Joel's Journey: Oct. 8, 2006

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Oct. 8, 2006

October 8, 2006 this picture was taken, it was a Sunday morning, ready for home church , it was at our house this particular Sunday, Joel looks so sweet and "Siah" too, but just looking at Joel's face....it is still so shocking that he was here and now he's not, he looks so good in this picture, healthy and so happy.....when I have a picture thats fits a day it is a sharp pain. Today, I really want to have him here....

The guys have been out of town, and we have been kinda bored actually, just doing regular stuff around here. Bethany took Duffy to the groomer this morning and later today she's going to the "groomer" herself to get her hair trimmed up. Anna, yes my daughter, has an adult/piano student that comes to our home, and she gives the lesson each week. It has been a blessing for Anna to be able to give back something that she is skilled in, so she did that last night. School work needs to get done, I want to work on Jeremiah's Creative Memory Book before the day is over, and of course we'll have to fix some dinner.....I don't really feel like doing that, this picture of Joel has me all down today..... We went to visit the Burnett's on Tuesday, had a nice visit with them. I do not feel like writing right now, hopefully I'll feel his grace and quickly get through this valley today.....

Oh, my Master, I need you today, I need my Joel today.....help me, Lord......

Cindy

5 comments:

-stephanie- said...: sending you hugs and prayers for comfort today.; October 9, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Anonymous said...: What a sweetheart Joel was/is...I'm feeling for you today, Cindy, weeping with you and loving you in Jesus.May He put His arms around you in comfort today.
~Christal; October 9, 2008 at 1:29 PM
The Cole Family said...: Praying for you today Cindy. I am so sorry you are hurting.

Cindy; October 9, 2008 at 2:01 PM
alane said...: Praying for you today!; October 9, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Debbie said...: What a cute picture of the boys.; October 9, 2008 at 11:03 PM

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Joel's Story

Joel, our 11th of 13 and a twin of Josiah, at age 3 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, on December 6th, 2006. Joel had three perfect years of health and he and Josiah celebrated their 3rd birthday Sept. 13th, 2006. The first of Oct. Joel started having unexplained fevers for a few days and would return to active play. After the fourth round of fevers we took him to our family Dr. which they said his iron was low, so we treated that for a few weeks and took him back only to have his hemo. showing lower than before. We were referred to a hematologists and saw him a few weeks with blood checks twice a week. At a visit on Dec. 4th we showed the Dr. the bumps, (which were tumors but we did not know at the time) on Joel's head and he was very concerned and we were told we needed to admit him immediately and start extensive tests the following day. Joel went through rigorous testing and then the dreaded results were given. Joel was at a stage IV the most extensive stage, but we were hopeful that the Lord would use the means of Chemotherapy treatments to restore Joel's body. Joel endured 8 1/2 days in the hospital, came home for Christmas, and returned for his second round of chemo Jan. 3, 2007. Joel had a seizure that night after midnight and went into a coma due to a tumor bleeding in his head area and causing his brain to swell. After tests the following days, the Dr. declared Joel "brain dead" and took us to court to force us to take Joel off life support, as we did not agree with the medical field's definition of death. Our family sought to stand with the scripture, "life is in the blood,"and until Joel's heart quit beating naturally, he was living. We were making arrangements to bring him home and on January 23, 2007 his little heart stopped beating and he went to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Our lives are changed forever. God is faithful in the midst of this trial and we look with great hope to be with him someday.