Wonderful News!!

After getting reports of a recent CT scan, the mass in Jordan's chest is shrinking! The doctors strongly feel that the current mass in Jordan's chest is nothing less of scar tissue consisting of dead cells and will dissipate in time. The doctors tell me not to worry...that if their was something to worry about the mass would be getting bigger, its doing the opposite!!

The maintenance phase is scheduled to begin this Monday, starting off with getting admitted into the hospital with a spinal where more chemo will be administered. The most important procedure that day will be the port-a-cath finally being inserted into his chest. This means no more pic line! This will be start of the three year maintenance phase we have all been anticipating. It does involve chemo pills everyday that will last the entire time. This absolutely concerns me...I have no idea how he will respond to this as Jordan seems to be so sensitive to every type of treatment. The doctors assure me most kids can go back to school and play sports so I am expecting easier days ahead. The maintenance phase will also include chemo once a month through his port, spinals taps every three months, and steroids once a month.

Jordan's birthday was a success! There was a sea of red everywhere in honor of his favorite baseball team...the Angels, with a few exceptions of Dodger Blue roaming around! It was the most I've ever seen Jordan play since he's been diagnosed. It was a birthday well deserved by Jordan and he enjoyed every moment of it!

We've hit some huge milestones...the mass shrinking, the maintenance phase about to begin, and Jordan turning 10. I have to say again, I never thought I'd see these days...when you're going through the storm, brighter days seem so far away. My prayers will be that Jordan's counts will raise during this three year phase, allowing him to be a little boy again, going to school, playing with friends, and of course...playing baseball. I have to keep telling myself...God's got him in the palm of His hands and He will allow Jordan the desires of his heart.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. They will still be needed as we embark on this new phase of Jordan's Journey...

Jordan's 10th Birthday!!

Today is Jordan's 10th Birthday! We will celebrate by having a family birthday party all decked out in his favorite baseball team...the Angels, asking that everyone wear their red Angel gear in honor of the party. When I think back to when he was a baby, I never imagined what a huge impact he would have on not only us as parents but to others as well. He's a feisty little kid but a fighter as well. I thank God everyday for allowing us to be blessed with him as our son and could not be more proud to plan such a special party especially considering what he's been through.

A recent CT scan was done on Monday of this week showing that the mass in his chest is still there and only a bit a smaller. The doctors are talking with surgeons to determine if it is OK to put a port in his chest at this time. I should know more after his doctor's appointment on Monday.

His second pic line became clogged earlier this week. The nurses tried to unclog it but were unsuccessful so they had to pull the line out. Jordan received his chemo on Monday through a regular IV. He is now doing well. I thought we were going to start the maintenance phase at the end of this month, but the doctors are now talking to the head of the T-cell Leukemia Board to determine if more chemo may be needed due to Jordan not receiving all of the chemo stated on the road map. There were times we had to call off therapy because Jordan was too sick and could not handle the chemo. We will know soon. They may want to give him a more aggressive chemo therapy. As soon as I know more details as to the doctor's plans, I will post an update.

Right now, we will enjoy his birthday!

Ups and Downs...

The last two weeks for the Macias family have been full of many ups and downs. Jordan has had two full weeks of chemo and was in and out of the hospital and doctors offices more than we would of liked.

As last reported, he started off with a short hospital stay after receiving many different chemos that continued all through the week of Christmas. It was a miracle that we were not in the hospital during Christmas Eve and on Christmas day. He had a really rough week of being super sick but Christmas Eve...something happened and the light returned back in his eyes, he took a few bites of food and the corky (probably excited for Christmas) attitude was back. Now I know what they mean when they say..."Christmas Miracle." We were all together and not separated! Jordan was then able to enjoy Christmas day with family and enjoy new gifts.

This last Monday it all started again with a spinal tap back in the hospital along with other chemos that were to continue through Thursday. We expected it to be an easier week on Jordan but as the week went on, he only got worse. After trying to get Jordan to feel better and stop throwing up at the doctors office on Thursday, it was then decided it was best to admit him into the hospital. The doctors then made another decision, because of Jordan's weakend condition, to not proceed with the chemo that was due on Thursday and to stop the chemo pills that should have continued up until this Sunday. I'm not too sure how I feel about this...they told us that they knew I would be anxious about this decision but assured us that Jordan would be OK without finishing these particular treatments. The doctors feel that what Jordan has received these past two weeks have been at high levels and have done their job.

With some hesitation...the doctors discharged Jordan on New Years Day, they know how much we hate being in there and always try their hardest to make us happy. In fact, one of his doctors, came back to the hospital specifically to see Jordan, at 10:30 New Years Eve night. She said she just had to see him again and didn't like the way she had left him earlier that day. We are truly blessed to have the doctors we have, you see them so much, they turn into family.

We are scheduled to proceed with some light dosages of chemo this Monday, but that will be determined by blood work and how Jordan is feeling. His weight is back down to under 60 lbs. They don't seem too worried and they feel that his appetite will come back once the hard chemo is done with.

I have to say a special Thank You to my sister Sherrie, for coming with us on those spinal tap days and bringing some laughter into our hospital room. Also, Thank You to Big Brother, Tristen for going with us these past two weeks, always having to be the one to fetch the wheelchair, be his driver and help him throw up while I'm driving. I know this wasn't the best way to spend his Christmas break but Jordan could not have a more sensitive, compassionate brother.

I've never been more ready to say, "Bye Bye 2009" and "Welcome 2010." The year 2009 was filled with way too many tears for my family. While I'm forever grateful for triumphs in this past year, I'm ready for a New Year filled with New Hope and New Promises.

Thank you to all of you for standing by our sides during what was the most difficult time we've ever had to endure. Thank You for your dedication and faithful prayers that go out to Jordan each and everyday. And Thank You Lord, for NEVER abandoning us...