Quick Update

The squamous cell carcinoma on his lip that was radiated looks better than it did but will never go away but by a miracle. The back of his neck has healed up rather nicely. His left arm looks good with just a small area of pressure. The right arm was never treated because of the scleroderma in the elbow and radiation being contraindicated in that case. So that lesion stands out  and is a good 2 inch by 2 inch in size. His left side gvhd ( graft vs host disease) lesion remains the size of a grown man's hand fully extended and his back has two small areas of gvhd spots. He is talking better and is taking the comfort foods most of us have had: Simple Shepherds pie, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, plain baked tilapia with butter.  Still drinking the boost.
We ventured to the oralmaxilfacial doctor the other day and he was told that two teeth need pulling.
Please pray for a smooth go at that and a quick healing time.
Thanks again for all those out there who have offered there struggles and discomforts up for him.
God bless all of you and your families, you are in my prayers.

Past video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C570f_2QSac

This is a video from Father Joseph at the mass offered for his healing in December 2014.
Audio is very quiet so listen closely.
God Bless all.

The Simplest Things

I had not completed thorough research on mouth radiation prior to Father Joseph's treatment.  We  therefore encountered a few interesting situations along the way.  One thing I would like to stress is that the incidence of dehydration increases greatly and the caregiver should monitor ins and outs closely to stay ahead. Doing the research I read of several individuals who had issues with this. Luckily with Father Joseph he was able to stay ahead and avoid the need for a nasal gastric tube. Praise God.  The other issue is healing time. After further research it seemed four to six weeks for recovery. This is for the general population without other complications like Father Josephs. Therefore it was a given to pick Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday as a target date for being able to eat again.. I am happy to report that he has reached his goal and has had sweet potato soufflé and was able to shred some meat and enjoy the taste. He has had some breakfast items and is continuing to expand his diet.  Over the time of his recovery it was just boost plus and vhc boost. Some of us were about to start the Father Joseph boost challenge.  We are thankful to God as we near the completion of the Divine Mercy novena that he has had this ability to eat again. Most of us take eating for granted. Please thank God for all you get to eat and pray for all those who go to bed hungry tonight.

Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Simple Request of Father Joseph

There is an individual who is putting together a book of sorts.  He/she is compiling stories of how Father Joseph has affected individual's lives or lives of their families. He says this is not for him but for his parents  and others to read later.

If you have a story to share please send to :

Share My Story / Father Joseph Peek
6650 Bentley Trail
Cumming, GA 30040

Thank you and God Bless your day!

AYMCYM

Three months ago Father Joseph was told by the oncologist just to go home and enjoy the quality of life. She could only estimate at that time 3 months,6 months 9 months etc. If you ever have to go to or deal with an oncologist, you will realize that they have to bear the worst news. They must share what the worst case scenario would be. You can listen and be downtroddened or you can keep positive and live for the Lord.  Upon hearing the news all of Father Joseph's siblings got together one weekend in January. We enjoyed food, fellowship, and faith.  We all gathered unsure of what lay ahead. He shared a quote with us: Accept your mission,  complete your mission.  Many feel that this quote shows signs that he has given up and succumbed to the cancer and gvhd. On the contrary. He sees his mission to be the best graft versus host disease and squamous cell carcinoma patient. At present he lives a symbiotic existence with those two.  When I show people pictures of his wounds they say he must be on round the clock pain medication.  Amazingly he isn't.  In February he had the radiation treatment to one arm the neck and lip area. He suffered and still suffers the aftermath of the lesions in his mouth caused by radiation. (If you ever have a loved one or yourself needing mouth radiation,  do your research on the types and  where they are offered and if insurance covers.Father Joseph was limited to the Emory University healthcare system where he has received all his care thus fat.

When you or your love one has to have mouth radiation make sure they begin on their mouth wash prior to the beginning of the radiation treatment. They will continue on this mouthwash throughout the treatment and then after the treatment until they have healed up.  Some individuals might not be able to tolerate food so you must find high calorie liquid substitute for them to take. I was able to find the very high calorie boost formula online at MVS discount sales.. We were able to buy it bulk for Father Joseph. They have the best prices. We used silvadene for several days on Father Josephs arm but there's also a cream known as jeans cream that several patients who have had radiation treatment have used with great success.

At the sibling get together in January we discussed how we didn't know what the end of life looks like. We discussed funeral mass and burial plans. We discussed other topics to consider. All the while I had this strange feeling that we were be preparing for someone else. Little did I realize that God would be calling home our niece and nephew before the rest of us. 

So "if today you hear his voice harden not your heart" accept the mission that he has given you. Let His light shine through you so all the world can see.

Thank you for all your prayers for Father Joe. I pray for all those out there dealing with cancer of any sort I pray for those who  just received your diagnosis, all receiving chemotherapy, all who are under going radiation, and all who have been told to enjoy quality of life. I pray for the families of these individuals so that they receive the support they need during this time. May God bless all of you.

Father Joseph was able to eat some scrambled eggs yesterday. Small steps but big ones. Continue to pray for his intentions. Thankyou.