Joshua’s Journey

09/07/2025

You may see lots of childhood cancer statistics this month. The number of children diagnosed. The number of children that cancer kills. But what were talking about isn't numbers... it's children.

These numbers that you see... each one represents a child. Someone's son or daughter.

Approximately 7 children in the US die each day from cancer. In the month of September, over 200 children will be taken by this disease.

The names here are children that fought cancer and died. Over 200 of them. These are children that I have learned about over the years.

Say their names. Pray for their families that miss them every day.

Imagine your child or grandchild or niece or nephew or best friend's kid's name on this list. Childhood cancer doesn't discriminate. You never think it'll be your kid until one day it is.

Now let's DO something so the lists of children taken by cancer don't keep getting longer. Kids need better treatment options. That's only going to happen through research. 🎗

06/13/2025

Patrick and I have decided to make a GoFundMe account. Anything helps and we will also be making an Amazon registry. We appreciate everyone that has helped, and we appreciate the prayers even more. We really need them right now, Joshua still isn’t doing great.

We are raising money for Joshua and his family. Joshua is a 2.5-year-old who has … Haley Martin needs your support for Support Joshua's Fight Against Leukemia

06/12/2025

A lot of people have asked how they can send money. Here is my cash app. I can also zelle the money to Patrick Ryan Mathis.

06/12/2025

Just an update on shirts and bracelets. I have barely been home since last Wednesday and will post sizes when I’m home and can go through them!

06/08/2025

Joshua has been put on high flow oxygen. They also suggested a pump for his pain medicine. We opted with queue 2 pain meds instead, due to him being on othered medications during the day and we didn’t want him to get a second iv line.

His face is puffier than yesterday. He is more irritable today and in a lot more pain. It is a possibility we could be getting moved to picu.

At this point in time they’re not sure what is causing all of his issues. Right now our focus is on pain management, his oxygen, and they’re monitoring his labs for his liver function.

06/06/2025

He has been put on oxygen. They believe he may have pneumonia. Waiting on ultrasounds for this evening. He gets platelets soon and a Rylase shot at 3:00.

05/22/2025

Joshua ran a low grade fever about all night. He is at the Dance Blue Clinic instead of going through the ER. At this time we don’t know what is going on with him.

Hoping he doesn’t get admitted so he can enjoy a few days at home.

Prayers please.

04/24/2025

Joshua had chemo treatment today at UK. We are in Cincinnati for the night, he has his first neurology appointment in the morning. Then after we are gonna try to go to the zoo.

He has been in a really good mood today and had gained TWO POUNDS!

04/16/2025

Joshua has more chemo today. He’s receiving a shot and two iv chemos. They informed us that, depending on his counts at the end of the week, that we probably would not be able to have him out in public for a couple of weeks. We had vacation planned at the end of next week and it’s looking like that may be out of the picture.

He does have an appointment in Cincinnati on Thursday of next week, so we will be going regardless.

Just pray that his neutrophil count stays pretty high and the chemo doesn’t cause extreme side effects for him. He struggled with nausea for a few days, but seems to be mostly over it now. And he is feeling much better after having the rhinovirus.