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!
Hi -
ReplyDeleteI've read your blog about Jordan (& your family) since the beginning - now I don't even know how I got started BUT my daughter, Selah,("say-la"), was diagnosed at age 4 1/2 with T-Cell ALL way back in 1991. She is now 24 (!) and was just released from her oncologist this week with the words "It's been 20 years - come show me your grandbabies but other than that, we're done!" (Spoken with all the love of a doctor who has been in control of her medical treatment for 20 years!)
I remember when we were told about the radiation treatments, and the fear that started to grip our hearts and the "what ifs"...I also remember our doctor assuring us that she would be fine, and that "not doing" this, was not an option. To have done everything else and avoid radiation would have been a wrong choice. All this to say, radiation was easier than we thought, and side effects were none.
When Selah was in school a few years later, a letter came from our school district, asking for permission to test her for the GATE program...I sobbed as I clutched the letter in my hand, and could "hear" our doctor, assuring us that she would be fine.
As we look back on our cancer journey, it wasn't as hard as we'd thought it would be when it begun and those 4 words, "your child has cancer", were first heard. I realize that we have a success story, but through it all, leaning on the Lord and His strength has been the most precious thing.
Kerri