Youngster will require blood transfusions throughout his treatment for pre-B non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
By: Purvi Desai
At 5½ years old, he is going through the toughest time of his life.
Three times a week, a needle is injected deep into his chest, a chilling mixture of powerful drugs aimed at controlling the spread of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
He used to run around all the time, and now falls asleep watching cartoons on the sofa.
But the prognosis for Jared Zimbardo is good and with help from a community blood drive next week could get better.
Jared will require blood transfusions over the next year-and-a-half throughout his treatment for pre-B non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which, if left untreated eventually becomes cancer, Jeff Zimbardo, his father, said Monday.
Mr. Zimbardo, of Orchard Drive, said Jared’s condition was diagnosed after he and his wife found a swollen lymph node behind his ear, which did not subside after several antibiotic treatments. Mr. Zimbardo said a doctor recommended surgery to remove the swollen node, which was done, and after the tissue was removed, it was sent for a biopsy, which subsequently detected the lymphoma.
Mr. Zimbardo said Jared’s treatments are expected to take anywhere between six months to two years. Mr. Zimbardo said the first two months of Jared’s chemotherapy treatment which he just started are very difficult, and the next two months are somewhat milder. The fifth month is again intensive.
"They have a port in his chest, injected in his chest," Mr. Zimbardo said of Jared’s chemotherapy procedure. "(The port is) a device they inject a needle into and the port is actually extending out of his chest."
Mr. Zimbardo said Jared goes through chemotherapy at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Wednesday is the toughest of the three days, when Jared gets three shots of chemotherapy.
"It’s a very invasive type of chemo, similar to leukemia," said Mr. Zimbardo.
"It’s all considered outpatient," Mr. Zimbardo said, adding that if Jared’s blood platelet counts drop to a very low count and he runs a fever, they will have to admit him in a hospital. They might have to also put Jared on an IV of antibiotics to prevent him from getting pneumonia, his dad said.
"Prior to all this, he was very energetic," Mr. Zimbardo said of his son. "Now he is very lethargic. He just wants to lay down it’s very uncharacteristic of him."
Aside from the chemotherapy, Jared is also on Prednisone, a very strong steroid, which he takes two-and-a-half pills of both in the morning and evening.
"Doctors say they will wean him off that gradually over 10 days," Mr. Zimbardo said, adding that it is a very strong medication. Jared has already had two spinal taps, with more to come, and has ongoing blood work done periodically.
Mr. Zimbardo said doctors have conducted bone marrow tests on Jared and said that "everything came up clean in the blood testing" and only the soft tissue area of the neck was detected with the pre-B non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Although doctors advise them to keep Jared in a normal life environment, Mr. Zimbardo said it is difficult, as even a common cold could lead him to the hospital, due to a weakened immune system as a result of the chemotherapy treatments.
"Homework does come to him," Mr. Zimbardo said. "We’re trying to keep him on a schedule."
Mr. Zimbardo said he and his family have a lot trust in the doctors that are taking care of Jared, who he said moved very quickly between diagnosis and beginning treatments.
"You can only take it day by day," he said. "We’re very optimistic. Our son is very strong. We have all the faith in the world."
Kevin Levonaitis, Mr. Zimbardo’s high school friend, has organized a blood drive for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 8 at Jared’s school, Triangle Elementary School, working with the Hillsborough Dukes Football Organization and the Triangle School Home Association.
"They caught it early, that’s the good news," Mr. Levonaitis said. "He has extensive treatment to go through. He is reacting well to the chemo."
He said Jared will need blood transfusions over the next two years, and platelet screening will also be done during the blood drive on March 8.
"The donations will help Jared when he needs the blood," Mr. Levonaitis said. Those who cannot make it to the blood drive on March 8, can make an appointment for another day by calling 1-866-968-2265.
Even with insurance, the Zimbardo family is on the path to facing very tough medical bills ahead, Mr. Zimbardo said. Mr. Levonaitis that the Hillsborough Dukes have also set up the Jared Zimbardo Fund to help Jared’s family with the medical expenses.
Anyone wishing to contribute donations can address checks to "The Jared Zimbardo Fund" at 22 Meadowbrook Dr., Hillsborough, NJ 08844.

