Jordy had two sessions of physical therapy today. He walked on a treadmill (forward, backward, and sideways!), walked up and down stairs, karate kicked bolsters, and other fun activities (I think Jordy would have a different term than fun). The most amazing thing to me was when he stood on a teeter-totter type of contraption and shot baskets. I am pretty sure that I would have fallen down if I had tried the same thing. I just rebounded and passed him the ball. He also stood on a trampoline and shot baskets. The therapist told him to use his legs. He told her that his mom and coach used to say that to him all the time!
After a long day in Portland, Jordy went to his dad’s company dinner. The people at Smith’s have been great to us, and many really wanted to see his shoes that were signed by LeBron James. It was wonderful to hear the encouraging words from Kevin’s co-workers and their families. They are a great group of people.
For now Jordy is going to therapy and waiting to get his in-patient therapy at Shriner’s scheduled. Oh, and some other good news . . . on Thursday Jordy will be meeting with the man who is going to paint his car as part of his wish with the Children’s Cancer Association. We will let you know details as we find them out.
Enjoy the sun and the rain.
Annie
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Updates on furlough ~
Due to circumstances beyond my control this news update system is taking a break. Since Jordy is done with his chemo, and gaining weight and hair there is no need for a semi-daily updates. Jordy has weekly therapy sessions, he will have a full body scan in mid March, and will start two weeks of intense therapy by the end of March. I will report on these as needed. When new or interesting news about the McDonald family happens you guys will be the second or third to know. The McDonld family wishes to thank everyone for supporting them this last year. The communities of Central Linn and Scio should be proud of the way they help and support families with unexpected needs and hardships.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Blazer Training Camp a possibility for The McDonald boys!
2/21
Jordy has had a lot of fun during the last couple of days. Yesterday, Terry, the man who donated the Blazer's tickets, brought his wife to visit Jordy. Kyle was also able to be here. They are so nice. It was great to talk to both of them. They are also trying to work it out for Kyle and Jordy to go to a Blazer's training camp so that they can meet some of the players. More excitement for the McDonald boys! We also heard stories about Willy, the limo driver. They told us that in eight years he has never had an accident, just on little "incident." They were in Las Vegas.
Willy hit a sign which flew through a crowd of people. Luckily no one was hurt and all was well.
There was another "card party" in the hallway last night. There were six kids this time. Another girl with a type of sarcoma joined the group. At times it appeared that there was more talking going on than card playing.
It was great to see them learning from each other and realizing that they have so much in common. The parents are also enjoying the chance to compare notes. It is not often that there are this many teens here at the same time. There are plans for another gathering tonight.
After the card game, the night nurses presented Jordy with a poster listing the Top 7 Things We Love About Jordon. It is so funny! Among them are his request for staff to address him as Sir Jordon and his belief that night nurses don't do much because all of the kids are sleeping!
Even Jordon has figured out that most of the excitement in a hospital happens at night, and very few kids (including Jordy) sleep at night. We all had tears in our eyes from laughing by the time they were done reading it to Jordy.
Jordy's Methatrexate level was .41 today. It has to be under .1 to go home. We will probably be home on Monday. Jordy is taking a week off from therapy, but on Wednesday he has an appointment with the prosthetist for some adjustments.
Enjoy your homes and families. We will be doing the same soon!!!
Annie
Jordy has had a lot of fun during the last couple of days. Yesterday, Terry, the man who donated the Blazer's tickets, brought his wife to visit Jordy. Kyle was also able to be here. They are so nice. It was great to talk to both of them. They are also trying to work it out for Kyle and Jordy to go to a Blazer's training camp so that they can meet some of the players. More excitement for the McDonald boys! We also heard stories about Willy, the limo driver. They told us that in eight years he has never had an accident, just on little "incident." They were in Las Vegas.
Willy hit a sign which flew through a crowd of people. Luckily no one was hurt and all was well.
There was another "card party" in the hallway last night. There were six kids this time. Another girl with a type of sarcoma joined the group. At times it appeared that there was more talking going on than card playing.
It was great to see them learning from each other and realizing that they have so much in common. The parents are also enjoying the chance to compare notes. It is not often that there are this many teens here at the same time. There are plans for another gathering tonight.
After the card game, the night nurses presented Jordy with a poster listing the Top 7 Things We Love About Jordon. It is so funny! Among them are his request for staff to address him as Sir Jordon and his belief that night nurses don't do much because all of the kids are sleeping!
Even Jordon has figured out that most of the excitement in a hospital happens at night, and very few kids (including Jordy) sleep at night. We all had tears in our eyes from laughing by the time they were done reading it to Jordy.
Jordy's Methatrexate level was .41 today. It has to be under .1 to go home. We will probably be home on Monday. Jordy is taking a week off from therapy, but on Wednesday he has an appointment with the prosthetist for some adjustments.
Enjoy your homes and families. We will be doing the same soon!!!
Annie
Bummer...no last massage for Jordy ~
2/20
Yesterday was a bit of a disappointment to Jordy. The massage lady was sick, so he did not get his last Thursday morning massage.
Last night Jordy did have a very fun time. It was the oddest event, but very touching. A group of five teen "Osteos" (kids being treated for
Osteosarcoma) got together in the hall and played cards. First, it is strange for there to be that many kids with the same diagnosis and ages to be here all at once. Second, it is unusual for them to all be feeling relatively well at the same time.
The group consisted of Jordy and Steven (oldies) and three new kids. It was great to hear them talking and LAUGHING!!! It was wonderful to see kids that have been so stressed be able to just have fun. Even the nurses were excited to see the kids having fun.
The parents also sat together and talked. The questions from the new parents brought back so many memories for Steven's dad and myself. The biggest concerns were facing surgery and getting the kids to eat. The locations of tumors were diverse, including the tibia, fibula, spine, ankle, and shoulder, but they all are being treated for osteosarcoma.
While it is so scary, last night they all had a great time.
At 11:00 the party broke up. One girl was not feeling well and the rest were tired. Jordy said that he wondered if they really just needed to use the bathroom. They were all on high levels of fluids. I think he was probably right that their bladders just couldn't take it any more.
Jordy is still sleeping, but will soon be awake for today's activities and visitors. This will be his last time for Friday rounds. On Fridays a larger group comes for rounds. All of the doctors, the dietitian, the nurse practitioner, etc. are included.
Enjoy the sunshine!
Annie
Yesterday was a bit of a disappointment to Jordy. The massage lady was sick, so he did not get his last Thursday morning massage.
Last night Jordy did have a very fun time. It was the oddest event, but very touching. A group of five teen "Osteos" (kids being treated for
Osteosarcoma) got together in the hall and played cards. First, it is strange for there to be that many kids with the same diagnosis and ages to be here all at once. Second, it is unusual for them to all be feeling relatively well at the same time.
The group consisted of Jordy and Steven (oldies) and three new kids. It was great to hear them talking and LAUGHING!!! It was wonderful to see kids that have been so stressed be able to just have fun. Even the nurses were excited to see the kids having fun.
The parents also sat together and talked. The questions from the new parents brought back so many memories for Steven's dad and myself. The biggest concerns were facing surgery and getting the kids to eat. The locations of tumors were diverse, including the tibia, fibula, spine, ankle, and shoulder, but they all are being treated for osteosarcoma.
While it is so scary, last night they all had a great time.
At 11:00 the party broke up. One girl was not feeling well and the rest were tired. Jordy said that he wondered if they really just needed to use the bathroom. They were all on high levels of fluids. I think he was probably right that their bladders just couldn't take it any more.
Jordy is still sleeping, but will soon be awake for today's activities and visitors. This will be his last time for Friday rounds. On Fridays a larger group comes for rounds. All of the doctors, the dietitian, the nurse practitioner, etc. are included.
Enjoy the sunshine!
Annie
Friday, February 20, 2009
Congratulations Jordy & Family!!!!
February 19 ~
It is done, over, finshed!!!!
Jordy is doing well . . . just a little queasy. It has been great having staff, other parents, and patients stopping by to congratulate Jordy regarding the end of his chemo. Although it is VERY exciting, there is also a sense of loss that comes along with leaving our home away from home for the past eight months. That said, we are so excited to be finished.
We have much more exciting things to be doing!
Jordy also heard from the Children's Cancer Association. As part of their "Life Support" program they grant wishes, similar to Make-a-wish. Jordy's wish is to fix up his Mitsubishi. He loves that car because it is the first car that he bought, and he worked hard on a farm to earn the money Bev told us that a body shop will be painting the car. She will give us more details as they come. One of Jordy's goals in life has been to have a vehicle that is not "cosmetically challenged." Now there is hope.
Tomorrow Terry, the man who donated the Blazer's tickets, is coming to visit Jordy and see "the shoes." He may also bring someone from Nike.
Susan, the Child Life Specialist, also had some good news for Jordy. With at donation, she purchased a WII Fit for the unit. She is going to let Jordy try it out first. Tomorrow when he is feeling a little better, he will put on his prosthesis and give it a try.
Bryan, the social worker, came by for a visit. He asked Jordy if he would want to talk to a 16 year old girl with Osteosarcoma that is just starting treatment. He is very willing to share his experience and reassure her.
Jordy's kidney levels continue to slowly, but steadily improve. We are hoping they kick the Methatrexate out quick.
Annie
It is done, over, finshed!!!!
Jordy is doing well . . . just a little queasy. It has been great having staff, other parents, and patients stopping by to congratulate Jordy regarding the end of his chemo. Although it is VERY exciting, there is also a sense of loss that comes along with leaving our home away from home for the past eight months. That said, we are so excited to be finished.
We have much more exciting things to be doing!
Jordy also heard from the Children's Cancer Association. As part of their "Life Support" program they grant wishes, similar to Make-a-wish. Jordy's wish is to fix up his Mitsubishi. He loves that car because it is the first car that he bought, and he worked hard on a farm to earn the money Bev told us that a body shop will be painting the car. She will give us more details as they come. One of Jordy's goals in life has been to have a vehicle that is not "cosmetically challenged." Now there is hope.
Tomorrow Terry, the man who donated the Blazer's tickets, is coming to visit Jordy and see "the shoes." He may also bring someone from Nike.
Susan, the Child Life Specialist, also had some good news for Jordy. With at donation, she purchased a WII Fit for the unit. She is going to let Jordy try it out first. Tomorrow when he is feeling a little better, he will put on his prosthesis and give it a try.
Bryan, the social worker, came by for a visit. He asked Jordy if he would want to talk to a 16 year old girl with Osteosarcoma that is just starting treatment. He is very willing to share his experience and reassure her.
Jordy's kidney levels continue to slowly, but steadily improve. We are hoping they kick the Methatrexate out quick.
Annie
Celebrating Great Things!
2/18
It is a GREAT evening!
Jordy was able to start his chemo tonight. They hooked him up to the Methatrexate about six o'clock. This means that by ten he will be officially done with his chemo. No more "kool-aid" in his IV. The doctors have decided to up his fluids a little to hopefully speed up the excretion process. We are hoping to go home on Sunday. It seems so odd to think that we will not be coming back for more chemo.
The staff has been very excited about the end of Jordy's treatment. He has had several nurses stop by just to congratulate him. They know that not all families are as lucky as we are.
Tomorrow night the man who donated the Blazer tickets is going to visit Jordy. He really wants to talk to Jordy and see "the shoes". That reminds me. . . Jordy (and unfortunately I) may be on the radio! Each year 95.5 in Portland does a radio-a-thon in March. They were interviewing patients and their parents. They wanted to hear about Jordy's trip to the Blazer game. I don't think Jordy or I are great radio material, but we will see.
Jordy has pretty bad mouth sores, but other than that things seem ok. He is just ready to be done, even if the sores get worse. At least this is the last of the poison!
Enjoy the sunshine and celebrate a little for Jordy!
Annie
It is a GREAT evening!
Jordy was able to start his chemo tonight. They hooked him up to the Methatrexate about six o'clock. This means that by ten he will be officially done with his chemo. No more "kool-aid" in his IV. The doctors have decided to up his fluids a little to hopefully speed up the excretion process. We are hoping to go home on Sunday. It seems so odd to think that we will not be coming back for more chemo.
The staff has been very excited about the end of Jordy's treatment. He has had several nurses stop by just to congratulate him. They know that not all families are as lucky as we are.
Tomorrow night the man who donated the Blazer tickets is going to visit Jordy. He really wants to talk to Jordy and see "the shoes". That reminds me. . . Jordy (and unfortunately I) may be on the radio! Each year 95.5 in Portland does a radio-a-thon in March. They were interviewing patients and their parents. They wanted to hear about Jordy's trip to the Blazer game. I don't think Jordy or I are great radio material, but we will see.
Jordy has pretty bad mouth sores, but other than that things seem ok. He is just ready to be done, even if the sores get worse. At least this is the last of the poison!
Enjoy the sunshine and celebrate a little for Jordy!
Annie
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine's Day ~
Kevin spent the night with Jordy, and I went to Wilsonville. I think I got the best of the deal. About 1:00 a.m. Jordy's port clotted with blood. They had to deaccess and reaccess his port. They also had to give him some medication to disolve the clots. They finished the procedures about 3:00 a.m. so neither Jordy or Kevin got much sleep. All seems to be working fine now.
The doctors told Jordy this morning that his kidneys are not functioning at their best. This has happened before, but they want to get it taken care of. They have increased his fluids (they already give him high fluids with this chemo). This has also increased his urine output! They have also increased the medication that counteracts the chemo. The doctor said not to get excited and think he might go home tomorrow. It isn't going to happen. We are now hoping for Monday. He has two therapy appointments at Shriner's on Tuesday and is scheduled for his last chemo on Wednesday. We will have to see how it all goes.
We are seeing lots of balloons at the hospital for Valentine's Day. The little kids are loving it.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Annie
The doctors told Jordy this morning that his kidneys are not functioning at their best. This has happened before, but they want to get it taken care of. They have increased his fluids (they already give him high fluids with this chemo). This has also increased his urine output! They have also increased the medication that counteracts the chemo. The doctor said not to get excited and think he might go home tomorrow. It isn't going to happen. We are now hoping for Monday. He has two therapy appointments at Shriner's on Tuesday and is scheduled for his last chemo on Wednesday. We will have to see how it all goes.
We are seeing lots of balloons at the hospital for Valentine's Day. The little kids are loving it.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Annie
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