Joe pressing the automatic door opener
Back with the nurses
Holly feeding Joe
When we first started at St. Jude's (feels like two years ago)Joe had a horrible time with every meeting and appointment and all the nurses and doctors assured us that within a few weeks, he would adjust and even enjoy coming. We scoffed at that idea knowing our little stubborn boy, but although it was more like six weeks he finally has adjusted and enjoys going to see his doctors and get his "picture taken" which is what he calls his radiation treatments. So today we decided to take a few pictures while we were there and some videos which I will hopefully be able to post. It makes life so much easier when he is cooperative and happy, so this is a great relief. Now he wants everyone to come with him to his appointments; earlier this week Nana came and today we met Jennifer and cousin Winnie Kate.
Joseph is eating great now that we switched to a different appetite stimulant and our doctors told us to stop counting calories which lets us stop force-feeding him. He and Gillian and I are so much happier now. I can honestly say that I have never looked at the nutrition facts on packaging as much as I have in the past week. I was shocked to see the amount of calories I consume when I eat a whole can of Pringles.
Thanks so much for continuing to pray for him and for us. Yesterday I was waiting with Joseph for radiation to start and a nurse was telling me that she didn't know how the parents got through something like this and that she could never do it. I said "neither could I." We cannot do this on our own; we need daily reliance on God's strength and his promises and we need constant encouragement and prayer from his body. Thank you all for continuing to suffer through this with us.
Friday, February 15, 2008
A day at St. Jude's
Posted by Allen and Gillian at 4:16 PM
Labels: videos of Joseph
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45 comments:
Joe P. You are so lucky seeing Dr Nick every day.I only got to meet him once and he is the nicest doctor ever,I must say I kinda like his accent too!!He sounds like my Mommy did!!Those english accents are nearly as cute as our Irish accents!!Sarah-jane and Bella -Claire cant wait to spend a few days with you.My friend dropped off a bag of goodies for you joseph.and S.J is going to bring them down to you I loved talking to you today on the phone thanks for ringing me you sounded sooo grown up.The video on the way to St. Judes is awesome.We love you all dearly lots of love and hugs and kissesNana.."This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it" ps.David and Grandad love the video too and send you kisses
Amazing! The best photos, Joe looks fantastic. Anna I have been playing the videos over and over, so sweet. We were at the mission church here last Sunday and were pleasantly suprised hear Joseph Peabody's name called from the altar and for everyone to pray for him
love from Bogota
thanks so much for the update, pictures, and the videos! When I look at the map that shows the body of Christ around the world lifting Joseph up to our loving God, it is so encouraging. None of us can begin to know what Joseph and ya'll are going through. However, we do know that God does,and we pray that He gives you a peaceful weekend and strength to make it through the upcoming week. Love, Martha and Karl
How fun to see the videos! Joseph you are quite the "ham". I didn't get to meet Dr. Nick when I went to St. Jude with you, maybe I can meet him next week. I like his accent. Thanks for calling me and Big Daddy tonight, we loved talking to you and laughing with you. You are "so silly". I heard you and Holly had lots of fun with Jennifer and Winnie Kate at the music class!! Have fun with SJ and Bella Claire, I know you will laugh a lot. Can't wait to see you next week. We love all of you, Mimi and Big Daddy
What a precious video! You are both during a wonderful job as parents through this time, it is evident in the video and through the many heartfelt updates. What a gift it is to Joseph of how you are witnessing to him and so many others of the power of God's love! Prayers continue to go out daily from the Martin and Mifflin households in Murfreesboro.
Wow--I love the videos!!
It is so good to know that Joseph is more used to St. Jude's.
I'm glad that you don't have to do the calorie-counting anymore. That's a blessing.
Thank you so much for the updates.
Love from Atlanta,
Abbie
You guys will never know how much it means to us that you would take time to update the post and then today the videos! What a great treat!! Your honesty, dependence on Christ, and need to have the Body of Christ praying for your family is a testimony to us all. Our prayers are with you constantly. love, vann & norma
Joseph,
You ROCK!
From Lauren Fontenot
You're cool Joseph. We're praying for you, that you'll get better.
Cole Fontenot 7
I'm praying...
I read this today, and thought of you guys. You amaze me-we're still praying and praying for you.
For you are my hope, O Lord God, my confidence since I was young. Ps. 71:5
I absolutely loved the videos! It was so nice to see them since it has been so long since we have seen you guys in person and we have never even met Holly! I keep thinking about how when we came over to watch the UT v. Florida game the night before we moved to Orlando and Joseph impressed us all with his ability to "flip over" on his own at such a young age. He was such a cool kid from the very start! We miss you all and are praying for you all!
How beautiful....
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Continuing to pray daily for your strength, endurance, and God's miraculous healing.
the Bobecks
Good morning! I pray you all have a wonderful day today enjoying the visit from SJ and Bella Claire. We are painting the new room so that Joseph and Holly will have a fun place to sleep when you visit next time. It is going to be called the "Never Never Room", where one gets to always be a kid and never grow up. Jennifer has promised to paint murals in the room this summer of Peter Pan and his adventures! Sending our love to you today, Mimi and Big Daddy
Before this, I had no idea there was such a thing as an appetite stimulant (or that there would be many people so grateful for one!) I'm so thrilled snack time can be fun again. Like everyone else, loved the pictures and videos. Gill, you looked like such the busy executive. Was that the the head of the board you were chatting with, or your stock broker?
Christy, it was our social coordinator, Aunt Jennifer. :) Let's be honest, though, I look hung over or drunk in that last shot. But I took one for the team and let Allen post it. :)
Great to see the videos! STill thinking about you guys a lot; & praying for healing & peace.
Look forward to seeing you again whenever that is!
Joseph looks great. So thankful to hear he is eating well! We are praying for you all and miss you!
Thank you! Hampton Jason and I loved watching the sweet videos of Joseph. We are so excited to see Joseph looking so good. We continue to keep each one of you in our prayers. God bless you and keep you. The Testers
Thanks for letting us experience in a small way what life is like for you these days. What sweet pictures and videos! Thanks for sharing about the encounter with the nurse- I'm sure there have been countless times where the Lord has been glorified because of your faith and dependence on Him. Your suffering is not for nothing! We wish we could give you all hugs. Love, Mel, Steve, and family
Jer. 17:7&8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Y'all are incredible! I can't tell you how encouraging and cool is was to read this post! It's just a real joy to read about how God is providing for you through this strange trial. Thank you for sharing the sweet photos and video clips...it really make this whole experience more tangible for those that are praying on the periphery. The way the body of Christ works continues to amaze me and fill me with joy...and I'm so happy to read how that same body is lifting you all up. All praise to our Lord Jesus Christ! Not to simply throw out a few Bible verses to make "everything better," but these passages just came to mind:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort."
–II Cor. 1:3-7
"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who (I)gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that (J)while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight--we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
–II Cor. 5:1-8
Much love,
Courtney S.
Gill and Allen,
I loved seeing the pictures and videos and seeing Joe's smile as he pushes the door opener. He looks so proud.
Fabulous news about Joe's appetite. I know that must make things so much easier. I miss you all tons but seeing these videos is fabulous. Thanks for taking the time to do that.
We got some of the pictures developed from last week and have framed one of Will, Joe and the Dads...it is so sweet. So glad that Jennifer and Winnie Kate got to go to Joe's appt. with him.
Love you. Lots of love, Lynn
Goodnight sweet Joe P.and Holly bear Daddy bear and mommy bear and Bella-Claire and Sarah-Jane.Eli and Deacon are fine Deacon is asleep and Eli is being spoilt a little by David and Grandad.We all watched the video about a dozen times today!!Its better than The Car movie!!hey when its starring Joe P. and Holly bear (future Hollywood actress)who wouldnt watch it !!!!We love you all tons and tons enjoy Bella-Claire and Sarah-Jane..lots of love and hugs and kisses Nana Grandad Eli Deacon and David ."This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it"
I love, love the videos! I haven't seen Joseph in a long time, but he looks like a lot of fun! The first video makes me want to just play with him all day. I loved getting to see Holly when we were in the States for Christmas. She is beautiful. She was having fun pretending to put Kathy's makeup on. I think about ya'll all the time and pray for you constantly. I don't know why Dominica doesn't have a bigger red dot on the map because I have definitely checked it over 10 times in the past 3 days! Thanks for sharing the precious videos. :)
Love,
Ashley
Goodnight Joseph, Holly, Gillian and Allen. May you have a good nights rest!
It sure was fun talking to you Joe P. today. Two days in a row...you know how to make Mimi have a good day! We are counting the days until we get to see you and Holly and play chase with you. Missed getting to talk to Holly Bear today, she must have been busy!
Sleep soundly in Jesus. Love, Mimi and Big Daddy
Amen & praise the LORD for his provisions. I am thankful & praying that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide every detail & that the body of Christ will bring you peace...
(Alan, I am living vicariously through you as you eat your pringles; apparently, my wife has read the nutrition label and no longer buys them for me. Sigh). Great to hear Joe is gaining weight! Those videos were the greatest. Please continue to post videos when you can. He's always in our prayers. Godspeed from the Cunninghams in Texas.
I remember that first day at St. Jude's when I was with Gill and Joe and saw how resistant he was to everyone and everything (except Dr. Nick). I remember him saying in his British accent "Give him 2 weeks and he will be eating out of our hands". Gillian said she would hold him to his word. Dr. Nick looked at Joe and thought for a second. Then he said "OK, 3 weeks for Joe". I love it because Joe comes from the same side of the gene pool as I do; strongly willed and fierce! I love the side bar of Joe's likes... And Allen - lay off the pringles. They are gross anyway.
No, no, Gillian, you DO look beautiful. It's just so good to see all of you and hear your voices. Thanks for letting us see a little bit of everyday life and the cool gun Joe gets to shoot Daddy with.
It is so great to see Joe having fun shooting daddy at the Dr.'s. Thanks for letting us in on what has become normal for you right now. Know that we continue to pray for your strength, for Joe's treatments & eating, and your daily nourishment in the Word, and always for God's healing hand on Joe.
We love you,
Scott & Linda
He looks so happy & it's great to hear that he looks forward to going now. I am especially happy to hear that you don't have to force feed him anymore. I have to do that daily with my 2 year old simply because he doesn't like to eat. But, if I had to meet a certain calorie amount- I think I'd go insane. I haven't commented in awhile, but I still read each new post. I thought I would comment today to say that I agree with the nurse who said that she doesn't know how parents go through this. Hopefully I will never know- but in that it makes me realize how much God is holding you up. Your faith is amazing & I stand in awe. We will continue to pray for you daily, and to pray for Joe. Caring from Colorado.
Ali and I just watched the video. You rocked our day. I love it that we got to see a glimpse of your time with your family. We are praying and know that the Lord is good.
Joanie Tanner
Dear Joe P and Bella-Claire Iwish I could go to the movies too .You guys sounded soo excited..be careful when youre with Aunt Sarah-Jane she can be hyper and she also likes candy!!too much dont let her eat too much..make sure she shares some with you..Love and kisses from Eli and Deacon and Nana Grandad and David
Joseph looks so good and happy. I am so happy to hear that he is eating on his own and his appetite is back. God is good and I am praying Joseph continues to heal completely and amaze you all. Praying for your peace as a family that you can enjoy each and every new day without the doubts and fears. I know it is hard at times, but I am asking God to override these things and give you His peace.
Love, Laurie in Ca.
Just thinking about you guys here in Smyrna. Praying for you two and Joseph and Holly every night.
Love,
Emily and Connor
You two are AMAZING PARENTS and wonderful example of a family unit. Thanks for the updates, pictures and videos. I LOVE hearing all your voices and miss you tons. It is great to hear that Joe is 'liking/adjusting' to St. Judes & doctors and eating well. We are praying always and look forward to your return to Atlanta. LOVE, Jody
Sending love your way and praying that today was a good day. Every time I go out I run into someone who wants to know how you all are and they always tell me that they are praying constantly for all of you. You are well loved!
Praying that everyone will sleep well tonight. Love, Mimi and Big Daddy
"Be still and know that I am God."
Hello Joe P!
I heard you had a lot of fun with Bella-Claire at the Bee Movie. Im glad you are doing well. Deacon was giving kisses to a picture of you and Holly today. Hope to see you soon!
Al and Gill and Joe Turbo,
These pictures and videos are brilliant. Thanks so much for continuing to keep everyone updated amidst your busy days. Still praying everyday; hope to see you soon.
sam
Awesome videos. Joe, next time I go to the doctor I'll try to shoot my nurse with the thermometer. I wonder what reaction I'll get! :)
Love you guys. You are always in our prayers.
Carolyn
Good Morning Sheriff Sally Lightening Macqueen and Mac Guido here.Joe P. I heard you had a little snuggle bunny napping with you yesterdayand you both slept well at nap time go Joe P and Bella-Claire.You little kissing cousins!!I hope today will even be more fun than yesterday.Thanks for making sure Aunt Sarah-Jane didnt buy too much candy!!Have a great day today. UNcle Dave and Eli are bummed they didnt get to see the Bee movie with you..now they want to go today!!We love Y'all tons and tons only a few more treatments and you will be done Joe!!Lots of love and kisses Nana Grandad Uncle Dave Eli and Deacon!!!
Hi Gillian Allen & kids
The photos and videos are just brilliant. The boys just loved watching them. You all look so well. Hope Joseph is enjoying Bella Claire s visit and Sarah Jane s visit. Hope to see you all if not real soon some time in the Summer. love from all here Ann
Joe P - we say our special prayer for you every night and you're in our thoughts constantly. We are so thankful to hear that you're adjusting to the hospital and eating a little more. What a great answer to prayers! We miss you in Atlanta!
Love, Katie and Tricia
Goodnight to you all. I pray you have a good night's rest and that tomorrow's appointments go smoother than they did today. I loved hearing your voices Joe P. and Holly Bear. Sorry Bella didn't want to talk to me too! Hugs and kisses...Love Mimi and Big Daddy
P.S. Big Daddy will be there tomorrow night!
Goodnight Gill, Allen, Joe and Holly,
Lots of love, Lynnxxx
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