Hi – this will be a quick update but I did want to let you know that Joshua started a chemotherapy regimen on Friday and today he begins another 14 day course of radiation on two spots on his spine. We are praying that the radiation provides some pain relief. For the last 8 weeks or so Joshua’s pain has been consistently at a 7-8. He is unable to sleep more than a couple of hours at a time – and anyone with an infant can tell you that this sort of sleep deprivation is a recipe for insanity. One hour 8 times is not the same as 8 hours of sleep!! Joshua’s daily routine is truly an exercise in faith and perseverance.
The plan for chemo is a series of 3 cycles. The first 21 day cycle is with a drug called Alimta. The next two 21 day cycles will be a combination of Alimta/Cysplatin. He will be scanned at the end of the cycle and assuming it is working the plan is to immediately complete two more full cycles for a total of 27 weeks.
We also continue to explore alternatives. If I win the lottery the first thing I would do with the money is fund research into alternative therapies. We have so far to go in this country and around the world with respect to cancer and I read yesterday that the WHO predicts a 75% increase in cancer cases worldwide by 2030. Depressing for sure.
Thank you all for your continued support of Joshua and our family. We read him every comment and I know he cherishes each and every one of them.
– Rebekah
I’m glad to see a post back on this site. The switch to Caring Bridge always seems to coincide with more difficult times, and it’d be great for you all to be moving away from that again for a spell.
Thanks for the updates, Rebekah!
Continuing to pray for ALL of you EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Love,
Tammy
Dear Joshua & loved ones of Joshua,
I only heard recently from a peace activist with whom I acted against the Iraq war that you were struggling with lung cancer. I saw a close relative go through the same in recent years. For this and other reasons, I wanted to write to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I don’t know if you remember me from your visits to Ireland. I was one of the Pitstop Ploughshares group; you kindly spoke at some of our events, one of which I chaired. I have always remembered you as one of the most articulate, honest and rational members of the anti-war community worldwide, but also as someone with a palpable sense of mission and calling. Memories of the high-caliber spokespeople are something I treasure, particularly during times when I became a little jaded and cynical about some of the less-rational elements of the movement.
I will be praying for your recovery so you can continue with your important life’s mission; and I will also pray that God grants you the strength to get through what I know can be difficult and draining treatments.
Yours in Christ,
Deirdre.