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.Jackers Update (long overdue).


Oh man, am I way long overdue in writing out a Jack update. Please please forgive the laps. I have been wanting to write, and each time I try to carve out time, things just get in the way. Has it really been over a month since I have updated in how Jack is doing!? So sorry

Well, the good news is that this has been the best and most normal past month we have had with Jack since December. He has been loosing more and more weight from the steroids, he really looks great. He has been going in every 10 days for IV chemo, and his counts have stayed really good. He got a little low a week ago, but bounced right back.

We have had a few colds here, and everyone has had it, but answer to many prayers, Jack never had a fever and has been able to recover from all of it! Each visit they take his vitals, and it has been amazing to me to see that since November, he has grown 2 inches! He has been a joy to us and it has been so sweet to see and hear Tyler and he love on each other so much.

This past Monday was Jack's last day of the 3rd phase of his treatment. He started and ended this phase (which was 56 days long) with a spinal tap. So he had to be put under anesthesia for those. The rest of the visits were just chemo put in through his IV. He has been such a champ all these visits. Even the longer ones, when we are waiting around. This past spinal tap was by far the hardest visit for us.

We had a new anesthesiologist for this visit, and he gave Jack such a light dose of anesthesia, that almost immediately after they took the gas mask off, he woke up. He usually sleeps for 20 minutes after the procedure, and wakes up cheerful and ready to play (which is AMAZING). This time, by the time I got back to be with him, he was loopy, angry and crying uncontrollably. I honestly did not know what to do, as he has only one other time responded that way (and that was when he was on steroids).

Needless to say, I was glad when, an hour later, he returned to his normal self. So that ended the phase called Interim Maintenance #1. We repeat this phase in 2 months. We actually have a little break until the next phase comes, for which I am so so grateful. He starts the 4th phase, Delayed Intensification, on June 14th. This is going to be when things will take a sharp turn from bliss to difficult. He will be on steroids again for 7 days on, 7 days off, and then 7 days on again. He will also be getting a bunch of new chemo drugs that are higher doses and have combined side effects of dropping his counts to the bottom. We are trying to prepare for the worst, so to be pleasantly surprised at good responses to the chemo.

Right now, I am not tempted to be fearful of this phase coming. But we are 3 weeks from that time and in a very busy season, so there is much distraction. As it gets closer, I know my heart will be tempted to fear and to worry. But I am confident that the same God who has been near and holding us close, will be there then.

I am grateful this time is coming during the summer, and not during cold and flu season. I am grateful we get to go on a little family vacation before this new phase begins. I am so grateful to have had these past two months to get "our Jackers back." There is much to be grateful for.

This quote was recently shared with me, and oh how wonderfully refreshing and helpful, when even things are going well, life is still life interrupted! I want to view every spill on the carpet, every delay at the hospital, sleepless night, hungry crying baby, fussy boy, skinned knee, laundry to fold, dose of chemo, meds to be taken, kisses to be administered, and hugs to be had, and tears wiped away as the rich rich life God has given me.

"The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'own,' or 'real' life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life--the life God is sending one day by day: what one calls one's 'real life' is a phantom of one's own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight: but it's hard to remember it all the time." C.S lewis

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6





Comments

Dave said…
Tough times call for deep faith. I will continue to pray for you guys. God Bless.
May 26, 2010 at 5:49 AM
Jordan Family said…
Continuing to pray for you and your precious family! Love and hugs from Texas -aj
May 29, 2010 at 10:21 PM
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