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JOSHUA 
"Look, Ma! No trach tube!!!" 10-6-08
Joshua was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in his C-6 neck vertebra when he was 4 years old in October 2004. He endured 14 rounds of chemotherapy and 31 proton radiation treatments as per the national protocol for Ewings. The tumor was in-operable. With the tumor gone after 4 rounds of chemo, his vertebra was near collapse, but is "currently stable" "at this time" according to his doctors. The radiation damaged his throat, airway and thyroid. Therefore; parts of his nutritional needs are met through a g-tube. After numerous frequent esophageal dilations for three years in order to keep his throat open, he now only has them on a "as needed" basis. He has a temporary tracheostomy, which we tried to remove on 6-17-08, but were unsuccessful. After 3 tracheal dilations and scar tissue removal, he was able to have his trach tube removed on October 6th, 2008!!! He takes medication for hypothyroidism. We have had 3 post treatment cancer "scares", but all his post treatment scans have proven to be cANCER FREE!
We thank our Savior, Jesus Christ, for His faithfulness during this difficult journey
Joshua is loved by his parents, Don and April, and his 4 older sisters: Jasmine, Joy, Jubilee and Jordyn. Thank you for your love, support and unending prayers!
CHASING DAYLIGHT by Erwin Raphael McManus
"The certainty that God has called you and the confidence that he will work his victory out in your life are not guarantees of a safe and secure journey."
Journal
Friday, November 14, 2008 9:39 AM CST ***Update around 2:30 PM***
Joy's attempting to get back on campus to get her stuff. She and Allie are staying at Ed & Joan Wimberly's tonight. Thanks Ed & Joan! We may bring her home early for Thanksgiving. Not sure what's up yet with her classes.
See link for photos of Westmont--very sad: http://homepage.westmont.edu/belliott/Westmont/
Josh told me he woke up twice last night because he was having a hard time breathing. So we'll see how he does tonight with Uncle Tim. He's fine today playing at friend Noah's house.
The weather here is GORGEOUS! So sunny and beautiful. Sitting on the deck in my swimsuit reading after a LONG walk on the beach. The wave are huge and glistening. I'm trying to enjoy...
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Dear Ones,
Don and I took off yesterday to stay, Thanks to the Robinson's, at a home on the beach in Salishan! Uncle Tim and Tom Finnerty are at home taking turns being with the girls and taking care of Josh. Josh was having a little difficulty breathing yesterday morning I think because the badage doesn't stay on well and he gets dried out. I called the doctor and we've started using the saline drops in his stoma again. I was a little worried about leaving him, but I know he is in good hands.
Sadly, on our way to the beach, we got a call from Joy telling us there were fires in the Tea Gardens above Westmont. She was already heading off campus to go to her Bread of Life homeless ministry and had grabbed her laptop and wallet. Later she called and Wesmont has indeed been evacuated and some building have been burned and about a dozen faculty homes have been destroyed! Over all 100 homes in the area have been burned. Many of the student are in the gymnasium, a cinder block building, with enought food and water for two days. Joy is in Ventura at one of her roommates houses along with most of her suitemates. This is a sad time for Westmont. We are thankful Joy is safe and so far no one has reported any fatalities. We are anxious to hear more from Joy later today.
This home is gorgeous! The weather is perfect! Though I woke up at 3 AM in a panic last night, thinking about Joshie and Joy, I am DETERMINED to enjoy myself!
Pray for Josh's breathing to be stable.
Pray his sleep study comes up sooner than scheduled.
Pray he passes the sleep study.
Pray for Joy and all of the students and staff of Westmont.
Pray for Lesly Foster: www.caringbridge.org/visit/leslyfoster
Thank you.
Read Journal History
Links: http://www.waveone.tv Josh's Tree House Story
http://www.korysfoundation.com Help for kids in OR with Ewings Sarcoma
http://s339.photobucket.com/albums/n444/aprilannb/ Photo Bucket link for J & J Wedding
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