Hi all,

I am sending this out for the first time to some of you and am updating others of you so sorry for any repeats.

Today we got the pathology reports back from Joey's surgery performed last Wednesday (Joey had a golf ball size "lump" removed from his neck - I only found out about this lump Thursday a week ago and after many tests it was decided to have it surgically removed). The doctors' diagnosis of Lymphoma was confirmed Wednesday before the surgery and the pathology reports determined that the tumor was Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Joey is recuperating just fine from the surgery but will have to lay off golf for about 2 weeks.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system but of the tow types (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's) we are glad it is Hodgkin's. Lymphoma is very treatable and the survival rate is way up there. The course of treatment is chemotherapy, radiation therapy and sometimes bone marrow transplant. Thanks to so very many dear people, we are thrilled to say that Joey has an appointment at M.D. Anderson Monday morning with "THE" doctor we had hoped to see. He he will go through further testing this week to really zero in on the exact cell characteristics and areas of "involvement" so that the cancer can be "staged." Once that is done we hope he can begin chemotherapy within the week - you know he doesn't want any delays so his golf season won't be affected!

On the positive side, Joey had just won a golf tournament at Lakeway CC in Austin just last Sunday shooting 70/70, (4 under par). He fought off a cold about 3 weeks ago while he had this lump (before he remembered to tell us!!!) and he took the news about having lymphoma with a fantastic attitude saying "well mom, it's gonna be an adventure!"

Thanks to all of you who are already remembering us in your thoughts and prayers and please continue to do so (don't forget Amy who is very far away in Ohio, but coming home next weekend to check on Joey). We appreciate all the calls, visits and support - it really makes it so much easier knowing so many people care about him.

Blessings,
Cindy