5/30/02
My prayers for you all.  You know I'm here. If you can do anything that would be helpful, Joanne, just let me know.  Hugs  Leslie

5/30/02
Joanne,
I just talked to Larry and Joan. You and Laura are in my prayers constantly.
Just a little note for Laura - Peter brought home his yearbook today, and Laura's picture is in with the rest of her Freshman class. She looks lovely.  Crissy sends her hugs and kisses for Laura, me too.
Love, Anne

5/27/02
 JOANNE, JUST A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU AND LAURA AND JOELLE ARE IN OUR HEARTS.  
LOVE, DARCY, FRED AND AMANDA

5/26/02
Dear Joanne,
I have been praying everyday for you and your girls, and also sending you healings.
I know Laura is going to be fine, please continue having faith !!!!  Many times I called you while I am in CT but could not get you on the phone, so I thought I would just send you an e-mail that you can read when you have time.  I send you many hugs!!!   
Love,
Liana

5/24/02
Congratulations!  I am so happy for Joelle and Laura.
I noticed in your journal you are doing a lot of research.  If you go to
www.marrow.org and click on the office of patient advocacy link, you can get
information on all transplant centers across the country.  This can help you
decide if you have the right transplant for the type of disease and age.
Know you are all in my prayers.
CarolAnn Baldwin
Community Education Specialist
New England Marrow Donor Program
209 Farmington Ave.
Farmington, CT 06032
*800-676-4545
*800-953-9129
*baldwinc@usa.redcross.org

5/24/02
Joanne you are your girls are truly in my thoughts daily. Odin and I been talking about Laura and her strength. Call me anytime for anything!
Blessings and prayers.
Karen

5/23/02
Joanne,

Good Morning! I'm just checking in to see how she is doing and to tell you Ed and my thoughts and prayers are with you especially today - I hope the surgery goes smoothly and that Laura's discomfort is minimal.

I just want you to know that staying with Laura and watching her drift in and out of sleep yesterday was pure sweetness.  She is such an innocent angel and has such a good heart.  You have an amazing daughter.  Anytime I can stay with her or help, just let me know - I'm more than happy to do what I can.

Love you guys,

Daphne

5/23/02
Joanne:
I thought you and the girls would like these. I was happy to hear the Joelle was a match with Laura - one more positive thing that we can focus on!!
My prayers are with you.
Beth


> *:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_:-.,_,.-:**:-.,_,.
>                      Your  Daily Inspirations
> *:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_:-.,_,.-:**:-.,_,.
>
Take a moment for yourself.  Pour a cup of tea, put on some soothing music,  and fully enjoy each one of today's Quick Inspirations pages before going on  to the next.  Forward these to family and friends and encourage them to take a moment for themselves, too!

> ASAP - Ever wonder what it really stands for?
> www.quickinspirations.com/redirect.asp?l=1187&u=15903953&c=1149&t=1
  
> THE BUILDER - This may change your attitude towards life.
http://www.quickinspirations.com/stories/builder.asp

5/20/02
Hi Joanne,  I just wanted to let you know we are "keeping up to speed " through your journal and can then share that news with the many people and prayer groups who continue to pray for Laura.  With the feast of Pentecost, our prayers continue for healing and God's peace and strength for all of you.  Imagine how heaven is be flooded with prayers for Laura and your family. And surely, Joelle being a perfect match is a clear answer to some of those prayers!  There will be no quiet in heaven until Laura is well....and then the prayers of gratitude will begin to resound!!  You have our love and constant prayers,
                                              Mary & Ken Bangs :)

5/19/02

5/18/02
Hi Joanne, read the journal today and read about Laura.  there is an angel watching......we love you....the event in Jersey honoring Joelle is just wonderful.....i am sure she is so excited about this.  give Laura and Joelle kisses from us.  
love, Darcy and Fred

5/15/02
Joanne,
Everyday I read your journal and Laura's.  I was very happy to hear that Joelle is a perfect match.  As a mother my heart goes out to you, and as a friend my support goes along.  Please try to take care of yourself.....I'm sure its difficult beyond belief.
Love,
Toni

5/15/02
Hi Joanne!
We ordered the gift certificate through www.amazon.com. It is a selection on the left hand side (Gifts & Gift Certificates) of the home page. Like I mentioned on the phone, Christina really enjoyed it because not only did she get the joy of ordering exactly what she wanted, but then she would get all happy again when it came in the mail. Can you just drop me a note when Laura gets it so that I know I typed in the correct e-mail address.

We will continue to pray hard for Laura (and you) for a speedy remission and then go on from there. Please call me anytime (and I mean anytime) for help or to talk. Please think of a time(s) that you need to be away from the hospital (for an appointment, work, to be with Joelle, to take a break), so that I can come stay with Laura. I stink at Nintendo but I love to play board games.

I'm sorry that you have to be at CCMC on Mother's Day, but we wish you the best day possible.

With love and prayers,
Colette

5/15/02
Joann,
Colette just sent me your e-mail. That is fantastic news, our prayers have been answered. We will continue to pray for Laura to go into remission and stay strong. Tell Joelle she is the hero of the day. We are strong in our faith in God that Laura will be completely cured at the end of her treatment. If there is anything that I can do for you or your family please do not hesitate to ask. God bless all of you and we hope to see you all soon.
John J. Ercole

5/15/02

5/15/02
Joanne,

          I heard about your ER visit after your vacation.  Since I have been following Laura's page closely.  We pray for all of you every night.  Thank goodness for sisters!!!!   100%!  Fantastic---!   It is all up to the determined Laura now, and we know without a doubt she will come through with flying colors.  Please call on us for anything, and know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers, kisses to both girls for us.    much love the TATes
 

5/15/02
Joanne,

What wonderful news! This is a huge relief. Joelle must be elated to think she can help!  Beth and I were just discussing today being tested.  We will take your advice and look into donating bone marrow in hopes it will help someone else.   As a mother, I cannot imagine what you are going through right now. The strength and courage you display is an example for everyone. Keep your faith and remember we are praying for all three of you.
Love
Laurie

5/15/02
Joanne,
This is just so good! Our prayers are with you and your family to pull you through. Wow!
Lots of love,
Sushma

5/15/02
Mom and dad were watching over her!!

5/15/02
Joanne,
Don and I yelled with delight when we read that Joelle was a perfect  match.  What's the saying? "Every time God closes a door, he opens a window".  How true!  God bless and know that our family and all of your choir friends are praying for you.
Mary Bonner

5/15/02
Dear Joanne,

    Thanks and Praise be to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  May His Love and Mercy endure Forever!  I am so very, very happy to hear that Joelle is a perfect bone marrow match for Laura.  What a true blessing and answer to prayer!

    Many prayers will continue to be said for Laura to get her into remission and keep her healthy and free of infection.  (That is why you won't see me until my cold is better.)  Please let me know if there is anything I can do from home for you or the girls.

    I was talking with my friend Beth (who has a number of autoimmune problems), and she said there were more and more reports of respiratory illness and immune system problems showing up in New York City since 9/11.  We are convinced that toxins in our air, water and soil are the reason so many people are ill with cancer and other diseases.  It is not personal sin, but the sin of society that is causing this rise in cancer.  We pray constantly for a cure, and for our world to change its ways.

    God is with you in your suffering.  His Son gives you strength, and the Holy Spirit guides you.  It is a closer walk with God that will bring you joy.

   WITH MUCH LOVE,
    Kathryn Lowry

5/13/02
I hope you were able to have a good mom's day.  I thought of you as I read the article in the Hartford Courant on Nikki and Gail.  I can not even imagine what you are going through right now.  Is there anything that you might need? Take care and also The Church of the Holy Family, Nikki's church, has included Laura on their prayer sheet so extra support from our congregation for you guys.  Keep fighting,
love Jenn

5/11/02
Hi Joanne,
Just a very quick note to thank you for your thoughtful telephone call this afternoon.  I just want to let you know that you and Laura will be in our prayers.  Please think of us on Thursday, May 9, 2002 at approximately 1:15 p.m..  All attendees at the Connecticut Chiropractic Association's 2002 Spring Conference will be asked to pray for both you and Laura at that time. The love of your friends, family and acquaintances will help to warm your heart.

Mal

Aunt Jo,
Greg and I are interested in being tested for donors...you never know the girls are half Italian and we're half Spanish...both European...it may just work....i have lots of friends that will probably be willing to do it too...many of them are Italian mixes of some sort....well...i love you..kisses and hugs....oh, I've been speaking with Uncle Jim and Uncle Phil almost everyday, so we keep each other posted...we know you are very busy and can't speak to us all individually...you all are on our minds 24/7...love you...
love,
jd

5/10/02
Hi Joanne we at the Curtis house have been praying for Laura and you and Joelle .we love you very much. please let Laura know we are here for her. Doc if you need anything just let me know . hope to see you soon.
Happy mothers day to a special mom and good friend.
love Paula

5/9/02
Joanne,

The prayers will keep going.  You have many people praying for all three of you.  As always, if there is anything I can do, you know where to reach me.  Thanks for having Phil call me.
Love,
Laurie Reynolds
(Can I send some cookies to Joelle???)

5/8/02
  Hi Joanne.  I know that this news must be extremely hard on you.  I recently sent Laura a note telling her how special she is but I think I need to let you know how special you are.  I have been blessed to meet three incredible young ladies and three incredible mothers.   I met Nikki and her mom, then you and Laura, and I now tutor a senior at rham who is a cancer survivor (at 18 months she had a form of muscle sarcoma and received treatments until 5 years old.  she is sort of a fore runner in research as all the chemos that both Laura and nikki have gotten were used on her she now has complications from the chemo, but thank god not too many.)  Anyhow, any mom that has gone through what you all have gone through deserves the MOM of the Year or Lifetime award.  You are all special people.  to witness the pain your child goes through and the fear of their possible passing is something I hope to never experience.  However, thanks to you, Gail, and Donna Simon, I believe that I am blessed to have you all to follow as examples.  You all have made me be a better mother by sharing your daughter's lives with me.  For that I am thankful.   Although I cannot find the words to express what you must be feeling or the words of comfort, please know that we are pulling for you and you are all in my thoughts and in my prayers. Please try to have a good mom's day and enjoy your beautiful, brave, and extremely strong daughters.  Hugs to you Laura and Joelle.  Peace and God Bless, Love, jenn brokaw, nikki's crazy tutor

5/8/02
Joanne:
Just wanted you to know that Laura, Joelle and you are in my prayers!
Love
Beth Donohue

5/8/02
Hi Joanne,
I received word of Laura's status from my mom, and I wanted to let you know personally, that we are praying for her as well as you and Joelle.  You are always in my thoughts. 

I am attaching a picture of my daughter, Reynu, I am not sure if my mom sent this to you or not, but thought I would pass it along anyway.
I will be visiting Laura's webpage often in hopes that there is some good news posted shortly. 
With Lots of Love,
Kamini

5/7/02
Hi, Joanne,
I am just checking to see how Laura is coming along.  My heart goes out to all of you especially in light of the most recent situation.  Please know that you are all in my prayers.
Love,
Jane Ellen Peregrin

5/6/02
Joanne -
We're all pulling for you.  Again, whatever help we can be, just holler. 
Lots of love and prayers.
Ketchiffs

5/6/02
Hi Joanne:  Gail left me know about Laura's recent developments.  I just want to let you know that we here at Chez Brokaw are thinking of you and yours and saying extra prayers.  We will leave a candle lamp on in  Laura's honor in hopes that her esophagus is just an infection.  Please let us know if there is anything you guys want or need.  I will get goodies to Gail for special delivery.  I am glad the bishop made it for Laura.  That is so cool that she was able to receive the sacrament.  It must have meant a lot for her.  Send her our love and our prayers. love jenn the crazy tutor and three stooges

5/6/02
Hi Joanne,
I am thrilled that you were able to take the trip and enjoyed yourselves.
Laura is in my daily prayers, especially today. She continues to be a
remarkable young woman. You should be very proud of both her and Joelle.
Joanne, anyone who knows you knows what an outstanding mother you are.
Remember God will give you the strength to get through this difficult time.

Love
Laurie Reynolds

5/3/02
Hi there-
 I heard that you got some not so good news.  I am saying some extra prayers for Laura tonight and every night.  If there is anything that I can do for you please let me know, and I wouldn't mind coming to the hospital for a visit with you and/or Laura.  Maybe I will call and see if it will be all right.  Just remember that you have a lot of people who are here for you.  That may not bring a lot of comfort at the moment, but it is the truth.  Mrs. Giampolo and I talk about Laura often.  You have raised a wonderful young woman, with a heart of gold, and a voice to match.  I am lucky that I have had the opportunity to follow her story and meet her.  She is one of the strongest people that I have met, and I am sure that she got that from you, because you are mighty strong yourself.  I know that Laura will do great things in the future.  Take care of yourself.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love-
Kaeley
(Nikki's swim coach)