Colson Update 1/24/06
Dear All,
We just wanted to send out an update on Joey and all that is going on. Last week, Joey went to UVA on Tuesday and we were planning for him to be hospitalized for his next big chemo treatment. However, because he still has open wounds from his radiation, they still wanted to hold off on his treatment at least one more week. So, Joey’s doctors decided to give him just a very small amount of the chemotherapy last week, and we are going in tomorrow for his full treatment. He will be in the hospital Wednesday and Thursday. Due to the delays, this will be Joey’s first complete treatment since his radiation. Even though Joey still isn’t fully healed, they can no longer delay since staying on schedule is so important to overall chemotherapy treatments. In addition, they are also going to add back one of the drugs that seems to cause the most fatigue and side effects.
So, we know that this one could be more difficult than the last couple, and are asking you all to pray that is goes smoothly. We know there are risks of “recall” in which his chemo drugs can cause the body to revert back to symptoms similar to the ones from his radiation. Joey’s doctors have also told us that some bone marrow in his spine was damaged during radiation, and has not yet fully recovered. Therefore, that bone marrow is not producing good numbers of white blood cells and could lead to an even greater risk of neutropenia, which is when you immune system just kind of shuts down for a while.
As most of you know, my parents were also at UVA last Tuesday, and while in a waiting room my father, Dell, had a stroke. He was in the hospital for several days but is now home and his new doctors are keeping a VERY close eye on him. We can see improvements already though and are so grateful for that. We are also grateful because after years and years of being told doctors didn’t know what to really do with him, he is finally getting accurate diagnoses and medical care. My dad’s next appointment at UVA is this Friday.
During times like last week, you can’t help but appreciate friends and family members who you can call on just to listen or pray. So, to all of you who have prayed for Joey, for me, for my dad and mom during this time – Thank you so much. Please continue to pray for Joey as he goes through this next round of treatment, for my dad and his doctors as they look into his complicated medical issues, and for my mom (Jayne) and me to just have the patience and energy we need.
We love you all,
Cynthia and Joey Colson
PS – Because there are some who get this email that Joey and I have not been able to see in so long and some whom we have never even met, I have included a small picture as an attachment. This picture is from December, and since, Joey has grown almost a full head of hair!
Dear All,
We just wanted to send out an update on Joey and all that is going on. Last week, Joey went to UVA on Tuesday and we were planning for him to be hospitalized for his next big chemo treatment. However, because he still has open wounds from his radiation, they still wanted to hold off on his treatment at least one more week. So, Joey’s doctors decided to give him just a very small amount of the chemotherapy last week, and we are going in tomorrow for his full treatment. He will be in the hospital Wednesday and Thursday. Due to the delays, this will be Joey’s first complete treatment since his radiation. Even though Joey still isn’t fully healed, they can no longer delay since staying on schedule is so important to overall chemotherapy treatments. In addition, they are also going to add back one of the drugs that seems to cause the most fatigue and side effects.
So, we know that this one could be more difficult than the last couple, and are asking you all to pray that is goes smoothly. We know there are risks of “recall” in which his chemo drugs can cause the body to revert back to symptoms similar to the ones from his radiation. Joey’s doctors have also told us that some bone marrow in his spine was damaged during radiation, and has not yet fully recovered. Therefore, that bone marrow is not producing good numbers of white blood cells and could lead to an even greater risk of neutropenia, which is when you immune system just kind of shuts down for a while.
As most of you know, my parents were also at UVA last Tuesday, and while in a waiting room my father, Dell, had a stroke. He was in the hospital for several days but is now home and his new doctors are keeping a VERY close eye on him. We can see improvements already though and are so grateful for that. We are also grateful because after years and years of being told doctors didn’t know what to really do with him, he is finally getting accurate diagnoses and medical care. My dad’s next appointment at UVA is this Friday.
During times like last week, you can’t help but appreciate friends and family members who you can call on just to listen or pray. So, to all of you who have prayed for Joey, for me, for my dad and mom during this time – Thank you so much. Please continue to pray for Joey as he goes through this next round of treatment, for my dad and his doctors as they look into his complicated medical issues, and for my mom (Jayne) and me to just have the patience and energy we need.
We love you all,
Cynthia and Joey Colson
PS – Because there are some who get this email that Joey and I have not been able to see in so long and some whom we have never even met, I have included a small picture as an attachment. This picture is from December, and since, Joey has grown almost a full head of hair!
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