Hey everybody! First of all, I just want to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day! It’s a nice day outside to be spending time with your loved ones and just enjoy the day together. A lot of people have asked me when I was going to return to work, and right now I don’t know. Hopefully very soon. I can’t do anything until radiation is complete, but once it’s complete hopefully the doctors will release me to return to work. I miss my VUPS peeps!
For those who have asked me if radiation hurts, no it doesn’t. When I get there, I go lay on a flat bed under a huge radiation machine. They put this white mask which they made just for me over my face and head and 
they bolt it to the table to keep my head perfectly still. There are lasers all around the room that match up X and Y coordinates on my head, and the radiation machine snaps an X-Ray of my head. They overlay the X-Rays every time with the previous one, to ensure they get the exact same spot each time. Once the machine starts, it lasts all of 5 minutes and I am done. The ONLY side effect it has, is that it makes me VERY tired. The seizure medication I am on for seizures is called Dilantin and it gives me very bad short term memory loss. I don’t remember things from a few hours ago. That’s very frustrating. I have to get use to it though because I have to take this for 2 years.
Next, so many people have helped us out in so many ways since this all began. Food, rides, work around the house, watching Kobie, everything. While we’re so far behind on writing thank you notes, please know that every favor, every ride, every email / text message and every word is remembered and we are very thankful for everything that everyone has done. Thank you. You may have to continue to help us but you know, it won’t last forever. During my cancer battle I’ve realized something. This isn’t my death sentence, rather it’s Gods way of telling me “Josh, you need to realize what you have and get up and fight for it” so that’s what I’m doing, fighting !! I will continue to fight until Dr. Shertz and Indiana University tell me that it’s over, I’m cancer free.
Something else that I’ve just started as of today, I have just registered to start the ONLY LiveStrong army in the state of Virginia. That’s right, it begins HERE! The LiveStrong army will host events (sponsored by corporations, donations, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation) across the state to help spread cancer awareness and help cancer survivors. I am not quite sure of all of the exact stuff, but I am expecting a package from the LAF explaining more, and with materials to help get the LSAVA started. That’s going to be the LiveStrong Army of Virginia. So, once it gets up and going, I will link it from this page so everyone can check it out, and spread the word.
On a lighter note, today Lance Armstrong started the Amgen Tour of California, which is one of the only races he’ll be racing in America this year. Go Lance!!
On the side links, I have a link titled “For your thoughts” which is basically an electronic prayer list. These are people who mean a lot to me who I ask for you to keep in your prayers. If you have someone you wish to be added to this list that’s battling cancer, please let me know and I’ll be more than happy to add them to the list.
I hope everyone has a great week, stay safe and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts. I am going to leave you with this video, which is an AWESOME video and song. Please watch it when you have time. I’m not going to post something to waste your time, you’ll like it. I promise. 🙂 See ya
