Thursday, February 21, 2008

Last days at Memphis

Eyeing a delicious cupcake



We've finally gotten word about when we'll be leaving. Joseph's last day of radiation is next Tuesday and on Wednesday he'll be flying back to Atlanta with Mommy. Daddy will be driving back with a near capacity packed van full of our belongings plus Christmas plus a birthday. Joseph has impressed everyone here with how well he is doing.


He will have MRIs every three months and blood work every month. His first MRI will be March 7, so we will be back in Memphis pretty soon. The blood work can be done in Atlanta. He will be taking his Tarceva for two years. So now all we have to do is wait and pray that the radiation and the drug stopped the growth, shrunk it, or miraculously took it all away.


Mimi is here now and will be returning to Nashville on Sunday with another carload full of stuff and Holly who will meet up with us in Atlanta sometime next week. So all those in Atlanta get ready. Joseph has asked for a party when he gets back; a pirate party to be exact. So dust off those eye patches and sharpen your swords all you little ones.
Joseph with his Mimi

56 comments:

Buddy Buds and Friends! said...

I am so happy you'll be back in Atlanta soon! Thank you for sharing this journey with us. I check on your blog daily and use that time to offer up prayers for your family. I hope to meet little Joe in person sometime soon! Travel safely!
Kelly Lathem

Anonymous said...

I'm sure that you are so excited to be going home next week! Thanks for the updates and pictures. What a great video! I have a craving for some lemon m's with a Starbucks. Joseph was right, his mommy is a saint. Praying for all of you. Love, Martha and Karl p.s. we need to borrow your tech support (Uncle Bat Marrr) when you leave.

Anonymous said...

Nate and Tony (twins, age 18 months) pray every night for Joe and his family. What a cutie... he is doing a wonderful job!
Randi

Sally said...

We've loved looking at all the pictures and videos. We hope everyone has safe travels back home. We'll be praying for good MRI results. Maybe we should be on the lookout for pirate costumes and toys at all the kids consignment sales coming up in Atlanta the next few weeks!
Sally, Wes & Evan

Anonymous said...

YEAH!!!! We cannot wait to get some Peabody time!!! Let's get this party started Arrrrh!
Ahoy there matey at Joseph's house.
We'll be praying for a smooth flight and a happy landing in Atlanta.

We welcome you back with open arms full of support and love. =)
Love, BJ, Beth, Logan and Disney

Mary Vagnoni said...

This blog just keeps getting better and better, the videos and photos awsome and most of all Joseph's happy and smiling face,
love and prayers
Philip, Mary and cousins Orlagh, Valera and Anna

Anonymous said...

YEA!!! We cannot wait for your return and glad things going well. We are available to party, come play, watch the kids, sleep overs...whatever you need or want. We in bad need of some Peabody hugs! Abigail was asking about Joe tonight and when he coming home. I cannot wait to tell her that we will see you all soon. We welcome you all back with love and continued prayers. Anything you need....just let me know. Safe Travels! Love, Jody

Anonymous said...

That video is so funny--I totally agree with Joseph's take on the situation--why in the world would you slow down to count the lemon m's when you can just eat them? He is a ham--and so is Mimi! I can tell that her heart is full of joy when she is with Joseph and Holly. I pray that all the details of moving go so smoothly, and that Mimi's ride back to Nashville with Holly is full of french fries!

Today's devotion at NHA was about Jesus walking on water. I told the kids, life will bring you storms, to be sure, but if you keep looking at Jesus, you won't fall--he'll reach down and lift you up. I pray that for all of you tonight.
Much love,
Alison Fontenot

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to seeing you in Atlanta. You're still in our thoughts and prayers. Love the video too! We'll pray for a safe trip. Yea!

Anonymous said...

Hello Joker p. you are just too funny lemon ms !!I was so glad to see that beautiful smiling face and hear you laughing with Mimi and Daddy.T he videos are so fun to watch you make us all laugh.We love you all dearly.Our community group from church prayed tonight for Joseph.We are believing and praying that God has healed him.Sleep sound in Jesus.Lots of love and kisses and hugs Nana and Grandad and David

Anonymous said...

P.S. Holly looks like she must be Bono's daughter with those sunglasses :)

Anonymous said...

It is so good to hear Joseph's hearty laugh!
What time does your flight get in? I took you to the airport to go to Memphis and I would be THRILLED to pick you up and take you home. If that would be helpful email me the details.
Can't wait to see you again, Suzanne

Anonymous said...

Always thankful for the videos - they are priceless! We agree that mommy is a saint! We imagine that the pirate party will be the best ever. love, vann and norma

Jiggs said...

Thanks be to God for the pure sound of the laugh of a child and for the hands and minds and dedication of those who are His hands as He continues His healing of this child and for the loving family which cares for this child and creates within him the true joy that is the source of that laughter!

... with continued love and prayers from Kansas City ...

Courtney said...

Yay! I know you're so glad to know exactly when you'll be home and to know about Joseph's follow-up schedule. Here's praying that the treatments have been and will be wildly successful...

Take care if I don't see you before you leave!

-Courtney S.

Anonymous said...

Awesome news, wishing you a great journey home to all of you. Congratulations to all of you for getting through these difficult times and coming out the other end smiling. Love always

Anonymous said...

hey,
hope you had a good day yesterday. Eli and Bella are full fledged in Car PJ's and watching TV!! Another ice day here in KY.
The video was so cute.
You need to video a little of you and Allen in there too. John Stone said he wanted to see your faces.
love you

Emily D. said...

Can't wait to see you all again. Hope the trip is smooth for all. Praying for miraculous MRI results.
Love,
Emily and the Davis's

Anonymous said...

St. Gill; Thomas stickers from SBs; lemon Ms; Peabody ducks; zoo; whales; museum and the angels at St. Jude- what an adventure you've had! We look forward to keeping the party going in Atlanta. AAyy, maties! Climb aboard and sail home. See you soon.

Margaret

Anonymous said...

Wishing we could come to the pirate party too! So thankful that you are going home and will continue to pray for healing and God's grace for each day. Love, Mel & family

Brea said...

Yeah!!!!! We can't wait to party with Joseph!!!

Jean Joiner said...

Arrrh! We can't wait! :)

Anonymous said...

I cannot wait for y'all to be back in Atlanta! Is it okay for adults to wear eye patches? We can't wait to see you guys!

heidi r weimer said...

Believing for the miracle.

-the weimers

Erin said...

we are glad to hear that you all are heading home soon. we will be praying for safe travels. we have loved getting to know joe through the videos, what a sweet smile and awesome laugh! still praying everyday for a miracle.
erin, dave & quinn

Anonymous said...

omg that is soooooooooooo cute i am so gonna show that to my family soon as i get home

Unknown said...

Joseph, could you please post a video showing the viewers how you would like people to dress, behave, and talk at your pirate party?

Anonymous said...

We love the videos! Eliza and Jude are begging to watch them again. It has really helped them to be more involved in praying for Joseph.

We are praying for your transitions coming up and for healing. God Bless You guys! Amber(for the Hess family)

Anonymous said...

Yea! So glad you're heading home and will be trusting for, and continuing to pray for, complete healing! The video(s) is a riot...thanks for the shared joy and laughter. Look forward to seeing you soon! Love Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Aaaarrhhh, Mates! We will be looking forward to it!
Jo, Adela, and Thessaly

Sara Beth said...

Gill and fam--
Great post and pictures!! I feel so happy that you are headed home soon. I am praying for you all, trusting that God's tender mercies are comforting and supporting you. That Joe P is a ham. I love the videos. They are real winners! I hadn't checked in a few weeks and was so pleasantly surprised by the lively addition!
lovelove
sara b

Anonymous said...

HI to the big kids and the little kids Nana and Grandad here.We have the dollies ready for Holly bear!!They have been lonely!!Dad says thank you very much for the nice card.Holly bear I hope you didnt brush the enamel off your teeth!!I think you like the tooth paste more than the actual brushing more tooth paste more tooth paste I hear her say as Gill and I are having a little chat..thats one way to have a quiet phone chat keep giving the girl more tooth paste..the dentists will be happy!!We are off to a St.Jude fundraiser in the factory in Franklin tonight....a chance to win a house and buy a ticket for 100 dollars!!We love you all dearly,Joe P. I'mglad you say sleep tight dont let the bed bugs bite every night just like your Mommy did.Oh Joe P. when you see Uncle Sam and Uncle Dave ask them what couch bugs are ?now dont forget remind your Mommy ok.Sleep sound in Jesus.Lots of love Nana and Grandad and David

Lynn T said...

I love this new video. Joe, I laughed the most with this one. Save some lemon m's for me. These videos are fabulous. Thanks for posting them. Tell Joe P that Will's favorite movie was the one with the snot ending...surprised?

Love and miss you, Lynn

Anna Tester said...

yo-ho-ho the Peabody's are getting ready to set anchor again in their Atlanta port! Godspeed! Love the Tester crew

Anonymous said...

Yo Holly, Future so Bright, Gotta Wear those Shades!!
Matthew SOOO excited GeeGee's coming home. (He corrects me everytime I call him Joseph). He's so excited to have a party for him he started right away putting out party plates and cups at every table in our house getting ready.
Safe travels to all of you.

Anonymous said...

Just saw the "snot" video and couldn't stop laughing!!! Seems like Joe is already a little comedian!!!
Randi
www.chrisandrandi.us

trmills said...

Ahoy there Peabodys! Sure wish we could be there for the swashbucklin' fun. I happen to know that Christy's mom has an awesome pirate get-up; make sure she gets it before the big day. So glad you're going HOME!

The Loeffels said...

Cannot wait for the pirate party. We will be there with bells! We will be praying for safe travels and miraculous MRI results. Much love, The Loeffels

Craig and Gwen said...

I love pirates - KJ was one for Halloween - so we have the costume all ready!!

Can't wait to see ya'll!

Gwen

PS - Where do you think I can get a patch for Claire?

Anonymous said...

Goodnight Gill and Allen and Joe P.Holly was excited to see David when he got back from basketball!!Holly has so many dollies in her bed there is barely enough room for her.She went to bed without a whimper after reading good dog carl.sleep tight dont let the bed bugs bite.lots of love Nana Grandad Davey and Holly bear..Sleep sound in Jesus

Kourtni said...

I have been following your story for awhile now and you and your beautiful family amaze me! If it is ok with you I have added your link onto my blog. If you would like it removed I am more then willing to do that! Thank you for sharing your story with us!

Anonymous said...

Allan and Gillian - The video of Joe P. with Mimi is just precious! I loved hearing both of them laugh! Thanks for posting. We are praying for Joe's tumor to disappear and for complete healing! Love, the Davis Fam in DC

Anonymous said...

Praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see you guys soon! So glad to hear that the doctors are encouraged by Joe's progress; we'll keep praying for complete healing.

Looking forward to having you back, and hoping that you can get back to some normalcy when you return.

I already have my pirate gear ready to go....

Love,
lizzi (& tony)

Christy said...

Oh my goodness, that video was hilarious!! Andrew has his one-year-birthday pirate hat all ready to go.

I had a dream last night that we (Mobleys, Peabodys and a few random people) were all trapped in a mall overnight. Hilarity ensued (Phil and I being captured by the mall police ... me spraying a guy in the back of the head with a hose after he purchased a flower from one of the shops ...). I'm really hoping to recreate this at our local booty mall as soon as you can work it into your schedule.

The Loeffels said...

Psalm 125 v2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.
Zech 2 vs5 And I will be to her (Jerusalem) a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.

Anonymous said...

We're so excited to have you back in Atlanta and can't wait to welcome you home. We continue to pray for Joseph and can't wait to see his smiling face soon.
Love, The Fikses

Anonymous said...

Hey, sure do miss you all. The car ride with Holly went well, she even slept! Nana had all the dolls set up in the kitchen when we arrived and Holly was thrilled. I know she is having fun being there. Give Joseph a big kiss and hug from Mimi and Big Daddy.We're praying for you for strength as you pack everything up. Love you!

Anonymous said...

can't believe tomorrow is your last day in Memphis. I have to say that I will actually miss coming to visit you guys there. I kind of really grew to like Mid-town....alarms and all.
Its an interesting place, but I liked it.
Hope and Praying for a safe trip home with all the crap that entails...packing packing packing.
miss you all tons.
sj

Anonymous said...

Hi Gilliam Allen & kids
Hope you all have good fun packing and plenty of help doing it. Have a good and safe journey back to Atlanta.
We all loved the photos videos midnight feasts and conversations.
Take care
love Ann Ben & the boys

Anonymous said...

Safe Journey! Good thoughts and fun, you will be home so soon, I'm sure you can't wait to be in your own home with your own things around you. Wishing you all kinds of everything good. Love always.

Lynn T said...

Hope everything goes well today and tomorrow traveling. Sounds like everyone in Atlanta is very ready to welcome you home! Love Holly in the sunglasses!
Love and miss you all,
Lynn

Anonymous said...

We will pray for safe travel tomorrow. Can't wait to see you all back here in Atlanta...ready to party to welcome you home!

Chris and Melissa Cooper

Audrey said...

thank you so much for sharing these videos! happy you're going home!

Anonymous said...

Love Holly's sunglasses!
-Abbie

Chloƫ said...

holly and maud would be the best of friends, sporting sunglasses and the coolest attitudes of any toddlers I know! can't wait to meet holly and joe p later this year. loving you all, thinking of you all, glad you are on to the next phase of your journey. gill, you are honoured with a sainthood, allen, you are a pro cameraman, joe p is a hero and holly is a superstar. XXX from chloeo.