We are down to the nitty gritty! Josh starts treatment on Monday March 3rd. He will be getting radiation to his entire brain and spine every day, Monday thru Friday. On Thursdays he will get vincristine, a chemo drug. This part of the plan will make his hair fall out and he will be very tired. Also, he could have nausea, vomiting, a sore throat, and have a hard time swallowing or become constipated. He could have severe headaches in the first week, that would put him on steroids. We will just have to see what actually happens. This pattern lasts for 6 weeks and then he gets a 4 week break before we start the next part. They say that most kids sleep for the first 2 weeks after treatment, I mean do nothing but sleep! I will explain the chemo cycles that happen next when we get there but for anyone who just can't wait let me just say he will be hospitalized at least once every cycle.
Now, about Josh. He is doing great! He is healing remarkably well after his surgery, and very upbeat. He loves all the mail he is getting. With not being able to go to school it really makes him feel good to get them. He has even been getting cards from a couple of cats! That has been really fun and he giggles about those. This has definately been the calm before the storm and we have been glad to have the break. We are very blessed that he went into this process healthy, it is making all the difference. I know that we can not escape all the effects of this treatment but hopefully he can do well. We will just have to wait and see and keep praying. Joshua is a strong young man and determined to fight this battle. We were inspired to call him a warrior, it truely fits. We are greatful to have you as troops in this army and I know he leans on your support......Thanks and we will keep you posted! (HAHAHA)
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Thanks for the update. Please let us know if there is anything special Josh needs or wants that we can send him. We are all praying for him. Talk to you soon.
We're glad to hear that your enjoying a little break before this process starts, and that Josh is doing so well. Josh is an amazing kid. What a choice blessing to be his mother. Experiences like this bring us close to one another and to God. We've been praying for Josh for weeks now, and the other night Garrett asked to see a picture of him. This has really helped Garrett to think about his cousins and why we pray for one another. Thanks. We love you and think of you every day. Please let us know if you can help. We'll send more mail. Love you, girl.
Thinking of you guys today as you start treatment. I'm sure Josh will handle it all like a champ. When Jake got Vincristine the first time, he had the jaw pain. A little tylenol did the trick for that and then all the other times he had Vincristine, he never had that jaw pain again. Make sure you give all those folks in radiation a hard time - they like to be teased! Jake always took his favorite CD with him into radiation and he also took his Teddy. Keeping your family in our prayers!
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