Been busy busy busy

I'm sorry it has taken me a while to update this blog but I have been busy and with no computer right now it is kinda hard. I will start out saying last weekend was one of the best weekends I have had in a very very long time. Thursday of last week I went in for the one day chemo treatment then packed up to go camping with Holly's family. We got to the site late and started setting up things I did what I could. Then came Saturday I was so excited for Saturday because that was the day I was going to the race track for the Race For Cancer in Mt. Vernon where I was the Grand Marshall. We got picked up by a racing limo where it took me my dad, step mom Darla, Holly and her parents the the Pacemaker Race Track. It was so exciting I got there and it was like I was the man of the hour I got to go around meet drivers and see there cars. It was better then I could ever image. They treated us like Kings and Queens they all were so nice. I actually got to go down the drag race track with Joy Smith in her racing truck it was unbelievable I felt like I was in a space ship I wanted to do it over and over again while my family was just hoping I didn't get sick : ). They raised money for me so that I could get my crutches this was not expected at all and it was wonderful because it was just enough for me to add to the other donations to get the crutches I am so excited I cant thank them enough for what they did this memories will forever be remembered for a life time to come. Thank you so much for those who were there and those who helped donate not just for me but for the James Cancer Hospital at the Ohio State University there is not enough words in the world that can describe how truly this means to me and other cancer patients and survivors. People like you are the ones who will help find a cure for cancer one day and everyday I hope that day comes closer!! There is a website that you can visit for some pictures the Race For Cancer day at the track: http://www.pacemakersdragway.com/
After that exciting day we just enjoyed the last days of camping. Monday we came back from camping went to a family cookout and caught a movie. This past week has been good I have been feeling 100% I went for Chemo on Tuesday and then again Friday and it went good and has not slowed me down. I got my appointment made for the new leg place where I will be getting fitted for my new crutches this Tuesday WOO RAH!
Upcoming Events!!!! On June 12th and 13th there is a garage sale that will be at my house 348 N. Murray Hill Road Columbus Oh 43228. There is also a Car wash in the works I believe we are shooting for the 20th of June so mark your calendars and come get your car washed by this bald kid.

Please continue to pray for the kids on J5 and there families.
Joe

Out of the hospital and looking forward to this long weekend.

I just got out of the hospital yesterday after a long 5 day chemo. The chemo went great on Monday night they gave me 3 bags of blood so I would be good enough for this great weekend ahead of me. Me and Holly's family will be going camping for the weekend and also be going to this race which is The race for cancer by mount Vernon it should be amazing and me and my family should have a great time I will take pictures and post some after the weekend. Over all i am a little tired but that's expected after chemo but I do feel good. Yesterday when I got home I ordered some chicken wings and it hurt my stomach I should have waited but not eating for 5 days would make anyone hungry but other then that everythings good. I want to also thank everyone for the support and gifts I have received this past week theses gifts will really help me continue my fight and I cant wait to get my new crutches next Friday I am making an appointment to get fitted for them and should have them in time for this summer which should be a great one. So thanks goes out to Norman & Mary Berry, Bob & Linda Knapp, Mike and Rea Jean Hixs, Kim woltz & the kids, And Karen and Tim Heartman and Margert & Mary Wildi, also Rick & Sheri & Erick Shepard. Thanks you all so very much for everything!
Thank you all for the support pray and love you all have shown. Pray I feel good this weekend so I can do some fun events!!

Joe Friend

Garage sale Rescheduled!!!

The garage sale that we were going to have this weekend the 15th and 16th is going to be rescheduled for June 12th and 13th. We are expecting rain and some other things came up I also would like to be there and since I am in the hospital this weekend we thought it would be better to schedule it for a better time so please come out on June 12th and 13th 10am to 5pm for the garage sale. All the money will go towards the Joseph C. Friend Benefit to help me with medical expenses and new crutches and hopefully help me get a new leg so I can start to wear it again. So mark your calendars for JUNE 12th and 13th!!!!Thank so much. & I am feeling good : )

Its been a while

I am sorry that I have not posted a lot lately I have been very busy. I have been feeling very good so I get out of the house every chance I get. I had my 5 day chemo 2 weeks ago and started to have this pain in my side a little bit before I went in for the chemo the doctors told me it must be muscle pain where I had my ribs taken out and the muscle was growing new come to find out after a CT Scan because Holly insisted for me to get one it turns out to be a broken rib. They believe it was because when I cough im hard on that side of my body. These past two weeks have been good with the MTP-PE. Last Monday May 4th I had to have the day chemo and then a blood transfusion and platelets I was in the hospital till 7 that night it was a long night but I felt 100% better. As many of you may know my friend Ryan Salmons pasted away on Friday May 1st after a long year of fighting his fight please say a prayer for his family as they go though this difficult time that no parent should have to go though. I will for sure miss him and he will forever be in my heart. I go in on Thursday for my 5 day chemo treatment so this should be a long one I don't like the 5 day chemos but it has to be done. This weekend is a busy one my family and friends are having a garage sale to raise money for me for my medical expenses and also to help me get new crutches and hopeful help to get me a new leg. so if you can check it out at 348 N. Murray Hill Rd. Cols Oh 43228. I will be in the hospital during this time so I will not be there but I wish I could. I think I have everyone updated now and I will get better at updating but Its been to nice out to be on the computer. 

Please continue to pray for the kids on J5 and also my friend Christina that is having a procedure done this Thursday to kill her tumor please pray it will work. 

Joe

Great weekend & going good this week

Saturday I went to the hockey game with my best friend Jeremy and we had a great time to bad that the Jackets didn't win but we still had a good time. We are in the playoffs that's all that matters I cant wait to watch them tomorrow night. I had a great Easter Sunday Holly and I woke up and went to church with some of the family then back to my house to see our nephews and give them the gifts we got them for Easter they were so excited about the Easter bunny and it was nice to see them. Then Holly and I went to her house for Easter then ended up renting some movies and relaxing together it was a great Easter. Monday I went back to the hospital for an outpatient chemo treatment and also received some blood by my choice I was on the line so I just decided to get some so I will feel great during the week. So I feel 100% today. Tomorrow I go back in for another outpatient chemo treatment so this time if I don't need blood I will be in and out with in a couple of hours and not all day like I was on Monday.
Thanks for all the support and prayers.
Joe

Happy Easter & Im doing great!

Happy Easter everyone, I know I haven't really posted anything in a while I have been feeling really good so I have been keeping myself very busy which I like to do because it makes me feel like I'm not sick. I got out of the hospital on Tuesday after they gave me my shot. It was a very long 5 day stay at the hospital but a least I don't have another 5 day stay for a while. I have been eating a lot which is great I feel 100%. Thursday of this past week I went back in to do my outpatient chemo this chemo really doesn't do to much to me sick wise which is good so I don't mine the outpatient chemos.

Yesterday me and holly went shopping and got some Easter things for the family we also went to the movies with my little brother and had a great time I am really happy that I feel this good to go and do all these things. I am going to the jackets game tonight with my friend Jeremy and then Holly and her family will be there to so it should be a pretty great game.

Next week will be a good week I hope I only go in for two outpatient chemo treatments and then the same goes for the next week so I am out of the hospital for at least 2 weeks as long as I don't get one of those horrible fevers.

So I just wanted to make sure everyone knew that I am doing good and couldn't be better at this point. Thanks so much for the support and love and have a very happy Easter!
Please continue to pray for my friend Ryan Salmons http://www.teamsalmons.com/ and the rest of the kids on J5.

Joe http://caringbridge.com/visit/joefriend

5 Day Chemo

I have been in the hospital since Thursday and I don't get out until Tuesday. Every day I have been getting chemo I have been doing really well I have my hard days and my easier days and everyday varys. I would feel great if I did not always feel nauseous I haven't really been eating anything but when I can I do try to eat something. I have yet to find a drink that I like everything taste like metal so that is frustrating at time because I need to keep hydrated. 

The doctors say I am doing great and that is great to hear my lungs are great and that make me so happy. I just wanted to let everyone know how I was doing and if I don't get to write soon I wish everyone a Happy Easter!!!

Please continue to pray for my friend Ryan and his family and also all the other kids on J5. 

Thanks so much for the support and prayers.

Joe

Please visit my Caring Bridge site @: http://caringbridge.com/visit/joefriend