Jordan had a small dose of chemo today...it wasn't too harsh. His blood counts are good. He'll get a spinal tap and higher doses next week.

Also, a huge thank you goes out to Sherrie Williams, who is with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office, for organizing the Tip A Cop at Jose's on Saturday. Shawn and Melissa were actually able to go that night and have dinner! It was the first event for Jordan they have been able to attend! Everyone did an amazing job!

Thank you to everyone who is doing so much for Jordan and his family! Please continue to keep them in your prayers!!

Yucaipa Little Theatre Helps Jordan Macias

The cast of Yucaipa Little Theatre’s “Oliver!” has scheduled an additional benefit performance for Thursday, August 6, 7:30 p.m., with all proceeds going to help Jordan Macias, a 9 year-old Yucaipa resident recently diagnosed with T-Cell Leukemia.

"We heard about the struggle the Macias family has been through as Jordan fights this battle and wanted to do something to help,” said Ken Corona, President of the Yucaipa Little Theatre Board of Directors. “Everyone in the community has rallied around the family and having this special performance is the best way we can contribute.”

Jordan was diagnosed with the disease on May 27, 2009, and spent six weeks in the hospital as doctors worked to reduce a mass that was pressing on his heart, causing a collapsed lung and putting Jordan into cardiac arrest.

He was recently released and is facing three and a half years of intense chemotherapy. His family is staying with relatives while his home is being retrofitted in order to create a safe environment in which to recover. All material for this remodel has been donated by area businesses and the labor has been provided by volunteers.

His mother, Melissa, quit her job to care for Jordan full-time and his father, Shawn, is facing an uncertain future as the troubled economy takes its toll on the auto industry, his line of work for nearly two decades. Tristan, Jordan’s 11 year-old brother, has stayed by his brother’s side since his return home.

“Other fund raising events have been held by local businesses to benefit the family and we’re proud that we can do something to contribute,” said Corona. “Someone in the community remarked that Jordan is a little boy who turned a community into a family. We’re honored to be a member of that family.”

To attend this special performance, please call 909-790-1884 for a reservation as the theatre has limited capacity seating. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior, students, and children. Family tickets are $25, and groups of eight or more may purchase tickets for $6 each.

If you cannot attend the August 6th benefit performance, “Oliver!” is playing at 7:30 p.m. on July 31 and August 1, 7 and 8. Matinee performances are at 3:30 p.m. on July 26, and August 2 and 9. A donation jar will be available for Jordan’s Cause.

Jordan has had a busy week! On Monday he went in for chemo. When he arrived, he had a 100.3 fever and was immediately admitted to the hospital. They held off on the chemo treatment and evaluated him for the rest of the day. They finally decided that the fever was caused by the heat outside and his walk into the hospital, and he was able to go home.

On Tuesday he went in for the chemo treatment he was supposed to have Monday. It was supposed to be administered in the Peds ICU Unit, however, there weren't any beds for him, so he was taken to the Peds part of the hospital with an ICU doctor to administer the chemo. The type of chemo he was getting does have the possibility of a reaction occurring. Usually this type is given in the thigh, however, since Jordan doesn't have any muscles in his thighs, he was given it by IV. It went directly into his blood stream and he had a reaction. He was treated for it and had to stay in the hospital over night for observation.

Wednesday he had a rehabilitation session scheduled at the hospital for his physical therapy. It was for nerves and muscles, among other things.

Reps For Life 1 Year Anniversary - Festivities to Help Jordan's Cause!

Reps for Life will be having their 1 year Anniversary on Saturday, August 1st. They will be having a car wash from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a 50/50, music at 6 p.m. and a percentage of all new membership sales from that day will go to Jordan's Cause!

Every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. they will also be having a Christian Rock Band playing music on the patio outside of the gym. All donations will go to Jordan's Cause!

Softball Tournament A Huge Success!

The first annual softball tournament turned out to be a huge success! What a great way to support and raise money for Jordan’s Cause! Despite smoldering temperatures, supporters showed their determination for Jordan that lasted from early morning hours until late evening.

The family would like express their deepest appreciation to the following for making this day possible: Lucy’s Restaurant, Toyota of Redlands, Regalado Family, The Big Cheese, The Olive Garden, Color Trenz, Rueben’s Promos, East Highlands Softball Club, Yucaipa Valley Water District, Rival Skate Shop, KCAL/CBS News, Yucaipa Calimesa News Mirror, Press Enterprise, Shell, Carl’s Jr., and to Eric (ICEMAN) for their donations. Also, thank you to the entire Macias/Guzman family, Caroline & Ben Humildad & family, the McGregor family, D.J. Rich & Denise, Ruben Reese, Frank Chavez, Jason Macias, Mike McCue and to all of their many friends and family that participated in such a group effort. Also, to all the softball teams who participated & to the winners of the tournament, team Ignite!

The family would like to say a special thank you to: Vince Delgado Jr., Andre & Monica Guzman, Uncle Ricky Macias, Ian McGregor and Shawn’s mom, Estella who played vital parts in coordinating this event.

Last but not least, Shawn would like to thank his little sister, Ann Marie Macias for all her time, effort and hard work in planning such a wonderful event. Her only goal was to raise money for the family but most importantly for her little “Jordie” that she loves so much. After all she was the one who nicknamed him “Jordie”. Ann Marie has blessed us not only financially but has been there for us through this tough time. Shawn says, “He’s so lucky and thankful for his little sister”.

May God Bless You All. Please continue to pray for Jordan as he has a long fight ahead of him.

Jordan's Story on the News!

If you missed it, Jordan's Story might be reaired tomorrow morning on CBS 2 news between 5 and 7 a.m. Here is the link to the story on the CBS2/KCAL9 website!

http://cbs2.com/tv/softball.tournament.Leukemia.2.1088578.html

One Amazing Brother

As you all know, Jordan is home now and is doing his treatment on an out-patient basis. What we all don't see, is what this means to his big brother Tristen. There are no words to describe how quickly Tristen has had to grow up through out this whole experience. He has had to watch his little brother and his very best friend in the entire world literally fight to live. The hardest part of all, he has had to watch this from afar...as he wasn't able to be with Jordan for most of the 6 weeks he was in the hospital.

Since Jordan has been home, Tristen has taken it upon himself to be at his side every second possible. He is the one sitting next to him during is treatments now. He is the one rubbing his back, holding his hand, and giving him the encouragement he needs. He can't leave the room, let alone the house, without making sure Jordan is ok. He has stepped up like not many boys his age would, and all because of how much he loves his little brother.

He was there today when Jordan started his next dose of chemo. He is there as he watches Jordan struggle to walk without his walker, and all the time he is encouraging him and helping him fight this amazing battle that the doctors still can't believe he is winning so convincingly!

So, while we all have Jordan in our hearts and in our prayers, let's not forget about is big brother Tristen, who needs just as much attention, words of encouragement, and words of praise...for he too is fighting this battle, just in a much different way!

Tristen, you are one amazing big brother...and Jordan is so blessed to have you!

First Big Outing!

Tonight Jordan had his first big outing since being out of the hospital...and OF COURSE...it was to Tristen's All-Star Game! As Melissa put it, "he demanded and insisted that he was going!" He loved every second of it! The team even did a cheer for him! Unfortunately, the team lost by a run, but Jordan got to see his big brother play ball again and that was all that mattered!

He starts a new week of chemo tomorrow...so please keep him in your prayers!

Blood Drive

Today between 11:30 and 4:30 the Blood Bank will be at the Calimesa Stater Bros. The church Jordan and his family belong to is Oak Valley Family Church. They have an account with the Blood Bank. If you would like to donate, you can request that your blood be credited to the church's account. That way if Jordan ever in need it will be available to him.

Thank you for your support!

He's Out!!!

Jordan came home from the hospital yesterday!

After being there for 6 weeks and 1 day, Shawn brought Jordan home yesterday afternoon! He was greeted by family, balloons, and welcome home signs! Tristen is so excited to have him home!

The doctors can't believe how well Jordan is doing, and in such a short period of time! They have told Melissa and Shawn that he is the exception to what they usually see and expect! They have never seen a kid come back from as much emotionally and physically as Jordan has in such a short period of time! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Believe it or not, the doctors have told Shawn and Melissa that Jordan's Leukemia is in remission! While he still has the mass in his chest, they believe that it is of dead cells, not live ones. The continued chemo is to make sure of that. He is responding very well to treatment! The area of concern aside from the mass is his nutrition. He will be having home care and therapy, both physical and occupational. He is having to learn how to walk again. He is currently using a walker and a wheelchair, but he is working very hard. They have him on a high calorie/high protein diet. He is still on an NG tube through his nose, to give him bolus feedings. They are trying to increase them to help with his nutrition. He is still a little sick, but is hanging in there. The best feeding tube for him is a G-Tube, however, it would require surgery to insert it into his chest. The doctors can't risk putting him under anesthetic with the mass still in his chest.

Jordan is doing his chemo on an outpatient basis in Fontana. He went today for another dose, however, they don't do them over the weekend, so his next dose won't be until Monday. On his way home, they stopped at Mimi's. Jordan had a few bites of a BLT and a few fries! Shawn and Melissa kept asking him what he wanted to eat for his first meal home. He said Sushi...so they had Sushi on hand yesterday when he got home! He took a few bites here and there!

Even though Jordan's white blood cell count isn't too low right now, the doctors and family are asking that only immediate family be around him for the time being. The risk of germs is just too great. Jordan has come so far, but still has a long road ahead of him.

Thank you so much for your prayers on his behalf! Please keep them coming!!!

Jordan had a good day today. He is eating a little bit more and is feeling better. He was able to walk around today with the help of a walker! His spirits are up and his physical therapy is going well. He has another dose of chemo tomorrow, as well as a spinal tap.

Last night Jordan had a dose of chemo. He also received a blood transfusion, which they were hoping would give him more energy. He also was able to eat a little bit. Tristen was able to come for a visit, and Jordan enjoyed wearing his All-Stars cap for a while!

Today Jordan was able to walk 400 ft. on his own! He is getting stronger when he's not on heavy chemo. He only has one dose of it tonight, by pill.

Thank you for all of your prayers, please keep them coming!

Correction

I have a correction to last nights post...the fireworks show that was recorded for Jordan to watch was from Redlands, but only bits and pieces of a show from 4 years ago. The show in it's entirety has never been recorded by Melissa's sister-in-law. Sorry about the incorrect information.

Jordan still isn't feeling very well thanks to all of the chemo treatments he is getting. He is very tired, not talking much, and is sick. He has no appetite, and is mainly just drinking fluids. He has two more doses of chemo tonight, one in pill form and the other a push through his IV.

Melissa's brother and is family came down from Bakersfield to spend the holiday with Jordan and Melissa in the hospital. Jordan and Tristen are very close to their cousins. They brought their laptop which had videos the kids have made over the years of themselves to watch with Jordan. Every year Melissa's sister-in-law records the fireworks show at the U of R, so she put them all together so that Jordan could see a fireworks show tonight!

First of all...Happy Birthday Tristen!!! Melissa and Shawn were both able to spend the day with him! This is the first day they have all spent together outside of the hospital since Jordan was admitted. Thank you to Wally for staying with Jordan!

Jordan had a rough day today. Yesterdays round of chemo made him very sick. He was nauseous most of the day, and they had to stop his feedings several times. He had no appetite and was back on the feeding tube. He also had a lot of Gatorade and ice chips. They had him on numerous medications for his nausea as well. He was really tired and didn't do any physical therapy today.

He had two more doses of chemo tonight, but they weren't as strong as the ones he had yesterday. Thank you for keeping him in your prayers, as each day brings something new.

Jordan started his second round of chemo today. This one includes one spinal tap a week, and then chemo in different forms, and in different intervals. For instance, today he took his chemo in pill form and by IV...one that was a push and the other that was given to him over an hour time span. The doctors smashed his pill today and put it through his feeding tube, however, with how well he is able to eat more solid foods, they are thinking he will be able to swallow the pills in no time.

The spinal tap today was very scary for Jordan. He has had 3 others, but today was the first time he was alert with no type of sedation. He did great and it went well. Jordan is on round the clock medication for nausea, however, it is yet to be seen how he will react to this round of chemo.

This round of chemo will last for the next month, and then it will start all over again. The good thing about it is that it can be given to him as an out-patient. He is still in the hospital because of how sick he was to begin with. They haven't given any specifics as to when he will be going home, but at least it is a possibility! He is being moved to another hospital soon, the day is yet to be determined.

For those of you who have been asking, the Stater Bros in Calimesa will be holding a Blood Drive on July 10th to benefit Jordan's Cause. More details will follow soon!

Exciting News!!!

Jordan can now eat real food! His first meal in five weeks was tuna, tomatoes with ranch, a roll with butter, and milk to wash it down! Wally was bringing him a chicken teriyaki bowl from Jack in the Box, at his request. He said "it's gonna be good!"

He is now able to walk around a little. He's taking baby steps to use the bathroom. He was able to take a shower yesterday. While in the bathroom washing his hands today he looked in the mirror and said "it's gettin' bald" of course meaning his hair. He's alright with it though.

He will have chemo and a bone marrow test tomorrow. No g-tube. They don't want to risk a collapsed lung while inserting the tube, so they decided against it for now (the mass is still putting pressure on his lung). The CT results still show the mass, obviously. They are looking to move him again soon, and are still looking for a good rehab center close by.