Joey's Journey
Donation protected
Joey's journey began in early September with constant stomachaches, a nagging cough, and a persistent low-grade fever. In and out of doctors’ offices and after a few days spent at Children's Hospital Pittsburgh (CHP), Joey endured test after test with the same inconclusive results.
As they awaited to be discharged from CHP for a third time, Mom and Dad's intuition said enough is enough as she refused to take "everything is coming back normal" as an answer. On Thursday, September 26, 2019, after one more blood test, a diagnosis was delivered: B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Finally, an answer to so many unanswered questions.
On Friday, September 27, Joey went into surgery for his first round of chemo. With a superhero attitude, he felt like Iron Man when his port was implanted. He was a trooper as we all held our breath to hear he was back in recovery. One follow-up test had a slight set back and the decision was made to keep him at CHP through his second round of chemo to continue to monitor his response. Round two was administered on Friday, October 4, and thankfully, all went well and after a two week long stay from the beginning of his journey, Joey could go home!
Comforts of home have helped Joey feel more like himself. The new normal is becoming long naps, moves from the couch to the chair to his bed. Slow is the pace. Hunger is a thing. The steroids are increasing his appetite, even with little movement. Buttered noodles, mac and cheese, and fish sticks are consumed at all hours of the day. The kitchen is open 24/7.
Joey's third treatment was administered Friday, October 11 late afternoon. Chronic bellyaches seem to be the trend. A morning ultrasound ruled out typhlytis and a pancreatitis and his infusion took about 10 minutes. All went well and he was on his way back home to rest.
The journey doesn't stop here; in fact Joey’s cancer crusade is just getting started. The current plan as he moves into the next phase of treatment includes spending nine days at home, followed by five days at CHP. This phase will be months long. The Byrnes family was told to expect a minimum five year battle.
With so many unknowns, what is a sure thing is that there will be many medical and travel expenses in their near future. We as friends and family must come together and help support them. The outpouring of love so far has kept them strong.
No contribution is too small. Please consider being one of Joey's Superheroes as he sets out to kick cancer’s butt! #StrongAsJoeNado
Please visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/3082956211730776/) for the most up to date information on Joey's Journey, events, and photos.
As they awaited to be discharged from CHP for a third time, Mom and Dad's intuition said enough is enough as she refused to take "everything is coming back normal" as an answer. On Thursday, September 26, 2019, after one more blood test, a diagnosis was delivered: B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Finally, an answer to so many unanswered questions.
On Friday, September 27, Joey went into surgery for his first round of chemo. With a superhero attitude, he felt like Iron Man when his port was implanted. He was a trooper as we all held our breath to hear he was back in recovery. One follow-up test had a slight set back and the decision was made to keep him at CHP through his second round of chemo to continue to monitor his response. Round two was administered on Friday, October 4, and thankfully, all went well and after a two week long stay from the beginning of his journey, Joey could go home!
Comforts of home have helped Joey feel more like himself. The new normal is becoming long naps, moves from the couch to the chair to his bed. Slow is the pace. Hunger is a thing. The steroids are increasing his appetite, even with little movement. Buttered noodles, mac and cheese, and fish sticks are consumed at all hours of the day. The kitchen is open 24/7.
Joey's third treatment was administered Friday, October 11 late afternoon. Chronic bellyaches seem to be the trend. A morning ultrasound ruled out typhlytis and a pancreatitis and his infusion took about 10 minutes. All went well and he was on his way back home to rest.
The journey doesn't stop here; in fact Joey’s cancer crusade is just getting started. The current plan as he moves into the next phase of treatment includes spending nine days at home, followed by five days at CHP. This phase will be months long. The Byrnes family was told to expect a minimum five year battle.
With so many unknowns, what is a sure thing is that there will be many medical and travel expenses in their near future. We as friends and family must come together and help support them. The outpouring of love so far has kept them strong.
No contribution is too small. Please consider being one of Joey's Superheroes as he sets out to kick cancer’s butt! #StrongAsJoeNado
Please visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/3082956211730776/) for the most up to date information on Joey's Journey, events, and photos.
Co-organizers (3)
Team JoeNado
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
Robert Byrnes
Beneficiary
Tori Young
Co-organizer
Tori Young
Co-organizer