Jorden's Journey

Jorden was released from the hospital yesterday evening, and we were able to enjoy a quiet night at home.  We cooked dinner, and topped off our meal with cookies and cream ice cream.

Jorden is already thinking about what movies he would want to see and is finding the positive in a slower paced few weeks.  We expect that he will improve, gain weight and get stronger each day.  If so, he will have a month of home time, with no doctor visits or scans.

We return to the hospital on July 16th for his PET Scan and we will meet with Dr. Sutphin on the 18th for the PET results

Jorden has been improving each day.  Each day he feels a bit better than the last, and he is looking forward to going home.  Right now the plan is for him to go home on Wednesday.

Jorden passes his time by watching Grey’s Anatomy, the cooking channel, movies, and walking around the floor to keep up his strength   His appetite is slowly coming back and he is no longer on pain meds.

Jorden was saddened today when he was told that he could not play baseball for 6 weeks. The six weeks is to allow his core to heal.  The simple motion of swinging a bat as well as the risk of being hit in the stomach with a ball are on hold.  He was sad and said that his summer was ruined, but after some time to process, and put things in perspective, he had a good day.

Although contact sports and baseball wont be in Jorden’s immediate future, his family and friends are.  This time last year he was recovering from surgery in Houston, he had a feeding tube and we were preparing ourselves for the 8 weeks of chemo and radiation post surgery.

This will be a much better summer, for sure!

Posted by; Joanne

Jorden woke up this morning, changed from his hospital gown to shorts and a shirt, and walked ten laps around the hospital floor.  He has had a good day, and is recovering nicely.  Jorden had a tube in his nose, which was pumping the contents our from his stomach, that tube was also removed.  He can not eat or drink yet, but has an appetite and anxiously awaits the moment they say he can drink and eat.

We also received the pathology report.  Thankfully, the five tumors along his abdominal wall that were removed during surgery, were benign  What a blessing and relief, no words can describe our emotions.

Jorden continues to be cancer free, he now has ‘adhesion free’ intestines, and even though we have a PET scan scheduled for July 16th,  he is looking forward to a hospital free summer.

Jorden had walked four more times since this morning, and enjoyed a visit from his friends Johnny, Jaxon and Jarrett.

I would like to ask for special prayers today for our family friend, Princeton.  Princeton was diagnosed Dec 22nd, a day after Jorden, and the boys have spent much time together here at the hospital.  Princeton relapsed yesterday, and our heart breaks for their entire family.  I was sitting with them when I received the good news on Jorden’s pathology report earlier today.  I was so relieved, but at the same time, felt so bad knowing what challenges they have in front of them.  They told me not to feel bad, they said that knowing that Jorden remains well, brings them hope.  And they were happy to be there with me, because they just needed a little more hope today.

The Bryan family has always inspired us, they have such immense faith and strength, please pray for them too.

Posted by: Joanne

Jorden had surgery at 6am this morning.  The doctor addressed the adhesions and Jorden should start feeling better very soon.  After surgery, Jorden actually felt well and strong enough to move from the OR bed to his bed, and is comfortable now playing his IPad.  He is hungry, and patiently waiting for the moment they say he can eat something.

The surgeon did debulk along Jorden’s abdominal wall and sent some tissue to pathology.  We will receive that report in three days.  We are hoping for good news there as well.

Thank you for your continued prayers and love; Jorden looks stong and healthy, and is looking forward to playing ball again in three weeks!

Posted by: Joanne

As a kid, I always loved roller coasters, but this is ridiculous……

Jorden had such a wonderful three weeks back at home; playing ball, going to school and spending time with friends.  He especially enjoyed this past week where on May 30th we celebrated Derrick’s 21st birthday, and then Friday May 31st where we celebrated the one year anniversary of his big surgery.  Friday was such a wonderful day.  Jorden had his fifth grade awards celebration and dance, and then afterwards had a fun-filled evening at FunSpot with his classmates and friends.

On Monday the rollercoaster started climbing back up, and we found ourselves back at Arnold Palmer Hospital.  Jorden has a complete blockage in his small intestine and has been in terrible pain.  The doctors said they will  complete one last scan tomorrow at five in the morning and barring a miracle, we should plan on having surgery.

This is not caused by something he ate or didn’t eat, there is something on the outside of the intestine pinching the small intestine shut.  They are expecting that it is scar tissue, we will know for sure tomorrow.

We know that this is minimal compared to what he has had to handle and face, but still he is scared and of course in lots of pain.

Oh, Heavenly Father, We hold up to you Jorden. We raise him in prayer and ask Lord that you comfort him, protect him in his every waking moment. May he always feel and know your presence, even at his lowest. Father, bring healing to his young body. We ask and pray for your loving kindness to surround him and us at this time. Lord may you bring us the peace that surpasses all understanding. Give us hope and courage so that we may find strength to take each day at a time. I ask for a miracle that will glorify You, fulfills Your will, and points others to You. We ask this in Jesus name Amen.

So Lord, I wait. I wait in faith… acknowledging You are in control.

Posted by: Joanne & Nelson

Jorden has been doing well at home.  He is gaining weight and recovering nicely.  On Friday the 17th we started his chemo pill again.  Jorden still has not returned to school, even though he was released to return on Thursday the 16th.  He feels uneasy about being there all day.  We decided today to return to the half day schedule.  He only has two weeks left, so this should work out well.  He will then have the summer to feel 100% before starting middle school.

Jorden missed a few games while being in the hospital, but was able to play in his last two games to finish the Little League season.  He played well and continues to enjoy being on the field with his teammates and friends,  Even though Little League is over, Jorden will still play travel ball, as well as practice his pitching at home.

We follow-up with Dr. Sutphin on May 30th, and we have his next PET scan scheduled for July 16th.

Posted by: Joanne

Marriott Vacations Worldwide will be hosting its 2nd annual “Playing With a Purpose” Casino Night event.

Friday May 17th from 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM at the Orlando Marriott World Center.

Enjoy a fun evening while raising funds for local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals!

The $25 entry fee includes Hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, musical entertainment and chips for play! Friends and family are welcome to join. We hope to see you there!

Call 407-238-3864 to register!