Hello to everyone who’s on this journey with us! If you’re reading this we thank you because that means you’re still on the path and caring by staying in touch. It seems like awhile since I’ve written…so much happens in a week or two. Our weeks seem rather short as we have the first two […]
Trip #4…And counting (Without Naomi :-(
Just a quick note (really) to let you know we are off to Chicago for the fourth time tomorrow, but without Naomi. Now that means, less fun of course, and Mom driving. So the big Prayer Request is that I will be wide awake and alert. We all know driving long distances is not my […]
Pics from the life of Joshua
So, last week was the 3rd week of Joshua’s class, but only the 2nd trip that I’ve been a part of. It was off to a shaky start when, just as were nearing “go” time, I lifted one corner of the air mattress that Josh would be laying on and both Josh and my mom […]
We’re Still Alive…Just Very Busy!!!
Hello Everyone…Yes, Joshua and I are still alive and kicking but our lives have taken on a very new dimension of busyness since we added in weekly trips to Chicago for him to teach his class. We have gone twice now. The first time he and I went alone, me driving, of course. And he […]
Good News
I wanted to get back to all of you as to how Joshua is doing. His headache was pretty bad all last night until this am. with his strongest pain meds Dilaudid not helping at all. I remembered the Dr. saying he could take Advil (and thinking that would be useless if the other didn’t […]
Important Prayer Request
I just wanted to ask you all to pray for Joshua tonight and in the coming days. This morning he woke up realizing that his neck hurt, as if he’d been sleeping on it wrong and then felt a headache, moderate but there. He went to his swimming PT and said there was a particular […]
New Year…New Doctor…New Schedules…New goals
Hello Everyone, I know it’s been a little while since our last update, but both Joshua and I have been under the weather with the Christmas cold that invaded our house. He was the last to get it but he hit it quickly with apple cider vinegar and airborne and it never got a major […]
A few Quick Things
Hello Everyone! No, there is no good reason why I am still awake tonight besides I am trying to get things done that have been hanging over my head for some time. It will feel good to have these things out of the way, even though I’ll be tired! First of all, we borrowed a “hot […]
HOPE in the NEW YEAR
Happy New Year Everyone. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years’ celebration with your family and friends. We did. I hope Naomi posted our ‘Christmas Card’ where everyone can see it…she sent it to me via e-mail. I’m assuming she posted it. Now that was a trick to get all 10 […]
Quiet but Thankful Christmas Eve
Happy Christmas Eve to Family and Friends!! The house is silent (Joshua is resting), Naomi and family are celebrating with Travis’ family and Rebekah and family come tomorrow. I put up the Christmas tree today and will wrap presents in a little bit. This is not much different than last year, except Joshua didn’t make […]
Prayer Request and Christmas Blessing
Hello Everyone, First of all I wanted to let all of you know of a current very important prayer request. I have felt prompted all day to get this out to you all. As you know Joshua is done with his first round of radiation. They did not do the tumor at his C-2 (at […]
Republished Update from Caring Bridge
Hi everyone.. Christmas has been nearly impossible to provide updates through anyway, so its a good time to work those bugs out. Christmas is a lot fun but feels busier and busier every year! Josh is doing great! He finished his last day of radiation on Tuesday, which was great. He had one 14 day […]
Friends, Food (healthy), and laughter!!
I’m going to ‘try’ very hard to write a short update…not an easy task for me as you have probably noticed. But we have to get up for radiation, a visit with the social worker at Mercy, and then down to Ia. City to visit with the VA as to their part in Joshua’s treatment. […]
Update: Friday the 16th
Here I am, sitting in a dark room, computer on silence, listening to a cancer relaxation CD. I think its entirely possible it is putting me to sleep faster than it is Joshua! Oh the joys of being a mother…constantly sleep deprived, as many of you know and are experiencing also. Okay, back to the issue […]
The Big 3-2!
December 27th is Joshua’s 32nd birthday!! We thought one way that we could celebrate is to put together a book of pictures and wishes from his friends and family. So, if you’d like to participate here is what you can do: 1. Send me a picture of you and Josh! Most pictures are probably available […]
A Financial Appeal
Hello friends, In the midst of what will surely be additional updates on Joshua’s condition, we wanted to mention the following. The Casteel Family’s financial burdens have significantly increased since Joshua’s diagnosis. As friends of Joshua and his family we are asking those who feel led to consider making a financial gift to help cover […]
