Hi everyone,
I am disappointed to let you know that Joe's pathology was not the clear one we wanted. There was a significant percentage of viable cancer cells in the tumor they removed, and the margins (of the tumor) were positive for cancer cells.
So, Joe will most likely start radiation to his forearm along with his next round of chemotherapy. His next round of in-patient chemotherapy will most likely be from January 30 - February 1. The radiation would continue on an out-patient basis for 10-14 days.
Normally, I would wait to share until I could speak more definitively, but I also want to keep everyone in the loop. We will meet with the radiation oncologist, Dr. Buatti, mid-week next week. He is the director of radiation onocology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. I am hoping we meet with the orthopedic surgeon again as well.
It is a huge comfort to for all of us to imagine and feel the large circle of love and good wishes that surrounds us all the time. You are all a part of that and we are grateful.
Love, Jenny
Posted by Seth at January 24, 2004 04:05 PMHey to Joe (and the Brittons and Saeuglings),
The Joe B. website is very cool. And much more interesting than the boring work sitting in piles all over my desk. I think your mom has seen my office and, I hope, has kept its messiness a secret from all of you.
You know what, Joe, I just realized that Mike Saeugling is your uncle. I played baseball with Mike for a few years back around the time you were 1 or 2 years old - or maybe you were closer to zero years old!! He's a great guy. Tell him I hope his back is feeling well.
Here's the main reason I'm writing. I hope your radiation treatment goes well. If good thoughts about you help at all, know that I'm sending you a bunch of them.
This cancer business is a big pain, I know. My own brother, Richard, is visiting me to get treatment for a cancer in his bone marrow called Multiple Myeloma. It was hurting his ribs and hip bones. Like you, he's been getting chemo treatment. Surgery won't help him, though. He might get a bone marrow transplant. Sometimes he feels really good and sometimes not. But you and he are both very brave and inspiring to me. I honor and thank you by raising a glass of my best lemonade and toasting you with a big, "GOOD LUCK, JOE. YOU'RE THE BEST!" (and the rest of your family is pretty darn great, too!)
Andy
Posted by: Andy Penziner at January 24, 2004 10:43 PMHi Joe,
"No bones about it" We think you are a special guy. We wish you the very best of luck with radiation and more chemotherapy. We are sending lots of love to your house- and to you and to Seth, Tom, Jenny and Happy the dog.
Love,
Lori, Jim, Kai and Ethan