Today was Joe's last chemotherapy session scheduled in his Wilms' Tumor treatment protocol. What an amazing feeling of relief being at the clinic today knowing we made it...Joe did it! It has been nearly six months to the date that we took Joe into the ER with stomach pains...who knew this would become the hardest six months of our lives? But by God's grace...HE carried us through and we continue to praise HIS name!
Joe got to build a "Beads of Courage" necklace that represents a bead journal of his cancer treatment. The string he made shows the story of his strength and courage throughout this experience. He received different types of beads for things such as chemotherapy, ER visits, ambulance ride, biopsies, clinic visits, dressing changes, hair loss, infusions, hospital stays, fevers, port placement, medication challenges, IV starts, blood draws, injections, port accesses, radiation, surgery, CT scans, x-rays, ECHO tests, EKGs, MRIs, tube placement and acts of courage. Joe will continue to earn beads, even though he has completed chemo, for tests, scans, blood draws, and the surgery to remove his port. Wow...his string was long...it's hard to believe that a seven-year-old has endured so much in such a short time. His string shows that it may have been a difficult path but he was able to strong and be courageous. We are all so proud of Joe and it was wonderful seeing him with his "Beads of Courage" and big smile on his face.
Joshua 1:9
Be brave and have courage. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
In three weeks we will return to the clinic for follow up tests and scans to confirm that the treatment was successful. If everything checks out well, we will begin to discuss removal of Joe's port and then get on a three month check-up schedule. Everyone has been incredibly nice at the clinic; however, we won't mind visiting a little less often.
Joe's counts at the clinic today were great. He is feeling a little nauseous tonight which is very typical for him but he is also enjoying lots of Wii, which helps him relax (at least he has us believing that). He has been bouncing back quickly the past few times he has had treatment. We are hopeful for a good night and that he will feel well enough to play his baseball game tomorrow.
We may not have blogged much about our other boys...Ben, Will and Caleb...over the months but we are incredibly proud of them, too! They also have endured a lot without all of the attention that Joe has received. They have not complained and been super flexible at all times. When I have a chance I will post more about them...like Caleb's 3rd birthday, our day at the pumpkin patch and their baseball games. We are so blessed with our boys!
Joe got to build a "Beads of Courage" necklace that represents a bead journal of his cancer treatment. The string he made shows the story of his strength and courage throughout this experience. He received different types of beads for things such as chemotherapy, ER visits, ambulance ride, biopsies, clinic visits, dressing changes, hair loss, infusions, hospital stays, fevers, port placement, medication challenges, IV starts, blood draws, injections, port accesses, radiation, surgery, CT scans, x-rays, ECHO tests, EKGs, MRIs, tube placement and acts of courage. Joe will continue to earn beads, even though he has completed chemo, for tests, scans, blood draws, and the surgery to remove his port. Wow...his string was long...it's hard to believe that a seven-year-old has endured so much in such a short time. His string shows that it may have been a difficult path but he was able to strong and be courageous. We are all so proud of Joe and it was wonderful seeing him with his "Beads of Courage" and big smile on his face.
Joshua 1:9
Be brave and have courage. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
In three weeks we will return to the clinic for follow up tests and scans to confirm that the treatment was successful. If everything checks out well, we will begin to discuss removal of Joe's port and then get on a three month check-up schedule. Everyone has been incredibly nice at the clinic; however, we won't mind visiting a little less often.
Joe's counts at the clinic today were great. He is feeling a little nauseous tonight which is very typical for him but he is also enjoying lots of Wii, which helps him relax (at least he has us believing that). He has been bouncing back quickly the past few times he has had treatment. We are hopeful for a good night and that he will feel well enough to play his baseball game tomorrow.
We may not have blogged much about our other boys...Ben, Will and Caleb...over the months but we are incredibly proud of them, too! They also have endured a lot without all of the attention that Joe has received. They have not complained and been super flexible at all times. When I have a chance I will post more about them...like Caleb's 3rd birthday, our day at the pumpkin patch and their baseball games. We are so blessed with our boys!
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8 comments:
thank you for sharing this celebration with us!!! so proud of joe!!! thank you for giving God all the glory throughout. what a testimony
Our God is mighty to save! I love Joshua 1:9. Jesus has shown so beautifully in you through this journey. Love you!!
So happy for all of you! Isn't is amazing to look back and see what God has carried us through? Thanks for the reminder. I love the beads as a physical reminder of Joe's courageous journey!
Oh...God is faithful and you are amazing...Your strength is my inspiration....Party for Joe at Scoop Me...! Lets plan it!
Good news and terrific smile there Joe!
Wanted to let Joe know - we are cheering for the Giants while watching their game against the Phillies and even saw a good shot of Aubrey with a going to bat for Joe bracelet on! Would love to see a Rangers vs Giants Series!!!
Thinking of you guys and glad this part of the journey is behind you!
Praise God!! You have been in our prayers and we eagerly await to hear that his three week update!! God is healer and sustainer!!
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