11/27
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today we celebrated Thanksgiving and Kevin’s birthday by heading to Florence for the day. Kyle met us there. He borrowed a friend’s four-wheeler so that he could take Jordy for a ride. Of course riding behind Kyle was not exactly to Jordy’s liking. He needed to ride solo too. They had a great time, but their mama needed to close her eyes most of the time. Jordy thinks that riding four-wheelers is good therapy. He told me that he used all of the muscles that the therapist said to exercise. How can you argue with that?
Last night on the news, Jordy and I saw the boy who had his arm reattached after a boating accident this summer. I told Jordy that his leg looked better than that boy’s arm. He replied, “Well, he did not have his limb severed by a professional like I did”. Once again, how can you argue with that? It was good to see how he was also struggling with moving his reattached limb. It is a lot of work.
I have attached some pictures from today. Even though it rained, we had a great time. Notice there are no pictures of me. . . A) I had my eyes closed most of the time and B) I was the photographer.
For all of you shopping tomorrow, enjoy the day. I will be cleaning house, and I just may bake some Christmas cookies!
Annie
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Appetite returning to normal...
11/24
Jordy’s ability to eat is much improved. Today he was able to eat normally (pizza, lasagna, hamburger, etc.). Hopefully his weight will go back up. It certainly should! His energy level is returning to his “normal” chemo induced level.
Today we took lunch to Kevin and Kyle, did some visiting, picked up medications, and did a little shopping for Kevin’s birthday. It seemed like a lot in one day, but Jordy did pretty well. He even did a little show & tell of his foot. It is still looking great, although the skin is peeling a bit. The movement is getting smoother, but he still has a long way to go. Even though it is a struggle, Jordy is adamant that he made the right choice for his surgery. He is so amazing.
Tomorrow we will head to Portland for his weekly blood draw. We should be home early in the afternoon. I hope the fog stays away!
11/26
Jordy had his blood work done today. His levels were pretty low (as expected). He is pretty pale and tired, but that should change as his levels come up. Tomorrow we are celebrating Kevin’s birthday and Thanksgiving by heading to the coast for the day. It will be nice to get away from home for the day.
Enjoy your families and friends tomorrow. If you have children, give them an extra hug!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Jordy’s ability to eat is much improved. Today he was able to eat normally (pizza, lasagna, hamburger, etc.). Hopefully his weight will go back up. It certainly should! His energy level is returning to his “normal” chemo induced level.
Today we took lunch to Kevin and Kyle, did some visiting, picked up medications, and did a little shopping for Kevin’s birthday. It seemed like a lot in one day, but Jordy did pretty well. He even did a little show & tell of his foot. It is still looking great, although the skin is peeling a bit. The movement is getting smoother, but he still has a long way to go. Even though it is a struggle, Jordy is adamant that he made the right choice for his surgery. He is so amazing.
Tomorrow we will head to Portland for his weekly blood draw. We should be home early in the afternoon. I hope the fog stays away!
11/26
Jordy had his blood work done today. His levels were pretty low (as expected). He is pretty pale and tired, but that should change as his levels come up. Tomorrow we are celebrating Kevin’s birthday and Thanksgiving by heading to the coast for the day. It will be nice to get away from home for the day.
Enjoy your families and friends tomorrow. If you have children, give them an extra hug!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The cast comes off!
11/12
Jordy finally had his cast removed. The doctor said that it looks beautiful! There are a couple of spots that are not completely healed yet, but it looks better than most kids who have chemo. The real work starts now!!! Jordy has some simple exercises to do to help strengthen his foot and hip.
Jordy passed his blood and hearing tests so he is able to start his chemo.
We are just waiting for him to hydrate. He should be heading home Friday night or Saturday morning . . . just in time for the Scio football game.
Tonight was a catered dinner from the Candlelighter Â’s group. It was delicious!!! We had ham, rolls, scalloped potatoes, salad, corn, and of course brownies. Jordy really looks forward to these dinners.
We are watching the Blazer game.
Jordy finally had his cast removed. The doctor said that it looks beautiful! There are a couple of spots that are not completely healed yet, but it looks better than most kids who have chemo. The real work starts now!!! Jordy has some simple exercises to do to help strengthen his foot and hip.
Jordy passed his blood and hearing tests so he is able to start his chemo.
We are just waiting for him to hydrate. He should be heading home Friday night or Saturday morning . . . just in time for the Scio football game.
Tonight was a catered dinner from the Candlelighter Â’s group. It was delicious!!! We had ham, rolls, scalloped potatoes, salad, corn, and of course brownies. Jordy really looks forward to these dinners.
We are watching the Blazer game.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Things are much better today!
11/7
Am back in the loop a little bit now, so here goes. Jordy's blood got lost or made a break for freedom and after a long delay he flunked his test today, but it was close enough that he got to go to the volleyball tournament. The girl mentioned below had surgery today (broke in three places). The McDonalds got lost and missed the game they wanted to see.
They are spending the night in Wilsonville and Jordy will be giving more blood to science in the morning. If he passes this test it is home to Scio til Wednesday. I have it on good authority the Scio people petitioned the doctors to take off Jordy's cast Wednesday so he can shower. Stay tuned and upwind until then.
George
Good evening.
Today Jordy had a much better day than yesterday. The Atavan is out of his system, and he is making so much more sense. Thank goodness!!!
I was able to go to the state volleyball tournament. Jordy's fourth/fifth grade teacher, Pam Dowdy, coaches at Heppner. It was a great game until their captain broke her leg in a big way. I have never witnessed such an injury. Two people passed out. The girls returned to the game and lost 14-16. At least the down time gave me a chance to visit with Pam's husband and kids. I hope the player is ok and the girls can play well tomorrow.
I was feeling VERY guilty while I was at the game. I decided to buy Jordon's approval with a new magazine and Kentucky Fried Chicken. when I got back Jordy was so excited . . . another race car driver came by the hospital. He even gave Jordy one of his shirts that he wore. Jordy says it smells funny, but is really cool. Funny smells are another side-effect of the chemo. Jordy had a great time talking cars. Where was this guy when Jordy was reacting ti his meds and asking weird car questions? I could have used his back up!
All in all, Jordy had a good day. He felt pretty good, talked cars, and got a break from his mama.
Now he is just waiting for updates on the Central Linn and Scio State Football games.
Hopefully we will head home tomorrow. If all works out, we may stop by the volleyball tournament.
Annie
Am back in the loop a little bit now, so here goes. Jordy's blood got lost or made a break for freedom and after a long delay he flunked his test today, but it was close enough that he got to go to the volleyball tournament. The girl mentioned below had surgery today (broke in three places). The McDonalds got lost and missed the game they wanted to see.
They are spending the night in Wilsonville and Jordy will be giving more blood to science in the morning. If he passes this test it is home to Scio til Wednesday. I have it on good authority the Scio people petitioned the doctors to take off Jordy's cast Wednesday so he can shower. Stay tuned and upwind until then.
George
Good evening.
Today Jordy had a much better day than yesterday. The Atavan is out of his system, and he is making so much more sense. Thank goodness!!!
I was able to go to the state volleyball tournament. Jordy's fourth/fifth grade teacher, Pam Dowdy, coaches at Heppner. It was a great game until their captain broke her leg in a big way. I have never witnessed such an injury. Two people passed out. The girls returned to the game and lost 14-16. At least the down time gave me a chance to visit with Pam's husband and kids. I hope the player is ok and the girls can play well tomorrow.
I was feeling VERY guilty while I was at the game. I decided to buy Jordon's approval with a new magazine and Kentucky Fried Chicken. when I got back Jordy was so excited . . . another race car driver came by the hospital. He even gave Jordy one of his shirts that he wore. Jordy says it smells funny, but is really cool. Funny smells are another side-effect of the chemo. Jordy had a great time talking cars. Where was this guy when Jordy was reacting ti his meds and asking weird car questions? I could have used his back up!
All in all, Jordy had a good day. He felt pretty good, talked cars, and got a break from his mama.
Now he is just waiting for updates on the Central Linn and Scio State Football games.
Hopefully we will head home tomorrow. If all works out, we may stop by the volleyball tournament.
Annie
Jordy has "interesting" reaction to meds.
11/6
Boy, have we had an interesting day. It actually started yesterday. The nurse forgot to give Jordy his nausea medications a while before his chemo. This caused him to vomit at 11:30 last night. They gave him Atavan to help with the nausea, and he had an interesting reaction. He did odd things, had a hard time waking up and asked really weird questions. For example he asked me if they let pick-ups or just cars at the Shedd Cruise-in. This made for a night of little quality sleep.
Throughout the day Jordy has gotten better. He makes sense now, and he has stayed awake for a while.
Tonight the nurse told us that since Jordy is not being infused with chemo, he would be moving to another unit. It is sad that the oncology unit is overflowing. I think it is like a teen parent program. . . it would be great if it went away because of a lack of business. That is not reality yet . . . someday maybe. Our new room is about the same. It is just disappointing to have to learn a new system. We also miss the nurses at 10 South.
We are looking forward to an uneventful night.
Boy, have we had an interesting day. It actually started yesterday. The nurse forgot to give Jordy his nausea medications a while before his chemo. This caused him to vomit at 11:30 last night. They gave him Atavan to help with the nausea, and he had an interesting reaction. He did odd things, had a hard time waking up and asked really weird questions. For example he asked me if they let pick-ups or just cars at the Shedd Cruise-in. This made for a night of little quality sleep.
Throughout the day Jordy has gotten better. He makes sense now, and he has stayed awake for a while.
Tonight the nurse told us that since Jordy is not being infused with chemo, he would be moving to another unit. It is sad that the oncology unit is overflowing. I think it is like a teen parent program. . . it would be great if it went away because of a lack of business. That is not reality yet . . . someday maybe. Our new room is about the same. It is just disappointing to have to learn a new system. We also miss the nurses at 10 South.
We are looking forward to an uneventful night.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Kevin & Jordy enjoy the Beaver game ~
11/2
Kevin was able to come spend Friday night with Jordy while I got a little time away from the hospital in our camp trailer in Wilsonville. Yesterday Jordy was able to leave the hospital on medication that counteracts the chemo until it clears his body. The levels were high enough that we had to go back to Doernbecher for a blood draw today. We decided to stay in Wilsonville for the night. I headed to bed early while Kevin and Jordy watched the Oregon State game. I was able to listen to the game and the commentary from my men. It was pretty entertaining.
Today Jordy’s Methatrexate level was low enough to discontinue the other medications. It will be great to sleep all night tonight. Wednesday we will head back for another round of Methatrexate. This week will be exciting (not quite as entertaining as Halloween) because the Candlelighters provide a special dinner on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. It is usually pizza and pasta. Jordy likes checking in on those Wednesdays and getting dinner before the chemo. It is really generous of this group to provide these special dinners.
I am planning on watching Jordy’s fourth grade teacher coach at the state volleyball tournament on Friday. It will be a nice break for me (and Jordy). He will be well taken care of by the nurses during my absence.
Kevin was able to come spend Friday night with Jordy while I got a little time away from the hospital in our camp trailer in Wilsonville. Yesterday Jordy was able to leave the hospital on medication that counteracts the chemo until it clears his body. The levels were high enough that we had to go back to Doernbecher for a blood draw today. We decided to stay in Wilsonville for the night. I headed to bed early while Kevin and Jordy watched the Oregon State game. I was able to listen to the game and the commentary from my men. It was pretty entertaining.
Today Jordy’s Methatrexate level was low enough to discontinue the other medications. It will be great to sleep all night tonight. Wednesday we will head back for another round of Methatrexate. This week will be exciting (not quite as entertaining as Halloween) because the Candlelighters provide a special dinner on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. It is usually pizza and pasta. Jordy likes checking in on those Wednesdays and getting dinner before the chemo. It is really generous of this group to provide these special dinners.
I am planning on watching Jordy’s fourth grade teacher coach at the state volleyball tournament on Friday. It will be a nice break for me (and Jordy). He will be well taken care of by the nurses during my absence.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The things Jordy will do for candy!
Happy Halloween!
Jordy has done great with this set of chemo. He has had no nausea thanks to full doses of Benedryl for the first 24 hours. That also let him catch up on his sleep.
Yesterday the dietician was concerned about Jordy's weight, so she asked if a cafeteria card would help. Now I just take the card to the cafeteria, call Jordy to let him know what the specials are, and get anything he wants. This works much better than the regular hospital food.
He is certainly eating more! He had two big helpings of biscuits and gravy this morning with a sausage patty.
Today is the big Halloween parade. The suggestions for costumes have been very entertaining!! Jordy thought he should turn a bed sheet into a diaper and go as a Doernbecher patient (a little children's hospital humor). In the end he has decided to go as himself and help the little kids. I think the staff is having as much fun as the kids.
AND LATER THAT NIGHT ~~~~
I can't believe it . . . Jordy went trick-or-treating!!!!! He did it . . . he dressed as a baby Doernbecher patient. He had me get a blanket and sheet (diaper) from the laundry cart. The CNA snuck him a baby bottle, safety pins, and a passifier. Have you ever tried to diaper a six foot one man?? It is not easy, especially when he is balancing on one foot. He got way more candy than he ever did in Halsey. He also got pencils, race cars, erasers, and many other fun items. Jordy made the doctors and nurses (and me) laugh. They were all under the impression that Jordy is a shy thing . . . boy, were they wrong.
Jordy has done great with this set of chemo. He has had no nausea thanks to full doses of Benedryl for the first 24 hours. That also let him catch up on his sleep.
Yesterday the dietician was concerned about Jordy's weight, so she asked if a cafeteria card would help. Now I just take the card to the cafeteria, call Jordy to let him know what the specials are, and get anything he wants. This works much better than the regular hospital food.
He is certainly eating more! He had two big helpings of biscuits and gravy this morning with a sausage patty.
Today is the big Halloween parade. The suggestions for costumes have been very entertaining!! Jordy thought he should turn a bed sheet into a diaper and go as a Doernbecher patient (a little children's hospital humor). In the end he has decided to go as himself and help the little kids. I think the staff is having as much fun as the kids.
AND LATER THAT NIGHT ~~~~
I can't believe it . . . Jordy went trick-or-treating!!!!! He did it . . . he dressed as a baby Doernbecher patient. He had me get a blanket and sheet (diaper) from the laundry cart. The CNA snuck him a baby bottle, safety pins, and a passifier. Have you ever tried to diaper a six foot one man?? It is not easy, especially when he is balancing on one foot. He got way more candy than he ever did in Halsey. He also got pencils, race cars, erasers, and many other fun items. Jordy made the doctors and nurses (and me) laugh. They were all under the impression that Jordy is a shy thing . . . boy, were they wrong.
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