Hi everyone,

Apparently my last email update was poorly worded and there has been a misunderstanding about Joey's "staging response."

Joey's cancer is NOT back. The complete metabolic response he had in November remains. The tumors are all dead. Every last one of them. Read on for further clarification ....

On the reports provided by the radiologist it was noted that one of the tumors was a bit larger. Then why did it grow you may ask - I sure did! Dr. Rytting's response was that it was "inconsequential and nothing to be concerned with". It could be something as simple as the use of a different scanner or perhaps normal nodal activity (Joey does has a viral infection which has given him some fever and a cough) - but after everyone conferred, neither Dr. Rytting nor the radiologist nor the national board of pediatric oncology are at all concerned. So Joey heads to radiation which is standard procedure since the tumors did shrink all the way.

I am so very sorry if any of you were distressed thinking his cancer had returned. It is dead, gone, nada, outta here and is not allowed to ever come back, period the end.

After meeting with the radiologist who will be doing the radiation therapy Joey will get "assimilated" tomorrow, Wednesday. Assimilation is where they will measure and mark him for the therapy. Then the Dr will do her thing and then send her report and to the national people for their approval. Waiting on all this to happen will mean Joey will probably not start radiation until February 4. I'll let you know how it goes.

My apologies again for any misunderstanding.

Hope, Health and Love,
Cindy