A quick update about today:
We gave Joshua his first treatment today. The home health care nurse came out to our house this afternoon to show us how to administer Joshua’s shots. What should have been a 30 minute process turned into a 90 minute tutorial on the EasyPod (the device that we’ll be using to give Joshua his shots). Everything that could go wrong with the device did go wrong: batteries died, needles got stuck, chemicals didn’t mix properly, liquid squirted out at the wrong time, etc. The good news is we pretty much know what to do in the event that any of these things happen again! We also learned how to mix Joshua’s medicine — a complicated process using a whole different device. We practiced with a couple of placebo products before I mixed the real medicine and loaded it for the shot.
All told, we survived the day just fine. When the time came, I got Joshua in Sunny’s lap, pinched up some skin on his leg, and gave him the shot as quickly as possible. He cried just a little when the needle got him, but the pain passed quickly and he didn’t bleed hardly at all. When it was over, Joshua wanted to see his “Pod”, which greets him with a clip art picture of a race car and the words “Hello Joshua” across the screen. If you see him tomorrow or sometime soon, chances are he’ll proudly tell you about his new “Pod” that’s blue and has a race car on it. So, try to act surprised!
The best news of all is that 60 seconds after receiving his shot, Joshua was back playing with his sister as if nothing had happened. That’s just the way his mother and I want it to be.
Thank you to everybody who has been praying for us today. We knew this would be a tough day, but our prayer all along was that it would be harder on us than it would be on him. And God answered that prayer today. And, truth be told, it wasn’t all that bad for us either, which is a grace unto itself. But thank you for the thoughts and prayers. We’ve felt them and we appreciate them.
already & not yet 
Jason (and Sunny) -I can see how Joshua came across this courage that you guys treasure so deeply – it’s evident to me that it came from the courage he sees in both of you. While he may not read this blog, I am sure that the same courage it took for you to share with all of us is the same quality he sees showcased in both of you everyday of his life.May God continue to bless your family in these coming days with an abundance of courage and faithfulness!
Bless all of you! I know you are glad to have the first one behind you. I remember all the hard things we had to put Hope through with her eye while she was so little. I am convinced that all the holding her down and her fighting us is what gave her a hernia. Hopefully, when Joshua is older, he will reach that milestone when he can give himself the shots. I’ll never forget the day Hope learned to put her own prosthetic eye in all by herself. The prosthetic is just a part of our dressing routine, like brushing teeth. Of course, there’s not much pain involved, but it is something Hope must deal with – being different in that respect.We love you all. You have a special family sent from God – He won’t let you down.Love you!Big Sis
T.H.,I’m not sure we’ve been models of courage or anything, but I appreciate your kind words. If anything, I’ve been moved to greater courage watching Joshua’s child like faith. In that regard, he’s one of my heroes. I hope to someday tell him that. Tara,Yes, we’re glad to have the first one under our belts. I think we were just as nervous mixing the medicine as we were giving the shot! I’m sure someday Joshua will be able to give himself his shots. For now, it looks like it’s my job!
We have been thinking about this and praying for you all. So glad that the first one is down and hopefully things will continue well. You have dealt with this whole situation so gracefully and even if you do not feel like it you were such an example through all of this.-Trey and Bri