Sunday (December 28)
Well, Christmas is now over, and we are preparing for the next phase of our life. We had a wonderful Christmas. We were able to travel to Brevard to spend Christmas Eve and Chrismas morning with Jodi, Matt, Chloe and Ethan. And, yes, we still believe in Santa. We are so blessed to have children, grandchildren, family and friends.
We are now starting the final week of Joel's 10 week regimen of chemo IV's at Baptist Hospital. His final one will be this coming Friday, January 2. He will then have a 2 week break and start the next phase on January 20th. That drug is one of the "bad" ones, as we call it, that he received in the hospital in September. He will go to Baptist for 3 days in a row for this treatment. He may lose his hair again and his counts will go down which will result in fatigue and some other side effects. He will then get about 6 weeks of rest before starting the final 3 day treatment in March. If his bone marrow test is clear at that time, he will only have to take chemo drugs by mouth. He should finish that phase in April 2010. It has been a really tough 4 months, but, we are grateful that he is alive and is doing well. This was the best Christmas present I could ever have.
Joel actually had to get a hair cut yesterday. Joel's personal barber, aka brother-in-law Tony, came over and buzzed him.
God has been so good to us. He has allowed us to celebrate our 37th wedding anniversay on December 18th and to spend another Christmas with our grandchildren. We know his hand in on us at all times.
Jodi and Matt are in Costa Rica this week and next on a much needed vacation. They went last year and enjoyed a week of beautiful warm weather learning to surf while I was here babysitting 2 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat and snow! This year, Matt will not be able to surf since he broke his leg in Septmber and consequently had to have surgery. He is doing better and is using a cane now instead of crutches. Matt's mother and father are babysitting this time.
We would still appreciate your prayers for us and we continue on this journey.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday (December 15)
Well, here we go again. Joel has now finished 2 weeks of the 2nd 5-week phase of chemo. He is feeling good and we have started going back to church. We missed 3 months and really missed our friends. Joel's white counts are still up and his doctor says he can go back to work. He will be going in every morning and work until I come pick him up to go to Baptist for treatment. He is able to drive himself and has several times when I have not been able to go. He likes me to be with him if my schedule allows it. I am still working and still trying to take care of my Mom, too.
As Christmas nears, we are so blessed that Joel is still with us. When he was first diagnosed, I honestly did not know if he would be here at Christmas. We are so grateful for the wonderful doctors and nurses as they take care of him. And, for the Lord's gift of Joel's life.
We now have more appreciation for our lives and the things that we used to take for granted. We are blessed beyond measure with the best family and friends anyone could ask for. Joel and I have learned not to sweat the small stuff. We try not to let problems bother us and just appreciate the fact that we can be together.
This coming Saturday, December 20th is our granddaugher Chloe's 7th birthday. She is such a miracle child herself, and we love her and our grandson Ethan so much. We will have a chemo treatment early Christmas Eve morning and then travel to Brevard for our tradition of being with the kids on Christmas morning. After brunch, we will come home to spend Christmas evening with Joel's family. A lot of traveling, but so worth it.
Thank you again for all your prayers, cards, phone calls and concern for us. We love you all.
Well, here we go again. Joel has now finished 2 weeks of the 2nd 5-week phase of chemo. He is feeling good and we have started going back to church. We missed 3 months and really missed our friends. Joel's white counts are still up and his doctor says he can go back to work. He will be going in every morning and work until I come pick him up to go to Baptist for treatment. He is able to drive himself and has several times when I have not been able to go. He likes me to be with him if my schedule allows it. I am still working and still trying to take care of my Mom, too.
As Christmas nears, we are so blessed that Joel is still with us. When he was first diagnosed, I honestly did not know if he would be here at Christmas. We are so grateful for the wonderful doctors and nurses as they take care of him. And, for the Lord's gift of Joel's life.
We now have more appreciation for our lives and the things that we used to take for granted. We are blessed beyond measure with the best family and friends anyone could ask for. Joel and I have learned not to sweat the small stuff. We try not to let problems bother us and just appreciate the fact that we can be together.
This coming Saturday, December 20th is our granddaugher Chloe's 7th birthday. She is such a miracle child herself, and we love her and our grandson Ethan so much. We will have a chemo treatment early Christmas Eve morning and then travel to Brevard for our tradition of being with the kids on Christmas morning. After brunch, we will come home to spend Christmas evening with Joel's family. A lot of traveling, but so worth it.
Thank you again for all your prayers, cards, phone calls and concern for us. We love you all.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday (Thanksgiving Day)
I am sitting here at the beach, watching our daughter and son-in-law prepare our Thanksgiving meal. What a joy to be able to see them and our grandchildren. In September, we did not know if we would ever have this opportunity again. But, by God's Love and Grace, He has made this precious time possible. We decided to rent a condo at the beach so Joel and I could just get away from hospitals, doctors and my job. The kids arrived last night and from that moment on, the tranquil vacation ended. There are the sounds of kids having fun, the sounds of dinner being prepared, the TV is showing the parades and we are feeling so blessed.
At the end of the first 5 week treatments, Joel started experiencing some minor side effects, such as tingling in his hands and white lines on his fingernails. His doctor says this is indeed minor and can be taken care of by reducing the strength of the chemo drug. He will start the 2nd 5 week phase on December 1.
Yesterday was my birthday and the kids gave me a beautiful pair of reading glasses. What does that tell you? I am getting older, but so thankful that I can get older.
The best birthday present of all was from the Lord, giving me the gift of life for Joel. I could not ask for a better present, just to have him here with me.
We wish for you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please continue to pray for Joel as he starts this next phase.
Love to all.
I am sitting here at the beach, watching our daughter and son-in-law prepare our Thanksgiving meal. What a joy to be able to see them and our grandchildren. In September, we did not know if we would ever have this opportunity again. But, by God's Love and Grace, He has made this precious time possible. We decided to rent a condo at the beach so Joel and I could just get away from hospitals, doctors and my job. The kids arrived last night and from that moment on, the tranquil vacation ended. There are the sounds of kids having fun, the sounds of dinner being prepared, the TV is showing the parades and we are feeling so blessed.
At the end of the first 5 week treatments, Joel started experiencing some minor side effects, such as tingling in his hands and white lines on his fingernails. His doctor says this is indeed minor and can be taken care of by reducing the strength of the chemo drug. He will start the 2nd 5 week phase on December 1.
Yesterday was my birthday and the kids gave me a beautiful pair of reading glasses. What does that tell you? I am getting older, but so thankful that I can get older.
The best birthday present of all was from the Lord, giving me the gift of life for Joel. I could not ask for a better present, just to have him here with me.
We wish for you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please continue to pray for Joel as he starts this next phase.
Love to all.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Nov. 11 (Tuesday)
Thursday of this week will mark the end of the first 5 weeks of chemo at Baptist. We have been going every day, Monday thru Friday, and, quite frankly, we are glad to see this part end. We will have 2 weeks off, then return on December 1 to begin the 2nd phase of another 5 weeks. We have several doctors appointments scheduled for the week of Nov. 17th. Then, we are going to the beach to spend some time alone and get away from Judi's work and the hospital. Jodi and her family are coming the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and staying through Sunday. We cannot wait to see Chloe and Ethan. The last time we saw them was the first weekend after Joel was admitted to the hospital in early September.
Thank you again for your prayers, cards and concern. We are very blessed to be in as good a situation as we are in. God has blessed Joel with good health during these treatments, He has watched over us as we drive back and forth every day and we still pray that this hard time for us will be a ministry to someone else.
Love to all!
Thursday of this week will mark the end of the first 5 weeks of chemo at Baptist. We have been going every day, Monday thru Friday, and, quite frankly, we are glad to see this part end. We will have 2 weeks off, then return on December 1 to begin the 2nd phase of another 5 weeks. We have several doctors appointments scheduled for the week of Nov. 17th. Then, we are going to the beach to spend some time alone and get away from Judi's work and the hospital. Jodi and her family are coming the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and staying through Sunday. We cannot wait to see Chloe and Ethan. The last time we saw them was the first weekend after Joel was admitted to the hospital in early September.
Thank you again for your prayers, cards and concern. We are very blessed to be in as good a situation as we are in. God has blessed Joel with good health during these treatments, He has watched over us as we drive back and forth every day and we still pray that this hard time for us will be a ministry to someone else.
Love to all!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Nov. 1 (Saturday)
We have now finished the 3rd week of this phase. It has been pretty uneventful and Joel is continueing to improve daily. He has developed some itching on his neck and we are trying to eliminate things that might be causing it. The doctors are not concerned about it at this point, but, we will need to pay close attention to laundry detergent, softener, etc. His white blood counts are staying in the normal range and all other counts look good too.
Please continue to pray that he will not have developed an allergy. We want to get through this first phase with no set backs.
Thanks again for all your prayers and cards.
We have now finished the 3rd week of this phase. It has been pretty uneventful and Joel is continueing to improve daily. He has developed some itching on his neck and we are trying to eliminate things that might be causing it. The doctors are not concerned about it at this point, but, we will need to pay close attention to laundry detergent, softener, etc. His white blood counts are staying in the normal range and all other counts look good too.
Please continue to pray that he will not have developed an allergy. We want to get through this first phase with no set backs.
Thanks again for all your prayers and cards.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Oct. 25 (Saturday)
Yesterday ended our 2nd week of chemo treatment. Joel is continuing to improve day by day and so far has still not had any side effects. He still has to limit his exposure to crowds or places where he knows someone may have a cold or virus. He has escaped getting a cold so far. We still have 3 weeks to go in this first round of treatments. These will end Nov. 14 and he will then have 2 weeks of rest before starting the 2nd phase, which will begin in December. We are planning to see the grandchildren during the week of Thanksgiving (provided everyone is well) and we cannot wait! We have missed them so much. We talked to them this morning on the phone and Ethan told us he was going to be Elliott, the little boy from the movie ET. Jodi bought him an original ET doll on E-bay. He will ride his bike and carry ET in the basket on the front. He saw the movie and decided that's what he wants to be. Chloe will be Ariel, the mermaid princess.
Thanks again for all your prayers. We are blessed every day by the progress Joel is making, by the new friends we are making at the hospital, and for the wonderful care each person is giving us. We have met so many Christians who share our feelings about prayer and the blessings God has bestowed on us. Please keep praying that not only will Joel continue to improve,but, through this, we may be a ministry through our faith and our lives.
Yesterday ended our 2nd week of chemo treatment. Joel is continuing to improve day by day and so far has still not had any side effects. He still has to limit his exposure to crowds or places where he knows someone may have a cold or virus. He has escaped getting a cold so far. We still have 3 weeks to go in this first round of treatments. These will end Nov. 14 and he will then have 2 weeks of rest before starting the 2nd phase, which will begin in December. We are planning to see the grandchildren during the week of Thanksgiving (provided everyone is well) and we cannot wait! We have missed them so much. We talked to them this morning on the phone and Ethan told us he was going to be Elliott, the little boy from the movie ET. Jodi bought him an original ET doll on E-bay. He will ride his bike and carry ET in the basket on the front. He saw the movie and decided that's what he wants to be. Chloe will be Ariel, the mermaid princess.
Thanks again for all your prayers. We are blessed every day by the progress Joel is making, by the new friends we are making at the hospital, and for the wonderful care each person is giving us. We have met so many Christians who share our feelings about prayer and the blessings God has bestowed on us. Please keep praying that not only will Joel continue to improve,but, through this, we may be a ministry through our faith and our lives.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
October 18 (Saturday)
Yesterday (Friday) marked the end of the first week of 5 weeks of chemo. Joel did very well and did not have any side effects. They left the needle in his port-a-cath the whole week and, after the first day, it did not bother him very much. He just had to be careful not to touch it or let anything or anyone get too close. They removed it and his stitches yesterday and now he can take a full shower and be a little more free to move around. We will start again Monday for the 2nd week of treatments. His brother, Jeter, will be taking him since I have training classes for the upcoming elections. I work for the local election precinct and I feel this is something I really need to do.
We received word this week that a very dear friend of ours who serves on the Association of Christian Schools International board with Joel has been diagnosed with cancer. He has a very good attitude about this and we all pray that God will also touch him as He has touched Joel.
Wednesday evening, our church held a blood drive in Joel's honor. They had a goal of 50 pints and reached that goal. We appreciate all the donors and volunteers who helped make this successful.
We are so grateful for our pastoral staff and friends who have lifted us up in prayer during this time.Please continue to pray for Joel. This is just the beginning of a very long process that will take him until April of 2010 at which time he should be finished with all of the chemo. We are so optomistic that his treatments will be successful and that through all this, God will be glorified and that lives will be touched.
Through these next 4 weeks, I will probably only post once a week unless something changes in the routine. Again, thanks for all your prayers. Joel and I really enjoy reading the comments you are leaving on the blog. Please keep this up as it really brightens our sometime routine days.
Yesterday (Friday) marked the end of the first week of 5 weeks of chemo. Joel did very well and did not have any side effects. They left the needle in his port-a-cath the whole week and, after the first day, it did not bother him very much. He just had to be careful not to touch it or let anything or anyone get too close. They removed it and his stitches yesterday and now he can take a full shower and be a little more free to move around. We will start again Monday for the 2nd week of treatments. His brother, Jeter, will be taking him since I have training classes for the upcoming elections. I work for the local election precinct and I feel this is something I really need to do.
We received word this week that a very dear friend of ours who serves on the Association of Christian Schools International board with Joel has been diagnosed with cancer. He has a very good attitude about this and we all pray that God will also touch him as He has touched Joel.
Wednesday evening, our church held a blood drive in Joel's honor. They had a goal of 50 pints and reached that goal. We appreciate all the donors and volunteers who helped make this successful.
We are so grateful for our pastoral staff and friends who have lifted us up in prayer during this time.Please continue to pray for Joel. This is just the beginning of a very long process that will take him until April of 2010 at which time he should be finished with all of the chemo. We are so optomistic that his treatments will be successful and that through all this, God will be glorified and that lives will be touched.
Through these next 4 weeks, I will probably only post once a week unless something changes in the routine. Again, thanks for all your prayers. Joel and I really enjoy reading the comments you are leaving on the blog. Please keep this up as it really brightens our sometime routine days.
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