Chillin' With Joe

So last Thursday Joe got to go into the hospital again to start his next round of chemo. It went pretty well from what I hear, but he really needs our prayers since his kidneys are already beginning to fail. He will have chemo again this week and next week and then it will be a couple weeks again for a much needed break to help him regain energy. He hasn't been throwing up yet with this round which is nice but he is has been kept pretty medicated. He is such a good sport! We all love him so much! We are thankful that it is looking like he won't be spending Christmas in the hospital!

Update on Joe

Our cute boy Joe is acting pretty good lately. We still don't know how his counts are since the scare but we're praying for the best. He is such a good sport he still puts on a big grin and "aahhhh"s at us in delight. He is such a little angel in our li8ves nothing but joys! He is starting to get his hair back in which is exciting, but secretly Michelle likes him bald because it reminds her of the bald baby she always wanted and got with him! Sophie tries so hard to help her Mommy with Joe...today she tried to pick him up to take him with her...it was so precious! Of course we had to stop her so she wouldn't hurt him...but she loves her brother VERY much and he loves her just as much...it doesn't take words between them to see and know it!
---Aunt Nannie

Christmas Trees

Today Sophie came for a visit and loved the Christmas tree. Michelle says that at their home she does too and while on the phone with her awhile ago Sophie went and tried to plug in Michelle's tree to see the lights. Sophie says "wow" over and over again while looking at Christmas trees. When she saw mine she went over and "wow"ed at it then just sat on my lap looking at it and giggling. I told Michelle that we may need to secure our trees to the walls with such a curious little helper around! I bet Sophie will be a blast for Michelle and Joey this Christmas!



---Aint Nannie

Highs and Lows

Yesterday was one of the highs for the Di Regolo family. Make-A-Wish started installing Joe's new playground. Joe was cheerful and eating really good for a change too. It seemed like a really good day...

But last night, Michelle called Mom and I and told us Joe had a fever of 103 which means a trip to the hospital. So off they went and discovered that Joe's white blood count was zero...which is not good at all. So he's back in the hospital...but thankfully he is doing well there and should get to be home by Thanksgiving, but they can't be around anyone. Please keep them in yur prayers this Thanksgiving time. And if you get a chance call and send your love since it's the only contact they will be having until Joe's count is up from what I understand.

---Aunt Nannie

Lately...

Lately, we have been staying home and getting healthy. Joe and Michelle got sinus infections and a cough. Lucky Sophie and Joey stay healthy pretty much all the time. Good news is that Joe has gotten his appetite back and is loving to eat anything that is crunchy. We have switched his peg to a button and hope that we will like it as much if not more soon. Joe set up a trunk or treat for Doug Smith where he works and it was a huge success for them. Next year it will be even bigger and better. Sophie amazes us with all the words she is picking up everyday. It is true how every child learns at their own pace. We really enjoy Sophie's super fun personality. She is such a big helper for example: she loves Joe better when he is sad, she throws garbage away, she picks out shoes and jacket to go bye-bye, she picks up her toys (with some prompting), to us she is the best Sophie she can be. We feel so blessed that Heavenly Father has sent us two wonderful, precious, sweet, children to love and learn from. For those of you who do not know we are now 5 months pregnant (as of tomorrow). But we are not finding out until Christmas. As for now Toodles.;)

BIG girl!

Sophie did it! Today and Grandpa and Grandma B's house Sophie went potty in the toilet! It was her first time and Mommy, Aunt Nannie and Grandma made a huge deal out of it. Sophie was so proud of herself when she saw what she had done. We just thought that anyone following the blog might want to hear about this little triump in the Di Regolo house! Also, Sophie is finally broken of her bottle also!

Eating with the DiRegolo's

So meal time at the DiRegolo home has gotten quite interesting...according to me (Aunt Nannie). Which anytime you have little kids mealtime tends to be! Michelle is an excellent cook and loves to bake which she has a free chance which isn't often these days. A few weeks ago while Joe was getting a feeding tube put in, I had Sophie over and learned just how much fun Michelle has now days. Not only is she t;ube feeding Joe and working on his ever changing taste likes and dislikes due to chemo and radiation but Sophie keeps her hopping! Sophie at the VERY OLD age of 17 months and at the time of these pictures even younger insists upon sitting in a barstool instead of her special counter chair and feeding herself or she won't eat. I fed her and had a HUGE mess to deal with...both she and the kitchen needed a bath before she was through. But I thought she was so cute that I had to post some pics of her on here. Honestly I don't know how Michelle and Joey do it all!

Sophie covered in dirt!

The day Joe got his feeding tube put in Sophie stayed with Aunt Nannie...aka Rachael. Sophie had a blast...and so did Rachael! Sohpie's favorite thing though was playing in the sandbox! She loved to throw the dirt up and since it was just her I let her do it! Because he was laughing so hard she drooled a bit creating a muddy mess that I thought was so cute!

Joe Update

So Joe is done with chemo and radiation for a month! He doesn't have to go to chemo again until November and he's all done with radiation. Apparently their was a misunderstanding at the hospital and his treatments won't be weekly as last reports...they will be every 6 weeks so they will be going until about next November if all goes well. He is being such a brave little guy through it all! We love him so much!

Halloween Party

This is Rachael again but I thought you'd enjoy seeing pics of the kids from our Halloween party we had last night. It was SSSOOOO much fun! We had it a little early so that Taylor and MaKaylee could be their and so the kids would have plenty of time to wear their new Halloween outfits before Halloween. We were so thankful that no one was sick so that Joe could come to the party! If you'd like to see more picture from the party check out Rachael's blogspot at http://www.zrfitz.blogspot.com/ their are pictures of our fun menu we ate!
Mommy and Joe in his new shirt from Grandpa and Grandma B.

Sophie with her cousin MaKaylee...they look just like sisters in their matching outfits!

Daddy and Sophie hunting for balls to get their outfits.

Joe! Our handsome and sweet boy!

Sophie! As a little pirate she steals everyone's hearts!

If I don't update...

If I don't update for awhile or Michelle and Joey don't then please check my blogspot http://www.zrfitz.blogspot.com/ because I put little updates in quite often on mine. Of course you also get the fun of me not having all the info and reading about my pathetic little world but I don't mind extra readers. Thanks, Rachael

The latest on Joe! Well yeesterday was Joe's last day of radiation!!! YEAH...YIPPIE!!! Everyone is excited for the change and progress. The people at the hospital Joe has been going to for his radiation have been wonderful! So friendly and not just with Joe! They have been so sweet to Michelle and Sophie also. Yesterday was filled with bittersweet goodbyes for them. From what I hear they adore Sophie and Joe as much as the rest of us do. I am glad Joe is getting a break because his poor little head looks so sore. I need to take pics and post them. He is bald these days and he has a feeding tube. He has one more chemo treatment before he gets a month break from it all...then they will hit it hard and heavy! But it looks like they will now be doing it weekly for 9 weeks instead of for a year which will be nice...especially if they can get them all in before the end of the year so they don't have to start their deductible all over again...though with all that is anticipated in the new year I imagine they will have it meat by the end of March anyways!

Michelle wanted me to make sure and thank everyone for all the support and help they have been so far in their family's recent trials. We don't know how we could have done it so far without the love and support of each of you. So many kindnesses have been shown. The doctors and nurses of all types have been so wonderful to work, even if there were a few glitches in the start.

I will try to post more often on here...thanks! Rachael

Thanks to Everyone

Today was a good day. Joe experienced a little bit of a fussier day but I think it was due to the fact that he is still not eating the best and his neck hurts. He finally got to take a bath tonight and loved it. He kicked and kicked. He was super disappointed when I took him out so we could pick Joey up from work.
Our family would like to thank everyone for their posts, love, and concerns. We feel so much love and support and are grateful for the wonderful people we get to associate and be friends with on a regular basis. This blog thing is pretty fun. I enjoy reading the extra posts.
Feel free to stop by anytime. Joe loves visitors!
Until next time, Tootles. :)

HOME!!!

Well the Di Regolo family is finally all home!!! This afternoon Joe was released from the hospital and Sophie got to return home too. Joe is doing really well from what I hear and Michelle and Joey were thrilled. I am sure they will be posting more details soon but I thought I would let you all know.

:)
Rachael

Bright Eyes Finally

After days of heavy sleeping Joe has woken up. He goes from deep sleep to wide awake. When Joey and I got back this morning Joe gave us a wonderful welcome, he smiled at us for the first time since his surgery. We were so excited. We took him on a walk in the wheelchair and except for the bouncy pavers in the parking lot he loved it. We are still waiting for him to clap his hands in glee, and as soon as he does we will post it. Joe is also off of his oxygen. It took him awhile but as soon as he finally woke up from all of his sedations and anesthesia he has breathed really good on his own. We may be able to go home tomorrow, Joe needs to keep liquids down, keep his potassium down, be able to manage his pain, and maybe something else. We are so thrilled but only want him to go home when he is ready.
Sophie came home with Joey and I last night and we played, sang and had a good time. She loves being with Aunt Nannie and Uncle Zak but I think (maybe I am hoping) but even when you are 1 years old there is no place like home. Sophie is learning a lot from Taylor and MaKaylee, such as singing, and how to play with other children. We sure enjoy her.
Joey has been the strength of our family. He is a rock. I am grateful for him. Joey has been getting ansy to get home and be able to go to work. He loves his new job and loves to provide for his family.
I am doing ok. I have really relyed on Joey. Not being able to hold and love both my children whenever I want has been so hard. I cried with glee the first time I could hold Joe after his surgery. I loved holding Sophie after not being able to see her after a couple days.

Home for a breather

Well, Sophie gets a night with her mommy and daddy tonight. Grandma lori is going to stay with Joe so that they can get some rest and so Sophie gets some good attention. From what Michelle and Joey say...Joe is doing good and he must be if they are leaving his side for a night! Taylor and MaKaylee were so sad to hear that their adopted sister wasn't coming to our home tonight...but I think MaKaylee was relieved to know she could play in peace in her bedroom tomorrow morning. Well I need to spend time with them. Great Grandpa and Grandma B stopped to say hi and send their love to all of you and told me to tell you that cousin Nicole will watch Sophie any time you need especially while Joe is in chemo and radiation over the next little while. But from what I hear she is welcome pretty much everywhere!

:) Rachael

Sophie

Well Sophie is doing good at Aunt Nannies house so far. She is becoming a bit more clingy when I am heir but she has done fine so far alone with Aunt Heather and Uncle Zak. I don't know who likes it more Taylor and MaKaylee or Sophie. The 3 of them play constantly...I think it's been good for them. We are slowly getting a good routine going. I think the hardest thing for Sophie besides her lack of seeing her parents and brother is the decrease in sleep. The kids can't wait for her to wake up in the morning and during naps. We sure have loved having her in our family...the kids seem to think of her as a little sister and keep expressing that wish. Here are a few pics from this week so far. I think that my favorite is that if Zak or I go to the computer she wants up to play too. She has also taken a liking to MaKaylee's bear camping chair and Taylor's Winnie the Pooh. We had a few other pics so far but they didn't turn out. I'll post more later.

:)
Rachael

Out of ICU!!!

Well Michelle just called and told me that Joe has been moved from ICU to the Neuro-Trauma area. He is allowed all visitors now and is doing good. I have the room numbe, phone number and securty code to visit him if any family members or family friends want to go visit him...just give me or Mom a call. They think that he is handling the pain better because he isn't crying as much when he wakes up. I can't remember anything else...other than Michelle and Joey send their love and thanks to you all.

Surgury update!

Well last night around 7:30 Michelle called Aunt Nannie, aka Rachael, to let me know that all went well with Joe's surgury. He is in ICU and was asleep wheneve I have spoken with her. Everyone is feeling a lot better just knowing that the surgury is over. Joe and his mommy and daddy will be at the hospital for at leat 5 days...during which time Sophie is staying with Aunt Nannie and Grandma Lori. Now we just have chemo and radiation to make it through. I will post more when I hear it.

PS---Sophie is doing well after a day and a half with Auntie but today she is a bit more clingy. By the end of all this I sure hope she still loves being with me! :) Rachael

Hospital Registration

Pre-registering for Joe's surgury. It was a hard outing but we made it through it. Both kids got stuffed animals there...Sophie got a purple bunny and Joe got a dark purple bear and a mandril. The hospital he is at is one of the best for children...at least in our state.

A fun day before surgury!

The day before Joe was scheduled for brain surgury we spent the entire day having fun together. We went to the zoo and took Joe to ride on bumper cars. Grandma Lori and Aunt Nannie came with us. We had a blast together.

Meet our family!

Family picture taken by our friend Natalie to make sure we had a current one before Joe's brain surgury. Aren't they beautiful!











Family Picture taken July 8, 2008
Joey aka-Daddy
Michelle aka-Mommy
Joe our 3 year old son.
Sophie our 1 year old daughter.

Much requested

Welcome to the Di Regolo Family blogspot! After much request due to recent events we have created this blogspot to help others keep updated on our family and Joe's condition.

Monday, July 7, 2008 our 3 year old son Joe went in for an MRI to check if he's been having seizures and we discovered that he has a golfball sized cancerous brain tumor. The hospital scheduled surgury for July 10th but an emergency surgury made it postpone until yesterday.

Read more in future posts!

---PS The first few post are from Aunt Nannie who is setting up this blogspot while Joe, Joey and Michelle are at the hospital. Then either Michelle or Joe will take over this site to keep you informed and give better info.