Joe Henson Update...

Joe was back at Hopkins this week and I stopped in to see how he was doing.  It was my first time seeing him since just before Christmas.

When I initially arrived...his room seemed peaceful.  Angie (Joe's Mom) was curled up on the couch, doing her best to grab a few winks. 

I felt bad for stirring her...but she indulged me (as always) and made me feel welcome.

...catching me up on the roller coaster ride on the home front.

...and making me realize that good help is truly hard to find -- especially when it comes to looking out for Joe.

How could any parent truly rest?

Shortly after I got there, it felt like I opened the door to a clown car....as nurse after nurse, specialist after specialist...popped in to see Joe or Angie or both.

Questions.

Measurements.

Readings.

Signatures.

An MRI revealed mixed results that (I'm guessing) will likely require further imaging. 

His platelets were low.

The combination of these factors ultimately meant no chemo for Joe.

He needs time to get his counts up.

Fortunately they were able to get transport back home before the snow.

I'm hopeful for brighter days on the horizon...

Good Things Happen in October...

Today was a great day...

...and I was lucky enough to be present.

Angie and Joe received fantastic news.

Barring any issues between now and then...

Joe is headed to Kennedy Krieger Institute on Thursday.

Let the rehabilitation begin :)

Cheers to continued healing and much brighter days ahead.

You've got this Joe! 

If you'd like to help Joe and his family, please click HERE.

Angie relaying the good news to Joe.

Angie relaying the good news to Joe.

The Bell...

Did you hear it?

Yesterday, a little after 4PM Eastern

Joe rang the bell…

'Your day has come to strike the bell!

Your silent heart has much to tell

and much to toll this proud new day

treatment done, you’re on your way!'

...the bell to mark his last radiation treatment..

 

The celebration occurred, not without concern…

Prior to and after treatment, Joe went into SVT.

He’s back in the PICU...

Fighting

…because that’s what Joe does.

 

If you’d like to help Joe and his family, please click HERE

 

Hug those closest to you

…and send good vibes to this brave young man.


Thanks!

Meet Joe Henson...

A month ago, a fellow photographer reached out to me via Facebook. 

John, I got a request that I can not fulfill, but for some reason you were the first person I thought of for this task. Your style of photography is so personal and real...if you could possibly do it, I think it would be amazing.’

From that simple message, I met Joe Henson.  When I heard his story and subsequently met him and his Mom (Angie) at Hopkins, my emotions covered the spectrum. As a parent, my insides (and very likely my outsides) were a mess.  You see...I'm a fixer....and when I can't, well it just pains me.  As a photographer, I felt like this was the kind of work that I was meant to be doing…and if it could help in any way to shed light, bring a sense of appreciation and tell the story of this brave young man and his family…that I would do whatever it took to do so.  To do right by Joe.  To do right by his Mom.

On this visit, I joined Joe and Angie for some time outside for sunshine therapy.  It was a grey day and the wind was kicking up. Rain was on the horizon. Water fountains were nearby.  Angie grabbed a leaf from a tree and put it in Joe’s hand.  He never let go of it.  Later, Joe underwent radiation.  The mask he wears is painted like R2D2. 

This coming Tuesday will be Joe’s last radiation treatment.  Joe and Angie will hit a celebratory gong that day...and I’m confident that sound will be heard and felt in our cores.  I’m hopeful it will signify brighter days ahead. After all, Fear Isn’t Real…

To find out more about Joe and how you can help, please visit:  https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/9d55/fear-isn-t-real-helping-joe-henson