How Is Jordyn?

I was asked how my daughter, Jordyn, is doing with "all of this" several times today. The truth is . . . I don't know. She is tremendously sensitive and internalizes a lot. Her questions, comments, and emotions have come out in sporadic bits and pieces.

When I first told her that the doctors had found some cancer bugs in my right breast , a large crocodile tear rolled down her cheek and she immediately asked me if I was going to die. After I assured that I was not, she asked if I would have to be in hospital. When I said I probably would, she asked if she could have my jello from the hospital dinner tray. Out of the mouths of babes!

When the diagnosis changed, we had another chat. She was very sad that the very "boob-a-lavage" that had fed her when she was little, would have to go. She insisted on being a part of choosing new breasts. She saw the options for reconstruction and voted for implants. The reason for this was because it is the quickest surgery, other than having no reconstruction.

After I returned from Vancouver, I told her of the decision to have the DIEP. We reviewed the surgery in grade 3 terms and left it at that. She was satisfied. She was also satisfied that auntie Chrissy would be taking care of me in Vancouver. This is because, "Auntie Chrissy is 39 yrs old and so she's old enough to do a good job." What a kid! Chris was flattered with the age! 39 again?!! heehee

Last week she cried, for the first time, that I have seen . Not a tear- full cry. She said it was because she was worried something would happen in the operating room. I told her that I had not one, but four specialists working on me and they would not let any thing happen. She replied, "No one knows for sure except God." Man, how do you reply to that? My eight year old daughter was suddenly 28!

She volunteered for the countdown picture today. My girlfriend, Cherie, kindly picked her up from school today for me. Nice break! Anyhow, Cherie has the cool car and Missy Jordyn is a total car hound . . . she has been since birth! She can sit in a car and play imaginary games like no one I have ever seen. So when she was able to also have a photo shoot from the car - she was totally stoked!

Jordyn is fortunate to have a network of people to talk with. She talks with auntie Rhonda from the heart, l'uncle when she has philisophical questions, and she lets out emotions with grandma and poppa. She can talk to her auntie Shelley and thinks the world of her two older cousins, Matt and Mike. I have a network of girlfriends who also watch for her. In addition to her little friends from school, she also has a special, mature friendship with her dad's former partner, Joni. She has been in Jordyn's life since Jordyn was a baby; the two share a special bond, and for that I am grateful.

Jordyn has experienced her share of sadness and loss in her young life. I am so happy that she has so many healthy, strong, and grounded individuals concerned for her well being. She is such a great kid, and a very lucky little girl to be truly loved by so many people. Because of the quality of people in her life, I do know that . . . she will be just fine!