I Sure Have Missed You All!!

Just a quick little note to let you all know that I am still here...obviously with the holiday (and going through the "motions" with Joe's diagnosis) things have just been CRAZY arounnd here.
A quick update for you all:
We went to a new oncologist (Dr. Z)...he was my mom's hematologist oncologist for 15 years and was very close with her; so naturally I trust him tremedously!! Right now we are waiting to find out what type of CML that Joe has (philadelphia chromosone positive or philadelphia negative). Once we know that then he (Dr. Z) will sit down with us and give us the gameplan. Philadelphia positive is the "easier" to treat of the two, but the Philadelphia negative is still treatable. We go back on Tuesday to hopefully get thise results... I say "hopefully" because he tested only by blood; and we are hoping that the blood test will be conclusive so that Joe will not have to do the bone marrow biopsy (which he is ok/ready to do if needed---that is an answer to prayer!!!) This is the most immediate of prayer requests, followed by continued prayers for Joe's thoughts, fears and apprehensions. I am doing my best (giving ALL i can) to keep his spirits up; but naturally he is scared-- scared of the unknown, unanswered questions. Also, please continue o pray for me.... I am giving all I know how to so that I can help boost Joe's spirit; I am trying to keep doing things like "normal" so he doesn't feel out of whack. And while I absolutely DO NOT mind that, it is still taking it's toll on me (mentally). I swear, if I could get into his body and fight this things hands on, I would do it IN A HEARTBEAT!!! I did have a rough time on Friday at the oncologist's office because the last time I was there was with my mom while she got her chemo....and that did bring up alot of memories and make me pretty sad (i had a really good cry on Friday evening); but now that I got that initial visit out of the way, I should be fine!! And actually, even if I wasn't fine I would still go so that I can be there for Joe!!

In spite of all of this (and at the fact the boys were not here), we did still have a nice Christmas and will post pictures in the next day or so... But, I did want to share a few pictures of Angie's Christmas concert. A few of the 3 and 4 year old classes sang at the school's church service and they did such a cute job ( i was going to do ths as my photo story friday, but that was the day we got the initial diagnosis and things have just been a whirlwind/roller coaster since then....Anyway, here are a few pictures of that:

Angie ready to go

Waiting for everyone to take the stage

Singin "Away in the Manger"

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

Being silly at lunch afterwards....that's ketchup all over her face :)

I just L-O-V-E this picture

Thanks for being patient with me, you guys!! I promise I will be making my rounds and checking in on all of you... I really have missed reading about all of you.....but right now I am going to TRY to go to sleep--- it's 2:50am...yikes, I do have to work tomorrow!!!