I’m really happy to report that today was a good day. Follow up blood tests today showed that Jordan has been responding well to his first 3 days of chemotherapy. Here are the stats:
When Jordan arrived at the hospital on Tuesday night, his white blood cell count was 54 – over 50 is really serious. Today, his white blood cell count was 6.
On Tuesday night, Jordan had a blast percentage of 67. Blast cells are the cancerous cells in the blood, and the percentage indicates how many of those there are versus healthy blood cells. (Right, Bekah?) Today’s blast percentage – 16.
These are fantastic numbers and very encouraging considering both need to be at zero in 4 more days when the next bone marrow extraction happens. That test needs to show total remission. And, then the cancer needs to stay in remission for at least 2 more years before he can stop chemotherapy. (For more on Jordan’s treatment plan, see my previous post.)
Tim happily got to hang out in Jordan’s hospital room for most of the afternoon today. Tim’s been at the hospital for the past few days, but was never allowed to go into Jordan’s room until today. They played and laughed, and Tim reports that Jordan really seemed like himself. He even ate most of a hot dog, which is so good. He hasn’t been eating much the past few days, and he needs to in order to keep his body strong for chemo. He’s doing well today.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading and praying and thinking of Jordan and the Shahbaz family. Literally, from all over the world, we are rallying together in support of this family. It is a beautiful thing. Please know that Phil and Amy know you’re out there and appreciate you. Even better, your prayers have been answered in a couple of ways:
1. Jordan’s numbers are getting better.
2. Jordan’s continuing to poop! Yay! If he continues doing as well as he is now, he is scheduled to go home from the hospital on Monday. That will be a tremendous blessing for him and the whole family.
So…don’t stop! Please keep praying for the following:
Pray that Jordan continues to stay regular so he can go home on Monday.
Pray that Jordan will get better at having his blood pressure taken. It’s really been freaking him out, and the pressure cuff probably hurts his sore bones a bit, so his blood pressure readings have been inaccurate and high. Pray that he’ll relax into those readings so the nurses can tell how his body is doing.
Pray that over the next few days, as Phil and Amy are driving back and forth to the hospital, they experience very little traffic, and easy and safe drives.
Please continue praying fervently that Jordan will not experience the horrible side effects of chemotherapy. It’s still too early in the chemo for him to be suffering, but it’s likely to start happening soon. He’s two and a half, and chemo poison can do horrible things to a developing body. Pray, pray, pray that it doesn’t.
Pray for Jeremiah, Jonah, and Cedar (Jordan’s siblings), and the families of Phil and Amy, that they will feel strengthened and full of hope and peace.
Pray for Phil and Amy, that they may continue asking the right questions in care of their son, and they too may feel supernatural hope and peace.
And please, pray that this cancer goes away, and stays away, for good.
Some of those prayer requests seem very mundane. But trust me – they will make a difference. Just keep praying.
Tim snapped some sweet pics on his iPhone at the hospital today. Thought I’d share.
Phil and Jordan
Watching a movie
Tim says they actually broke stuff while they were playing. Hopefully nothing important.
Climbing on the table - Tim is a bad influence.
20. Apr, 2010 
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