong guy we are so so proud of you . Take care and keep on eating ,drinking and getting stronger . We pray that your recovery continues.
Love-
Dean, Denise, Blake, Bren & Tiffany
Wow! I cannot even inagine how you all feel right now. I’m overwhelmed reading what you have been through this month. Although I read the updates every day, it still is truely unbelievable what all of you have gone through this past month. Matt is right when it is put in one paragraph – Phew! Hang in there Peter we are all on your side, still praying and wearing our bracelets!!! You are an amazing young man. And we do believe in miracles.
Love to all of you,
Bambi O’Hern and family
CONGRATULATIONS! WELCOME HOME PETER!!!
You all have been through so much this past month and we wish you the best in the weeks to come. You are one amazing boy, Peter! You have an awesome mommy and daddy, too!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,
Andy, Jen, Jacob and Brady
Hey Eigners congratulations we can only say thak-you for your excellent recovery Peter. I agree with your doctor in NYC you are made of some pretty tough stuff. As you know we are heading for the other coast for Mary’s continued treatment at this point we pray for both of your continued recovery of health. Love to you all from the Hook-Virnigs
What great news! Glad to hear everyone is heading back home. What a month
full of courage. Its amazing how tough you are Peter. We all know you will get back home and be even stronger.
Lots of love and prayers from the Emersons
Nelson
Dear Peter,
Hope you have a safe trip home!
We pray for you everyday! Can’t wait to hear you are skating and playing baseball again!
Love,
The Hollways
Bill, Mary, Billy (up at UMD), Mike and Molly: 13+ year neuroblastoma survivor!