There is no way to properly thank everyone who has reached out to me with encouragement. First, I want to thank Todd and my parents for being here every single day, and Leason, Mychaela and Rex when they are able. So many of you have volunteered to drive up and visit, although my docs have restricted visitors to immediate family. Many have also volunteered to donate blood and platelets. You all ROCK!!! I wish I could thank each of you wonderful family and friends individually! I’ve received prayers, emails, fb messages, blog messages, text messages, calls, cards, letters, recipes, articles, photos, drawings, books, movies, magazines, and art supplies. I’ve received p.j.’s, slippers, socks, a horse blanket, beautiful body lotions and exquisite soaps. The flowers and succulents are gorgeous. The champagne and home cooking has been divine (sooo missing that right about now!) I’m loving the electronic gadgetry. The jewelry has been so generous and thoughtful. My thundering heard of horses has given me encouragement. Loved the stuffed animals, and the goody boxes! The Halloween, USC and political bubble décor has really made this place “my own.” I even received a home made wall-mounted calendar/game filled with all the typical Pomeroy crude humor you would expect. For example, it features Bernard and the twins, which I learned about at an early age 🙂 It has served as a great time keeper as well as a source of amusement for not only me, but for my nurses and doctors. Please know that every thought or item sent my way has been greatly appreciated, and I am truly thankful for all you have done! I know I’ve made some sort of impact (not necessarily good), when my usually very conservative friends and family start dropping f-bombs 🙂
So, tonight will be my 36th at City of Hope. I thought I was coming for a week’s stay of ATG treatment (the horse antibody serum), but so many side effects popped up that they had to keep me to try to crush those while improving my blood sitch. Most of those secondary problems are under control now that they are actually talking about possibly letting me go home next week! My fungal lung pneumonia is not gone, but it is quite a bit smaller, according to my latest CT scan. We’re still waiting for the ATG to take full control of my blood counts, and according to Dr P, it could be another four weeks. He thinks if my pneumonia continues to shrink (and is approved by the infectious disease team here) and I’m tolerating the pill versions of all my IV meds, I could go home late next week. It would still be a bubble sitch at home, but at least I wouldn’t have someone wake me up at 4am every morning for AFBT- (Another F-ing Blood Test), alarms wouldn’t start blaring if I got out of bed to pee in the middle of the night, and I’d be free to move around the house (I have been outside my bubble on exactly 4 occasions) – 2 CT scans, a bronchostomy, and an X-ray. If after another 4 -6 weeks, there is no upward trend with my blood counts, we will move toward a bone marrow transplant, thanks to my hero and brother, Leason IV. That would mean a much more lengthy and involved procedure for me. For now, we’re still betting on the horses!
I’ve actually spent my time at City of Hope in two separate bubbles. About half way through my stay, a nurse told me that another patient needed my negative air pressure room and that I would be moving to a positive air pressure room. My first room was located at the end of a corridor, where I did not hear or see much through my sterile vestibule. After my parents loaded up all my sh*t onto the COH wagons, and moved me down the corridor, I settled into my Bubble #2, which has a fantastic view of the San Gabriel Mountains. It’s located directly across from the main nurses’ desk, so I get to hear all details of my fellow patients’ situations and the personal lives of all the nurses. Think General Hospital or ER, whatever your generation was into. BTW, WTFWLT – What The F- Was Laura Thinking with that disaster on top of Luke’s head???
I finally settled into my new bubble and had the nurse give me a shot of Ativan, so I could sleep, which I was doing until around 11:30pm, when a male nurse said very close to my ear, “Shannon?” I was groggy, but it almost sounded like he said “Shannon.” As he proceeded to hang IV medications and who the hell knows what from my IV tree, I woke up a little more and said, “No! I’m not Shannon!” “Are you sure you’re not Shannon?” “Hey pal, I don’t know who Shannon is, but I’m Joselyn (then I wish I said, and I’m gonna mess you up.”) He then gathered up his meds and gave some lame apology and crept back out into the nurse world. I’ve gotten to know the awesome nursing staff pretty well, and I’ve never seen him since. City of Hope is THE BEST, so this entire episode was probably a hallucination.
The doors in my new area have that automatic controlled close thing, but instead of closing with a gentle click, they close as if they’ve been slammed by a 14-year old girl who’s been told she can’t go to Trevor’s epic party, especially dressed like THAT! My new next door neighbor has changed quite often. First I remember a guy who was hell bent on coughing up not just his pancreas, but also one of his kidneys. After a couple of days, they moved him to another area and brought in a girl who hosted bubble raves every night. So I’m trying to sleep with two tubes coming out of my arm, knowing the 4am blood draw is on the horizon, and all of a sudden, PSY shows up and GangNam Style starts rocking the 5th floor!
So, in a few weeks, we’ll know if the ATG treatment is going to cure me or if we’ll need to move to a bone marrow transplant, thanks to my heroic brother, Leason. We have heard that oddly enough, some of the traits of the donor can be inherited by the donee. Such things as blood type, allergies, etc. I’m wondering about some other specific traits:
astoundingly hairy chest and knuckles
toleration of tomatoes
talent for long distance running
stinky feet
thick, gray hair
obsession for Formula I racing (setting alarms throughout the night to catch races in Europe, the Middle East and Asia)
JOSELYN'S BRAWL 
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SO grateful to get this blog post when I opened my email subscription tonight! I had to sh*t can FB as I cannot bear to listen to everyone’s unsolicited testimonials on the f-ng election. Don’t care!! But I do care about you and still thinking of you everyday. It will always be “Miller time” baby! Hang in there. Sending🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴strength and 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘✨
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All I can say is I love you Jos! We are suppose to keep your spirits high and instead you keep ours up! You keep me in stitches! Were you always this clever or should I start taking some of Mr Ed’s meds too? Keep up the good spirits. Everyone is always asking each other how you are doing. Even though you can’t come out and play, it doesn’t mean we are thinking about you! We are routing and praying for you !!!
Love ya……Nancy
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It is so great to hear from you! We continue to pray for you! This weekend is USC Parents weekend and hope to run into Rex…maybe with Hayles!! Love you and miss you at Home! Xoxo Gretchen and Dick
Sent from my iPhone
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We are with you every step of the way…May God bless you and keep you….Lots of love…Caryll and Butch…
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HI Joselyn! I was so happy to get your blog!!! Thank your for the detailed (and oh so funny and humorous in a time of crisis) daily account. You are a star, you have always been a star, and always will be one! I told Jacqueline to keep a look out for Rex at USC, and to give him a hug and to let him know that we are all rooting for you! We are praying for you daily Joselyn! Hang in there and thank you again for the update. I know it must be super long days for you! So glad you have all of those horses and your family to get you by! Thinking about you….Susan Bridgford
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Joselyn, Joselyn, YOU continue to amaze all of us. We have been following your blog and I keep chuckling at your witty, wonderful observations, finding the humor in these BAD ADD situations! Thank you for keeping us up to date, and know that we are always thinking of you, visualizing your healing, and your coming home to physically share your wonderful life of family and friends. And…thanks for turning me on to GangNam Style!! I’m practicing, and working on finding that yellow suit!! Blessings and love, Nancy D
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oops! BAD ASS, having trouble saying a bad word after teaching second grade for so many years, haha
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Hi Joselyn,
Tony and I ran into your parents tonight at King’s Fish House. It was nice to see them. I love your parents, at times they just crack me up. We also got an update on you, but it was wonderful to see your blog when we got home. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. We keep you in our hearts and prayers. Linda and Tony Ellis
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Everyone who reads your blog opens their email every day hoping to see a new post from you. We are all thinking about you all the time and hoping that you remain strong. We are continually amazed by your unwavering resolve, courage and sense of humor. Your indomitable spirit has inspired us all. Blah, blah, blah…enough with all these dignified and civil sentiments. The truth is, you just fucking rock, girl. You have blown the lid off what it means to be one kick-ass girl. We are all so proud of you and honored to know you! Don’t think for a minute that you are ever alone in that bubble because we are ALWAYS with you. You have shown us what it means to be a truly extraordinary human being. This is the gift you have given each of us, and it is the most precious of gifts. Keep looking for the small miracles that happen every single day. Love you! Cathy Kent
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Hi again Joselyn, Sounds like a waiting game and we are all watiting with you so no worries on that score.Of course I suggest you think of the great things you could inherit from Leason’s marrow.as all that hair would be unseemlyand gross out Todd, Rex and Hayles for example! That is if the AGT doesn’t do the trick. Thanks for the update and continue to let us know along the way as the posts are really good. Down moments are ok as they make the up times that much better. Better is good but down or up we got our back.
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Hoping for the best for you Jos! Would be great if you were able to go
home! Another fantastic blog, you have amazing strength and are a fantastic writer!
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We’ve got your back, girl, even if it gets all hairy.
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hey joselyn! so happy to hear you may be going home soon.and that you are doing well enuf to do so…i will be in touch with mych who is so great about keeping us updated! dana and i will be ready to send some italian dishes your way! and im sure she will bake some cookies for you…..i know its already been said, but sure enjoy and look so forward to your blog. we are thinking of you always, and continue to send good thots your way.
love caron,steve,dana and steven.
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You are amazing !! Please keep this writing thing up …you have a gift! Stoked you may get to come home! Keep up the fight Shannon … Geez .. Maybe that could be your alter ego drinking name 🙂
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Jos, It’s good to hear you may be coming home soon! You’ve had the most awesome attitude throughout your ordeal. You’ve taught us so much about the important things in life, and humor being one of those things! You’re going to kick this things butt for sure! Don’t worry about hairy knuckles, that’s just a simple visit to The Bee Hive… xxo
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Hi Joselyn, I’m sitting here with my Mom reading your latest blog. We are so happy to hear that you might be able to come home next week!!! The home bubble beats the hospital bubble anyday! We continue to think of you often and pray that the horses win the race!!! We love you! Xo, Heather and Jill
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We agree!
Scott and Robin
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Hi Jos- I’m so glad to hear that you may be coming home! You’ve been in my prayers everyday, and I’m in awe of your attitude through all of this. I never thought of you as a “Shannon”, but I’m sure we have both been called worse. I actually think that you’re more of a George Bailey (think “It’s A Wonderful Life”) … with so many prayers going up for you, I’m sure that your angel is on his way, if he’s not already there :)! I look forward to BLABing with you soon!!
XO Jody
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Hi Jos,
My thoughts are with you and the family. When are you going to write a book? You have a great way with words. I’ll do the computer work! Wishing you and our family the best! -Lucas
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Jos,
Great to hear from you and how things are going in your “bubble”. I am really hoping that you can come home and sleep in your own bed!! I keep rooting for the WBC’sto make their move—-upward!!
Lots of love to you.
Elizabeth
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Hi Jos,
I’m visualizing you home happy and healthy surrounded by beauty and love..I’m sending you peace, strength knowing that you will be home soon…You are a remarkable ,courageous woman and I love and respect you…
I love you,
Jennifer Miller xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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I keep hoping the ATG is going to kick in!!! The thought of you be able to come home sounds amazing. Keep the faith Joselyn and stay strong. My best to you and your family.
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Hey Jos, I am not sure if you knew this or not, but I need to let you in on my one and only horse secret. Ready? I can count the number of people in my life who know this horse secret about me…Shhhhh…please keep this a secret…Promise? Be right back with the secret.
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Joselyn, So happy to see you are blogging again. Must mean you are feeling a bit better…? We are addicted to your funny, educational, inspirational blogs. We keep praying for you EVERYDAY. Stay positive and strong, and soon you will be released from your bubble. Sending you love and hugs, K&B xo
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Hi Shannon, so happy to hear you will be exiting the bubble soon! Hooray! You will need a Uhaul to get all of your souvenirs home. The staff there are really going to miss you & your kickass, hilarious, positive attitude. You have an army of friends, family & fans who are ready to rally at a moments notice if you need Anything. A testimony to you & how loved you are. Am I the only square who doesn’t know who Bernard & the twins are?
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Hilarious as always. I think this is one of your best ones yet! I could totally imagine some teenage girl in a neighboring bubble rocking it out. I laughed and cried at the same time. I also found myself wondering what life will be like once you get out of the bubble and return to normalcy, having kicked this thing in the ass. To be isolated for so long and then to come out of it? Wow…what a new perspective that will be! I hope you write about that … and more! Keep it coming, Jos. We love you, and I, along with everyone else, admires you so much.
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We are literally LOL. I read your blog to Scott whenever it comes out and we love it & you!
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Bonjour Joselyn,
Puis-je partager un secret avec toi? Tu verras, c’est plutôt sympa comme secret. Lorsque j’étais gamin j’avais quelques amis qui prenaient un grand plaisir à m’interpeller tout comme Monsieur Ed “Wi-i-i-i-l-l-l-l-l-b-b-u-r-r-r-r-r-r !.” Ne crois-tu pas que ce secret est spécial ? Alors voila, Monsieur Ed et moi t’envoyons des caresses d’amour et de très gros bisous… à ta bulle bien entendu.
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Go my ENFU Bubble Girl! Home sounds like a great place to go as you deserve a little peace and rest away from your Bubble at City of Hope. Shannon…wow that’s a new name for you I thought you were Joselyn Schneider…but whatever after 27 years and they now want to call your Shannon, whatever works. I guess you just get different names wherever you go…USC Kappa house and City of Hope! And I thought I knew most everything about you, but not about the Bernard game…you got me!
Ok I just arrived home last night at 10:30pm from almost 23 hours of traveling home from Rome visiting Zack, so I’m a little behind on answering your update! Just so damn glad to see you might be let out of the Bubble and get back to your beautiful Bubble in Ebay and at least you’ll have a big blue beautiful ocean to look at! Love you Jos, ENFU, TTF, TOTT…oh and a big BOOM BOOM to you my friend!
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Jos, Ran into your sweet, loving, devoted husband at TJs this am… Stay strong beautiful friend…. Love you and your amazing family….. Karen
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Hello fellow former Foothill Knight: I went to our mutual alma mater’s homecoming game last night. Got to see my nephew Rob score a touchdown for good ole’ Foothill. They were celebrating Foothill’s 50th anniversary, and as a member of one of Foothill’s founding classes (’68), I had to stand up while everyone applauded “the old geezers.” (Ouch!) But I got you a commemorative t-shirt. Unfortunately, the only size left was 2XL! So, perhaps you could use it as a sleep shirt. Actually, you AND Todd could fit into this shirt, which might make it kind of fun, if you know what I mean. I’ll mail it off to you, soon as I find a box big enough. Cathy Kent
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In the quiet of the early morning, appropriately on a Sunday, I have just read your latest post–twice. As with your earlier communiques, the honesty and humanness with which you share this sobering tale is compelling. Even more remarkable–and impressive–is the objectivity in which you tell your story. You’ve checked the self pity that most of us would wallow in at the front door. You have delivered an account of your condition in a manner that is genuine and up lifting. It is a gift; one you have unselfishly given to your family and friends at a time when many would be consumed by their own uncertainty and worry. Like it or not, you have become an inspiration and a role model for your tribe. We appreciate you in a richly different light. Stay strong and keep fighting. We need you to keep illuminating our lives. See you soon–promise.
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So delighted to hear you may be home soon! Thank God for your wonderful family and the myriad of friends who love and care for you and can’t wait for you to be able to put this all behind you. I’m in Lesotho with the Free Wheelchair Mission and I know we’re distributing toothbrushes too – I presume they are from Global Grins! Thank you for the wonderful contribution you are making to all of our lives despite your not-so-perfect circumstances.
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Great news wonderful song! Home!
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Jos,
I picture you riding a bike, hiking a hike, playing tennis in the rain, painting picnic ants on ceramics, hunting far and wide for the latest beanie baby, multi-colored toes in Birkenstocks, hair in braids, one of a kind dresses that you created. When I think of you this is the picture I have, along with your smile and kindness. I picture you coming home in one piece, getting your strength back slowly but surely, processing what the f just happened, turning it into something positive, hopping back on this sometimes hard to understand, but amazing spinning globe and getting your life back. It will be that way.
XO Love, Mary
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Hi Joselyn,
I just got caught up on your blog. You really should consider a career writing sitcoms, but they would actually be hysterical! Better yet HBO.
Weird you should mention taking on the traits from the bone marrow… Sadie had a cadavor ligament put in her knee for her ACL surgery. I think whomever it came from must have been a party aniimal because she definitely took on that charachteristic!! Thank you for your strength and humor it is inspriing. BTW…I could really use a cobbler as I will need shoes to go with my fall ready to wear collection. I hope you get out and better soon because I am serious. Not to worry thought there is always the spring collection and so on. I am totally betting on you for whatever that is worth.
xxDD
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Hi Joselyn,
I am so happy to see that you are “entertaining” again with your blog. I have been thinking of you, and praying for you each and every day.
Your stories about you and Leason brought back so many fun memories for me, too….like the time we were all having breakfast together at the Snack Shop, and suddenly noticed a large white cloud over our heads….Leason and Derek were blowing the powdered sugar at each other across the table! How wonderful that he is a perfect bone marrow match…look at the fun and excitement you have to look forward to if you inherit even a few of his traits!!
I love you, and can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to hear from you, and to know that you could be going home soon!!!!!!
David is also so happy with hearing about your newest blogs, and sends his loving thoughts as well.
Much love,
Carole
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So happy to hear the latest news! I’ve got fingers and toes crossed that you will soon be in your beautiful Laguna Bubble healing each and every day. God bless you and your positive, enthusiastic spirit – the world is a better place with you (and your writing!) in it. Take care and much love, Patty
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Hope and Pray you are HOME SOON
Love John and the F12 community
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You are amazing. Been a while since I have written. Your attitude is still so positive. Love your writing. Hope you get to move to the big bubble soon. Does City of Hope get the PAC 12 channel so you can follow the vball? Trojans doing well. Bob says hello to both of you.
Take care.
Love, Wendy and Fam
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Vball? What about ball.. Gigantes style??.?
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Hang in there Jos! Glad to see that Leason is there to help you out. Knowing him and since you’ll be getting some of his marrow and DNA, I bet you’ll be kicking your cousin Brian in the ass just like Leason did when he and I
were babies (ask my mom). Just keep the kicking things in the ass part in the front of your mind and you’ll come out of this just like the SF Gigantes did tonight in the NLCS… Go Giants! Love you Cuz!
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Awesome Jos, stoked to hear you’re homeward bound. We’re thinking about you every day. God bless. BTW, my first concert “date” ever was Henry Gross (7th grade)…he’s the guy who sang the cheesy song “Shannon”…you brought back some sweet memories of me any my puppy love!
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Love it, Laughon! I thought I recognized the male nurse who wanted to infuse me with Shannon’s meds 🙂
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Hi Jos:
I loved your blog, but the thought of a hairy chest kind of bothers me. You could always wear high-necked clothes (even over your bikinis)! Now if you develop a beard, a mustache and get a very hairy back, well, if I pretend I don’t know you, I hope you’ll understand why. Our family has standards, you know!
Let’s hope the worst part of this ordeal is over, Jos. You’ve had your fun, but now it’s time to start producing those platelets and red/white blood cells you need so badly. You’ve got an entire team rooting for you, Jos.
Hang in there. We’ll still love you, even if you do get hairy as sin. We’ll just blame it on Leason.
Our best to Nurse Todd.
Love, Aunt Wendy and Uncle John
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Jos…
Love your positive attitude…welcome home tomorrow. If there is anything you need we are not to far from your house.
all the best….keep strong
ron / patty razzano
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Hi Joselyn,
David and I are so very excited to read the most recent reply that indicates that you are going home tomorrow!
We have admired your incredibly positive attitude,and fun humor, throughout this “brawl’. We are sure that it has played a huge role in your recovery, and has certainly helped all of us who were so concerned about how your were doing, We will be thinking of you as you make the move tomorrow! 🙂
With love,
Carole
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Hi Joselyn 🙂
So glad to hear that you will be going home tomorrow!!! Hip Hip… Hurray!! What a strong and courageous person you are! You have been deep in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be throughout your recovery! Hang in there.. Joselyn!
All the best to you and your lovely family!
oxoxo
Laurie
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Hi Jos: News Flash!!! There is a job opening at the SD Zoo. Bubba the Ape is looking for a companion. The good news is, he likes his women hairy. In fact, the hairier the better. So, if you have to have the bone marrow transplant, and you do get hairy, you could always apply for this job. I’ll be happy to forward you an application. I’m sure your medical expenses are humungous and you could use some extra money. I understand the position pays well.
Love and Kisses, Aunt Wendy (John wouldn’t send something as sick as this!)
P.S. You can tease me when all this is over all you want to get back at me, Jos!
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Hey Jos!
So I have been so distant from everything since Tracy and I left Orange County. We miss you and Todd and often you guys come up in conversation.
You are a freaken Hero! So strong and tough but we always knew that right! I have just gone through and read many of your blogs. You have such a great outlook on life and everything. A true blessing to all who know you and have ever talked to you. Tracy and I are very happy things are going in the right direction and we look forward to seeing you and Todd sooner than later. Love you guys! And tell “little Bitch” and Mychaela as well as your parents a big HELLO!
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Just heard… You are Home! Welcome!
So happy for you and your assistant, Todd!
You are still in my constant prayers!
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Hey Jos, just wanted to let you know we love reading up on your latest torture, I mean treatment. Seriously, I think about you everyday and I am so grateful for all you do for those of us wondering how everything is going. I think you’ll have a lot of fun following the formula I races….I’ll stay up and watch with you anytime! Lots of love and hugs and kisses and positive thoughts and many prayers. Love Ya.
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Listening to the lovely music video from the earlier post…Home. We moved into a new home high on top of the mountain the same night you went home. Last night my new neighbors threw a party to celebrate the early snow! They started their revelry at midnight. Not your typical neighbors…a herd of elk! What a sight in the moonlight! Welcome home!
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Hi
How is the home front? I hope great! You deserve that and much more! Take care! Enjoy your home and the peace and quiet!
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