Yesterday was a good day for Jordon. He coerced the surgeon into taking his NG tube out. The surgeon was reluctant after the issues he had the day before but decided to give it a try. Jordon had the biggest smile on his face we've seen yet. He marched his IV pole straight into the bathroom and had that tube out on his own before the surgeon was done in the room. He hopped in the shower and was a whole new person after that. He was by far in the best spirits he's been in yet. He was able to start on clear liquids last night and hopefully will start on a regular diet today.

The oncologist came to see us yesterday and the final results show that the cancer cells were only in the one lymph node- no other nodes were affected. However, he is concerned that Jordon's cancer has not gone "by the book." His chances of relapse should have been less than 10% both times prior and yet it has still come back. He is concerned that his cancer is aggressive and therefore he wants to be aggressive with treatment as well this time. His concern is that if it comes back it will likely come back in his lungs or brain and at that point it can be fatal. So he wants Jordon to do both radiation and some very aggressive chemotherapy. This was a lot to digest and Jordon is not looking forward to chemo. We don't blame him but we also don't want to mess around with his life. We love him and need him to be around as long as possible.

These has been some talk of doing a PET scan.A PET scan can help physicians effectively pinpoint the source of cancer. This is possible because many cancer cells are highly metabolic and therefore synthesize the radioactive glucose (sugar) that is injected in the patient prior to the exam. The areas of high glucose uptake are dramatically displayed in the scan imagery, as opposed to the anatomical imagery of CT or MRI, which cannot detect active, viable tumor. A PET scan can be used in early diagnosis, assisting physicians in determining the best method for treatment. A whole body PET scan may detect whether cancer is isolated to one specific area or has spread to other organs before a treatment path is determined. This will allow them to possibly see any other active cancer growth that may not yet be detectable on a regular CT scan.

The plan is to go home tomorrow if all goes well. YEAH!!!!!!!