So Long

Oh, we're not going anywhere in particular, just to do daily labs, but it was yesterday that seemed so long. With Jordan's youngest brother, Shane, on spring break from high school this week, Jordan really enjoyed having him as his chauffeur for the day. Having one of his brothers around gives him a boost of energy and well-being like nothing else does! Even the nausea cleared as the day wore on, and on, and on.

First stop was the clinic for a CBC (complete blood count). Wo Nelly,, it showed a trip to the hospital for a couple of bags of platelets needed to be added to the schedule. They had fallen from 21K to 9K in one day! It takes the hospital a couple of hours to prepare for a transfusion though, so that left plenty of time to visit Brianna's attorney who is helping her work through the labyrinth of requirements for gaining permanent U.S. residency. We've heard enough stories of botched immigration applications, and the stakes are so high, that we gladly forsook our mostly penurious ways to enlist the aid of an experienced immigration attorney. She gave Brianna a copy of the following letter written by Jordan's doctor for inclusion with the application.

March 4, 2008

To Whom It May Concern:

Mr. Washburn is suffering from metastatic sarcoma to bone marrow, stage IV. This is generally considered a fatal illness. The presence of his wife, Brianna, in my opinion, is considered essential to this patient's health at this time. His wife has been extremely helpful for allowing us to provide chemotherapy to this patient, keeping close records of his care and his side effects, and notifying when there has been a change of condition. The patient has required numerous hospitalizations for infections while receiving chemotherapy.

We are respectfully requesting that his wife, Brianna, be permitted to stay in this country to assist us in managing Mr. Washburn's malignancy.

Yours truly,
Norman Zuckerman

So yesterday's meanderings led through the clinic, to the attorney, the hospital, then on to Best Buy, Carl's Jr., and a place called All About Games. They left home at about 11:30, and didn't return until after 8 PM! You'd think retiring to bed would be the next move, but no, Jordan stayed up until a little past midnight. We were waiting and worrying at home during all these activities, but are pleased and happy that he had the stamina to go out and seize the day!