Joel Paper

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

That is what the site tells you to say, now here is what we have to say.  On May 31, 2018, Joel had a colonoscopy.  The doctor said he did not expect to find anything, but when he came into the recovery room after the procedure, he informed us that Joel had cancer.  It was shocking and frightening.  We waited 6 long days to meet with  a surgeon who said that it was treatable, but the road would be long and difficult.  I was petrified, of course, Joel was strong and ready for battle.  We spent the next month going from the University of Minnesota, to Abbott, to the Mayo, as they all seemed to have different opinions as to the best treatment plan.  We ultimately chose Mayo's plan and Joel had his first radiation treatment today.  He will have 5 days of intense radiation (using a proton beam) and then surgery on July 17th at the Mayo Clinic.  He will be recovering at Methodist Hospital  in Rochester for 3-5 days.  Once he is home it will be a long road to recovery over several months.  

Joel and I feel very fortunate to have so many family and friends that want to help.  Those who know us, know how much we love our family and friends, please know we appreciate all of the support you have already given us.  Here we go, its going to be a rocky ride, but hopefully soon enough we will be looking at this through the rear view mirror.   I can't take credit for these last few words, someone said that to me, and I liked it so much I'm using it:)