Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thanks to all that came out to the garage sale and supported Jordan's Cause. It was a huge success! Thank you to the generous people that donated money without buying anything at all and to the people that donated items to the sale just to help. Jordan was well enough most of the weekend to be there and meet some of his faithful supporters.

Jordan received chemo last Wednesday and is do back for a repeat this Wednesday. The effects of last week's chemo definitely kicked in, but not as bad as I've seen it in the past...thankfully. Come Saturday, he was pretty much back to himself. We should know what to expect with tomorrows chemo now and it seems he should be able to enjoy Thanksgiving somewhat. We will just have to be on top with the nauseous medicine. I think just being with cousins he hasn't seen in a while will lift his spirits and hopefully he will be distracted from feeling sick (at least that's what I'm hoping for). The next day back will be December 9th and it will be big, so we will definitely take advantage of the time off.

This Thanksgiving, I give thanks to LIFE my son has, when I think back to what could of been, my prayers instantly begin...giving thanks to God for his miraculous favor he had on Jordan's life and still has. We will never forget the MIRACLE that was given to us!

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Jordan received chemo this past Wednesday, it consisted of a spinal tap and when they are in there pulling the fluid from the spine, they also inject some chemo medicine. Once he came out of the anesthesia, we went back to the room where he received two more chemo medicines. After an eight hour day, the last thing was to change his pic line dressing and like always they don't like the rash they see, so once again we are changing how we apply the bandages and now switching to iodine to clean it and have to now change the dressing every other day rather than once a week. It seems to be helping, his rash is much better.

Unfortunately the throwing up started that evening while we were at home. The nurses always give him dose of zolfran before we leave for the nauseousness but it only lasts so long. When Jordan is sick like this Shawn and I take turns sleeping on the couch with him and pretty much stay up the entire night. We do find it frustrating though, because its very hard for Jordan to keep any of his meds down when he just vomits them right back up. We wish we could take the medicines home with us and give them to him in the pic line like the nurses do. It would make things so much easier! We also give Jordan ativan and benadryl when he is so sick and vomiting, this is recommended by the doctors, to relax him and make him sleep. When he can keep these all down, it does seem to take the edge off.

This time around, Jordan did not throw up as long but seemed to stay sick longer with laying around a lot and sleeping more. He finally started to feel better on Sunday. We are due back again this Wednesday for more. Thankfully, no spinal tap, he will get two chemo meds at the doctors office. The next treatment after that will be the following Wednesday which will be the day before Thanksgiving...yes, we are all bummed!

For Jordan's Cause, we will be having a garage sale at my sister and brother-in-law's house this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Their address is 35275 Wildwood Canyon Drive in Yucaipa. The nearest cross street is Bryant. All you garage sale shoppers...come on out!

Lastly...When Jordan was sick on Saturday with no life in him and feeling his weakest, I found the perfect bible verse, 2 Corinthians 12:9 and it talks about God's power working the best in our times of weakness. When I read this to Jordan, it brought tears to both of us, that verse was exactly the verse we needed to get us through that day. I'm so glad I found that seed to plant in Jordan's mind and heart, it helped reassure us we are not facing this battle alone...even in our times of weakness.

Monday, November 9, 2009

A Glimpse Of The Old Jordan

This past weekend, we were able to enjoy Jordan the most we have in a long time. The four of us were able to get away and stay at a campground with two other families in Temecula for Tristen's baseball tournament and yes...he was the bat boy. If it puts him on a baseball field, he'll do it. Jordan is as eager as ever to be playing ball again and being the bat boy just draws him closer to the field.

The break that Jordan has had from chemo has done wonders for him! His hair is growing back, his voice is coming back, his strength is coming back, his personality is coming back, and he's eating more than ever! For the first time, I'm finally seeing it...a glimpse of the old Jordan! I've been eagerly waiting for it and it brings so much relief to see that it can and will happen...I can't wait until he's back, fully restored and even better than ever!

We do however, start up an intensive phase this Wednesday for 62 days. It, like always, begins with being admitted to the hospital for a spinal tap along with other chemos. The doctors feel this phase (hopefully) can be done without any hospital stays overnight. This is a big deal to Jordan and us, considering we've had our fair share of staying in the hospital...we strongly hope those days are behind us.

Jordan has loved this time off as he has been able to be somewhat of a normal kid again. He was able to ride his scooter and actually play ball this weekend with his brother and buddies he camped out with. His Grandpa Henry and Grandma Tina were even able to come and stay one night with us.

On Sunday night we picked up the bike he won from his school, thanks to Mrs. Matlock, and on Monday he was getting back into his old groove of riding and jumping his ramps (taking it cautiously of course). He loves his new bike and it will be great for strengthening his leg muscles.

Jordan currently weighs 60lbs! This is the most since he left the hospital after his initial stay in July. We hope and pray this next phase will not set him back much. He is very much aware of the upcoming chemo and just goes along with it. I've got to hand it to him, he's a trooper all right. Whenever people ask him, "How are you doing?" he always responds with "Good" or he gives a "thumbs up". He never really lets on that this is hard for him. When he does have his bad days, we just reassure him this will all be over soon and life will get back to normal. He feels like sometimes it won't, because in his mind three years of maintenance therapy seems forever. We just keep comforting and reassuring him.

Jordan would like to say, "Thanks to all who keep reading his blog and thank you for everything that you've done for me."

In closing, please remember us in your prayers, as we really don't know what the next couple of months will bring. We've just got to get Jordan through these last stages of the heavy chemo.

Monday, November 2, 2009

A Welcomed Break

This past week we have had a nice, well welcomed break from chemo. Jordan only had chemo on Monday and Tuesdays chemo was canceled due to a reaction he had from the injections in his thighs. I am proud to say this phase is finished.

We have an appointment to meet with doctors this Thursdays to discuss this last phase of Jordan's aggressive chemo therapy treatment. Praise God!! I never thought I'd see these final days approaching, although I do believe this final phase will last all through the holidays.

Jordan is doing pretty well right now, with the exception of his low white blood count. His coloring looks pretty good and his spirits are great. He has been able to do things that keeps him busy and entertained. When he is felling well, it brings much relief to all of us, having days of somewhat normalcy reminds us of what living like a normal family is like once again.

I want to say thank to all the continued prayers that go out for Jordan. I have people telling me continuously they're still praying...it's good to know Jordan has not been forgotten as we still are in a fight. These prayers have lifted us up during days when we as a family have been at our lowest.

Once I get more details regarding this phase on how the doctors are going to approach this...I will defiantly let you all know.

God Bless