Our Hero

Our Hero

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

And One Hero United the World...

... well ok maybe not the world, but he certainly has drawn a lot of interest from doctors all over the country (from LA to Boston and destinations in between)! A big thanks to all the folks who have reached out to their network of friends and acquaintances (not to mention acquaintances of friends and friends of acquaintances.) In short those with experience (professional or otherwise) seem to all agree that the clinical trial rout is a great way to go and amongst the variety of folks - positivity abounds. (Just think how positive they would be if they had met Joe!) Thanks again to everyone.

On the home front, Team Taylor is finding it's rhythm with a life that is focused on banishing this illness and with that rhythm everyone is starting to see the fog lift a bit, and getting more and more glimpses of classic JoJo and it his been a big relief to all. Although his appearance has undergone a fair amount of change due to the medication, he is still the adorable little man we all know and love - everyone just wishes he didn't have to be uncomfortable with the swollen belly, etc.

Team Taylor had an opportunity to speak to some families that are going through or have gone through the treatment for ALL. It was offered the family great insight and even greater relief to talk to people that have weathered the tough first 6 months. Both families agreed that the toughest drug to take was the steroid Dexamethasone. The good news there being that in another 3 days Joseph will get to start to taper down the dosage (it couldn't come any sooner either because Mom is worried his tummy is going to pop.) But outside of the drug that makes him a bit moody and a little more prone to share his frustration, our Hero courageously marches on in calm, quiet determination (this includes taking his medicine twice a day without a peep.) It amazes everyone.

From the boys will be boys category, Joe spent some time getting some exercise (i.e. working to shed some of that extra cheese and BBQ chips weight) by going on some long walks with Mom, collecting pine cones for Yiayia's center piece. This was a job he took very seriously and worked very hard - so hard in fact, that much to Mom's chagrin, Joe wanted to try digging up some really good pine cones. That was quickly put to rest - maybe in a few months or so Joe, we'll all be glad to go out and dig for pine cones with you - but for now, Mom's got to keep him clean. Although, this illness has robbed Joe of doing some quality pine cone mining, it did give him something pretty cool, that any male in our reading audience can appreciate. Yep, you guessed it, he has a scar - just in case anyone doubted our Hero's toughness he has proof!

For now Team Taylor is savoring the weeks with the reduced hospital trips, although it most likely change when the treatment ratchets up, everyone is really enjoying it and charging up for when the treatment kicks it up a notch. As Mom says, onward and upward, bring on Consolidation!

Happy Thanksgiving to all - we have plenty for which to be thankful! As always, keep the prayers and vibes coming!!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving Taylors!!!
We are thankful you are doing well! Good luck tomorrow
XOX
The Serres

Momma T. said...

Yesterday we gave thank's for all of the blessings in our lives Today i give thank's for the blessings in yours and i thank you for sharing them with us :)
it's nice to hear that you will have a few weeks of rest away from all of the hospital visits:
just so you don't get bored here's a few more jokes to tickle your tummy :)And You take care lil man :)
~Tracy

Q.Who's bigger, Mr. Bigger or Mr. Bigger's baby?
A.The baby, because he's a little Bigger.

Q.What's big, red and eats rocks?
A. A big red rock-eater.

Q.How can you tell if an elephant is hiding under your bed?
A.Your nose is touching the ceiling.

Q.What time is it when you have to go to the dentist?
A.Tooth-hurty.

Q: What has more legs, one cow or no cows?
A: One cow has 4 legs, no cow has more legs than that.

Q.What's green and red and goes 100 mph?
A. A frog in a blender.

Q.Why did the baby cross the road?
A.He was tied to the chicken.

Q.what's invisible and smells like carrots?

A.Bunny farts.

Q: How do you get down off an elephant?
A: You don't, you get down off a duck.

Q: How do you make an elephant float?
A: Add two scoops of ice cream and a can of root beer to one elephant.

Q: What did the snail say as he jumped on the back of a turtle?
A: *throw hands up* Wheeeeeee!

Q: Why did Tigger look in the toilet?
A: He was trying to find Pooh

Q: What were the three best years of President Bush's life?
A: The first grade.

Q.( this is a knock knock joke so ask joe to awnser these questions)

Will you still remember me in an hour?


Will you still remember me tomorrow?



Will you still remember me next week?

Knock knock.

Who's there?

Bah, you've forgotten me already!