Happy Birthday Joe!

Good morning,

Join our hearts in Middlebury wherever you may be in wishing Joe a happy 29th birthday!

Love to all,

From Joe's family and friends

Welcome Home.

This week Joe spent a lovely New Years celebration at the hospital with friends and family before coming home. He is officially home now! And surrounded by so much love and support from the endless amount of friends and family visiting and spending time with him. Joey is extremely brave and we all love him very much.

Here is the video we promised from Christmas Eve, along with a picture of Mia today in her green sweater. The video is viewable at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkCsZNGCWF

Love Erin, Brittany, and Lindsey (Joey's cousins)

What's Happening This Week - December 30th

Dad, Lis, Joe, Mom and Stepmom Denise, Christmas Day '12

Early this morning, Dad, Lis, and I brought Joe to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport. Joe is getting help with hydration and pain management from the incredible team at St. V's.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and Saturday (January 5th) is Joe's 29th birthday!

We will ring in the New Year here at St. Vincent's. Friends are coming by to visit and we look forward to getting Joe home as soon as we can!! (We have plans for an overnight adventure to Mohegan Sun once we have a handle on things.)

As our busy day came to a close, we saw a beautiful winter sunset visible over the snow covered rooftops. Lis and I are keeping careful watch over Joe tonight.

Please keep Joe in your prayers and in your hearts.

Love to all,

Doreen

What's Happening This Week - December 23rd

Mia with Santa Billy and Joe Dec '12

Lis, Santa Billy, Joe and Dad Dec '12

It's a cold and windy day here in Manhattan. Mia and I have taken our walk in Riverside Park and picked up breakfast sandwiches from Hot and Crusty on Broadway. The lobbies of the Upper West Side apartment buildings glow with Christmas trees and menorahs.  Sidewalk vendors sell fresh wreaths and trees.  Decorations adorn the shop windows.  And just like home, holiday shoppers search for those last minute gifts.

This December began with an admission to St. Vincent's Medical Center for Joe.  Joe's pain medication was adjusted and Joe received another round of chemotherapy during his hospital stay. A great, big thank you to Joe's physicians (and all the medical professionals at St. Vincent's) for their help. St. V's staff was outstanding in their compassionate and professional care and most welcoming of Mia who may have provided the best medicine of all.

Joe and Mia, St. V's Dec '12

Jenna, Mike, Joe, Lis, Dmitry, and Erika, St. V's  Dec '12

We appreciate your support for Joe and for all of us.  Friends and family continue to visit bringing laughter and smiles and lots of love.  Emails and texts help connect us.  We really are blessed and extremely fortunate to be loved.  It makes a huge difference.

James, Lis, Dmitry, Joe, Melissa, and Dillon, Middlebury, CT Dec '12

Joe has been receiving radiation therapy at St. Vincent's (as an out-patient) for the last week.  Two more radiation treatments after Christmas to help relieve back and hip pain. Joe begins another round of chemotherapy January 3rd.  In between the medical appointments, we have been having some fun and getting into the holiday spirit.

We've trimmed the trees and decorated the houses, sharing meals and spending time together. We are eagerly anticipating a big Christmas eve at Dad and Denise's!  

On Saturday, December 22nd, we were thrilled to attend the Radio City Christmas Spectacular! Super special day and a huge thank you to Sherrie, Tiffany and Clara who made the day magical in every way. Another big thank you to Pete and Annie who hosted the lovely dinner at Ouest, a wonderful French restaurant. Josh and Erin joined us to celebrate in New York City style. A good time was had by all.

Josh, Joe, Tiffany, Erin and Lis, "21 Club" NYC Dec '12

Annie (aka "Portland") and Mia, Riverside Park, NYC Dec '12

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  Hard to believe it's here. 

Merry Christmas and love to all!

Joe, Lis, Doreen, Dad, Denise and Mia, too!

PS Check back later for more pics.