It's been quite a while since I've updated. The heat & humidity took its toll on Joe for a while leaving him with not much energy. Now he seems to be feeling better, eating well & has gained a little bit of weight (I think). We are thankful for our blessings...home, family, friends. We still want you to keep us in your prayers. Thank each & every one of you for caring for us. Joe & Sandra

We got back from Houston Thursday morning around 4 am. Good News...no sign of cancer spreading to the liver. The wall of the left adrenalin gland shows to be thickened, but with no formed tumor. Something else to pray about! We have been so..so..tired, making the trip so quickly. We left Alabama 6:30 Monday morning arriving in Houston around 9 pm, had test on Tue, got results Wed. & left for home around 1:15 pm arriving in Alabama around 4 am. As you can see, Houston isn't our favorite place, but we are thankful that we chose the option of getting treatments there. As always...Please keep us in your prayers. Thank God for all our precious friends. Joe & Sandra

We've had a good day today, except Joe's stomach has bothered him a bit. We went to the Steak House for lunch & he picked at his food. He doesn't like the "hog bar" as he calls it. So tonight I made him some chicken chowder (Sis. Sherry's recipe). He ate a couple bowls of the chowder and is now asleep in the recliner. We appreciate your care & concern. Joe & Sandra

My sweet husband had a little trouble eating tonight. He left the table to either throw up or spit up...then was able to eat a little more. He wanted me to be quiet & not talk to him while he was trying to eat. I don't like for him to get that way, it reminds me of when he was so bad & could hardly eat. Please keep us before the Lord. Joe & Sandra

Joe is still eating well, keeping his food down, but has no energy (stays tired).
He still keeps pressing on trying to do the normal every day things. I'm hoping & praying that God will continue his great mercy on us & grant us another good report from the MRI that is coming up next month. Thank you all again for your continued prayers...Joe & Sandra

Joe has had a really good day. He got out & around today & has eaten very well. It made me think of "NORMAL" when he came in and had his supper tonight. He noticed me watching him as he was chowing down & I just smiled at him & told him I was being "thankful". Thank you Lord for your blessings! Thank you all for your continued prayers......Joe & Sandra

1-27-10

To All Our Friends....
Dr Mehran (the surgeon) said Joe was cancer free, but when we got to Dr Phan's (the oncologist) she thought everything was ok BUT........there is a small spot on the liver that she & everyone else thinks is a cyst & there is a tiny place at the reconnect site that she and everyone else thinks is scar tissue but......? she wants us back in 8 wks for an MRI.
She really thinks everything is OK...but she says she is "retentive" & wants to be positive
that everything is NEGATIVE. Dr Phan says the first 2 years after this surgery is crucial.
Since Joe has already been thru so much, she didn't want to pass something off as nothing that might have the possiblilty of being cancer.
Last time we were here Joe had non-calcified nodules in his right lung & that was clear with this scan. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Joe & Sandra

Just wanted you all to know that Joe is feeling better today. He had a rough night, but has felt better as the day progressed. Don't think he wants fish & coleslaw any time soon..Thanks for your prayers last night. Joe & Sandra

I hate to write anything when I'm down or worried, but I also hate not to write at all. We went to church over the weekend, communion on Saturday night & then Sunday morning service, but didn't brave it tonight (it's so very cold). Joe had a pretty good day yesterday, but his eating wasn't good today. We went to "Top of the River" with Joey & Tina (son & daughter-in-law) & the cole-slaw just didn't set well. He's sort of paying for it tonight! Keeps going to the bathroom. He just came thru here saying "Sure am glad I didn't go to church tonight". His next PET scan is looming over our heads. I know that this is a fear that will continually stay with us. I worry & worry, pray & worry some more. As we were talking the other night, Joe told me that God would not do him wrong. Please continue to keep us BOTH in your prayers...Joe & Sandra