This week we enjoyed having a visit from Joel, Jodie, & Jordan! We LOVE it when family or friends come to visit, but this was even more special since Jordan's health was questionable the week before. We loved having them here, didn't exactly do anything special, but just enjoyed being together. Micah had been talking about Jordan coming to visit for several days and was clearly excited to have her here. (See the flickr pictures at the right.)
We went to church Sunday morning and many people at FBC were excited to see Jordan since they too have been praying for her since her leukemia diagnosis. She started feeling warm-ish and sleepy at church, so we went home for lunch and Jordan just wanted to take a nap. After Jordan and Micah woke up, our friend Hannah came over for a princess tea party. Mom ("Queen") Kimberlee supplied the fancy teacups and Princess Hannah brought princess gowns and shoes to share with Princess Jordan. Afterward, Jordan was running a low fever.
Monday morning we had planned on taking Jordan to get her lab work done here in Bellingham, for the results to be sent to her doctors in Dallas. The fever was still fluctuating but there nonetheless. Jordan fell asleep on the way home and we all packed to go to Seattle where we had all planned to stay in a fun hotel (the Edgewater, where the Beatles had stayed and fished out their hotel room window!), visit the Aquarium and the Pacific Science Center and more.
When Jordan's fever hadn't subsided, we decided to go sooner than later (to be closer to a Children's Hospital). Then Joel & Jodie decided it would be best to take Jordan home to Dallas asap, so they began exploring the next flights out. Then, Jordan's doctors called and indicated that her counts were too low, that she should get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. (Joel told me that her numbers hadn't been this low in a year.) Jordan went to St. Joseph's ER here in Bellingham where she received fluids, antibiotics, and Bellingham and Seattle doctors conferred about the next plan of action. That was 1:30 pm. At 6 pm, drs recommended that Jordan get to Seattle Children's Hospital asap and that she should be transported by ambulance. Not emergency, but urgently. Jodie & Jordan were transported to Seattle while Jeff, Joel, Micah & I followed shortly behind. After making sure Joel, Jodie, & Jordan were checked in at Children's, we checked ourselves into our hotel at 11 pm. Whew!
The next morning, after checking in with Joel, Micah, Jeff, and I went to the Seattle Aquarium to kill time and wait to be of help for Jordan, Jodie, & Joel. Our hotel and the aquarium were on the water, near Pike's Market, and the hospital was about 20 minutes away. We were able to bring them lunch at 1 and stay for a visit (Jeff could go in, but kids under 12 weren't allowed, so Micah & I had lunch in the lobby and read Thomas books) then go back to the aquarium. We then brought Jodie back to the hotel for a shower and respite--the only time they used their room! Jeff took her back to the hospital, then we prayed for Jordan's counts to stabilize through the night.
Wednesday morning (this morning--what a long time ago!) Joel called us with the good news that her counts had not dropped and that Jordan was cleared to fly home if she went straight to Dallas Children's Med Center. They released her with enough time to drive by the Space Needle, snap a picture, and eat lunch before heading to the airport. Surprisingly, Jodie said the airport was not crowded on what was supposed to be the busiest travel day of the year. This was a definite answer to prayer, as Jordan needs to be around as few crowds and public places as possible.
I knew I loved Jodie & Joel, but this experience gave me a newfound respect for them because of the way they deal with crises, advocate for their daughter, and do what needs to be done for her best interest; all while processing their own emotions as they support Jordan. (Even if you don't feel like you handle it well, J&J!) Jeff and I have been somewhat removed from Jordan's experiences these past 2 years, and we were actually glad to get a taste of what they go through when things like this come up and to be able to support them tangibly. We wish we could do it more.
All along we saw God working through circumstances. It encouraged me because I think of God working more in people's hearts and lives and less in situations around me, but these past few days challenged the limitations I unknowingly placed on God. It gives me hope that if he can work out mere circumstances, how much more does he care about his children and want to bring them into wholeness. For example, if Jadyn (Jordan's almost 2yo sister) had come on the trip, it would have been so much harder. Or, the fact that we didn't change a hotel or plane reservation at all is astounding, considering that the past few days have been lived moment-by-moment, dependent on Jordan's condition. We were borrowing a friend's minivan that would accommodate the 4 adults and 2 kids-with-car-seats, and if we hadn't done that, and traveled in two cars, the logistics of the entire scenario would have been incredibly more complicated.
Last we heard Joel, Jodie, & Jordan landed safely in Dallas and were headed to Children's. Pray with us that the God who has the power to control circumstances, who loves Jordan more than we do, will continue to protect her body from outside infection, build up her immunity, and kick this cancer--sooner than later.
