A Season of Gratitude

Well, it has truly been a season of gratitude and Thanksgiving. As most of you know, Jordon had an MRI, Dr. Appointment, and Chemotherapy this past Tuesday. The poor MRI tech had a difficult time getting an IV in Jordon to deliver the contrast (the solution that shows up on the MRI and shows where the tumor is and how big it is).

After the MRI, Jordon and I met with his doctor. The doctor performed a physical examination and Jordon was almost completely normal on all the tasks the doctor had him perform. Then he told us some news that made our Thanksgiving and Christmas: by the next MRI, Dr. Glantz believes that the tumor will be completely gone! He told us that Jordon will have to do 4-6 more cycles of the Carmustine (BCNU, we have come to call this Death in a Bag because it is what burns Jordon’s veins). Cycles typically last 6 weeks, so that means Jordon could be done with the BCNU around May. The doctor also said that Jordon may have up to a year or more of the Avastin treatments. Avastin is the antibody that stops the blood cells that form to support tumor growth.

After the doctor appointment, Jordon had to have his labs drawn (the phlebotomist stuck Jordon a few more times before he found a vein that would work), and then Jordon had to have a new IV put in to deliver his chemotherapy. Thank heavens Jordon now has a port. He won’t have to be a human pin cushion any more.

Speaking of ports. Jordon now has his port! The procedure was quick, but not painless. Jordon didn’t feel any pain during the procedure, but he did feel pressure and he heard the doctor’s talking the whole time. When they took me into recover, Jordon was sitting in the chair looking very very tired and beat. The nurses had to observe Jordon for an hour before they would let him leave. He was feeling okay, until he started moving, and then he started feeling some pain. Jordon was extremely sore for a few days, and even now he has to be careful with his chest because it is very tender, but he is doing great!

Here is a diagram of what it looks like it Jordon’s chest. They made an incision to put in the port, and then tunneled the catheter under his skin up to his jugular vein and almost into his heart.

This has been a very humbling week. We have been extremely blessed this year and we are truly grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord. It only sets as another reminder that this season is about the Savior. Always remembering and showing humble gratitude for all that the Savior has done and does for us. I know I didn’t post a Thanksgiving exclusive post listing what I was grateful for, but I would like to do that know. I am thankful for the gospel of the Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my sweet, wonderful husband who teaches me so many lessons of endurance and faith and hope. I am grateful for our families. They are wonderful and amazing and words cannot express my gratitude for their love and support this past year. I am grateful for the many tender mercies of the Lord. I am grateful that He gently leads us and guides to help be where we need to be. I am grateful how he gently molds us, helping us become the person he knows we are capable of becoming. I am grateful for the sun that shines every day, and the beautiful majestic mountains. I am grateful for the lessons Jordon and I have learned this past year, and I am grateful for the lessons we are still learning and will learn in the future. and I am grateful for the love and support from all of you, for the prayers offered in behalf of my sweet husband. Thank you!

**** BY THE WAY, CHRISTMAS CARD SEASON HAS ARRIVED. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF COMPILING THE LIST. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES, SEND US AN E-MAIL WITH YOUR MAILING ADDRESS: jordonandwendimott [at] yahoo [dot] com.