Joshua's Life

Joshua has Valley Fever and also Pneumonia in his left lung. The hives that have covered his body are getting better. Joshua started getting sick a few weeks ago and the doctor thought it was a lung infection ??? Anyway, he was put on a antibiotic and he just didn't seem to be getting any better. It hurt to cough, it hurt to breath sometimes, it hurt if he ate a big meal. He was also losing his appetite and becoming weaker with each day. He lost 7 lbs. in a week. (He doesn't usually act sick and most people wouldn't have even suspected that he was sick.) Last Saturday he woke up and had these hives down his sides and arms.

The hives on his thighs were just starting but his ankles had a ring around them of hives. It was really strange. So we went back to the doctor (Dr. Rada wasn't in) and she said that it was probably Valley Fever and Costochondritis (never head of this). She wanted Joshua to have a CT Scan on Monday. Sunday we were getting ready for church (I was just going to leave Joshua home alone) and Joshua said that he had hives in his mouth, sure enough, he did and all around his lips (who needs Botox when you have hives!). So I stayed home because I didn't want him to be alone in case for some reason hives started down his throat. That didn't happen thank goodness. Monday morning I called Dr. Rada and we went to the office at 6:30 to see him. He had another chest x-ray done, more blood work (every time we went to the doc. he had to have blood taken, 3 times) and Dr. Rada agreed with the Valley Fever diagnosis, however was concerned about his lungs. Put him on a Z-pack and later on called to let us know about the pneumonia. Sunday night the hives were at their worst, I wish that I had taken a picture of them then because they were HUGE. They are getting better, the ones on his hands are the most miserable right now. He should be able to return to school the Monday after Thanksgiving. I think this is the most school he has ever missed because of illness. (3 whole days)



His chorus teacher called yesterday to ask if Joshua was strong enough (and not contagious, which he isn't) to sing in the District Honors Choir performance. He said he wanted to try so he went in his pajamas to the practice and put real clothes on for the performance last night. Actually both he and Mariah were picked to sing in their own categories (ie. elementary school & high school). By the way they did an awesome job. The songs were amazing. Joshua wasn't completely up to it, he tried to sing but he couldn't get out alot of the big notes cause of his lung, but he went to get the experience. His teacher said she wanted him to sing in the Regional Honors Choir (whatever that is) so she really wanted him to be there last night.

Joshua's choir experience is kind of funny. Last year he was trying to figure out what to do in regards to playing football again. He didn't like the atmosphere and how some of the guys acted, but he liked hitting people!!! His guitar teacher (who happens to be the choir teacher) asked him if he liked to sing. Well if you have been around Joshua much you have heard him sing. He likes singing country songs. So the last day of school he auditions for Ms. Seagall and she likes him and puts him in Advanced Mixed Choir. So football was out and singing was in. After his first performance he went to school and his seating was changed. Some of the other kids came up to him and said, "Do you know what this means?" Joshua was trying to be humble so he said no, but he knew. The kids said, "This means your important!" Of course Joshua thought he always was. He was put in the top singing group which is called the Chorales. He is learning how NOT to sing with a country twang. Because Joshua does accents really well our favorite is to have him sing like a British rocker.