So Busy

I have to apologize for my lack of consistency with keeping up with the blog.  I find myself every night wanting to tell all of you everything that is going on, but have the lack of time/energy to do so.  Remember when I said my day was somewhat predictable?  Well, we are sort of back in a routine again, with school started, but the routine is different.  And the unexpected things that go along with the added routine.  Things such as the extra sanitation of everything.  Or the monitoring of any new symptom.  Or the careful balance for Jordon to be nourished, hydrated, and have a little activity.  Before I had children I remember thinking I was busy.  Then after children I remember wondering what I did with all my time before I had them.  This situation is similar.  I often wonder what I did with all my time before cancer.  This has become such a big part of our life, it is almost as if you forget what life was like before.  This is our life now and somehow we find a way to make it through each day.  But this is temporary, and we know that we are in a battle in which we will come out of stronger, better prepared, more equipped to deal with life.  If we never had these trials, it is likely that we would never call upon the Lord.  Similar to that when a child needs his father, we need our eternal Father.  I am thankful for that relief and comfort.

Tuesday we arrived in St. Louis for Jordon's appointment in which he had a PET scan.  On Wednesday the doctor contacted me and explained that the PET scan did not reveal any new lesions and this is good.  The cancer cells presented themselves with 50% less activity, so the chemotherapy is working.  Jordon's blood results also showed that his platelets were on their way back up and he was given the clear to go to school on Wednesday.
On Wednesday Jordon woke himself up, and was fully ready to go to school by 6:45 am.  Off we went!  Jordon was able to attend school the entire day but was asleep by 6:45 pm.  On Thursday he went to school but became tired before the end of the day and came home a little early.  His blood was drawn, at school, on Thursday morning and the doctor called me and told me that he may be feeling a little tired because his bone marrow was working overtime.  What happens is that after each chemo treatment they administer a shot of Neulasta, which makes his immune system start working again when it is down.  Sometimes this Neulasta works really good and will make his immune system really high as if it is fighting an infection.  Just part of the process.  I think he is anxious to get back to school on Monday and really enjoyed his two days at school.  Thank you for the prayers!

We will be heading back up to St. Louis on Tuesday for nearly a week.  Jordon will receive 18 hours of chemotherapy a day for 5 days.  The doctor told us on Tuesday that this round of chemo tends to make children very sick and may even cause dehydration.  We will be preparing for this as best as we can with seabands, ginger gum, ginger ale, and LOTS OF PRAYER.

Pictured at top is Jordon teaching the girls to play poker.  He has learned many different games over the last couple of months, but oddly this turns out to be one of his favorites.  The bottom picture is of Jordon's first day of school.

An exciting gift from Washington DC-he was over the moon opening up all the goodies in the box.  One thing in particular in the box that Jordon discovered he likes to eat-astronaut ice cream!

Prayers for continued strength and balance.  Prayers for Jordon to be healed completely.  Prayers against short and long term side effects.  Praises that we have been home, without illness, for almost two weeks.  Praises that there are no new lesions.  Praises that Jordon was able to go to school and return to a somewhat normal childhood for a few days.  Praises that the Lord has been our comfort.