Mom’s Blog

Normal was a huge word for Joey from the beginning.  Joey just wanted everything to be the same but obviously that wasn’t going to be the way it was.  Even now when Joey describes his “fight” and “what kept him going” he responds that he just wants/wanted everything to be normal.  Well aside from him no longer going to school at a school, and his hair falling out, and his body becoming so thin and weak he couldn’t sit or walk for more than 30-40 minutes at a time, things were normal - but it was all a new normal.  There was no going back once the doctor said those 4 words “you son has  cancer.”  For a very long time I fought this new normal - Joey seemed to assimilate into this life fairly easily.  He accepted the fact that some things weren’t going to be like they were before but those that could stay the same absolutely would - it kept him going. It was his mission. Don’t stop, unless you can’t go anymore; play when you can, rest when you have to; deal with the doctors, hospital, drugs, chemo, nausea, machines when  you are there and then get outta there as soon as you can - back to the action of friends, family and school. It was almost like he had easily separated himself into two people - the cancer kid, the same ‘ole kid.  I resisted the new normal and grieved for the way things used to be - then it finally, after a very long time, started to make since.  Things weren’t necessarily changing, we were just growing.  Doing what you have to do to continue life - growing, ebb and flowing. Granted some of the growing was done in a very compressed amount of time but we were still we and us just a bit older and wiser. The new normal was inevitable with or without cancer - things will always change this time it was just more noticeable and in a compressed amount of time.

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center here in Houston is one of the world’s premier cancer hospitals.  We could trust they knew what they were doing.  But, when you see them hooking your child up to IV’s to basically fill his body with chemicals which are inevitably going to harm him I was moved to a barely controllable violent state (far from my normal state of being).  I wanted to hit someone, throw things, and scream - “get out” “leave him alone” “he’s done nothing to deserve this.” I wanted to beg them to plesae hook me up instead.  But I didn’t do any of these things, because these chemicals, i.e.poisons, are what give him the best chance for life - but what kind of life?  Fortunately, I am here to tell you that it is a very good life for Joey.  Granted when you first start researching and reading all the devastating side effect, the least of which is loosing one’s hair, you don’t see how your child will ever be “normal” again (which is a blog for another time). The chemo is strong and has a lot of side effects, but all in all they are short lived - 18 months to 2 years post treatment most will have abated. The key is how to get through the “event” - the sitting and watching them hooking your child up.  For me it was unequivocally the most out of control I have ever felt. So I got angry, sad, I paced, I cried while he slept, I held him while he got sick, I kept a record of every little thing I noticed, I cursed and ranted to God, and then I thanked God for giving me this child in the first place and providing the doctors and researchers who have the knowledge, skill and dedication to get us to a place (somewhat barbaric that it may be) where Joey would live to see his next birthday. So you do what you can do….. sit and watch.

Hi, Joey’s mom here.  Thought I’d comment on somethings I remember feeling at the beginning of the journey. I can vividly remember waking up one morning about a month after diagnosis, I hadn’t even become fully awake and I was already crying.  George, my husband, woke up and reached out for me.  I wonder aloud  ”Will there ever be a day when I wake up and the first thought I have won’t be - Oh god, my son has cancer.”  I couldn’t see it then, and never thought I would but I am here to tell you those dark mornings pass and you do eventually wake up with a smile on your face.  Maybe not for a good while, but time does take some of the pain away.  So cry when you need to and move on to the next step.

Hey guys its Joey. So i have a couple of tips that can help with the chemo process. A lot of the time you will tend to have some bad sores in your mouth. These sores make it very tough to eat, but i found the best solution is this wonderful liquid called “magic mouth wash.” This stuff does wonders. All you need to do is swish a little in your mouth about five minutes before you eat, and most of the time the soars will not effect your eating. You can ask your oncologist for this mouthwash. Another tip is to find a toothpaste that doesn’t contain alcohol. This will keep from burning your mouth since it will be very sensitive throughout treatment. Goodluck to you all.

Joey here,

I want to start out by saying happy holidays to all. Thanksgiving had just past and im sure all of yall have something to be thankful for. I personally am thankful for my friends, family, and girlfriend for helping me get through all of the rough times over the past year. This thanksgiving and holidays will be much better for me, thanks to them, without the worry of cancer. Those of you who are still dealing with cancer, keep up the fight! There is an end to it all and during these times keep a positive attitude, as i have noticed that helps with the cancer process. Goodluck to all of you in your continuous fight, and have a great holiday.

 Sincerely,

Joey Rippel

It occurred to me early on that there are hundreds of alternative support therapies for cancer fighters.  The task of narrowing down what we would or wouldn’t do seemed overwhelming in light of what felt like more urgent, monumental decisions regarding treatment.  So I stuck with support therapies I was most familiar with - enzymes, acupuncture, yoga, massage and good old fashion head and back rubs.  I explored a few other support therapies recommended by friends and family but found them difficult to access or too controversial.  So while there are other support therapies out there that may have been beneficial I was “not in a place where I could figure more stuff out.”  Our doctor was aware of what support therapies we were  employing however,  his main focus was killing cancer and therefore simply “okayed” the use of them. Therefore, we stuck with what we knew. While we have no medical proof as to what did or didn’t help we do know the way Joey felt, how he remained strong and suffered relatively few side affects throughout treatment.  We feel there are definite advantages to employing alternative support therapies. So minimize the decisions you put before yourself, stick with what you know and feel is right and just keep going.

Hey guys. So i will be leaving some hints and tips on ways to help during the cancer treatment. These are just things that helped me and I hope inturn helps you. My first tip is Ativan. Ativan is an anti-anxiety drug that the doctors can perscribe you. This was a huge help on my chemo days. Going to the hospital, I was most always nervous. Ativan is something I would take on my way to the hospital just to calm my nerves. I kinda would get nauseas just thinking about the smell of the hospital and the upcoming treatment and all that - it just made me feel really bad.  So my doctor suggest I take the Ativan.  It really helped me alot.  So if you are having any issues like that talk to your doctor - they always seem to have something that helps if you just talk to them about it.

Hey everyone, Joey here. I just wanted to start out thanking everyone for visiting the website and making your donations. It has been a great success so far. If anybody has any questions about The Rippel Effect or any questions about cancer please leave your comments.

Thanks Again, 

Joey 

Joey’s blog is coming soon.

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