I’m hoping to share a few more details of Jordan’s journey and treatment here on Caring Bridge. If you haven’t followed my Facebook posts, our 14 month old son Jordan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on September 11, 2018. Darren and I have another son Brody who just turned 3.
Back to the beginning:
It was a busy summer filled with family vacations and birthdays for Jordan (1st bday in July) and Brody (3rd bday in September). We enjoyed family vacations to Yankton and Minnesota. We went to the Omaha Zoo the weekend just prior to his diagnosis with Darren’s work. Mom had taken more time off work starting this past June. We shared many fun family memories this summer.
In the days leading up to his diagnosis, Jordan had starting to wake up often throughout the night. He was uncomfortable and fussier. One of his daycare ladies had described him as “a bit whiney.” Not words that typically described him. He was crawling less, having a harder time climbing stairs, and making little progress with standing/cruising.
We wondered if he had an ear infection again, if teething was bothering him, or if he was aching from his 1 year vaccinations.
On Monday, September 10, we went to the ENT who found blood in his ear. It seemed he had an air bubble and blood in his ear possibly contributing to pressure and pain. I noticed a bruise above his eyelid, another on his arm and petchiea (pin-head sized red dots) on his body. Later in the day his middle finger was black like it had been caught in the door—a strange color bruise. I had never heard him cry so I wondered when those bruises would have happened. He did not have a fever.
When Darren got home from work, he noticed Jordan was warm. I checked his temp—98.5, Darren (the "great thermometer" and "granny lips" himself) was not convinced and checked his temperature in the temporal area—103. We couldn’t figure out why a kid without an ear infection would have a high temperature.
Darren and Brody went to the park to play. I put Jordan in the bath to sooth him, started some essential oils, and then noticed another bruise above his eye, more on his arm, and very tender bruises on his left leg. My heart dropped. I hoped my suspicions were just me being overly cautious being in the medical field.
I called my mom and confirmed I should take him in. I packed his bag and left for the park to tell Darren. Darren brought Brody to Grandpa and Grandma (around 7 pm) and met me at the Emergency Department in Orange City. The nurses took us seriously. We waited for Dr. Hanson who listened carefully and did bloodwork. It seemed to take forever, but when he walked in the room with results his face said it all. Our sweet boy was very sick. We had to go to Sioux Falls immediately. We had to soak in as many snuggles as we could.
Darren and I cried as we hugged Jordan. I remember thinking we might have to bury our son. Our family would not be complete. Brody would not have a brother. When it is your child, going to the scariest thought in your mind even for just a moment brings strong, instant emotions. We made tough phone calls to our family.
Dr. Hanson prayed with us. My parents and Pastor Bob popped in and prayed as well.
We went by ambulance to Sioux Falls. The ambulance team gave us hugs when they dropped us off.
At Sanford Children’s hospital in Sioux Falls, we met our pediatric oncologist just after 12 am. He prepared us for the diagnosis that he thought was coming—Leukemia. It was a very hard night; however, he assured us that whatever Jordan had, we could treat it and cure it. What confidence. It was what we needed to hear even if we didn’t quite believe it.
Jordan had several pokes, blood draws and an IV placed throughout the night.
On Tuesday, the pediatric oncologist did more tests to determine what kind of Leukemia Jordan had and he was diagnosed with Pre B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
So many mercies wrapped throughout this story that can’t fully be told here. We praise God for going before us and behind us.
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