My Little Hero!

Hello all…I’m more than thrilled to announce that Jordan is done with radiation! We actually started it a week later then anticipated because of his counts being too low. But, oh how happy we are that his last treatment was this past Wednesday!

Last Sunday afternoon, when we got home from camping up in the mountains (to get a quick getaway in before school started and to give Jordan a change of scenery other than the radiation rooms at Kaiser), I read a wonderful comment made by Keri on the blog. She shared her story of her daughter that was diagnosed with T-Cell Leukemia almost 20 years ago and now how she’s being released from the care of her oncologist!

First off, I couldn’t even get through the first few sentences without crying. This comment meant so much to me in many ways. This is the first person who I have EVER came into contact with who’s child had T-Cell and to know she’s been a survivor for so long and is now being released from doctor’s care, was just what I needed to hear! So CONGRATULATIONS Keri on hearing those words that I’m sure you’ve longed to hear for so long. Your comment was a great encouragement to me and the rest of my family…including Jordan! Reading comments like this, reminds me that yes…I need to continue doing this blog!

Unfortunatly…the radiation did not go as smoothly as we thought it would. It was much more on Jordan then we ever anticipated…physically and mentally. He started feeling nauseous almost right from the beginning which brought back a whole flood of emotions for me. It brought back the times of undergoing the aggressive chemo and I caught myself questioning our judgment of even doing this radiation. I felt like I was torturing him all over again and not helping him. But when I read the comment from Keri and she said that not getting the radiation was not an option, I realized (with the help of Shawn and others) that it was indeed needed.

Thankfully, we only had to do it for eight days but I could definitely see the fear in Jordan’s face every time we went. It broke my heart seeing them lock the mask on his face each time and on several occasions when we would go back into his room to get him, he had tears that filled his mask. For a 10 year old this was traumatic (gosh, for an adult it would be traumatic). But by Gods strength he gave him each day to go in and do this, he overcame yet another phase in this journey with flying colors and now Jordan in my eyes will always be my “Little Hero”! There’s no other word to describe it other than this!

Unfortunately today, his hair has started to fall out. They warned us of this, but doctors are hopeful it will just thin and not completely fall out due to the amount of radiation he received. I pray that this is true.

On a much happier note, we’ve hit another milestone in Jordan’s Journey. He officially started back to school and is now a big 5th grader! We were a little concerned if he could even finish the first week due do the radiation making him sick but thanks to the nauseous medicine and his determination to be a normal child again, he made it! We are completely blessed to have him at Calimesa Elementary School! Everyone there is wonderful, caring, and nurturing towards Jordan. They are all so happy he’s back!! He has a wonderful teacher (Mrs. Peterson) who is a Christian and texts me bible verses every morning, I love it! (This is great because I need all the encouragement I can get). They really made a week I thought was going to be very difficult quite easy. Tristen also got off to a great start at middle school! This week has been quite a transition for all of us, but in a good way!

A lot of people are asking me if Jordan is still getting chemo. The answer is yes, we have 3 years of maintenance chemo left. This consists of chemo pills daily, chemo in his port once a month which follows with 5 days of steroid pills, and every 3 months we are due in the hospital for spinal taps (along with chemo in his spine on those days).

So… as you see, the road is far from over but it has already begun as well…Jordan’s health is being restored and now Jordan will continue to be strengthen by God’s healing power which brings us the peace we need to fight and to overcome this. When he’s down, I always tell him one of my favorite verses…Phil. 4:13, For I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.

And so can you…

SWEET VICTORY!

Hello All! My how time flies when you’re having fun! Summer has sure kept us busy! The days are just flying by. I can’t believe before we know it, the boys will be back in school and yes Jordan is returning and starting the 5th grade and Tristen will be starting middle school.

We actually just got back from vacation at the river, filled with family, fun and lots of laughter. Jordan made up for missing this trip last year and had tons of fun on the boat, tubing and bonding with cousins!

We finally ended the All Star season towards the end of July and ended it with a BANG for Jordan’s team! They did wonderful and had an awesome time! Shawn coached and had an amazing group of kids that won their district title! They were the only team in our division to do so. The team went on after that to represent our district in Sectionals but was eliminated after loosing two games. I thought the boys would be upset but really it seemed they were all relieved and ready to start their summer vacation. None the less…they have so much to be proud of after such a huge accomplishment winning their district! I caught myself tearing up the last game they played as I sat there watching Jordan play...thinking what a SWEET VICTORY it was that he was playing at All Star level! Last season, Jordan had to deal with the fact that only his brother could play wishing he had the strength to play himself. Again…another milestone! Who would have thought Jordan would be where he’s at today! God is so good and has answered all our prayers!

I now have to have the confidence that God will carry us through this next journey in Jordan’s life. I last mentioned we had a consultation in Hollywood to discuss the Cranium Radiation that Jordan is due to get. We actually start this radiation in Ontario on August 4th for 8 days. This is a preventative treatment as T-Cell Leukemia can tend to come back in the brain. The odds of this coming back if we don’t do this treatment is extremely high, so of course we want to do what’s in the best interest to prevent this from coming back. One good thing they tell us is the dose of radiation has significantly lowered in the past few years. So that means fewer risks in side effects.

We had to go in for them to make a mask that molds to his face for treatment in order to help his head from moving during the radiation. The mask will lock down to a bed Jordan is laying on to prevent any movement in his head so the radiation can go only to his brain. They say each treatment should be done within 5 minutes.

To be honest, I really can’t think much about this because fear instantly sets in. As a mother I’m constantly worrying, this whole thing makes me a big ball of nerves. My faith’s for sure going to be tested during this time. I know we’re not the only family battling such illnesses as this, so when I feel this worry come on, I start to pray for all who are battling for their loved ones. My heart aches when I think of what people all around are going through, I do know now first hand we’re not the only ones. With that being said, please join me and my family in prayer as yet another phase in Jordan’s Journey is about to begin. Jordan will need peace of mind as radiation begins in his brain. Also pray for strength in his body and for protection so NO side effects will affect him now and in the years to come.

For I know God has a plan in his life and this is just a small bump in the road to complete recovery and restoration in the innocent life of our child.

Thank you and God's Blessing to all of you and your families!