On the 10th of November 2008 our precious four year old son was admitted to Bedford Gardens Hospital to undergo a number of tests and an MRI scan. Our Jordi had been having a lot of pain in his legs and was suddenly not able to stand or walk on his own.
At about 17h30 that day we were called into Dr Jones office to be told our son had a tumour wrapped around three quarters of his entire spinal column and that they would have to try and remove it urgently. As our world blurred into intense realization and fear we knew that this would be one of the most difficult challenges that we would have to be faced.
The following day he was transferred to the Morningside Clinic. Professor Biel was to perform the life saving surgery. The date 11 November 2008, the day our world changed.
Professor Biel later that evening informed us that he had attempted to remove the entire tumour that he could from his spine. Jordan was cut from just below his neck to his lower back! Jordi could not move for 2 weeks and our baby was bedridden and in a great deal of pain. The surgery he called a Laminectomy; where they remove parts of the vertebrae from the spinal column to get closer to the area where the tumour is situated and then replace the vertebrae again. This information was almost more than we could stand.... the reality was Jordi was instantly paralyzed from his waist down after the surgery. My little man was back on nappies and out came the bottles.
Two week after the surgery Jordan was transferred to the Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg to start his Chemotherapy and then later radiation treatment. The type of cancer that has been diagnosed is extremely rare and there have only been a few cases reported worldwide. The professors and paediatric oncologists dealing with Jordan’s case were not even sure they had the cure or treatment protocol for his type of cancer. No one knows what the outcome of this will be.
Chemotherapy and radiation had to be done on our Mighty Jordi. Chemotherapy was started immediately and after 3 chemo treatments the radiation treatment was began. Jordi had radiation treatment to his spine and brain 5 days a week for 7 weeks under a general aesthetic. That is 35 general aesthetics in a row to our four year old hero. Radiation treatment to a child so young could be life changing and we pray that our boy is blessed with no long term effects from his intense treatment. We knew that without the radiation treatment Jordi may not recover. The decision for us was clear!
Jordi has been in and out of hospital over the last nine months. His blood counts are consistently low, he gets fevers and the tummy problems have caused lots of sleepless nights for our little boy. Jordi developed a fissure in these last few weeks of treatment and this has contributed to his incredible pain and suffering. When he cries out in pain the feeling of helplessness is so disorientating for a parent or granny to witness. If only we could take his pain! With all of these side effects the most heart breaking to witness is that little dear little boy can no longer walk, run and play soccer. Jordi will ask us why he can’t walk and when he will walk again. He wants to know why his feet or not like his friends (from not walking he has developed “drop foot”)
He has now started his physiotherapy to help him walk again. We believe that with this intense physio and special shoes our boy will walk again. Our next step is the MRI to determine if our treatment plan has been a success.
We are honoured and proud to be called Jordi’s mommy and daddy; our little boy has suffered so much. Jordan has taught us so much along this emotional journey. We have learnt the true power of prayers; that each moment is a blessing and every day is now cherished. We would like to say a huge mighty thank you to each and every dear soul that has supported us through this. Our hearts have been broken with the “unknown” that lies ahead.
The financial donations we have received have been a blessing and have assisted us in ensuring that Jordi gets the best treatment and the smile we love so dearly is always on his face. There are no words to express how you have helped our brave little boy through this sad and painful journey.
I hope that by sharing our story with you that you add Jordi to your prayers. Please continue to send us your love and support and may our Lord God continue to heal our brave little soldier.
“In God we Trust”
With love
Wayne and Michelle Tromp(AKA Jordi’s mommy and daddy)
At about 17h30 that day we were called into Dr Jones office to be told our son had a tumour wrapped around three quarters of his entire spinal column and that they would have to try and remove it urgently. As our world blurred into intense realization and fear we knew that this would be one of the most difficult challenges that we would have to be faced.
The following day he was transferred to the Morningside Clinic. Professor Biel was to perform the life saving surgery. The date 11 November 2008, the day our world changed.
Professor Biel later that evening informed us that he had attempted to remove the entire tumour that he could from his spine. Jordan was cut from just below his neck to his lower back! Jordi could not move for 2 weeks and our baby was bedridden and in a great deal of pain. The surgery he called a Laminectomy; where they remove parts of the vertebrae from the spinal column to get closer to the area where the tumour is situated and then replace the vertebrae again. This information was almost more than we could stand.... the reality was Jordi was instantly paralyzed from his waist down after the surgery. My little man was back on nappies and out came the bottles.
Two week after the surgery Jordan was transferred to the Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg to start his Chemotherapy and then later radiation treatment. The type of cancer that has been diagnosed is extremely rare and there have only been a few cases reported worldwide. The professors and paediatric oncologists dealing with Jordan’s case were not even sure they had the cure or treatment protocol for his type of cancer. No one knows what the outcome of this will be.
Chemotherapy and radiation had to be done on our Mighty Jordi. Chemotherapy was started immediately and after 3 chemo treatments the radiation treatment was began. Jordi had radiation treatment to his spine and brain 5 days a week for 7 weeks under a general aesthetic. That is 35 general aesthetics in a row to our four year old hero. Radiation treatment to a child so young could be life changing and we pray that our boy is blessed with no long term effects from his intense treatment. We knew that without the radiation treatment Jordi may not recover. The decision for us was clear!
Jordi has been in and out of hospital over the last nine months. His blood counts are consistently low, he gets fevers and the tummy problems have caused lots of sleepless nights for our little boy. Jordi developed a fissure in these last few weeks of treatment and this has contributed to his incredible pain and suffering. When he cries out in pain the feeling of helplessness is so disorientating for a parent or granny to witness. If only we could take his pain! With all of these side effects the most heart breaking to witness is that little dear little boy can no longer walk, run and play soccer. Jordi will ask us why he can’t walk and when he will walk again. He wants to know why his feet or not like his friends (from not walking he has developed “drop foot”)
He has now started his physiotherapy to help him walk again. We believe that with this intense physio and special shoes our boy will walk again. Our next step is the MRI to determine if our treatment plan has been a success.
We are honoured and proud to be called Jordi’s mommy and daddy; our little boy has suffered so much. Jordan has taught us so much along this emotional journey. We have learnt the true power of prayers; that each moment is a blessing and every day is now cherished. We would like to say a huge mighty thank you to each and every dear soul that has supported us through this. Our hearts have been broken with the “unknown” that lies ahead.
The financial donations we have received have been a blessing and have assisted us in ensuring that Jordi gets the best treatment and the smile we love so dearly is always on his face. There are no words to express how you have helped our brave little boy through this sad and painful journey.
I hope that by sharing our story with you that you add Jordi to your prayers. Please continue to send us your love and support and may our Lord God continue to heal our brave little soldier.
“In God we Trust”
With love
Wayne and Michelle Tromp(AKA Jordi’s mommy and daddy)
