Hello everyone,

It has been awhile but that is because it has all been good and fairly quiet. Joey is very happy, very healthy and I am being bombarded with all the energy that I had forgotten he has. It is a LOT.

My last update left off with Joey's radiology simulation. I could write a whole lot of technical stuff they did but, lucky ya'll, I'm not going to. Instead, suffice it to say there is some really amazing technology they use to figure out where to send the radiation, and simple techniques they use to protect the healthy areas and then they use something as basic as a blue Sharpie to draw all over him to mark the spots. What a learning experience. He also had three tattoos (little blue freckles) done in case, being the active boy he is, he sweats/washes off the sharpie marks (which he did). The best thing about the tattoos is that after having those three dots done he said he now knows he will never get a large tattoo. Yep, just another blessing in all this!

Joey started radiation this past Monday. Once it is his turn it takes only about 15 minutes. They have it set up quite efficiently - there is a special entrance for patients with radiation appointments, we drive up to this entrance and they valet park our car - everyone gets 2 hours for free!! - the receptionists recognize Joey, since he is there everyday, and we go to the same waiting area and the same radiology technicians line him up, anchor his head to the table with this special mask they made of his face and then they turn the machine on and that is that - 36 seconds later he is done and we leave! No pain, no pokes, not too much time. (I am full of a lot more details - so if you want to know ask but I am sparing everyone else!)

Even though the affects of the radiation will be cumulative, so far Joey really hasn't had any. Just a little scratchy throat. Therefore, Joey is doing what Joey does - he has decided to play in a 2 day tournament this weekend in case the effects hit next week. You know he just can't miss a weekend of competitive golf if he can help it.

So as of tomorrow, Friday, he is 1/3 of the way through this last hurdle. Yeah!

We still appreciate and acknowledge the power of all of your prayers and well wishes. Thank you and please keep it up.

Health, Hope and Love
Cindy