9/30
Jordy has slept most of the day, but says his leg feels pretty good. He has not taken any pain meds since he has come home. He is planning on going to visit a friend tonight. That should lighten his mood a little.
He did get some great news today. A lady from the Children’s Cancer Association called today. They have a program similar to Make a Wish. Jordy’s wish was to have his car fixed up or some tools. It sounds like things are progressing . . . more details to come.
It is nice to have the surgery behind us, a bit daunting as well. Dr. Malempati says the next couple of months will be the hardest because Jordy will be healing from the surgery and getting back at the chemo at the same time. For the next week he will rest and recuperate.
The rain is coming, so enjoy the dry weather for now.
Annie
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Green toenails anyone?
Jordy is done with his checkup this morning. Only took about 20 minutes. The med student said it looked pristine. Only Jordy could have half a leg facing backwards and have the doctors call it pristine. The cast is green and goes from his toes to his hip. He may get suspenders if it starts to slip down. So remember, if you go visit to paint his toe nails it should match his cast. He will head for home tomorrow so don’t block those Arby’s driveways between Portland and Scio.
George
George
Doctors ~ rechecking their work
Tomorrow (Monday) Jordy gets to go night-night again as the doctors will be examining their work. They will be removing the padding and bandages to check how well they did, and how well and fast Jordon is healing. They will fine tune anything that needs tuning and cast his leg. He should be heading home Tuesday. Annie and Mommy had a good time looking at fiber in Canby. Nobody in their right mind would go to a fiber show when there was a gun show in Albany to go to. Hopefully when Jordy gets home Annie will come to her senses.
George
George
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Jordy goes home on Tuesday!
9/25
Jordy is doing pretty good. Kevin came up after work last night and stayed with Jordy. He got here in time for the last four minutes of the OSU football game. Jordy & I have been watching the ESPN coverage of the "big upset".
This morning has been busy. The doctors told Jordy that he would be staying through the weekend and getting his cast on Monday. He will get to go home on Tuesday. He will probably start his chemo again on October 8.
After breakfast Kevin, Jordy and I headed to the activity room for a little basketball. They have one of those arcade-type basketball shoots.
Jordy found out that his mom and dad are not that bad of shots, and it is really hard to shoot well when you are under the influence of pain meds.
He had a good time, and made a few shots in the process. Kevin was off to work, and Jordy and I were off to our next stop.
We went down to the first floor for x-rays. Jordy swung by the vending maching for pepperoni sticks. By this time, Jordy was well ready for a nap.
Kyle has been working hard at Smith's with Kevin. He is keeping Jordy and I up to date with pictures on the cell phone. It is nice to know what is going on in the "real" world. Kyle also starts night classes at Linn-Benton Community College on Monday. Kyle has had a cold so he has still not been able to see Jordy. Thanks goodness for the cell phones!
Annie
Jordy is doing pretty good. Kevin came up after work last night and stayed with Jordy. He got here in time for the last four minutes of the OSU football game. Jordy & I have been watching the ESPN coverage of the "big upset".
This morning has been busy. The doctors told Jordy that he would be staying through the weekend and getting his cast on Monday. He will get to go home on Tuesday. He will probably start his chemo again on October 8.
After breakfast Kevin, Jordy and I headed to the activity room for a little basketball. They have one of those arcade-type basketball shoots.
Jordy found out that his mom and dad are not that bad of shots, and it is really hard to shoot well when you are under the influence of pain meds.
He had a good time, and made a few shots in the process. Kevin was off to work, and Jordy and I were off to our next stop.
We went down to the first floor for x-rays. Jordy swung by the vending maching for pepperoni sticks. By this time, Jordy was well ready for a nap.
Kyle has been working hard at Smith's with Kevin. He is keeping Jordy and I up to date with pictures on the cell phone. It is nice to know what is going on in the "real" world. Kyle also starts night classes at Linn-Benton Community College on Monday. Kyle has had a cold so he has still not been able to see Jordy. Thanks goodness for the cell phones!
Annie
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Jordy's appetite & OSU are Great!
Jordy has done amazingly well. Just one night (actually it was only about
3 hours) of bad pain, but since then he has been pretty darn good.
Everyone that sees him says he looks great. I agree, but then again I am his mom. His appetite has been really good. For breakfast he had THREE breakfast burritos. Dinner was two helpings of mac and cheese, a pizza pocket, and mashed potatoes and gravy. He certainly should not lose weight this time.
I better go. When I left the room OSU was ahead 7 to 0. I hope it is not ugly when I get back.
Annie
OSU 27 USC 21 Final! WhooHoo Beavers!
3 hours) of bad pain, but since then he has been pretty darn good.
Everyone that sees him says he looks great. I agree, but then again I am his mom. His appetite has been really good. For breakfast he had THREE breakfast burritos. Dinner was two helpings of mac and cheese, a pizza pocket, and mashed potatoes and gravy. He certainly should not lose weight this time.
I better go. When I left the room OSU was ahead 7 to 0. I hope it is not ugly when I get back.
Annie
OSU 27 USC 21 Final! WhooHoo Beavers!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
It's a small world!
9/24
After a rough night, Jordy has had a pretty good day. The epidural was not helping so they took it out today. Today they have removed all of his iv's, catheter, etc. The only item left is an iv in his hand that they can remove blood from or give him pain medication through. The other big news today was a ride in a wheelchair. He told me that it was actually easier to transfer to the chair than it was to roll over in bed. He also washed up and felt much better. Jordy is tired, but dealing with the pain and still no nausea. This is great.
I have an amazing story to add. During winter and spring terms I completed a practicum for my Human Services Degree with the activities department at the Marian Estates Nursing Center. While I worked there, a medical student was doing her rural rotation in Stayton. The doctor suggested that she volunteer at Marian Estates on Fridays. She came to the center and helped paint the ladies' fingernails. The help was greatly appreciated and she was able to answer some of the residents' medical questions.
The first day that Jordy and I ventured to the oncology clinic at Doernbecher was very stressful. We were waiting in the exam room for the doctor, and in walks the same medical student that volunteered at Marian Estates! Jordy said that it was so nice to know someone that worked there. She explained that she was now doing a rotation with Dr.
Malempati, Jordy's onclolgist.
Tuesday morning she reappeared at Shriner's. She is now doing a rotation with Dr. Krajbich, Jordy's surgeon. She has been amazingly helpful. She sees Jordy at 6:15 every morning to see how he is doing, and reports to the team of doctors. She was telling us that last week she came across some information about rotation plasty. She had never heard of it before, but found if fascinating. She had no idea that she was going to observe one on Monday. When they began telling her about the "case" and the rotation plasty that she was going to observe, the story sounded familiar.
She asked if the patient was named Jordon. Of course it was the same Jordon that she met in Dr. Malempati's office.
She told us that it took 4 1/2 hours just to label the nerves, tendons, etc. for the roation plasty. No wonder it took so long in the operating room!!!
Kevin, Jordon, and I have all appreciated her kind ways and valuable information. I think she has learned a great deal from Jordon. They have talked about how he made his decision and what factors helped the most.
Everyone aroung here says she will be a great doctor. I agree.
Annie
After a rough night, Jordy has had a pretty good day. The epidural was not helping so they took it out today. Today they have removed all of his iv's, catheter, etc. The only item left is an iv in his hand that they can remove blood from or give him pain medication through. The other big news today was a ride in a wheelchair. He told me that it was actually easier to transfer to the chair than it was to roll over in bed. He also washed up and felt much better. Jordy is tired, but dealing with the pain and still no nausea. This is great.
I have an amazing story to add. During winter and spring terms I completed a practicum for my Human Services Degree with the activities department at the Marian Estates Nursing Center. While I worked there, a medical student was doing her rural rotation in Stayton. The doctor suggested that she volunteer at Marian Estates on Fridays. She came to the center and helped paint the ladies' fingernails. The help was greatly appreciated and she was able to answer some of the residents' medical questions.
The first day that Jordy and I ventured to the oncology clinic at Doernbecher was very stressful. We were waiting in the exam room for the doctor, and in walks the same medical student that volunteered at Marian Estates! Jordy said that it was so nice to know someone that worked there. She explained that she was now doing a rotation with Dr.
Malempati, Jordy's onclolgist.
Tuesday morning she reappeared at Shriner's. She is now doing a rotation with Dr. Krajbich, Jordy's surgeon. She has been amazingly helpful. She sees Jordy at 6:15 every morning to see how he is doing, and reports to the team of doctors. She was telling us that last week she came across some information about rotation plasty. She had never heard of it before, but found if fascinating. She had no idea that she was going to observe one on Monday. When they began telling her about the "case" and the rotation plasty that she was going to observe, the story sounded familiar.
She asked if the patient was named Jordon. Of course it was the same Jordon that she met in Dr. Malempati's office.
She told us that it took 4 1/2 hours just to label the nerves, tendons, etc. for the roation plasty. No wonder it took so long in the operating room!!!
Kevin, Jordon, and I have all appreciated her kind ways and valuable information. I think she has learned a great deal from Jordon. They have talked about how he made his decision and what factors helped the most.
Everyone aroung here says she will be a great doctor. I agree.
Annie
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Jordy's almost ready for broth! :-)
Jordy is doing great. They did up his pain meds, but he seems to be comfortable. Jordy's biggest complaint is that they are not letting him eat much yet. He thinks he is starving. Last night he told the nurse that he was hungry. He was a bit disappointed with the cup of ice that was brougt to him. This morning he had a breakfast of lime jello. Next he graduates to broth!!! It is just good to know that he has avoided the nausea so far.
The plan for Jordy today is to rest, sit up in a chair, and get to eating more real food. I am amazed at how well he is doing considering the extensive surgery. The staff at Shriner's is wonderful. They are very caring and accommodating. It is great to have Jordy in such good hands.
Annie
The plan for Jordy today is to rest, sit up in a chair, and get to eating more real food. I am amazed at how well he is doing considering the extensive surgery. The staff at Shriner's is wonderful. They are very caring and accommodating. It is great to have Jordy in such good hands.
Annie
Monday, September 22, 2008
Jordy in Recovery
Annie called 6:30 pm, and had Just talked to the doctor. Jordy is in the recovery room. Everything went as planned. He has good circulation in his foot. She is waiting to see Jordon and sounds very tired. That is all at this time. I am sure I’ll have more tomorrow.
Annie just called again. Jordy is out of recovery and in his room now. He is alert, talking and has a sense of humor. He received a fancy new hat in recovery, looks just like the stocking caps they put on new born babies only a little bigger. Keeping him warm is a priority. Annie and Kevin are both doing better. Annie still sounds tired (to be expected) but not as worried. That is all again.
George
Here is the link to the video of the procedure that Jordy had done. It is absolutely amazing what modern science/medicine can do these days.
http://www.medicaledge.org/2006april-1.html
Annie just called again. Jordy is out of recovery and in his room now. He is alert, talking and has a sense of humor. He received a fancy new hat in recovery, looks just like the stocking caps they put on new born babies only a little bigger. Keeping him warm is a priority. Annie and Kevin are both doing better. Annie still sounds tired (to be expected) but not as worried. That is all again.
George
Here is the link to the video of the procedure that Jordy had done. It is absolutely amazing what modern science/medicine can do these days.
http://www.medicaledge.org/2006april-1.html
Friday, September 19, 2008
Phase Two
9/19
Time to remind everyone that this weekend Jordy starts phase two of his treatments. He checks into Shriner’s Hospital 6:00pm Sunday and will have surgery Monday morning. The surgery should take 5-6 hours, but if you don’t hear anything right away, that doesn’t mean a problem exists. It will take time to get out of the recovery area and time for Kevin, Annie and Kyle to see him and get a report to me. After a week Jordon goes back into the operating room to have the first cast removed and a new one put on. So think good thoughts about Jordon and his family and if you don’t hear another update soon enough for your liking, have other kinds of thoughts about me. George
Time to remind everyone that this weekend Jordy starts phase two of his treatments. He checks into Shriner’s Hospital 6:00pm Sunday and will have surgery Monday morning. The surgery should take 5-6 hours, but if you don’t hear anything right away, that doesn’t mean a problem exists. It will take time to get out of the recovery area and time for Kevin, Annie and Kyle to see him and get a report to me. After a week Jordon goes back into the operating room to have the first cast removed and a new one put on. So think good thoughts about Jordon and his family and if you don’t hear another update soon enough for your liking, have other kinds of thoughts about me. George
Saturday, September 13, 2008
CT Scan, MRI, and knitting...
9/12
Boy, we have had a busy couple of days! I know that sounds funny coming from two people who "sit in a hospital all day". Yesterday afternoon Jordy had a chest CT scan. He had one when he was diagnosed with cancer.
There were two places in his lungs that the doctors were concerned about.
They are still there, but the radiologist said that they look about the same or less like something to be concerned about. Jordy had a lot of problems with asthma and pneumonia when he was little. The doctor said that this may well have caused the issues in his lungs. It is not uncommon for people in the general population to have places like this in their lungs.
Last night Jordy traveled the back halls of OHSU to have a MRI of his leg.
No surprises. . . he has a tumor in his leg! Some of the swelling, etc.
is less, but other than that they didn't see anything. This is a case of no new news being good news.
Jordy is still waiting for his body to clear the chemo out. He should be able to go to the racetrack on Sunday. Kevin and Kyle will be coming up so that we can all go. Today Jordy had a good visit from Cody the CNA from the oncology clinic. Occasionally Cody sneaks out of the clinic to visit kids. A volunteer came by to take pictures of patients. Cody got in the picture! Should be interesting!
I took a break from hospital life to attend a knitting convention at the Convention Center. It was good to see adults that share my love of yarn!
Now I have to look for a pattern so I can begin knitting. This was a great distraction since I have been missing my college classes, but it is nice to have the time to help Jordy get healthy. Knitting is great to pass time!
Annie
Boy, we have had a busy couple of days! I know that sounds funny coming from two people who "sit in a hospital all day". Yesterday afternoon Jordy had a chest CT scan. He had one when he was diagnosed with cancer.
There were two places in his lungs that the doctors were concerned about.
They are still there, but the radiologist said that they look about the same or less like something to be concerned about. Jordy had a lot of problems with asthma and pneumonia when he was little. The doctor said that this may well have caused the issues in his lungs. It is not uncommon for people in the general population to have places like this in their lungs.
Last night Jordy traveled the back halls of OHSU to have a MRI of his leg.
No surprises. . . he has a tumor in his leg! Some of the swelling, etc.
is less, but other than that they didn't see anything. This is a case of no new news being good news.
Jordy is still waiting for his body to clear the chemo out. He should be able to go to the racetrack on Sunday. Kevin and Kyle will be coming up so that we can all go. Today Jordy had a good visit from Cody the CNA from the oncology clinic. Occasionally Cody sneaks out of the clinic to visit kids. A volunteer came by to take pictures of patients. Cody got in the picture! Should be interesting!
I took a break from hospital life to attend a knitting convention at the Convention Center. It was good to see adults that share my love of yarn!
Now I have to look for a pattern so I can begin knitting. This was a great distraction since I have been missing my college classes, but it is nice to have the time to help Jordy get healthy. Knitting is great to pass time!
Annie
Thursday, September 11, 2008
McDonalds attend Doernbecher Dash!
Jordy completed his chemo infusion last night. Now we just have to wait for it to clear. He is really working on staying on top of the nausea medications. So far, so good. His only problem seems to be sores in his mouth and throat. He is using "magic mouthwash" (a lovely combination of Benedryl,Maylox., and litacane. I probably didn't spell any of those medicines correctly! He is also taking his pain meds so that he can keep eating.
As George mentioned, Jordy and the rest of us are hoping to attend the Doernbecher Dash at Portland International Raceway. This day at the track is provided for Doernbecher patients and their families. We are not sure exactly what it entails, but it is a car thing that is free!!! Can't be all bad.
Annie
Monday, September 8, 2008
Surgery date changed ~
9/7/08
Good afternoon. I can’t believe how beautiful the weather is! We have had a great weekend. Yesterday Kevin and Kyle came up to Doernbecher’s to visit. Jordy reserved the WII for the weekend. We played bowling, baseball, and tennis until our arms were sore. Jordy used his crutches today and said that he can feel the affects of yesterday’s bowling. It was great to have our family together. Kevin spent the night with Jordy while Kyle and I stayed in our trailer in Wilsonville. It was wonderful to NOT hear the beep of an IV alarm. Kevin told me that the alarm only went off once last night. He has all the luck.
This morning Jordy got the good news. They released him at 11:00 this morning. He has to take extra medicine and check in at the clinic tomorrow, but he will get to sleep in his own bed tonight. Tomorrow afternoon they will take blood and decide if he still needs the medication. Wednesday he will start chemo again. Hopefully he will be back home next Sunday.
Jordy’s leg surgery has been changed to September 22. This fit in with the Shriner’s schedule better.
Annie
Good afternoon. I can’t believe how beautiful the weather is! We have had a great weekend. Yesterday Kevin and Kyle came up to Doernbecher’s to visit. Jordy reserved the WII for the weekend. We played bowling, baseball, and tennis until our arms were sore. Jordy used his crutches today and said that he can feel the affects of yesterday’s bowling. It was great to have our family together. Kevin spent the night with Jordy while Kyle and I stayed in our trailer in Wilsonville. It was wonderful to NOT hear the beep of an IV alarm. Kevin told me that the alarm only went off once last night. He has all the luck.
This morning Jordy got the good news. They released him at 11:00 this morning. He has to take extra medicine and check in at the clinic tomorrow, but he will get to sleep in his own bed tonight. Tomorrow afternoon they will take blood and decide if he still needs the medication. Wednesday he will start chemo again. Hopefully he will be back home next Sunday.
Jordy’s leg surgery has been changed to September 22. This fit in with the Shriner’s schedule better.
Annie
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Jordy and his loooonng legs!
The weather looks beautiful out there. I need to go on my walk for the day!
Yesterday Jordy had x-rays at Shriner's. He was too long for the films, but they finally got what they needed. He is finding that he is significantly taller than the average Shriner's patient.
Jordy's blood levels were great yesterday. They were MUCH better than last week. He was OK'd to start chemo. His infusion finished about 3:30 this morning. Now we just wait for him to get that stuff back out of his system.
Last night we had dinner provided by the Candlelighters group. . . pizza, salad, pasta, soda, and cookies!!! Jordy thinks this works pretty good to check in on the day of the special dinners. . . no nausea, good dinner.
Enjoy the weather! For those in school, I'm thinking of you.
Annie
Yesterday Jordy had x-rays at Shriner's. He was too long for the films, but they finally got what they needed. He is finding that he is significantly taller than the average Shriner's patient.
Jordy's blood levels were great yesterday. They were MUCH better than last week. He was OK'd to start chemo. His infusion finished about 3:30 this morning. Now we just wait for him to get that stuff back out of his system.
Last night we had dinner provided by the Candlelighters group. . . pizza, salad, pasta, soda, and cookies!!! Jordy thinks this works pretty good to check in on the day of the special dinners. . . no nausea, good dinner.
Enjoy the weather! For those in school, I'm thinking of you.
Annie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)