This kid handles one obstacle after another
By PEGGY R. TOWNSEND
Sentinel staff writer
It hasnt been an easy road for 14-year-old Taylor Zak.A few weeks after he was born, doctors discovered he had a rare genetic condition that prevents his intestines from absorbing nutrients. Without medical help, Taylor would die.Doctors didnt hold out much hope since Microvillous Inclusion Disease was considered fatal. But Taylors parents learned how to feed him intravenously with a special supplement and Taylor beat the odds.His brother, Kasey Zak, born a year later, did not have the disease, but his brother Shelby Zak, now 9, did.But their parents were determined that Taylor and Shelby should have pretty much of a normal life. Even though the two brothers spend 12 hours a day hooked up to an IV and had to fight the state to allow them to stay home instead of living in an institution, they made friends and went to school.Then, a month ago, luck changed for the strong-willed Soquel High freshman. Taylor began complaining of pain in his abdomen.Doctors at Stanford did tests and discovered a tumor on Taylors liver. It wasnt cancerous, but it was still dangerous so they quickly scheduled an operation to remove the growth.Three days later, the tumor had gone from two inches to six inches, said his father Richard Zak. The doctors were afraid it would burst when they tried to take it out and we would lose him.After tense hours of waiting, doctors delivered the good news to Richard and his wife, Kelly Zak. The surgery had gone well, although they had to remove 65 percent of Taylors liver.Taylor is home now and doing well physically, although the surgery and the uncertainty before it has been tough on him, according to his dad.Mentally, hes just burnt, Richard said. He feels like the worlds out to get him.Taylor will be recovering until late December or January when he gets to go back to school, so if youd like to help cheer him up, you can drop him a card at 3310 Malibu Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062.Richard said he and his wife are just grateful to have their son back home and theyd like to thank a score of people who helped out during this emergency: Tom, Blue and Jim Wilson of Geo. H. Wilson Inc. where Richard works, Mike Goldsmith and all the employees of the company, Joann Howe who kept the Zak household running while the family was at the hospital, and Rick Kotila and his family who helped out with the Pony League baseball team, along with all the people who offered prayers for Taylor.The only gift I can give all of you is the smile on Taylors face, his dad said.hey people i put this info on my profile cause its something about me and if u think i put it up to get sympathy well all i have to say to u is FUCK YOU!
just thought i would let u know oh and if u even think that i put it up for sympathy u r a DUMBASS!
MY FAMILY.
HOMIESthis is what im going to have as a tattoo
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