Joann was admitted to Albany Medical Center on June 29. The diagnosis is lung cancer. She and the doctors want to be able to monitor her and the baby very closely and constantly. The primary treatment will be chemotherapy, which will probably start sometime in the next 10 days. Joann's official prognosis is that she is going to continue to enjoy her life, including Jim, Larissa, family (both Ives and Shaughnessy), friends and neighbors, colleagues and clients, and Blacky. Her care is being directed by Dr. Stephen H. Grund, Oncology, and Dr. Marla S. Eglowstein, Perinatology. She is incredibly strong in the face of this adversity, and hey, if you want to say a prayer for her, that's okay, too.

Larissa today is at 25 weeks and 5 days. The ultrasound to the right was taken on Friday, June 26. She weighed 2 lbs. You can see her head and hands at the center right portion of the photo. Joann describes her as an active little girl who kicks around a lot. Larissa is being watched very closely. Expected delivery date has been moved up from October 9 to sometime between 28 and 32 weeks, which will be between July 9 and August 5. We will keep you posted here.

phone:
The number to call for patient information at Albany Medical Center is 518-262-3791