7/18/10 - Fishing/Losing Hair/Aunt Tracey and Bridget's Visit

Boys with Professional Fisherman, Brian Clark

Joe was invited to be in a fishing tournament with professional fisherman, Brian Clark, last Wednesday. He went to Eagle Mountain Lake along with Dad and brother, Will. The tournament was a C.A.S.T. Event in honor of Ian Surratt, a little boy treated at Cooks who lost his fight with cancer several years ago. Patients from Cooks Hemotology/Onocology clinic were invited to go. Joe, Will, and Dad had an awesome time and were amazed at the accurate casting of their professional fishing guide and how kind he was to them. Joe and Will are also thrilled with their new fishing poles and tackle boxes.

Joe's mid-treatment tests all came back normal and it looks like everything is progressing smoothly. Thank you, Lord! He had chemotherapy on Friday and is down to only 4 treatments remaining, spaced out 3 weeks apart...that means he should be done with chemotherapy around October 8th if everything stays on track! As it has been in the past, after treatment Joe continues to be nauseous for a few days and extremely picky with his food choices. We just keep the Zofran going and let him eat whatever sounds good to him. Usually that includes something pretty bland like waffles and pancakes...at least he is eating something. I know he (along with the rest of us) is ready for the treatment to be over, even though Joe continues to handle what comes his way very well. We spent the end of last week watching Ben finish up his All-Star baseball games in Irving and I know this was very hard for Joe to watch. He is extremetly anxious to be back on the field and really missed playing this sping and summer. He keeps asking me when it is time to sign up for fall baseball and that he "can't wait!". Even though Joe will continue to receive chemotherapy treatment during the fall baseball season, he will be allowed to play. Joe may be a little tired at times on the field, but I think this will be a huge boost for his morale and one step closer to resuming his "normal" life.

Joe's hair has been thinning over the past couple of months since his treatment began but this was the first week we could acutally see little clumps of hair come out. When he would run his hands through his hair we could visually see it falling out right in front of us. His hair quickly began looking "patchy" so Kevin had his head shaved really short. He thinks it looks pretty cool being bald. Even though I knew this day was coming, it was difficult for me to see him when he showed up with his shaved head initially. It was the first time Joe so outwardly looked like a cancer patient and again brought up the reality that he is fighting for his life. I still have complete faith that God will bring Joe through this and all his tests continue to show that the treatment is working. I quickly got used to his new look and I think Joe is adorable with his bald head. As always, everyone has been amazingly supportive of Joe and his little bald head...thanks for shaving yours, Sam, Joe thinks you guys look exactly alike:)

Also this past week, Kevin's sister, Aunt Tracey, and her daughter, Bridget, came down from Pennsylvania to spend the week with us. They got to enjoy the Texas heat and accompany us to many of Ben's baseball games. We loved having them here and the boys couldn't get enough of their Aunt and cousin. We had a wonderful time with them and hated to see them leave.

Thank you for all your prayers concerning Joe and our family. God continues to faithfully answer them and carry us every step of the way. We feel His loving arms around us as he uses all of you to encourage us and share in our struggle. Thank you!