Wednesday, June 25, 2008

CT scan

Joseph's CT scan today did not show any increased pressure which is good. They did not have his most recent MRI to compare the images, but there did seem to be a larger area of abnormality. Like I said in the last post we knew we weren't going to learn anything today about the nature of this spot, and true enough they weren't able to tell us anything new. This increase could be swelling from an area of necrosis or true progression. We have to wait until next week when we go to St. Judes. So the plan is for Joseph to keep taking his steroids to help with his symptoms while we wait for next week.

Joseph did great and was able to have the scan without any sedation. It only took about a minute and Mom and Dad were both in the room with him holding his hands and telling stories. He completely understood that if he was really still then we wouldn't have to access his port, and he was still as a statue.

Thank you all for your messages, emails, phone calls, and prayers. We continue to need them through next week.

43 comments:

heidi r weimer said...

Praying for sweet Joe and your whole family...Still believing for a miracle.

P.S. Love the new blog design! :)

Anonymous said...

we are happy there not pressure building up. we will continue to pray for you all.

Anonymous said...

glad it went well and was uneventful. We continue to pray. I love what you've done on your blog. It looks great!

Ashley said...

Everyone in Dominica continues to pray. We prayed for Joseph at our Bible study lunch today. My prayer partner has a picture of him to remind her to pray for him daily. :)

Michael and Jana said...

I have been praying for your family for the past several weeks. It is hard for me to imagine the struggle that you all are facing right now.

Today, after leaving the VCH HEM-ONC clinic for my son's appointment, I realized that I was sitting next to you in the waiting area. My son was the one with tons of blonde hair and I was the one that stole the remote from the sleeping girl next to us (please don't hold that against me). I am sad I didn't realize it until later or I would have loved to talk with you and let you know that we will continue to pray for you.

Please email if you ever have questions about VCH or whatever. kelleyfamily4@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Our prayers remain fervent!
Love you,
Vivi

Anonymous said...

Praying for you guys and wishing we could help take the pain away.

Catherine Morris

Jean Joiner said...

you guys have definitely been on my mind. we're still praying!

Anonymous said...

Is Joseph not the bravest boy around! Praying.
Kissells

Anonymous said...

Praying for good news for you next week.
Melissa and Kayla

Brea said...

What a brave boy that Joseph is! We will continue to pray as you await more testing.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I just wanted to write here what a sweet boy Joseph is. After such a tough morning, I was so impressed with him at the park. I think I probably would have been throwing a fit, but he was so polite and sweet to you guys and to Grey. I could tell he was worn out, but he looked good. I just want to encourage you guys that you're great parents to him and Holly. And to let everyone else know that Joseph is being such a trooper. I hope he enjoyed Kung Fu Panda. Skadoosh! :)

Anonymous said...

Gillian,
We have continued to think of you and pray for you and miss you so much at Intown. I wish so much that this journey was complete and we could praise God for Joseph's healing, but still trust in God's goodness despite the fact that He has not paved that road for you. I pray that He would give you strength for the continuing path He has for you and fill you with His grace and mercy for Joseph and your family. We believe that God can do it and pray that He would chose to heal Joseph. Praying for you on this hard road.
Susie and all the Fikses

Anonymous said...

Hey guys,

Just want you to know that we've not forgotten about you and keep updated through the blog--what a neat way to feel in touch. You remain in our prayers daily. How wonderful it is to know that God's ways are not our ways and that His wisdom far exceeds that of our own. Your faith is inspiring to so many--we have several in our Sunday School class who keep up with Joseph on a regular basis, and we pray for your family weekly.

Praying for good news next week.

Love,
Mark, Ellen, Becca, and Ben

Anonymous said...

Praying for you all. Thank you for the blog so that I can keep up with prayer needs. I don't see sj much to keep up with Joe, but I am blessed to be able to keep current in my prayers for you and your precious family through your blog.

-Beth in Lexington

Anonymous said...

In Cincinnati, we check the blog weekly and sometimes daily. Joseph has been on the prayer bulletin at church. We think about you guys all the time. My kids know Joseph because of this blog and he is in their prayers at night too. We want to plan a visit soon with the whole family.
Prayers and love to your family,
Cousin Laura, Mike, Cade & Jennavieve

Anonymous said...

Joseph has been put on our prayer list at our church, Most Holy Redeemer, Matawan, New Jersey. He will be prayed for at all Masses for the foreseeable future.

Chloƫ said...

Dear Bravest Boy in the World.

All my love, good wishes, and magic spells(of course)are for you.

Love, the Good Witch, Chloe

Looking forward to seeing you and the lovely Holly(not forgetting your trojan parents!) in person soon. XXXX

Chloƫ said...

Also, James and Ingrid are in Eze in France and they said their is a candle lighting in the church there filled with love and prayers for a certain Joe P. XXX from them.

The Loeffels said...

Every time I read the blog I am left speechless. At times, I feel I don't have the right words to say. I know your hearts continue to be wounded. Sweet Joseph is so precious, and I can't imagine seeing him anxious, in pain, or affected by symptoms (no matter the cause). My prayers are with you constantly. Much love and grace, Jaime

Anonymous said...

praying for you all

Anonymous said...

We're holding our breath for next week's update and praying while we are waiting.

Lynn T said...

Joseph, we are so proud of you. Will misses you tons. Lots of love xxxxx

Siobhan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Siobhan said...

Dear Gill & Allen,

How clever is your little man not to move ..

Just want to let you know that we are thinking of you & praying for you here in Singapore and at home in Dun Emer too....

Both Joe and Holly and absolutely gorgeous little people. The video's of them playing show just what happy fab kids they are.

We wish you a happy family & peaceful weekend.

Le gramhor
Siobhan x

Anonymous said...

It was great to meet you all today. Always wish it were different circumstances that brings us together with so many new people. Praying for peace and good news!
May He bless you peace in abundance,
The Butterfields

joann said...

will be praying...love to each of you from the rosenbaums

Anonymous said...

Praying for you guys and thinking about your often.

-Christie

Anonymous said...

Praying very hard for your family and especially little Joe.
Love you all,
The Booth family

Anonymous said...

Praying Isaiah 40:11 for you today and the days ahead. We love you- Mel

Anonymous said...

Gil and Allen,

Thinking of all of you. So sorry for all the uncertainty you are facing. We will be praying for you all. Joe did so well to stay still! Way to go buddy!

Love, The Adams

Our Family said...

You don't know me or my family, but I feel like I am on this journey with you in some ways. My sister-in-law (Kelly Roley) emailed us back when Joe was first diagnosed and I check for updates weekly and most times daily. I haven't written before because I didn't know what I could say being a stranger to you all. But I just want you to know that each one of you continues to be in our prayers. My son Bennett who is also 3 prays for Joseph before bed and all 4 of you are in mine & my husbands. We will be praying constantly for you over the next few days - for Joseph as he has these additional scans/tests/medicines etc. and for you as you filter through all of the information that you will be learning from the doctors and the weight of emotions that you are no doubt carrying. Our hearts are with you.

The Edwards Family
Chris, Melissa, Bennett & Kaylin

Anonymous said...

Goodnight Joe P. allen and Gill.We are lifting you up to our Heavenly Father tonight and the next few days.Love from Nana Grandad Sam and Davey Ann Ben Darragh Ronan and "apple pie"Holly.We love you dearly.Sleep sound in Jesus

Sally said...

We'll be praying for ya'll and the tests over the next couple of days. A song we sang at church this morning came to mind. I can't remember all the words, but this is the part that keeps going through my head:
Out of the depths I cry to Thee
O, Lord, please hear my voice
Lord turn a gracious ear to me
At Thy throne of grace I fall...
For my soul waits upon the Lord...

The Littlejohns

Anonymous said...

praying for you today that God will give you strength as only He can and that He will give clarity and wisdom to the doctors. Remember He is the Rock to which you must cling. He is sovereign, faithful,all-knowing and all-powerful, our promise-keeper and our helper, our Redeemer, the lover of our souls, and He will never ever leave us or forsake us. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we ask...and I am pleading for you.
In His love, Paula Wilson

Anonymous said...

Just thinking about what's going on in Memphis and wanted to tell you that you are not forgotten...we are praying for you today and every day, that God will strengthen you and give you what you all need moment by moment.
God, bless Joseph today and give him peace, please.

Alison Fontenot

Anonymous said...

We will pray!

paige and scott

Anonymous said...

Brave big man. Congratulations to Joe for laying still during his scan! Fingers crossed and praying for the next days til the doctors learn the deal. -scott cunningham

Anonymous said...

Sleep sound in Jesus."On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand"Joe P. Allen and Gillian we love you Nana and the crew.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for continually updating all of us. We are praying for your precious family!

Anonymous said...

thinking of you...

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you all down here in Destin. I am hoping that it won't be too long before we can all come down here together!!
Praying and really hopeful for more news!

love you all,
Sara Beth

Anonymous said...

Praying and thinking of you all...