fr joe's biopsy update

sometime last week while we were at the lake the test results came back for fr. joe's biopsies. he had three suspicious spots on and around his face. it turns out that they are basal cell carcinoma.
now, if you were given the choice between melanoma and carcinoma, you'd probably chose carcinoma because it is rarely deadly. it's tricky with father joe because his skin has lost most of it's elasticity therefore it's like a hole in 100% cotton weave. you can't just pull the edges together and stitch it up without it puckering and making other spots on the fabric weak. i'm curious to see how they handle the spots. he made it up for a few days at the lakehouse. having doc margaret there, he got a break from emory wound care clinic. she changed up the bandages on his back- also allowing some of the siblings to see what sores he's dealing with. i was amazed and humbled. with how open his back is he hardly utters a word of complaint.
he concelebrated mass on saturday with fr kevin and fr jack for christina's first communion. one thing i think most of the siblings pray for is a boost in his appetite. it's pretty tough to see him so thin.
thanks to all for the prayers. please keep them coming.