Surgery Update

Here is a quick update on the latest of my back situation: Last Monday Meredith and I met with the Oncologist, a very nice doctor at the Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma, WA, and he was able to explain to us more details about my case and the treatment that I will be receiving after surgery. We learned that the type of tumors that I have are not “malignant,” that is they are not spreading or growing rapidly to other parts of my body. They are “benign,” but are still growing at a slow rate. Most cases show about a ten year period for tumor regrowth, I am little bit more special because mine came back in about three. However, on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the most severe growing tumors, mine are a 1. The downside is that due to the location of the tumors, there is not much room for them to grow. So, as far as removal goes, I will be getting them removed in a similar fashion to the ones removed three years ago, but this time there is scar tissue from the last operation, which makes the surgery (called a resection) more difficult. Also complicating things are some of my nerve roots are being intertwined with the tumors. This makes them again difficult to remove without possibly causing nerve damage. Once surgery is complete and the doctor removes as much of the growths as he can, I will begin some radiation therapy, which aims to hault the growth of the tumors by killing their cells and making their multiplication very difficult. The therapy will begin three weeks after surgery and will be five days a week, for six weeks. Meredith and I have visited the fertility clinic in preparation for the possible sterility that may result from the radiation and both of us are very confident that God has a great plan for our family. Both my parents and Meredith’s parents will be coming up at different points throughout the entire process to aid in taking care of me and with the commute (1.5 hrs one way), etc.

Please continue to pray for my healing because, I know that with God all things are possible, and He can heal anyone. Keep believing! Other prayer requests: Surgeon being able to remove as much of the tumors as possible, radiation therapy (my strength—can make me a little weak and sick; Meredith’s strength—to deal with all of this and help take care of me), endurance (each day will be approx 3 hr commute—we are looking into staying in Tacoma for a couple of nights a week), and fertility and our children (isn’t it awesome that God already knows our children!). Thank you for your love and prayers.

In Christ Hands,
Jordan and Meredith
Matthew 6: 33

Philippians 4: 6-7
1 Peter 5: 7