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Joeys Journey – March 21st Update

I have to apologize to everyone; I know that everyone has been anxiously awaiting this news and an update to my blog, but like with every step on this journey, we are learning and processing so much information that it can become somewhat overwhelming, even when that news is positive.

Since diagnosis, our amazing team of doctors have had the goal to get Joey into remission.  And finally on Monday, we were told that beautiful and miraculous news! Joey is in remission! At this point, the tests that were conducted, showed zero minimal residual disease.

And as wonderful as these words were to hear, and we do truly believe that God has listened to all our prayers; the road ahead is still long and arduous.

Joey has another six plus months of intense chemotherapy ahead of him. This is to ensure he remains in remission. We began our first round of interim maintenance on Tuesday morning. It will last two months and require Joey to stay inpatient (every other week) for three nights.

These chemo therapy rounds will continue until sometime in September. And then hopefully we will enter a maintenance phase of treatment.

The entire treatment process for leukemia is over three and a half years….. And as the doctors repeat this phrase to me and

Chris, I can feel my breath quicken and my heart rate rise….. it’s hard to imagine fighting for that long. But the truth is, we have no other choice. It’s easy to be paralyzed by the fear of the unknown and what lies ahead…. but we have no choice.

So as I sit here at the hospital so thankful to God, my family, friends, co-workers, my church community, our doctors and people that we don’t even know….. it’s is still difficult to catch my breath because our fight is far from over.

In the beginning, I described our diagnosis date as a bomb being dropped: war on our family was declared…. and in many ways by hearing that Joey is in remission let us know that we have won the first battle, but the war is far from over and cancer is still the number one enemy that we have to face.

Now that some of the dust has settled we know that we must dig deeper in our trenches, continue to strengthen our faith, and lean even more on our community. We have to continue to fight!!

The last 90 days of our journey we have garnered our strength, faith, love, support, and hope from every last one of you….as as we continue to move forward please continue to stand with us…..

#JoeyBStrong
#prayformiracles
#MaydayMissions

Comments(22)

  1. REPLY
    Sue says

    Praying everyday for you, Joey and The Bulger Family!

  2. REPLY
    Rosemarie and Justin DiPisa says

    Our prayer continue for Joey and all of you. We believe in Miracles and know that God takes care of children. Keep your faith strong and always believe, hope and pray.

  3. REPLY
    Denise Sperduto says

    I am so happy for you and your family and
    Especially Joey. I pray he is on the road to
    Recovery. May God bless him. Carol, my dear friend joeys great aunt, told all Of her friends to pray for Joey. and I along with all of her friends prayed for a
    Miracle. Even though there is a long road ahead. This is a start. Baby steps to a new life. My best to you always. Love. Denise xo❤️

  4. REPLY
    Jeannette says

    God Bless Joey and your entire family
    Stay strong
    Keep the Faith
    And know we stand with you every step of this journey ????

  5. REPLY
    cathy murphy says

    Wonderful news – prayers coming your way !

  6. REPLY
    Toni Migliore says

    We are beyond happy for you and your family . Joey is a fighter and he is winning this war . May god bless you forever and ever .

  7. REPLY
    Annette says

    Wonderful news. Winning 1 battle at a time is how you win the war. You are all in my prays constantly. Take care cousins. I’ll keep praying.

  8. REPLY
    LAVERNE Oboyle says

    That is wonderful news!! Keep the prayers coming.

  9. REPLY
    Jayne and Mike Buchwald says

    God bless! Wonderful news! We all stand strong with you in this fight!

  10. REPLY
    June Cafarella says

    I know that you don’t know me. Your father-in-law JImmy Bulger was the first River Vale Safety Town officer and I am one of it’s founders and co-directors. Because of this relationship with that special man, I feel I have a connection to you, Chris and Joey. I am also a retired River Vale teacher, I grew up in River Vale and my dad was a Special Officer of the RVPD in the 50’s and 60’s–six degrees of separation! Anyway, I just want you to know that Joey has been in my prayers as have you and Chris. I’m thrilled to hear that are prayers are being heard. While the coming months may be long, may you know you have the hearts and love of so many. if I can be part of anything you need, please let me know. May God continue to take care of all of you.

  11. REPLY
    Bill Peters says

    Wonderful news! God Bless!

  12. REPLY
    Linda Harper says

    Lauren & Chris,
    We were so happy to read your news about Joeys remission. We will continue to pray for you all.???
    Love & prayers,
    Linda & Bob Harper

  13. REPLY
    Jessica Benosky says

    Lauren this is wonderful new and you will remain in prayers.

  14. REPLY
    Donna salinardi light says

    Keep fighting joey you are an amazing young man!

  15. REPLY
    Tara Palminteri says

    So happy for you guys. Can’t imagine what you’re going through but your strength and faith is inspiring. We will continue to always keep you in our thoughts and prayers ❤️

  16. REPLY
    Toni Aleffi Gotthilf says

    I am smiling from ear to ear and so is my husband!! I went to school with Barbara and dick and have followed your sons story from the get go. He has been the focus of my daily prayers and omg prayers are being answered!!! I can’t imagine the emotions your family is going through; but know my prayers will not stop until you tell me that I can stop. Angels are singing.

  17. REPLY
    Joyce beecher says

    Thrilled so happy that finally there is some good news. Keep being strong, take one day at a time….never give up…never surrender. Love Joyce rich beecher

  18. REPLY
    Indira says

    That is beautiful. I am so happy for you and your family. Joey will always be in my prayer.?

  19. REPLY
    Jane Raffo Nocella says

    Please know that your beautiful family is always in our thoughts.

  20. REPLY
    Brenda Alfano Morrison says

    God has blessed Joey and will continue to do so. Keep your faith strong as you all have. Just know it! Never falter from the know that God is there for Joey and all who love him. Children are resilient, stronger then you can imagine, plus Gods blessings. An unbeatable combination. My prayers are with Joey and all of you ??

  21. REPLY
    Diana Bezares-Pierro says

    Amen! God Bless, Joey!! Hang in there. God is good.

  22. REPLY
    Maria Bonner says

    ?❤️

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