7/9/10 - Joe's Mid-Treatment Evaluation

Time went by fast this week and I realized that I never posted an update from last week's doctor visit. Last week was just a blood check and Joe's hemoglobin was holding strong right at 8. This week marks Joe's 12th week of treatment and 13th week since he was rushed to the Emergency Room. It is hard to believe that it has been 3 months. In some ways that sounds like a long time ago and in other ways it seems like just yesterday. Today Joe did not have chemotherapy (only every 3 weeks now) but he did have his blood checked, a sonogram of his abdomen, and a chest x-ray. The tests were performed at the hospital and that brought back memories of the week we spent there with Joe in April. Joe immediately recognized and commented on that "hospital smell" when we walked in. I recognized the same rooms that I waited in so wearily 3 months ago while Joe was having CT scans, sonograms, and x-rays during the middle of the night. Watching him get his sonogram done this today brought some fearful thoughts up like "what if this isn't gone or what if it comes back". Thankfully this feeling only lasted a moment and God filled me back up with His peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.") I really haven't been anxious for these tests as Joe has been doing so great and I truly believe God has Joe in the palm of His hand. After seeing Joe's doctor at the H/O Clinic later, it looks like the x-rays went well. A specialist will still have to read the sonograms so we will get a call later with those results. Thank you for all your prayers for Joe's healing! We have so much to be thankful for as Joe continue to get better each day. He has come a long way in 3 months and is doing much better than we anticipated with the initial news. Today Joe's hemoglobin is still holding strong and went up to 8.2. His other counts dipped down, which is expected since he had chemotherapy 2 weeks ago. The doctor said Joe can still participate in normal activities this week but we should be a little more watchful for germs and keeping his hands clean. His ability to fight infection is a little depressed but not enough to keep him home away from people. While Joe and I were at the clinic, the marvelous Dean Family watched the other boys. They must have had a great and busy time because all of them came right home and fell asleep for a couple of hours! Sorry for all the toys we left scattered around your house. Special thanks to Mrs. Dean, Chandler, Abbey and Bryson!

It is amazing how our family has witnessed God's hand in our lives over these past few months. One example is how we have tried to make plans for future employment only to have God clearly stop us and lead us down another path. Kevin will be retiring from the Navy in September and has been applying for jobs. As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, he had received a job offer to work for the FAA in San Antonio and was only waiting on the flight test, which happened to be scheduled the same week Joe was admitted into the hospital. Once we received Joe's diagnosis of the Wilms' Tumor, Kevin had to decline the job as we were not able to relocate to San Antonio at that time. This was a little scary as jobs seem to be scarce and most airlines have not been hiring for a very long time. Kevin submitted various applications for other flying and non-flying positions since then and just this week was asked to fly to Atlanta for an interview with Delta Airlines, who just announced they were going to resume hiring. He got the job offer and will most likely start at the first of September, the same exact time he retires from the Navy – God’s timing is incredible. Our family will also be able to remain here in Fort Worth for Joe’s treatments. We are so thankful for God's provisions!

Joe continues to follow his favorite (and all our favorite) Major League Baseball player, San Francisco Giants #17 Aubrey Huff. If you haven't been following the Giants, Aubrey Huff has been playing awesome this season and he wears the orange bracelet with "Going to Bat 4 Joe" on it every game. Joe talks to him through emails and is extremely eager for us to plan our trip to San Francisco to see him play in person - we are hoping we can do this in August in between Joe's treatments. We follow all his games on the computer and all the boys, including 2 year old Caleb, talk about #17 Mr. Huff and the Giants constantly. Aubrey Huff has been a huge blessing to Joe and our family. Mr. Huff, we are all huge fans of you on and off the field. Thank you for this wonderful distraction from Joe's illness. We are all cheering for you and the Giants and look forward to meeting you soon!