So...we've been getting results back from the G.I. Doctor in Charleston. So far...this is what
we know. Joseph has Reflux Esophogits...(reflux causing an inflamed esophagus) . He is lactose and sucrose intolerant (intolerant of milk and sugar). This news combined with the gastritis makes it sound as if his whole digestive system is out of whack. But the good news is he feels great!! He is not showing any symptoms of any of these issues. We give him a Lactaid tablet before milk products and have just held back on the sweets. If I told Joseph he could never eat sweets again...he'd say, "okay, stop the miracle...I'm done!" :)
So we will continue to live with the motto 'everything in moderation'. Our summer is flying by...we're having so much fun. Hope you all are too. Thank you for checking in!
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
July 13, 2008
Hope everyone had a great weekend! We are having technical difficulties so this update
will be short and sweet. Joseph was so brave for his endoscopy / colonoscopy. They found some inflammation in his stomach. This is called gastritis. We will receive biopsy
results in a week or two. When we find out anything specific we'll let you know. He
feels great and continues to have a fun summer. Thank you for checking in!
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
Trying to get a group shot with Cousin Emily visiting from Atlanta!
Lots of hugs for cousin Emily! 4-Wheelin' with Cousin O'!
July 8, 2008
We are leaving for Charleston tomorrow because Joseph will have a colonoscopy on Thursday morning at 10:00 AM. Keep us in your prayers. We have been battling diarrhea and vomiting for quite a while. He's actually much better now but they found blood in his stool ...so they will be checking him out very thoroughly. He had a gastric emptying scan done a week ago and they found that
his stomach empties very normally. That was very good news! Here is Joseph enjoying a scrambled egg breakfast with
radiation they whipped up in the pharmacy so they could watch his stomach empty itself. He ate them very well... we didn't think he liked scrambled eggs! I think he's been playing us!
Hope everyone had a happy Independence Day! We had a wonderful day with our families. We swam, cooked a low-country boil, and watched fireworks in the cul-de-sac (thanks to Joanne and Keith). I took a few photos of course and video to remember this special day. I was thinking back to a year ago where Joseph had to be in the cath lab for his 3 month post transplant biopsy on July 5th! He aced it and continues to do so well. He has more energy now than he has had in 2 years! He is a true miracle!
Here are a few fun photos from the weekend celebration!
Joseph Abby
Cousins Anna Caroline and Ashby!
Spongebob fans! Making martians with an alien making machine!
Three laptops, three Webkinz accounts, three times the fun!
Thanks for checking in! Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
June 30, 2008
Jack and JoJo! Friends at the pool! All about balloons!
We jost got back from a trip to Richmond, VA. We had sooooooooo much fun! Take a look!
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At the park! Bowling with buddies!
Party at Beth's!
Abby's first swewing project! Ready to bowl!
Abby and Colton! Releasing balloons for Emily, 7 (angel)
Sad news: Tennessee Children's Miracle Network 2008 Ambassador Emily Barger lost her battle with cancer...she is playing
with the angels now. In honor of her memory, all 50 state champions are asking anyone that feels lead to make a
donation to your local children's hospital in her name. Please say some special prayers for her family. This has got
to be so difficult for them. She is Joseph's age.......... Once again we find ourselves thanking God for
the fact that Joseph is still here. Say a prayer for our donor family who is living this moment without their child.
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
June 20, 2008
Good morning........I have a special prayer request for another transplant recipient. He is an adorable little boy named Kobe. He is 20 months
old and went through many of the same experiences as Joseph, but even more if you can believe it. Kobe was on ECMO and was waiting for the Berlin Heart. He didnot get it. Instead he received a donor heart. Unfortunately the donor heart was unable to function at a normal level so they relisted Kobe for another heart transplant. Sure enough, 3 days later I think, his second gift of life arrived just in time. Kobe was able to come off the heart/lung machine (ECMO) with normal function. Kobe has been on ECMO for a long time and has a long road to recovery ahead of him. His story touches me so much that I had to share it so you could join me in praying for Kobe, his family, the doctors and nurses
that are taking care of him, and the 2 families that shared their angel's hearts so that Kobe could get another chance. Kobe has 2 sisters
been fighting. His family has such strong faith and I know how uplifting it is to receive emails of support from people, even people you do not know. I honestly believe that our strength during the most difficult days of Joseph's recovery came from you all and God, of course.
Just a note about Joseph...he's so full of energy! I'm amazed. This picture was taken at his seventh birthday party at FunDayGo on April 18th!
Sure does beat last year's birthday party in the hospital! Thank you, Lord!
Woo Hoo!
Joseph and Colby were starting to slow down... Abby and Ansley hanging on for dear life!
If you haven't been to FunDayGo yet......you need to do it! It's so much fun and worth every penny! They do everything for you!
Oh, and Abby's getting glasses. She picked out the perfect purple pair yesterday and wanted to walk out with them. They are so cute on her. It will take a week or so to get them. When we do, I will snap a photo and post it so you can see her new look. Let's hope she wears them!
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
June 15, 2008
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
I just wanted to say Happy Father's Day to everyone, especially Stephen and my Dad! I have been blessed with a wonderful daddy
of my own and a wonderful husband who is a great father to our children. I love you!!
The kids and I were going to do a photo shoot today to give a GREAT picture to their daddy.
Joseph and Abby would not stop clowning around so I could get a good shot !! Maybe next Father's Day......... :)
June 6, 2008
Joseph is doing pretty well. He is still having some tummy troubles so we will be traveling to Charleston for an appointment
with a gastroenterologist. We are hoping to find some answers as to why he's been experiencing some difficulty for the last
month. Those of you who continue to pray for us...thank you. We need your prayers.
It's nice to be at home with the kids this last week without having such hectic schedules! We are hoping to enjoy every minute
of summer. We are branching out and might travel to Richmond soon to see our dear friends. And we may go on a family
vacation later in the summer....just the four of us. That will be special for us all. Joseph and Abby are growing like weeds
and it's hard to believe all we've been through in the past two years. God has seen us through it and continues to guide us.
Thanks for checking in...
Just wanted to share a few photos!
Joseph was asked to help MUSC's Capital Campaign Kickoff! Joseph's medical team was there as a shining example
Amy Gordon from the Children's Hospital Fund is always there of what MUSC can do!
to take care of us!
I think Joseph's in love with Laura and Hannah.... Dana is a wonderful videographer and a true friend to Joseph!
They're buds. He won an award for Joseph's video and we
weren't even the ones voting!
Joseph threw out the first pitch at the Charleston Riverdogs Wacky Olympics day at school..........the kids were taking
game. He really enjoyed meeting Charlie the Riverdog! a popsicle break.
Joseph went skating for the first time! Joseph is painting at the Children's Miracle Network telethon!
Joseph and Amy Gordon at the telethon...having fun Joseph on the shrimp boat at the Children's
as usual! Museum in Charleston!
Abby at the museum in the water room...
It's been so much fun to do so many activities with the kids lately. Joseph truly enjoys life and we wouldn't trade this time with
them for anything. Our donor made these days possible! Thank you, God, for this time. We won't waste our opportunities,
and we won't take this time for granted. Bless our donor's family for the life we enjoy because of their decision to share
Your love. Amen.
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
May 30, 2008
It's hard to believe it is almost June! Our family is doing well. We have hit a few small bumps in the road but
nothing we can't handle! Joseph has had some tummy troubles and spent a few days at MUSC Children's Hospital
running tests. We were released a few days later with no answers. I didn't post it on the website because it
happened so fast. We were admitted at midnight on a Wednesday evening and released on Friday. Every test they gave him came back negative. Which is positive, right? :) He has done somewhat better over the last few days. This has been
going on for over 3 weeks. We are avoiding dairy products for now hoping that will help. All in the same week,
Stephen had hernia surgery (and is doing fine) and My beloved Aunt Ruby passed away rather unexpectedly after
a brief illness. When it rains, it pours. I worry about my Mom who lost another sister (Aunt Jeanette) just last year.
She must have such a heavy heart right now.
We are out of school for the summer and my kids are excited! I bought them roller skates to celebrate!
They beg me to go out there and skate around every day. :) That has been fun. I'm
so happy to see Joseph being able to enjoy physical activity after the rough kindergarten year he had. First
grade was a welcome relief! His new heart truly lets him be an active little boy again.
He will be on the telethon for Children's Miracle Network tomorrow on the Charleston station. He is looking
forward to that. But, mostly he's looking forward to Cousin Ashby's birthday party afterwards!
Happy Birthday Ashby!
Thanks for checking in! Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
March 26, 2008
Happy Easter everybody! We hope this entry finds you all happy and healthy. We have had a busy couple of weeks.
We were honored to participate in the Children's Miracle Network "Champions Across America" campaign. We flew
with 50 other families from across the U.S. to Disney World in Orlando and then to the nation's capitol to spread the
word about the importance of Children's Hospitals. Joseph is serving as ambassador for our wonderful state (SC)
for one year to promote CMN and our children's hospitals. If you visit the website Childrensmiraclenetwork.org you
can learn more about this lifesaving/lifechanging organization. Obviously, we are believers in miracles based on our
expericence at MUSC Children's Hospital in Charleston, SC. I would like to share some fun photos with you from our trip.
Kick-Off Assembly at school 
Joseph was so surprised when the entire school came together to give him
a very special send-off on this new adventure! The mayor even ordained
this day as "Joseph Greenwood Recognition Day"!
Joseph playing around on the day of arrival in Orlando, FL
Joseph and Abigail got cozy with Mickey at the Champions Breakfast!
The highlight of Abby's trip was meeting Ariel.
Joseph got eaten by a dinosaur in The Boneyard of Animal Kingdom...
Since Abigail is the "Champion Sister".... she was treated to a royal makeover at Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique!
This is every little girl's dream...to become a real life princess!
It was wonderful to meet other "miracle" children and learn their stories!
Taylor Hicks performed for the children after the medal ceremony and even invited them up on stage.
Next stop................Washington, D.C!
Joseph won a champion medal for representing SC! We made it to D.C. to meet the President!
On the way to the White House... Joseph on the White House lawn...
Joseph caught up with Alexzander from Florida...
We called them "The Berlin Heart Boys" . The
Berlin Heart pump saved both their lives.
We came back to school just in time to enjoy the Easter festivities!
There's no place like home!
A bright and beautiful Easter morning
This was an amazing experience for all of us. On April 13th we will celebrate the one year mark of Joseph receiving his
gift of life. Please pray for the donor family any chance you get...their loving decision made this miracle happen! We love
them even though we don't know them yet!
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
February 21, 2008 Thank you for visiting Joseph's website today. We haven't updated it in a really long time. Let me catch you up to speed.
I am working in the library at the school where Joseph and Abigail attend. Life has been busy and very, very good!
Stephen enjoys his job and works with wonderful people.
Joseph is in first grade. Reading, telling time, and counting money have been new things
for him to learn. This will come as no surprise....science is his favorite subject! He still loves dinosaurs and soaks in any
science lesson he is privileged enough to take part in!
Abigail loves 3K! She is constantly quoting her teacher, Mrs. Kennedy! We are ALL living by what "Mrs. Kennedy says..."
Abigail turned 4 in January!
Joseph's medical condition is pretty solid at this time. He just had a heart biopsy which showed no signs of rejection
and his heart pressures are excellent! He only takes 2 meds in the morning and 1 at night. He takes an iron supplement
and a child's aspirin every day. We are thrilled with this regimen.
Please keep the donor's family in your prayers. This has been a painful year for them I'm sure. We are so blessed by their
generous spirit and don't ever want to take for granted what they have done for us.
Here are the last few months at a glance.
February, 2008
We took Joseph and Abby to play miniature golf in Myrtle Beach for the first time! They had a blast!
Grandparents' Day at school This is Grandmama Cribb. They call her "Grandma Ayla"... long story! :)
January, 2008
Happy New Year!
Max came home over the holidays! We had to stay at a
distance from him for 6 months post-transplant. I tell you...
it has moved the noise level up a notch in our house! He's
a sweet puppy. The kids love him immensely!
We attended a fundraiser for MUSC Children's Hospital Joseph spent time at the Grandparents camping at "the
hosted by Darius Rucker! Joseph had a front row seat and fort" with cousin Ashby.
showed a love for songs that took Stephen and I back to
our college days! He has new music too that is wonderful!
His voice is still amazing!
December, 2007
Abby and Jospeh are enjoying their Christmas gifts!
Abby's teacher, Mrs. Kennedy, came over to make reindeer Joseph's class wore their pajamas to school on Polar
food with us on Christmas Eve! She's also a special Express Day. Don't they look cuddly and cute?
neighbor! Aren't we fortunate?
We attended the "Festival of Trees" to benefit Mcleod Children's Hospital. Hayley's girls performed in these adorable
costumes!
November, 2007
Joseph was thrilled to celebrate Thanksgiving with his cousins from Atlanta and
Kentucky at the annual Greenwood BBQ. Emily added to his Beanie Baby
collection!
October, 2007
Here we have two excited trick-or-treaters!
Yippee! Tell the wizard Joseph got his heart!
Pee Dee Heart Walk
There was a great turn out for the Start! Pee Dee Heart Walk! Joseph lead
Team Byrnes! The Byrnes Key Club were sponsors for our school! Abby
and Joseph had a great time recording radio ads to get the word out!
Joseph met another child who has had a heart transplant! Mary Ann and Joseph both had the pleasure of
throwing out the first pitch at the games of a "Make A Wish" girls softball tournament here in Florence! The players
all signed a softball for them and showered them with attention! It was a sunny, cool, beautiful day! Joseph
hasn't quite decided yet what his wish is going to be!
We hope this day finds you happy and healthy! Thank you for your continued prayers for our family. We're so grateful
to you for your support.
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
October 6, 2007 We have made it to another milestone...Joseph dropped 3 more medicines yesterday! For now he only takes 3
meds in the morning and 2 at night. We can hardly believe how far we've come!! He has more energy than
ever and we are starting to notice the muscle tone returning to his legs and arms. Looking
back...we were so overwhelmed with what was ahead. Now we are at a point that it is starting to feel like a
normal life again. :)
Have any of you seen the wonderful heart transplant commercials on television? Stephen
and I were stopped in our tracks the other night when we saw a mother telling her story of having a baby AFTER
receiving a heart transplant!! Isn't that just amazing? Then we saw a beautiful little girl who had a heart
transplant a few years ago talking about how she enjoys school, plays an instrument, and has become involved in
many fun activities that she enjoys. It sounds like she is living a full and wonderful life. What a miracle!
We really hope that more people are starting to understand what organ donation means to families like us.
Donated organs are truly needed here. So many people are waiting...their families are hoping and praying they
will receive the gift of life. Until this happened to us we didn't realize or even think about the shortage of
organs for transplantion. Now we hope to spread the word and help make others aware of this opportunity.
We are looking forward to what this year has in store for us. Please ask God to bless the family that chose to
share their loved one with us. We will always be grateful for the gift of life they have shared. Don't you think
the world is a better place because JoJo is in it? We do!!!!!!!!!
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
September 25, 2007
We had a great trip to Charleston! Joseph's checkup and biopsy results were wonderful! He is about to
drop some more meds in the next couple of weeks!! That is huge for us!!!!!!!!!!!! We are back at home in our
normal school routine and everyone is doing well. Thank you for checking in. Thank God for all your
blessings today...I know we are so very grateful for each and every day! Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
September 17, 2007
Hello everyone. We just wanted to check in and let you know that Joseph is still doing great. As a matter
of fact, he is really enjoying first grade. He is in a very caring environment and is having a ball making
new friends and getting adjusted to the school schedule. I am working again for the first time in 6 years.
I am fortunate enough to work at the school where Abigail and Joseph attend. This has been a
tremendously positive experience for all of us. Abigail is in 3K and goes 3 days/week. She loves her class
and always looks forward to going to school with her brother. I think her backpack is bigger than she is. :)
Joseph ran into the library the other day to show me he lost a tooth! I felt so blessed to be there to experience
his excitement. Here are some photos of Abigail and Joseph on the first day of school.
At the house just before school In the library...Joseph wouldn't smile for
anything! He did have a great day, though!
We want to thank you for checking on our little miracle boy and ask you to keep us all in your prayers.
This has not been the easiest year for our family. We are so grateful for your kindness. Joseph's had his new
heart for 5 months now. Isn't that just amazing??? Please don't forget to pray for the donor family. And
please pray that we will see good results from Joseph's cath lab this Friday. Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
August 18, 2007
The biopsy results are in............Joseph shows no sign of rejection! He took his Star Wars action figures to
the cath lab with him and had fun playing with Dr. Ringewald. He was looking forward to the trip and had a
good time! He is prescribed less Prednisone once again and has been released to get on with life! He had a
paper signed by the Doctor that says he is released for physical activity with NO restrictions! We are so happy
he is still progressing so well! What a miracle! School is about to begin. Please pray for protection for our
family and that Joseph has a happy and healthy first grade year! Thank you for your faithful and continued
prayers. Thank you to our donor family for making first grade a reality for JoJo. Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
August 14, 2007
We are happy to say that we just celebrated Joseph's 4th month with his new heart! It is hard to believe that
four months have already passed by. Sometimes when we look at him and see how good he is feeling now,
it's hard to believe that he has just gone through so much. He will be finishing up physical therapy this week
and will get plenty of exercise on his on and at school just being a kid. Yes... I said school. We are going to
give first grade a whirl! He is so excited and really wants to go to school. We will be looking forward to that
day! What a miracle. The school supplies are bought and the countdown to first grade begins. It's only a
week away! Abigail will be in 3K and she is excited to go to school with her big brother! She loves her JoJo.
Joseph will go to the cath lab this Friday, so please be in prayer that he will have a successful visit. Your
faithful prayers have sustained us during some really tough times. Thank you for continuing to check in on
our little warrior. He continues to prove to us and to others that with God all things are possible! Nothing is
too big for God. Nothing. Here are a few fun photos from our summer fun.
Joseph and Abby had visits from their teachers! Joseph's class made him
a t-shirt with Joseph's name on a heart! He loved it!! Abigail's teacher
brought her many fun end of the year goodies too! They missed their
teachers and their classes so much! We'll miss Calvary!
Molly and Hannah came for a special visit from Kentucky!
Joseph had a reunion with his 5K class! He was so
He finally got to spend time in the country at
excited to see everyone! Grandmama and Grandaddy's house with Anna
Caroline and Ashby!
He had more fun than you can imagine painting his very own lemonade stand! Lemonade anyone??
Guesswho?????????? It's Abby the purple fairy, Joseph as Superman, and Colton as Batman!!
We beat the heat during our final days of summer taking swim lessons with Cousin Owen!
August 4, 2007
Hi everyone! Thank you for checking in! You can tell that we haven't given an update in awhile. We have been having technical
difficulties for weeks now. My wonderful sister, Phyllis, has come to our rescue once again to get things moving along. She has
been given the title of crisis manager. :) She has done so much for us (babysitting, insurance issues, website assistance,
photographer, etc.). Thank you Phyllis! We promise to update more regularly! We appreciate your concern for our precious
Joseph!!
We have been enjoying our summer! Joseph continues to do well...we go down to Charleston only on a monthly basis now.
That is a big change for us. Joseph has been busy with physical therapy twice a week at McLeod Health & Fitness. We get
weekly labs drawn right here in town. That is a wonderful convenience we are grateful for! We visited Dr. Trant, his pediatric
cardiologist, here in Florence last week. They were so sweet to greet him with open arms, a banner, and balloons. He loved it!!
This week was special for us because Joseph was able to give back to his community by participating in Progress Energy's
Employee Giving Campaign. This campaign supports Children's Miracle Network, Make A Wish Foundation, United Way,
American Cancer Society, and Habitat for Humanity. We have been on the receiving end of many of these charities. It was
our pleasure to support this wonderful event called "A Taste of Robinson." Some of the employees built him his very own
lemonade stand. He raised about $420 selling lemonade! Everyone came by to meet him and have ice cold lemonade! He
worked so hard he had a sore thumb!! He rode in an old classic fire truck and a hot rod!! He had a wonderful time!
" Lemonade $.50 or whatever you prefer to give!"
Joseph is so proud of his new lemonade stand!
Joseph looooooooooved the fire truck! Joseph went for a joy ride!! It was the highlight of his day!
It was a great day for the whole family!
We are so grateful to our donor family for giving us this beautiful and precious gift. This day would not be
possible without their generous spirit. We think about them all the time and pray for their peace and comfort.
Have a happy summer day and thank God for all your blessings!! Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
July 5, 2007
Hope everyone had a happy 4th! We took a boat ride down the Ashley River in Charleston, had a cookout with family, and watched several fireworks
displays from the car heading down the interstate on our way to Aunt Phyll's. It's amazing how many different firework shows you can see heading across
town!
Joseph went to the cath lab today and was not disappointed by the attention he received from his wonderful cath lab crew! They take their job of spoiling
him rotten very seriously! His rejection level was a wonderful zero once again! Thank God for that! There was one thing a little concerning today...his left
diaphragm wasn't working properly. I don't really understand too much about this yet but we know that it sometimes happens to patients after an open
heart surgery and this may or may not be an issue. Let's pray that it will resume normal function so that Joseph won't have any symptoms or complications
from it. His heart pressures were great and his medicince levels were excellent. We won't need to go back for 2 weeks! Thanks for checking in!
Until next time...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail
July 2, 2007
Thank you for checking in on Joseph's website. We are so happy that you are still concerned and continue to pray for our little warrior. We need your
prayers every day because this will be a lifelong battle for us. We have been so touched by the encouragement we continue to receive from all of you.
It is amazing that our child can feel this well a little under 3 months of receiving his miracle. What a blessing it continues to be to watch him run, play,
swim, and aggrevate his sister! :) His life is moving forward and we are so pleased that things are going so well for him. We travel back to Charleston
for a Cath Lab visit first thing Thursday morning. We are praying that this visit will yield the same results as before... no rejection, no infection, and no
complications. Enjoy your 4th of July holiday with your loved ones! We will post an update Thursday evening or Friday morning (whenever we get the
biopsy results). Until then...
Angela, Stephen, Joseph, and Abigail