JoAnn has started her chemo (two weeks ago, actually) to combat her stage iv melanoma. She says that she is tired, but managing okay. She also has a rash from the chemo which is no fun. My sister took her to the first chemo appointment. My other cousin and aunt are taking care of the kids during and after chemo.
She also cut off her hair as a preemptive strike. I am happy to report that her spirits remain high. I can't wait to see her in a few weeks.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Filming for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is complete!
Well, we've filmed the video application yesterday. It was a long, emotional day. It was hard to see JoAnn so tired and weak and to see both Mike and JoAnn talk so frankly about JoAnn's health and prognosis.
But, now the video is being edited. Mike is completing the paper application. It should all be sent off next week. Portions of the video application may be posted on YouTube. We'll keep you posted!
But, now the video is being edited. Mike is completing the paper application. It should all be sent off next week. Portions of the video application may be posted on YouTube. We'll keep you posted!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Filming Nominations Tonight!
We will be filming nominations from the community for the family to be on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at the Fort Branch Wesleyan Church at 7PM tonight! Come on out!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Awareness Benefit Event: Godsend Savvy
The Godsend Savvy Team is hosting an awareness benefit for the Stonestreet Family. The following is the information posted on the Event's Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=27317832&k=YXF45VTY665G6BEBPG26V3TWYTADXYWBQPH&oid=136715256341997 - Sorry, I'm not html-savvy enough to make this an actual link....I'll work on that!):
"Date: Saturday, July 24, 2010
Time: 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Fort Branch Wesleyan Church 202 Vine St Fort Branch, IN 47648
FREE Food, Entertainment, and Education!
We will be having local/regional bands and representatives for every disease/disorder that the family is dealing with coming to speak and provide necessary information to the guests.
This is a FREE event, but guests will be highly encouraged to give a donation to support the family. 100% of donations will be given to the Stonestreet Family.
To give in advance make checks payable to the Fort Branch Wesleyan Church
Why are we doing this?
The Stonestreet Family recently found out that JoAnn (wife & mother) has cancer. On top of this , Mike (husband & father) has diabetes, Nicole, age 10, (daughter & sister) has epilepsy, and Hunter, age 9 (son & brother) has autism. Both Mike and JoAnn are out of work, and the medical bills are beginning to pile up.
We want to see this community band together and help support a family in dire need!
Anyone interested in volunteering time or service as this even please contact
Mary or Amanda Salee via facebook message."
If you're interested in volunteering and can't find Mary or Amanda Salee, comment here, and I'll get you the information.
A recent update says that there will also be face painting and an appearance by BATMAN!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Bad News Health Update - Cancer is Worse
JoAnn had a PET scan. The results were not good. The melanoma is throughout her body. Devasting.
What else can you say? I'm heart-broken. Everyone has been so positive, and all of sudden, it's all swept away.
It's so sad to think of the kids growing up without JoAnn. I can't imagine Mike without her. And, I don't want to.
JoAnn wants to fight it. She's still planning to get her port on Thursday and to start chemo next week. Who knows what is in store for her next.
This post will be posted on a delay. My family needs time to share the news with everyone personally. This was written on 6/16/10.
What else can you say? I'm heart-broken. Everyone has been so positive, and all of sudden, it's all swept away.
It's so sad to think of the kids growing up without JoAnn. I can't imagine Mike without her. And, I don't want to.
JoAnn wants to fight it. She's still planning to get her port on Thursday and to start chemo next week. Who knows what is in store for her next.
This post will be posted on a delay. My family needs time to share the news with everyone personally. This was written on 6/16/10.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Latest News
JoAnn's recent biopsy indicates that she had melanoma in her chest/neck area. This is actually a huge relief since we weren't sure if it was the same cancer. We don't really know what lies ahead (Do any of us?), but it's a better outlook knowing that the new "spot" is also melanoma rather than some other type of cancer. We also know that JoAnn will be having a PET scan in the coming days. Hopeuflly, it will show no new cancer. JoAnn will also get a port soon. She hasn't started chemo, yet.
Brian and I will be going home to visit and also to film the video application for the Stonestreets' ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in the next few weekends. We are excited to help out with this project.
A generous well-wisher DONATED a washing machine to the Stonestreets! Now the family can keep up with the laundry. I can't imagine how difficult it is to do laundry for a family of four (Brian and I's laundry is more than enough.).
Mary, a member of the Stonestreets' church - who has been phenomenal in helping raise funds for medical expenses and travel, is looking for a comedian for a fundraising event. As you can imagine, a few moments of humor and levity would help the situation quite a lot.
Sorry this post is not more insightful, but I hope it has at least been informative. Thanks for your continued support.
Brian and I will be going home to visit and also to film the video application for the Stonestreets' ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in the next few weekends. We are excited to help out with this project.
A generous well-wisher DONATED a washing machine to the Stonestreets! Now the family can keep up with the laundry. I can't imagine how difficult it is to do laundry for a family of four (Brian and I's laundry is more than enough.).
Mary, a member of the Stonestreets' church - who has been phenomenal in helping raise funds for medical expenses and travel, is looking for a comedian for a fundraising event. As you can imagine, a few moments of humor and levity would help the situation quite a lot.
Sorry this post is not more insightful, but I hope it has at least been informative. Thanks for your continued support.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Thankful
I know, two posts in one day - is the world coming to an end? Well, I don't know.
But I do need to post again. It seems a little ironic that amidst all this devasting illness in my family that I am thankful, but that's exactly how I feel tonight. Well, there is sadness mixed in.
I recently read a blog by a high school classmate about another classmate's baby. The young baby died within days of her birth. Now, a college classmate's baby remains in the hospital after being born two months early. (Although, there is good news that she is doing well and may go home soon.) I read some internet news about melanoma that concerns me about how long I'll have to have phone conversations with JoAnn, how many more times I'll make it home to see her, and how many more holidays I'll have with her.
But mixed with all this sadness, I'm thankful. I'm thankful for the ever-sweet JoAnn and her beautiful, smart children. I'm thankful for the luck my family has had throughout the years.
Every time someone is pregnant or sick, I hear someone (usually several someones) in my family comment about how lucky we've been over the years. Grahma had five pretty healthy kids. I knew my Great-Grandma Izzy - not only knew her, but stayed the night with her when she lived by herself. My mom's generation only had one miscarriage of which I know. My generation has only had one miscarriage of which I know. JoAnn's been the only other pregnancy where we've had a scare, and it lasted less than a day (as far as I remember).
This list isn't to diminish any of my family's pain or grief. Obviously, we've had our share. My grandfather died when my mom and her siblings were still young. My uncle has battled diabetes since childhood. My step-grandfather died of cancer after I graduated college. My Uncle Bill (who's really my grahma's brother) died while I was in high school (or maybe middle school). My Uncle Red (who's also my grahma's brother) died before I was born. My Aunt Lynda's recent cancer (which she beat). But, it could be worse.
It could be worse. Have I just been brain-washed by my family to believe this long-standing family mantra, or do I recognize the blessings and the value of having the love and relationships of my family? I think it's probably the second, but either way, I don't really care. I am glad to have my family. My closer-than-most family. (More on that later.) And, I plan to make the most of the time that I have with all of them.
Watch out, Casa de Stonestreet, I may be visiting more frequently.
But I do need to post again. It seems a little ironic that amidst all this devasting illness in my family that I am thankful, but that's exactly how I feel tonight. Well, there is sadness mixed in.
I recently read a blog by a high school classmate about another classmate's baby. The young baby died within days of her birth. Now, a college classmate's baby remains in the hospital after being born two months early. (Although, there is good news that she is doing well and may go home soon.) I read some internet news about melanoma that concerns me about how long I'll have to have phone conversations with JoAnn, how many more times I'll make it home to see her, and how many more holidays I'll have with her.
But mixed with all this sadness, I'm thankful. I'm thankful for the ever-sweet JoAnn and her beautiful, smart children. I'm thankful for the luck my family has had throughout the years.
Every time someone is pregnant or sick, I hear someone (usually several someones) in my family comment about how lucky we've been over the years. Grahma had five pretty healthy kids. I knew my Great-Grandma Izzy - not only knew her, but stayed the night with her when she lived by herself. My mom's generation only had one miscarriage of which I know. My generation has only had one miscarriage of which I know. JoAnn's been the only other pregnancy where we've had a scare, and it lasted less than a day (as far as I remember).
This list isn't to diminish any of my family's pain or grief. Obviously, we've had our share. My grandfather died when my mom and her siblings were still young. My uncle has battled diabetes since childhood. My step-grandfather died of cancer after I graduated college. My Uncle Bill (who's really my grahma's brother) died while I was in high school (or maybe middle school). My Uncle Red (who's also my grahma's brother) died before I was born. My Aunt Lynda's recent cancer (which she beat). But, it could be worse.
It could be worse. Have I just been brain-washed by my family to believe this long-standing family mantra, or do I recognize the blessings and the value of having the love and relationships of my family? I think it's probably the second, but either way, I don't really care. I am glad to have my family. My closer-than-most family. (More on that later.) And, I plan to make the most of the time that I have with all of them.
Watch out, Casa de Stonestreet, I may be visiting more frequently.
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