Back to Doernbecher's on Wednesday ~

10/26
Kyle is home, and Jordy seems to be doing a little better. He has been having troubles sleeping and has been pretty tired the last couple of days. Last night he had some friends over for movies and rested today. Tonight we watched the World Series, and Jordy and Kevin looked at truck parts online . . . a typical night at the McDonalds.

I don’t know exactly how to take this. Kyle brought me a cute sign with a chicken that says “Don’t ruffle my feathers!” My moods must concern him!!! I had better keep in check. He said he got it because it matched my kitchen. I guess I will go with that. He had a wonderful time at the National FFA Convention. We are so proud of him.

Jordy is planning on doing some visiting the next couple of days. Wednesday we head to Doernbecher’s. If his blood counts are high enough, he will start his chemo. He should come home Sunday or Monday.

It should reach 70 degrees the next couple of days. Kevin fixed the lawnmower, so I had better get the lawn mowed (finally)!!!!

Treatment from here forward...

10/24
I just realized that I have not given much information about Jordy’s treatment from here forward. Starting next week he will have three weeks in a row where he will be at the hospital for 3 to 6 days per week. The last session will include the medication that is the hardest on him, but the good news is that will be the last dose of that particular medication!!!! After that he will have a two week break, then three weeks in a row of chemo and one week off. He will do the three weeks on, one week off routine three times. This is all sort of confusing, but the short story is that he will have about four more months of chemo. After he is finished with the chemo he will have about two weeks of inpatient therapy at Shriner’s. They told us it will take two to three days just to align the prosthesis.

Although this is difficult for Jordy, there is beginning to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Even though he is about halfway through the treatment, getting past the “newness” and the surgery have been huge! Now we just have to keep him from getting sick so that he does not have any delays.

We also have some thank you’s to add. Thanks for the generiosity of the employees at Smith Seed. Kevin is lucky to work with such a great group of people. Also, thanks so much to all of the families that have sent meals our way. The food has been wonderful. Thank you to Joan, Marguerite, and Dee for organizing all of the food. It is very much appreciated.

This journey has been rough, but our friends and family have smoothed out the road a bit. Thanks again.

Tonight Jordy is going to cheer on the Scio Loggers as they take on Culver at the football game. It should be a good game.

Annie

The cast comes off in 3 weeks!

10/23
Jordy and I just returned from a quick trip to Portland. First we went to Shriner’s . . . not as a patient, but visitors. One of Kevin’s co-worker’s daughter had surgery at Shriners so we stopped by to visit her. She has the surgeon as Jordy. After visiting ( and a short period of nausea), we went downstairs for a check-up with Dr. Krajbich. He told Jordy that he will have his cast for three more weeks. Another doctor gave him some exercises to do in his cast that will help get his brain trained to make his foot move. He is able to feel the movement in the cast.

After Shriner’s we headed to Doernbecher for a routine blood draw. The nausea was gone, so Jordy was relieved. His counts were fairly low, so he has to be very careful about getting sick. He can’t go to the mall or movie theaters and we can’t have anyone over that has been sick. Hopefully the counts will be high enough for him to start his chemo next week.

Kyle has called and sent pictures from his trip to Chicago and Indianapolis. He is having a great time!!! They have seen skyscrapers, concerts, and racetracks . . .who could ask for more? He assures me that there will be plenty of pictures to share when he gets home.

Annie

Jordy's pain is lessening ~

10/17
Just a little report on the McDonalds. Jordy went to Salem yesterday for a blood count. His levels are actually very good! He is on the upswing after his last chemo. Last night he stayed home from the volleyball game to rest up so that he can go to the Scio-Kennedy football game tonight. His leg is still having a fair number of spasms, but the muscles just have to get used to the new arrangement. The pain in his foot from the chemo is lessening. All in all, things are pretty good for Jordy.

Kyle leaves Saturday for his big trip to Chicago and Indianapolis. Kevin and I will get some work done this weekend and get some rest . . . sort of a “normal” weekend.

Stitches & Staples removed!

10/13
Jordy and I are back home after a day at Shriner’s. His foot in the cast was bothering him so the doctor said to come on up, and he would look around. They took off the cast and his foot looked great . . . no sores or blisters. The doctor said that the pain was probably a result of the chemo. Jordy’s other foot has been sore too. The chemo that he had last week is very caustic and makes him feel like he is burnt. The doctor put a new cast on (green again) after taking out the stitches and staples. The suture removal process made Jordy quite queasy. He seems to be better now.
Annie

~ It is good to be past uncharted waters. ~

10/11
After a rough day yesterday, Jordy is much improved today. Yesterday he dealt with some nausea and pain in his foot. The nausea is a little better and his foot seems quite a bit better. I am taking him to meet Kevin and Kyle in Halsey. Kevin is doing some farm work, and Kyle and Jordy are going to do some target shooting. Jordy will sit in a chair since his balance is not quite good enough for firearm use! It is wonderful to have a weekend of great (but cold) weather while we are home.

Speaking of cold . . . Kevin and Kyle installed a pellet stove while Jordy and I were gone this week. The wood stove is nice when we are home more, but the pellets will be nice this winter.

Since Jordy’s surgery is over, we are into a new phase of treatment. There should not be anything new. He has had the various chemo medications, the surgery is over, now just more chemo and physical therapy. It is good to be past the uncharted waters. As the doctors left yesterday, Jordy said that it was nice to be back. Then he caught himself . . . is it really “nice” to be in an oncology unit? It is good to be accomplishing the goal of getting through the treatment, and the people that we have met are wonderful, so it was “nice” to be back. That said, it is WONDERFUL to be home!

Next weekend Kyle should be heading to Chicago and onto Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention where he will receive his American Degree. This has been a goal of his since he was a little guy. He better take lots of pictures!

Kevin is working hard, but he too is seeing some light at the end of the tunnel for some of his projects.

Enjoy these last few sunny fall days . . . we will do the same.

Annie

Jordy's appetite is good; muscle spasms getting better!

10/10
I have some news from a semi reliable source. Jordy and Annie are home this evening after Jordy finished this round of chemo. He will be home for two and one-half weeks before returning for more chemo. Between now and then he has some day trips for blood work and a post surgery check up. Arby’s and Taco Bell were the food stops on the way home, both for Jordy. Jordon’s muscle spasms are getting better.
Kyle is getting ready for his big trip to the Midwest with the Scio FFA, first stop is Chicago.
This is the big week for Kevin at work then hopefully a little less stress.
Annie sounded very glad to be heading home.
George

Jordy makes a 3 pointer!

I just wanted to let you know that Jordy went to open gym at Scio today. He went to “watch” his friends play basketball. He was able to make a 3-point basket. It took about twenty shots, but he finally made one. He told me that he started out closer, but really wanted to make a three!! He was pretty excited to be able to shoot on one leg.

Wednesday we head back to Doernbecher after Jordy’s break from chemo. As long as his counts are ok, he will be in the hospital for 3-4 days. Even though the break has been nice, it will be good to get back at it so that Jordy is closer to the end of the chemo.

Jordy has had some muscle spasms, but in general, he is doing great. He just got back from the movies. The angle of the chairs did not work for him. He left early, but said that the spasms stopped after he got out of the movie chairs.

Annie

~ Jordy gets an "A"!!! ~

Hello all!!!

I have some great news to share about Jordy. Dr. Malempati just called with the pathology reports on Jordy’s (former) tumor. The reports said that 95% of the tumor cells were dead. While it is not 100%, 90% is considered a “good” response to the chemo. I equate it to getting an “A” in school! So far so good. Dr. Malempati also said that he and the social worker have talked about how amazing Jordy is when it comes to attitude and decision-making. He told me that Jordy is a great kid . . . I told him that I already knew that.

Thanks to everyone for the support. You all help Jordy have the great attitude that he possesses. He often tells the staff at the hospital how many people are supporting him. Not all people with cancer are so lucky.

Enjoy the rain.

Annie

~ Jordy ventures out on his own ~

Hello to everyone.

I just wanted to give a little update on Jordy’s progress. He is doing great! Yesterday he rode with me to Brownsville where I stayed to knit for a while. Jordy then drove to Eugene to visit friends at the U of O. He really enjoyed getting out on his own for a while. He has only had to take minimal pain meds at night.

Today Jordy will be folding clothes. This is the best chore that I have found for him.

It is amazing how well Jordy has recovered from the surgery. His time off from chemo has given his body a little rest. He even had to shave the other day! Next Wednesday it’s back to Doernbecher for more chemo.

Annie