Elder Joshua Mason: Week 44, Coming Home 7/20/2016

Update on my son Joshua: Aug 9, 2016

Many people have asked how Josh was doing and have been praying and fasting for him. We are beyond grateful for each and every prayer. They have not only strengthen us but we have seen many tender mercies. I have been waiting for some good news and some tests that came back today to report so I apologize for not getting back to you if you messaged me. Poor Josh has heard many disheartening things from his doctors but has been positive nevertheless. The super good news is that the oncologist report was that he does NOT have lymphoma 😄

He does have Dermatomyositis. It is an autoimmune disease that has attacked his muscles, lungs and skin. He is taking high doses of prednisone and immunoglobulin infusions. He has lost over 20 pounds of muscle that will take a lot of patience and hard work to regain. Very good news is that his CK numbers are down by one thousand in two weeks, which means less then 3 thousand more to go. If he continues that pace he maybe feeling so much better in about 6 weeks. In the mean time we get to help him open the milk lid, reach things above his head or get up from the floor. He is starting a simple exercise program while he is in the active stage of the disease. The amazing miracle is that as I have researched therapy for it ad the latest therapy comes from a physical therapist in Stockholm, Sweden where Josh was serving a mission!! Josh and I emailed her and she is helping us via email. Josh hopes to go to her clinic one day.

He is not as fatigued as he was when he came back from Sweden and is super fun to talk to and have around. If you know Josh he brings a special spirit with him when you are around him. I feel like our home is full of the spirit when he is around. Plus now I have a buddy to walk the dogs around the block and he loves and appreciates my lame cooking skills. No matter how much food I give him or fat I feed him he can't gain weight. (I wish that was my problem). But the positive of that is he isn't losing weight anymore.

It will not be a super quick recovery and there isn't a cure to this disease but he can go into remission and that is what we are aiming for. As much as I am trying to get him healthy again I know that God is watching over him and is answering our prayers and it is in His hands and for me that is extremely comforting and humbling.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and good thoughts and encouragement.

Josh eventually stopped the infusions and took methotrexate. He did therapy by trying to empty the dishwasher, walk around the block and swim at friends and families homes. He volunteered as a temple worker as well as at the Family History Center until he went back to school in the Winter of 2017. He did not get permission from his doctor to return on his mission until the fall a year later. By then he fell in love and did not feel inspired to return. He received a letter from the prophet that stated he served a full time mission.