Diagnosis

Josh's diagnosis is mucinous adenocarcinoma originating in the appendix. However, it is possible that the appendix is not the primary, and the pathology reports are still being worked on to figure that out. If you want more detail as to the actual diagnosis, you can go ahead and send me a personal email (look under Links on the right side of the page).
As you may know, Josh currently has a central line. This is a catheter with 2 ports that come out of his chest and are connected to a vein behind the collar bone. This is used to get blood from Josh and to administer his chemotherapy. It is also his main source of nutrition. Josh currently is on a clear liquid diet (he has soup broth and drinks Boost, etc...). He receives what is called TPN, or Total Parenteral Nutrition. This is a large bag of liquid infused into him over a period of 15 hours (at night) and it gives him the essential vitamins along with 3000 calories. Gretchen, my mom, Crystal and I are familiar with setting all of that up, and 2 of us set it up in the evenings and Gretchen takes care of the morning routine...we have become quite the nurses, with Gretchen being the head nurse! :)