Elmo says, "May the Force be with You!"

1:30

Ok well I made it to church. I didn't think I would but we actually got there almost in time. The last couple of weeks have been very difficult for me. Nothing has seemed to lift me from my despair. I want to have faith and peace, but no matter how hard I try I cannot reconcile watching my baby suffer and the love of God. It angers me that this life makes so little sense these days. I have felt paralyzed. As I got home I realized the analogy of the paralyzed man in the bible. His friends carry him to Jesus. That is what church was like for me this morning. My friends and church family carried me. Wayne prayed a touching prayer for Ben and Jordan, so many came up to encourage me, congratulate me for making it there, tell me I looked nice (can you believe it after no sleep?) and slip checks in my kid's pockets to give to me later. I looked around the church body today and saw many who I know have suffered in similar ways and have survived. They have been here for us in our trial. It gave me some hope. A drink of cool water in the desert for me.

A Rough Night

People always ask these days, "How was Jordan's night?" That is such a relative question, but here is how last night went.

7:30 Change catheter bag, give Jordan a bath, draw up all his medicines and give them, set up feeding tube, and lay down in bed with Jordan.

8:30 Jordan is still awake so Brent lays down with him and they both fall asleep.

8:30-11:30 Jordan tossing and turning

11:30 I come in and Jordan insists I sleep with him. He tosses some more and I realize the feeding tube is wrapped around his neck. I thread it through his shirt.

1:00 Jordan waking up with bladder pain (he currently has urinary tract infection). Brent comes in. We give more medicine. Brent lays down with him and I go to the couch.
Fitful sleeping till 4:00.

4:00 I come in and Brent and I switch. I give more medicine. I realize the feeding tube is now disconnected and there is formula all over the bed. Jordan watches two rounds of Veggie Tales and one round of the Wiggles and is wide awake now feeling energetic. He is so wiggly now the feeding tube is wrapped around his leg and pulling down at his neck. I fix it.

6:00 Brent and I switch again.

6:30 Jordan has some breakfast and dumps his juice on the floor.

7:45 I come out and Brent goes back to bed exhausted.

8:00 Jordan, somehow full of energy goes full throttle into his new pastimes, dumping, throwing things in the garbage, and flushing the toilet. He dumps out the Connect 4 game a few times, all the bandaids, and alcohol swabs, and got ahold of Sitara's bead project.

10:00 I am writing this. Brent is still asleep. We probably will not make it to church today.

5 asleep

only dad up at the moment- writing a qwik update. Actually, it is a very good thing when 5 of us are all snoozing; especially if Jordan is in that number. Today was fairly even keel, though we did have to make an unscheduled hospital visit because of another bladder malfunction and Jordan has picked up a little cold...those are a couple specifics for prayer. The visit resulted in the usual vitals being taken, but additionally added was a blood & urine sample being drawn, nose suction for a nasal specimen (the worst one), and a flu shot. For all the discomforts, Jordan earned a bag of chips from the vending machine as we walked out of the hospital. He thoroughly enjoyed those chips (sour cream and onion) all the way home. Again, we so appreciate all the love we've received from everyone (I wish I could convey this truth in a more dramatic and believable way). The prayer, care packages, meals, volunteerism, cards, letters, phone calls, emails, etc. It's amazing! It just keeps coming and I know it all is contributing to Jordan's treatment plan and ultimate healing. We love you!

Doubleheader

Well after two and a half months of chaos and most of our time spent at the hospital, we for the first time, had not one, but two family outings. That means everybody including Jordan left the house together to go somewhere that people don't wear blue gloves. Jordan was overjoyed. Saturday we were invited to a spontaneous gourmet dinner at our friends the Smiths. And, Sunday was Jordan's birthday party at my parents. Both times he smeared cake and icecream everywhere and tore around the house dumping out whatever he could find. He even threw a beautiful European music box across the room onto the hardwood floor at my parents. You can get away with a lot when you are two and have cancer. Jordan had to go to the hospital today for labs which is not a big deal. We went visiting after. The highlight of the day was delivering a stuffed Elmo to another two year old (Kayla) who after 4 months is finally leaving the hospital. She usually has such a sad face, but she lit up with smiles when she opened the gift. It made me cry. We also visited Ben who was admitted yesterday. He is getting better, but please pray for him as he is recovering from a very difficult round of chemo. We are hoping to stay home, and don't have any other appointments until October 31st and then are admitted on November 2nd for his next round of chemo.

Happy birthday Jordan!

We praise God! He has spared Jordan's life and allowed us to celebrate the gift of a 4th child for this past year; an answer to a great number of our prayers, and those prayers of so many others, as Jordan has now turned 2. Though a tumultous year, we know that many did not wake to see this day, and it is only by the grace of God that air is in Jordan's lungs and that of our other children as well. The very first and most routine activities of each and every one of Jordan's hospital visits (both clinic and inpatient) is to take height, weight, temp., and heart rate. Of course this becomes a mundane and often boring ritual, but Jordan is a champion at it. Without fail, he sticks his leg out for the pulse check, jumps on to the scale like its a big toy, and holds up his arm for the thermometer. He enjoys these simple procedures because they are non-intrusive and don't involve pain. Many of the other calulations taken on his body are not so endurable or pleasant. Also, he knows the big reward at the end vitals is his choice of the sticker selections. All this being said, we are grateful to God for the hope of another year of more promising vitals being taken on Jordan, and that we are presently at home (yeah!) to enjoy this special day. The day will consist of Jordan's choice in menu items and some special little gifts and the birthday song. Tomorrow, provided health/vitals remain stable, it is rumor that there will be another celebration with grandparents and cousin Ben.
Romans 6:23 the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD

Home Today

Jordan is doing well. He had a good night and is finishing the last day of chemo. He has gained all his weight back (he lost 3 pounds after a month of throwing up). This chemo doesn't seem to make him nauseous, but he has had some bladder irritation. We're glad to be going home and hope we will stay there till the next round. Please pray for Ben, Jordan's cousin has finished his chemo a few days ago and it is making him throw up a lot. They do not want to come back either! His website is caringbridge.org/visit/towne for those who have asked.

Sunday

Jordan is on his 4th day of chemo tomorrow. He's doing really well and we've been chasing him around the halls trying to keep up with him. He got to share a room with his cousin Ben who went home this morning. We are glad he is home but it was nice to be together if we have to be here. We've appreciated all the fun visitors. Can't wait to get our of here on Tuesday.

The Results

Jordan had his scans today. The results are kind of ambiguous but for the most part they said it was unchanged. There is one area that looks better than before (not sure if it is just a more clear scan or a change). But, it means the surgery might be less invasive. We're disappointed there isn't dramatic miraculous news, but are hoping that things will continue to change for the better. He starts his 3rd round of the new 5 day chemo tomorrow. Then, he will have one more the beginning of November and then the surgery sometime toward the end of November.

wake up Jesus!

i've always sort of considered myself one that would be sleeping soundly next to Jesus when the disciples came to him during the panic of the storm (Matthew 8:23-27). After all the miracles he had previously performed and considering His power, for sure I wouldn't be one too alarmed. And i especially wouldn't want to be one of those included in on the "O ye of little faith" group. Probably a pride issue for me. A few days ago, though, something happened to jar my reality. It was the middle of the night and Jordan was having another pain episode (of which Becky and I could only helplessly look on) And in the midst of our "why" questions and weariness, it suddenly dawned on me that i would actually have been the very disciple who, not only would have suggested waking the 'Master" up, but would have volunteered to be the first to try and roust Him from His sleep. I've never quite looked at this Bible story from such a desparate point of view. Presently, I feel like I am in the midst of trying to wake Him up in hopes that He will calm our storm and save Jordan's life. I wonder how maddening the storm got before the disciples actually did wake Him. It just says the waves were coming over the boat? How long was it before things got too desparate? In the waiting time for this storm to pass, we are seeking Him and His power. Jordan's next scans (which will detect cancer reduction or growth) are Thursday morning. We are setting aside Wednesday as a day of prayer and fasting in hopes of seeing God's miraculous hand of healing. After our mid-week Bible study at church (Calvary Fellowship- Mountlake Terrace), we will gather for a special time of prayer (approx 8:30pm). Whatever God might place upon your heart to do on this purposeful day, would be a great encouragement to us. Again, I speak as one and for the whole, the Busby family is so grateful for all that others have done to sustain us through our "dark hour".
BIG love,
the Busbys

Home

We're home. Kind of dragging, but not in the hospital.

Tubes

Jordan got a feeding tube today. We were hoping to avoid it, but I guess it is good now it is in. They are thinking it will make him feel a lot better and give him some good nutrition to help get past all this sickness. So now we are dealing with 3 tubes. We have all had enough.

Slowly Better

Jordan is slowly getting better. They think he probably has a new virus as unbelievable as that is. He is here getting fluids and I would guess we'll go home late today or tomorrow

unexpected hospital stay

"Red eye special" coming on as we are near the midnight hour...just got out of ER and transferred to 2nd floor room 2014 (arrived at 5:30pm). Jordan has picked up another bug of some sort. Lots and lots of puke and diarhea last couple of days. I'll leave it at that as far as specifics go. We'll be here an undetermined amount of time. We are grateful for Parents/Grandparents. Thanks u guys for the relentless love and support delivered at any given moment. Tonight is Grandma Cheryl covering the other little ones. Luke 17:10

ps thanks maggie and eric