This week

Will, Joe, Holly a little blurry, but you can see the smiles

After wresling


Okay, so it's been a while since we've posted. Sorry. Last week I was out with the flu and Gillian, Jennifer, and Nana took care of everything. Then I passed some of my sickness on to both Holly and Joe. Everyone is pretty much better except for some coughing which occasionally makes Joseph throw up, so we need that to stop. We went to Nashville for Holly's birthday and saw our families and our friends the Slotkins from Atlanta came up to visit with us too. It was a little rough with Joe being sick (joseph and I had to miss the party) but it turned out to be a good weekend overall. Holly got a lot of presents and had a great time at her party. We left her with Mimi and Big Daddy for a few days but she is now back with us.

Joseph has about 2 weeks left of radiation after which I guess we get to go home. We have been so focused on getting through each day we realized that we haven't even asked when his last day is or started preparing to leave. The house here has been such a blessing and we are so thankful to Jennifer and Matt for letting us stay here. It has made this so much easier. Joe is doing well with his radiation, but this week the doctors were concerned with his weight loss. He had ballooned so much after two months of steroids that we weren't really concerened with his loss of appetite. But now they say that he really needs to maintain his weight. This has added another level of stress because we basically have to force feed him since he has no appetite. And since he can't eat all morning and an hour after his chemo, we have about 6-7 hours a day to shovel in 1200 calories. If he doesn't keep his weight next week then they're talking about putting in a feeding tube which I don't think he would tolerate. So please pray that he will have an interest in eating and that he will not throw up anymore.

I have talked with my program director who has been extremely helpful in keeping my salary and benefits going for so long, but they have done all that they can do and that will end this month. Our insurance will continue, we just have to pay the premiums so that is good. She also told me that I have as much time as I need and that I have a spot there whenever I am ready to return. We are so thankful for all the support that she and everyone in my program has given us.

Gillian's sister Lynn and her husband and cousin Will are here this weekend. Joseph loves Will and finds new energy to play with him. We have big plans to play this weekend. Last night I wrestled with Will and Joe and Holly was in the other room. Gillian said that when Holly heard us she got a huge smile and wanted to watch us. She was so happy just to see Joseph acting like his old self.

Please keep praying for Joseph that he will eat, that he will stop throwing up, for complete miraculous healing, and for continued strength and hope for Gillian and I. We are so thankful for all of our support and for everyone who is helping us get through this.