This morning, she went in to have a complete CT Scan and had more blood work done.
The so-called 'tumor' in her neck has shrunk considerably since Tuesday! The doctors are now saying that she does NOT have cancer and that her Lymph Nodes were so enlarged due to a horrible infection.
She is on the road to recovery! She has lost at least 15 pounds in the past few weeks, and I'm sure she will be resting quite a bit, but she is doing so much better!
She will go back again in a couple of weeks...but for now, she is at home and doing better than she has in awhile.
Throughout this trial, God has remained faithful. He could have chosen to give us completely different results, yet, God would still be just as great! We are overwhelmed by His grace....God is to be GLORIFIED in ALL THINGS!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Pray for my niece, Katie
She has been sick for more than three weeks. They did a CT scan yesterday that showed tumors in her neck and possibly her lungs. They are leaning towards lymphoma and will do a complete work up on her on Friday.
She is nine years old and is a sweet, sweet girl.
Her parents, Jim and Cindy, watched our children for us while we were in Memphis receiving treatment for Gideon.
Please pray for them. Pray that Katie is comforted by THE GREAT COMFORTER! That Jim and Cindy know how to best care for her...and that trust God all the more.
There are so many suffering....and my heart aches for each one. Pray for our family, that we know the best way to minister and care for those around us.
God will be glorified in this situation....He is the same today as he was yesterday and the day before! He is faithful....and his mercies are new every morning.
She is nine years old and is a sweet, sweet girl.
Her parents, Jim and Cindy, watched our children for us while we were in Memphis receiving treatment for Gideon.
Please pray for them. Pray that Katie is comforted by THE GREAT COMFORTER! That Jim and Cindy know how to best care for her...and that trust God all the more.
There are so many suffering....and my heart aches for each one. Pray for our family, that we know the best way to minister and care for those around us.
God will be glorified in this situation....He is the same today as he was yesterday and the day before! He is faithful....and his mercies are new every morning.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
We are home!
During the daily 6:30am rounds, the Dr told us that because of Gideon's improvement, we were able to be discharged!
We decided to take two days to drive home, and we arrived yesterday!
It was so great to see my other children. Two weeks seemed like way too long for a mommy to be away from her little ones!
We are slowly settling in and await a surprise visit from Gramma and Grampa from Maine! Gideon has kept the secret and when John gets home with the other boys, they will be in for quite a shock!
God has blessed us so greatly, I am often overwhelmed to tears.
We decided to take two days to drive home, and we arrived yesterday!
It was so great to see my other children. Two weeks seemed like way too long for a mommy to be away from her little ones!
We are slowly settling in and await a surprise visit from Gramma and Grampa from Maine! Gideon has kept the secret and when John gets home with the other boys, they will be in for quite a shock!
God has blessed us so greatly, I am often overwhelmed to tears.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sexual Detox and False Messages
Tim Challies recently wrote a series titled Sexual Detox. This is something that is all too often ignored within the church. I urge you to read this to get Biblical knowledge on how to purify the marriage bed.
Sexual Detox I: Pornifying the Marriage Bed
Sexual Detox II: Breaking Free
Sexual Detox III: A Theology of Sex
Sexual Detox IV: Detoxification
Sexual Detox V: Freedom
I was also pleased to see that Aileen, Tim's wife, wrote a 3 part series to women about sex and the false messages associated with it.
False Messages I: What He Really Wants
False Messages II: The Heart of Rejection
False Messages III: Desiring Him
Sexual Detox I: Pornifying the Marriage Bed
Sexual Detox II: Breaking Free
Sexual Detox III: A Theology of Sex
Sexual Detox IV: Detoxification
Sexual Detox V: Freedom
I was also pleased to see that Aileen, Tim's wife, wrote a 3 part series to women about sex and the false messages associated with it.
False Messages I: What He Really Wants
False Messages II: The Heart of Rejection
False Messages III: Desiring Him
Hopefully, we'll be out by the weekend
That is our hope...only if Gideon is thought to be ready by the Dr's! They will be discussing his discharge today at their daily meeting.
Gideon is much more steady, though he is unable to sit or stand on his own yet. His coordination is getting better, though he is still a bit shaky. His walking is improving, though he can't walk by himself.
He did great yesterday in physical therapy, and is surprising us at each chance he gets!
We are so proud of him. He wants to go home and get better so badly, that he puts forth huge amounts of effort.
His days are brightened by video calls with Gramma and Grampa in Maine.
We are seeing our Gideon peak through more and more, and I have the feeling, once we get home, we are going to have to hold him back from activity for his own safety...and he's going to want to just go go go!
Gideon is much more steady, though he is unable to sit or stand on his own yet. His coordination is getting better, though he is still a bit shaky. His walking is improving, though he can't walk by himself.
He did great yesterday in physical therapy, and is surprising us at each chance he gets!
We are so proud of him. He wants to go home and get better so badly, that he puts forth huge amounts of effort.
His days are brightened by video calls with Gramma and Grampa in Maine.
We are seeing our Gideon peak through more and more, and I have the feeling, once we get home, we are going to have to hold him back from activity for his own safety...and he's going to want to just go go go!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Things are slow, but improving
We spoke to Dr Boop and were told that his MRI looked great and it was confirmed that they were able to remove all of the tumor!
Gideon is making improvements. It's just very slow. He is moving his head around more, speaking a little bit more, and we saw him smile and heard him giggle for the first time since before his surgery.
We continue to see small glimpses of the boy we know. We rejoice over the little things that he is able to do...things that he couldn't do yesterday.
Our God is so very good to us. He has prepared us for such a time as this...and for that, we are eternally grateful.
Here is a video of Gideon's favorite song:
Gideon is making improvements. It's just very slow. He is moving his head around more, speaking a little bit more, and we saw him smile and heard him giggle for the first time since before his surgery.
We continue to see small glimpses of the boy we know. We rejoice over the little things that he is able to do...things that he couldn't do yesterday.
Our God is so very good to us. He has prepared us for such a time as this...and for that, we are eternally grateful.
Here is a video of Gideon's favorite song:
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Welcome back to 5 South, Gideon!
We have graduated from the ICU and have been brought back to our room. Gideon is settled in a nice clean bed and is watching a movie.
I am starting to see small glimpses of my boy...and it's so hard to be patient. My greatest fear has been that I will never get back the same boy that went into surgery. But my fear is short lived as I remember the promises in Scripture...and that my God is fully in control of this situation.
I'm not going to put any expectations on my boy. He will come back to me as he is able. He's been through a tramatic experience and healing won't come overnight.
So I sit next to his bed, holding his hand, singing to him...watching him through tears and prayers.
I am starting to see small glimpses of my boy...and it's so hard to be patient. My greatest fear has been that I will never get back the same boy that went into surgery. But my fear is short lived as I remember the promises in Scripture...and that my God is fully in control of this situation.
I'm not going to put any expectations on my boy. He will come back to me as he is able. He's been through a tramatic experience and healing won't come overnight.
So I sit next to his bed, holding his hand, singing to him...watching him through tears and prayers.
Oh God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures, here below
Praise Him above the heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen!
Praise Him all creatures, here below
Praise Him above the heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Hymns and Prayers
I spent several minutes singing hymns and praying with my boy. Oh, how I love being used by God to comfort my little boy.
I sang and we prayed together. He closed his eyes so tight when it was time to pray and held my hand as we spoke to our heavenly Father.
He spoke his first words since this morning...which filled me with joy to hear his voice, yet saddened me when he told me "I want to go home."
And we will go home soon, my sweet boy. But always remember....this is not our real home. This home is but a temporary dwelling.
One day, we will meet our Father in Heaven, where we will live forever and ever...
Psalm 30
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2931091755465679030
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O LORD,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
To you, O LORD, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
"What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!
O LORD, be my helper!"
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2931091755465679030
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O LORD,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
To you, O LORD, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
"What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!
O LORD, be my helper!"
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Gideon is in the ICU
The surgery went really well and they were over before we expected them to be! We received a call after about 3-1/2 hours, that they were done and that it would be about an hour before they were done finishing up.
Dr Boop visited us in our room at about 12:45ish and said that they were able to get all of the tumor removed. There was no excess bleeding and there was no need for blood transfusions. He said that he couldn't have asked for a better surgery.
We've been by his bedside for a few hours now. He looks so helpless on the bed...but is recovering well. He is following commands to squeeze hands and moving his legs and feet. He is responsive to his name and to questions and tries to talk, but his throat is probably a little sore.
He was given a shot of morphine around 2ish or so, since he was getting a little agitated due to pain. I'm sure that's not helping with his attentiveness.
His eyes are a little uncoordinated. We spoke to one of the assisting surgeons and he said it was most probably due to a little swelling in his brain from where they removed the tumor. He said that during the surgery, Dr Boop was very careful not to damage anything, and he would be surprised if it were anything but swelling. There are obviously no guarantees, so prayers for the swelling to go down in the next couple of days is appreciated.
He has a slight fever that peaked at 103.3 and they gave him Tylenol and Motrin, and are now administering ice packs to lower his temp....which is working. They were able to give him the Motrin through his mouth and it's a great sign that he can swallow and has no problems with that. Nurse Corrie said that it was very normal for this to happen after surgery, and they would be more concerned for a high temp a few days from now.
Gideon squeezes my hand when I ask him to. He opens his eyes when I call his name. He should be much more awake in the next day or two...I can't wait to really hold my Giddy again.
In the morning, he'll be going in for an MRI and then hopefully, he'll be back in our room.
Continue praying for his healing and recovery.
Dr Boop visited us in our room at about 12:45ish and said that they were able to get all of the tumor removed. There was no excess bleeding and there was no need for blood transfusions. He said that he couldn't have asked for a better surgery.
We've been by his bedside for a few hours now. He looks so helpless on the bed...but is recovering well. He is following commands to squeeze hands and moving his legs and feet. He is responsive to his name and to questions and tries to talk, but his throat is probably a little sore.
He was given a shot of morphine around 2ish or so, since he was getting a little agitated due to pain. I'm sure that's not helping with his attentiveness.
His eyes are a little uncoordinated. We spoke to one of the assisting surgeons and he said it was most probably due to a little swelling in his brain from where they removed the tumor. He said that during the surgery, Dr Boop was very careful not to damage anything, and he would be surprised if it were anything but swelling. There are obviously no guarantees, so prayers for the swelling to go down in the next couple of days is appreciated.
He has a slight fever that peaked at 103.3 and they gave him Tylenol and Motrin, and are now administering ice packs to lower his temp....which is working. They were able to give him the Motrin through his mouth and it's a great sign that he can swallow and has no problems with that. Nurse Corrie said that it was very normal for this to happen after surgery, and they would be more concerned for a high temp a few days from now.
Gideon squeezes my hand when I ask him to. He opens his eyes when I call his name. He should be much more awake in the next day or two...I can't wait to really hold my Giddy again.
In the morning, he'll be going in for an MRI and then hopefully, he'll be back in our room.
Continue praying for his healing and recovery.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Gideon's surgery
He will be leaving his room at 7am and surgery will begin at 7:30am.
Doctor Boop said that the surgery will last anywhere from 5-8 hours. Gideon will be moved to ICU and will remain there for about a day. Once he is awake and recovering, he will be brought back to his room.
If he does really well, and is able to walk and move around, we may be released within the week. If he needs more physical therapy, we might be here up to 3 weeks.
God is good, and we take great comfort in His word...that He knows the outcome of the surgery and Gideon's recovery. Pray for us.
Doctor Boop said that the surgery will last anywhere from 5-8 hours. Gideon will be moved to ICU and will remain there for about a day. Once he is awake and recovering, he will be brought back to his room.
If he does really well, and is able to walk and move around, we may be released within the week. If he needs more physical therapy, we might be here up to 3 weeks.
God is good, and we take great comfort in His word...that He knows the outcome of the surgery and Gideon's recovery. Pray for us.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Gideon update pt1
I am going to do my best at updating my blog about Gideon. I'll just be copying and pasting the updates from Facebook.
Here they are from the past couple of days:
Oct. 31:
EVENING- Gideon diagnosed with a brain tumor at Johnson City Medical Center; transferred to Knoxville Children's Hospital
Nov. 2:
MORNING- Consultation with a pediatric neurosurgeon at Knox. Children's hospital. Doctor gives the following speculative diagnosis after a close review of Gideon's CT scan: things look very optimistic. The tumor, while large, appears to be benign and treatable. It located in the cerebellum, on the left side, and is approximately the size of an orange. The doctor anticipates that removal of most or all of the tumor with little complication is probable. Also, it is thought that post-surgical recovery should be minimal.
MIDDAY - Transfer to St. Jude's Hospital is imminent, not due to complications but instead due to both ensure the best possible care for Gideon and also due to the nature of the condition.
Gideon was pretty upset at the thought of moving to another hospital (and not going home), but was cheered up by a visit from the UT Track Team!!
Nov. 3:
MORNING - Gideon was released from Knoxville's Children's Hospital to be transferred to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN, which is the partner children's hospital to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. After a meeting with the residing pediatric neurosurgeon at Knoxville, Gideon was medically released to ride in the car with his parents rather than by himself in an ambulance.
AFTERNOON - After a successful and comfortable car ride, Gideon and his family arrived at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis at approximately 4:30pm [central time]. Check-in went smoothly and Gideon was placed in his new room within 30 minutes of his arrival. Gideon seems very happy with the nursing and medical staff at Le Bonheur, who are very proactive about his needs and have made him feel extremely comfortable and at ease.
An MRI has been scheduled for tomorrow morning (Nov. 4), and surgery is expected to take place on Friday (Nov. 6).
EVENING - The nursing team attempted to give Gideon an IV. The first attempt was unsuccessful, so a second one was made. It appears, at this point, that the second attempt has been successful. A specialist will be stopping in shortly to evaluate the current IV (that was left in) to make sure that it was successful.
Nov 4:
We spoke to Dr Boop and heard similar things to what Dr Harris told us back in Knoxville. Dr Boop is optimistic, yet kept us grounded in possible complications that can arise. This was hard to hear. It was also hard to see the pictures of the MRI.
Please pray as we get help figuring out how to tell Gideon and his brothers about what is about to happen Friday morning.
We are leaning on God so incredibly much right now. Please continue to pray for us.
Here they are from the past couple of days:
Oct. 31:
EVENING- Gideon diagnosed with a brain tumor at Johnson City Medical Center; transferred to Knoxville Children's Hospital
Nov. 2:
MORNING- Consultation with a pediatric neurosurgeon at Knox. Children's hospital. Doctor gives the following speculative diagnosis after a close review of Gideon's CT scan: things look very optimistic. The tumor, while large, appears to be benign and treatable. It located in the cerebellum, on the left side, and is approximately the size of an orange. The doctor anticipates that removal of most or all of the tumor with little complication is probable. Also, it is thought that post-surgical recovery should be minimal.
MIDDAY - Transfer to St. Jude's Hospital is imminent, not due to complications but instead due to both ensure the best possible care for Gideon and also due to the nature of the condition.
Gideon was pretty upset at the thought of moving to another hospital (and not going home), but was cheered up by a visit from the UT Track Team!!
Nov. 3:
MORNING - Gideon was released from Knoxville's Children's Hospital to be transferred to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN, which is the partner children's hospital to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. After a meeting with the residing pediatric neurosurgeon at Knoxville, Gideon was medically released to ride in the car with his parents rather than by himself in an ambulance.
AFTERNOON - After a successful and comfortable car ride, Gideon and his family arrived at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis at approximately 4:30pm [central time]. Check-in went smoothly and Gideon was placed in his new room within 30 minutes of his arrival. Gideon seems very happy with the nursing and medical staff at Le Bonheur, who are very proactive about his needs and have made him feel extremely comfortable and at ease.
An MRI has been scheduled for tomorrow morning (Nov. 4), and surgery is expected to take place on Friday (Nov. 6).
EVENING - The nursing team attempted to give Gideon an IV. The first attempt was unsuccessful, so a second one was made. It appears, at this point, that the second attempt has been successful. A specialist will be stopping in shortly to evaluate the current IV (that was left in) to make sure that it was successful.
Nov 4:
We spoke to Dr Boop and heard similar things to what Dr Harris told us back in Knoxville. Dr Boop is optimistic, yet kept us grounded in possible complications that can arise. This was hard to hear. It was also hard to see the pictures of the MRI.
Please pray as we get help figuring out how to tell Gideon and his brothers about what is about to happen Friday morning.
We are leaning on God so incredibly much right now. Please continue to pray for us.
A little update
We are currently in Memphis, TN at the Le Bonheur hospital where Gideon is scheduled for surgery on Friday.
Things look cautiously optimistic, but they won't know it all until they see the results of the MRI (that he is getting even as I type this), and examine the tumor upon removal.
We have created a Facebook group to keep everyone up to date on what is happening. As much as I would love to be able to keep up my blog, a carepage, facebook, and whatever else...I am just so mentally exhausted, it just isn't possible.
Gideon Jordan - Prayer Needs and Updates
Things look cautiously optimistic, but they won't know it all until they see the results of the MRI (that he is getting even as I type this), and examine the tumor upon removal.
We have created a Facebook group to keep everyone up to date on what is happening. As much as I would love to be able to keep up my blog, a carepage, facebook, and whatever else...I am just so mentally exhausted, it just isn't possible.
Gideon Jordan - Prayer Needs and Updates
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Please Pray
Over the past few days, I began to notice Gideon was not as mobile as he should be. He was stiff, wobbly, and unsteady. Last night, it was extremely noticeable.
I couldn't just wait until Monday to go to the Doctor's. God just really laid a huge burden on my heart of concern for my boy. John spoke to a friend who said we should get him seen.
After the CAT scan, they found a tumor on his brain.
Within an hour or so, I was riding in an ambulance 2 hours west of Johnson City, to the Children's Hospital in Knoxville.
We await hearing from the Dr, and he will be getting an MRI this morning.
Please pray. Pray that the other children do well without John or I there right now. Pray for the Doctors that are taking care of my Gideon. Pray for healing. Pray for comfort. Pray that God looks great to everyone we are in contact with. Pray for the baby that I carry....though barely 6 weeks along...in this time of emotion and stress. Pray that whatever the outcome is....that God is glorified in this.
It reminds me of a blog I read last year when a family was going through hard times. God is the same. He was the same last week, before we knew anything was wrong. He was the same last night when we brought him to the hospital. And He is the same today.
Great is Thy Faithfulness....
I couldn't just wait until Monday to go to the Doctor's. God just really laid a huge burden on my heart of concern for my boy. John spoke to a friend who said we should get him seen.
After the CAT scan, they found a tumor on his brain.
Within an hour or so, I was riding in an ambulance 2 hours west of Johnson City, to the Children's Hospital in Knoxville.
We await hearing from the Dr, and he will be getting an MRI this morning.
Please pray. Pray that the other children do well without John or I there right now. Pray for the Doctors that are taking care of my Gideon. Pray for healing. Pray for comfort. Pray that God looks great to everyone we are in contact with. Pray for the baby that I carry....though barely 6 weeks along...in this time of emotion and stress. Pray that whatever the outcome is....that God is glorified in this.
It reminds me of a blog I read last year when a family was going through hard times. God is the same. He was the same last week, before we knew anything was wrong. He was the same last night when we brought him to the hospital. And He is the same today.
Great is Thy Faithfulness....
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