First of the journey ahead!
**This blog shows the newest entries first. This is the fifth post. It is suggested that if this is your first time on the page, you give the website a look over before asking questions AND start with reading the "How did they find it?" post and "What is your diagnosis? post" before continuing on. The "About" page also gives a quick reason why this site was created.
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A few quick notes on how best to support, Also See "Pray/Support" tab on the website for more practical ways.
If you are seeking SUPPORT ("Why is this happening?" "I'm so sad for Jordan & Ryan," etc) in your time of need, moving away from Jordan, seek another person in another circle of support. That individual/space can bear that weight and the weight will not be added to the circle that Jordan & Ryan have.
If you are seeking ANSWERS ("How can I help?" "When do I deliver a meal?" "What day is the next treatment?" "What do they need?" etc."), try to first use the "Pray/Support" tab on the website to see if that can help, and if there are still questions, reach out to your OWN circle who are also connected to Jordan, but without always going directly to the inner circle (i.e. Ryan directly always).
Let's be honest there is no perfect way and the support networks will overlap in weight throughout the "village." But to strengthen and keep this village as healthy as possible for Jordan & Ryan, we are asking that you support the circle CLOSEST to Jordan (especially Ryan Bittinger & Sophie Parker) in any way you feel led.
On to the first treatment!
I can honestly say that all things considered, treatment one went very smoothly! I am so thankful to have had Ryan by my side, in more ways than one. I really do not know how I could cope without this man by my side, just saying. The whole process was about 4 hours long starting to finish between 3 different nausea medications, pain medications, labs, and test trials, and then finally the 4 main drugs (each monitored and tracked by a timer depending on the drug) were given. All were given through the port! Pablo did well, he's a pretty neat little thing. I really see how it makes the medical process easier.
After leaving, and grabbing some food, we actually were blessed to go recliner shopping! Sleeping and breathing have been by far the worse part of this cancer considering the mass in my chest in addition to the lump on my neck, and I am usually up multiple times a night coughing, wheezing, catching my short breaths, and cold sweats, before attempting to find an upright position. Needless to say, my church body caught wind of this need, and in LESS THAN A WEEK, there will be a recliner in my room for me to sleep and heal in over this season ALL OUT OF GENEROUS hands and feet of His church (my small group and church here in Lynchburg, Crosspoint). There are not enough thank you's that I can give- and that goes for SO MANY GENEROUS AND UNEXPECTED gifts and supplies for this journey that have quite literally shown up at my doorstep when I least expected it. This Lynchburg community I've been blessed with over these years is STRONG!
After recliner shopping, we came home and relaxed. I think I slept for somewhere between 2-3 hours and just took the day slow. Current side effects are just drowsiness and nausea which have been manageable, but not comfortable thus far. I expect side effects to grow in intensity over the next few days and then after each subsequent treatment.
*Oh and of course, we had to end the day with milkshakes.🍦 Who's taking bets on if I'll be able to finish the whole thing or not?*
That's all for now!
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