Zach’s Story

Site created on June 2, 2018


***Please note that donations given on this site directly supports caringbridge.org***

Thanks for stopping by and checking in on Zach! We are so grateful for your prayers and support as we walk this journey. We will be using this site to send updates and prayer requests as well as praises.  Zach would love to hear from you - one way to communicate is via this site.

Zach was first hospitalized at 2 months of age and later diagnosed with a rare blood disease, Severe Congenital Neutropenia at 4 months of age. At the time, doctors weren't sure he would survive the pneumonia and complications, but he did! That began the countless trips to CHOP, learning to give our baby a nightly shot, hospitalizations for every fever & concern, and battling Crohn's Disease for many years. All the while learning much about a blood disease known as Kostmann's Syndrome or SCN. Zach continued to have many hospitalizations and was sick a lot but didn't let that sideline him. He worked so hard to keep up with his 3 older siblings! As a young boy he went through many difficult medical seasons and even to this day doesn't wake up feeling "healthy" like you or I but fights through. We are so proud of him!

Over the last 18 years, Zach has courageously lived life doing his best to be "normal" and healthy. He's a tough young man! A nightly injection (Zach has had over 6,800 shots!) and God's faithful hand on his life has, for the most part, allowed him to do that...but he daily lives with joint & bone pain, fatigue, continued risk of infection, as well as higher risk of leukemia and other complications.

After 3 years of much prayer & seeking wise counsel we are following the medical advice for Zach to undergo a Bone Marrow Transplant. He will be admitted to CHOP on 6/21 and the actual harvest/transplant from his donor sister, Rachel, will be 7/2. The initial hospital stay is approximately 6-8 weeks and then the goal to re-enter mainstream life around 6 months post transplant. We are anticipating a successful transplant which will allow Zach to truly live healthy. As we move forward we will be sharing some specific ways you can pray along with us as we know that Christ ultimately does the healing.

Thank you for coming along on Zach's journey (http://www.zachsjourney.com/) to health. We are unsure of what the transplant road ahead looks like but prayerfully taking one step at a time.

Our family is confident that God will be glorified in this season and can't wait to see His healing hand at work. We are blessed by so many caring and praying for our family. Thank you!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Diane Oberholzer

Thank you all for praying for Zach. The endoscopy and biopsies showed that his esophagus is inflamed which is why Zach has been unable to eat. At this point we don’t know the cause yet but they did start him on a medication to coat the esophagus so that he can eat and hopefully put some weight back on! We have already seen improvement in his eating so we are hopeful for ongoing relief. 

Thank you for continuing to love and care for out family!

Have a blessed Easter weekend as we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection so that we might have abundant and eternal life!

-Diane
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Zach Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $30 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Zach's for one month. Will you make a gift to ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top