Treatment Update

Wow, it's been a busy few weeks.

Joe felt well enough to attend Caldwell's steak dinner with his friends at work. He even stayed to play cards with the troops. Thanks Dan Campbell - for thinking of Joe to bring him and taking care of him while he was there. It was just what the doctor ordered!

Today was Joe's first radiation treatment at the Cancer center at Strong. It was pleasantly uneventful! He was marked (with literal markers but also tatoo'd) on his shoulder, pelvis and hip for proper radiation placement. Now that he's been through his first treatment, he will continue for 14 more (continuous Monday - Friday) until done. This will, we hope, kill the cancer cells in his bones, strengthen them and eliminate pain in the areas. The good news is that he felt no pain and was feeling well afterward. The side effects include fatigue and redness of the skin area.

Tomorrow afternoon we will venture back to Roswell Cancer center to see Dr Wong. Our goal here is to get a thumbs up for high dose IL-2 treatment. Joe's been doing GREAT with the fluid in his abdomen - the shunt appears to be working well for him and/or the fluid is reducing - which would be the best news! Since he was tapped before Memorial day he's not experiencing any abdominal distention and he is eating normally. Last night was his last TPN (IV feeding system) meal! This is WONDERFUL news for us all!

We are still on track to see Dr Amato in Houston (Methodist hospital)on Wednesday June 28th. While the oncology list serve states that 'you could wait 4-9 hours to see the doctor' we're still excited to see what he can offer Joe to put him in remission. Thanks to Donata Sands and Gloria Sampson for finding a wonderful website that works to send cancer patients out of state on corporate jets for treatments. Maureen has already dug into this and we are going to try to see if we can use their services pending Dr Amato's treatment plan. We are hopeful that Joe will qualify for one or more of his trials. My sister worked tirelessly through the Blue choice system to get this approved - - -- thanks Toni - can't live without you!

Other thanks:
Thanks to the Pettinaro's and the entire Spencerport United BU17 team for making us dinner every Monday night. You are all our angels.

Thanks to Don Cameron for continuing to send Joe Dixie CD's for his listening pleasure.

Thanks to David and Donata Sands for the lovely statue of St Jude

Thanks to the Andersons for their continued unfailing love, cards and inspiration to us all. We love you Kate.

And lastly thanks to my children. While I was away on business they took charge and took excellent care of Joe...didn't miss a beat...from TPN to medicine to calling the doctor and visiting nurse service....to feeding Joe good food...to making him comfortable to sit at Tom's soccer game and keeping him company at home....even with Gina in school and working full time...and Tom managing school and soccer.....their love and attention is unprecidented and I am so very proud of them. They, along with Blake and Kimmi are always there to lend a helping hand. I am, by far, the luckiest mother in the world.

Vicki