Jordan's Friends

I've done my share of complaining about crazy things that happen at the hospital, but one thing I haven't said enough about is the outstanding nurses and staff. You would think by now that Jordan would hate going to the hospital, but as long as there is no pain or getting him out of bed in the middle of the night, he considers his visits to be trips to see his "fwiends", of whom there are many. Today, we had time to kill in between appointments, so we did the rounds from the clinic to the floor. This included being lifted up several times to see the unit secretary who often has stickers or some kind of treat for Jordan. We saw several of his favorite nurses who give him hugs, sing funny songs, do crazy cheerleading routines, whatever it takes to make him smile or laugh. He talks the whole way to the hospital about Sue (the nurse practitioner) who kisses him , calls him silly names and lets him play with her stethascope. All the nurses in the clinic are his "girlfriends" and he never comes home without being covered head to toe with stickers. It is an amazing accomplishment that he has a positive attitude about being there. How thankful we are for those who take their job to the next level and love and care for Jordan with the best they have to offer.

Out

We're home. Jordan is feeling fine. More pain in the neck antibiotics to do, but we're out.

Back in the Hospital

We are back in the hospital. It has been a whirlwind of issues, and we now may be leaving tomorrow. We've been here two days and actually started out neighbors to the Townes. It has been so busy I haven't been able to update this site. Jordan has another blood infection, has had more issues with the kidneys and now may need his whole central line switched out. We have had the greatest of care, but are very tired of this place.

Ben's Stem Cell Transplant

Please pray for Jordan's cousin Ben. The actual stem cell transplant takes place today. This is a very crucial part of his treatment.

Hair

Jordan has got some hair back. This new chemo does not seem to be making it fall out and he is looking himself again. He's doing pretty good this week. Brent went back to work so that has been an adjustment for me. Chemo starts again on Tuesday.

Some Advertisements

It is very worthy of being said that at a time like this when faith and suffering are mysteries to me, the thing that totally makes sense is the Body of Christ. I have to put forth some advertisements...our church, Calvary Fellowship has been amazing. We have had meals provided for us for over a year, cards, financial support, gift baskets, phone calls, prayer meetings, work done on our house, the list goes on. They have been the hands that carry us, the eyes that see the way for us, the ears that hear God's voice when we cannot, and the heart that loves and suffers with us. We are forever grateful.

As many of you know my cousin's son is also battling cancer. Their church, University Presbyterian, has also been there for us. It is a sweet thing to hear our pastor pray for Ben and Jordan and then to hear about their pastor praying for them together also. They provided the incredible camp we attended last summer, have visited us, sent us financial support and loved us even though it is not the church we attend. What a picture of how things should be in the Body.

Another sweet gift we have received has been from the mayor of Edmonds. What a surprise to hear that letters were sent to many businesses in the city telling our story and we are almost daily receiving gifts of encouragement from many of those businesses. Here is a list of those businesses as some have asked...Anthony's, Petosa's, the Pancake Haus, Dairy Queen, Top Foods, Portofino's, the Wooden Spoon, and Baskin and Robbins. I'll include others that come in. I've never experienced this kind of community support from so many we don't even know. What a blessing.

Shorecrest High School, where Brent teaches has graciously allowed Brent to be home these last several months by so many giving him their sick days. It would have been impossible for me to do this by myself. They have been completely supportive of our whole family through this ordeal.

Our family and friends, you know who you are, and many others that we don't know have given to us so generously. We hope you know that your support is what helps us get through each day.

Round 2 Over

A nice young couple from church brought us dinner tonight. The kids couldn't stop commenting on how young they looked. I said, "Dad and I used to look young like that." In fact, until a year ago, people still thought I looked young. I think I've aged 10 years in the past one. However, Tate was nice enough to assure me saying, "You don't look old, Mom, you're just like an intermediate adult." I'll take it, I guess.

Jordan finished his second round of this new chemo today so we are 25% done. He didn't throw up nearly as much and managed to run laps around the clinic most days this week. Hoping for a peaceful week and a half until round 3.

Congratulations to Jordan's little friend Jenna finishing her last round of chemo this week! Please pray for Ben as he gets ready for his stem cell transplant on the 11th.

Friday

I meant to update sooner, but haven't gotten to it. Jordan's "procedure" on Tuesday went fine. It was actually more like a surgery as we found out-- his 6th in the last 2 months. It started out crazy as his line wasn't working right. The nurse working with us was trying to get an additional test done while he was under to check what was wrong with his line. It proved to be complicated to get the right people to communicate and she was very frustrated and complaining to me about how difficult her day was going. I was tempted to ask her if she would like to switch positions; I'd make phone calls and she could be the mom of a 2 year old with cancer stuck at the hospital the whole day for yet another "procedure." Some people just don't get it. One of these days I won't hold my tongue and some unlucky person is going to get my "cancer rage" as my cousin Carin likes to call it.

Anyways, chemo started again yesterday. Some throwing up last night. We were hoping to avoid it this time, but maybe it won't be as bad. We'll see. He's sleeping well now.