It’s the end of January, already!

Since the last post Jonathon has had another MRI, video swallow study, a mediport and he has started his maintenance chemotherapy.  The MRI was as the doctor would say, “As good as you could possibly have!”  His video swallow showed that things are working much better!!!  He is able to eat almost everything except that precious bacon cheese burger… but looking forward to it!!! PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED!!!  Thank you for your continued support!!!  He had a medi port put in surgically the day after Christmas to make the administration of his medicine easier!  Jon will be going to the hospital on Tuesday, Feb. 6 for an overnight stay of chemo.

Thank you and congratulations to Eric Bailey for his success in becoming Mr. Hempfield!  Mr. Hempfield was a fund raiser put together by the NHS with many excellent talents represented, what a FUN evening!!! Thank you to all who participated!

A Madden tournament was held at the high school by the Sports and Entertainment class of Mr. Wise.  What a great event!!! Thank you to all who supported this event!!! 

We are very blessed to have such wonderful support from everyone!!! Jonathon continues to recover and regain strength.  Thank you!!!! 

MRI

Monday December 18 -  Following the MRI Jon and his mother met with Dr. B who informed them the MRI was good news!!!  NO TUMORS…. Tuesday, Dec. 26 Jon will surgically have a Port put in and his maintenance chemotherapy begins for several months. He will be spending the night at Hershey Med. this first night. 

Last week Jon started his school studies through Keystone High School, which is an internet based program designed to help continue his school work from home.

Jon had another swallow study performed last week with great success. His swallow is not yet totally complete, although very close to it. He continues to diligently excercise his swallowing muscles.

Jon continues to gain strength and healing a little each day.Hecontinues to “test the waters” with eating… one day at a time with much anticipation toward the future. Tonight J enjoyed a little chicken pot pie, with a cheesecake snack later, compliments of the Briors. It is a blessing to have so many caring friends helping us to stay healthy and happy. The many meals, gifts ,thoughts, prayers and comments are very appreciated.      Gods Blessings to all  …  His Love Endures Forever!!!

Goldfish!!!

Wow it is December already!  Jon is feeling a lot better since he finished radiation and has a chance to rest and heal!

We heard the variety show was great!!! That is awesome that the proceeds will go to the Four Diamonds Fund.  Thank you!

Monday his speech therapist had him eat about 10 goldfish crackers!!! That is the first food Jon has had to eat, CHEW and SWALLOW since his operation!!! How exciting, Big Mac here he comes!!!

Tuesday he started back with his occupational therapy and physical therapy. Jon’s balance is getting better!   His speech therapist gave him more goldfish crackers, crunchy fries and 3 chocolate graham crackers!!!  What a meal!

Next week Jon will have a video swallow study done to determine how improved his swallow is and what foods he can move onto. At this point when he is feeling good he eats oatmeal with applesauce for breakfast, Boost, Gatorade maybe a drinkable Campbells soup for lunch.  He is starting to put on a pound or two!!! He weighs about 147 depending on which scale is used.

Jon is starting to have more feeling in his face.  He does his exercises dilegently several times a day.

School work is just around the corner!!!

Tuesday, November 21 Last day of Radiation!

Tomorrow will be the last day of radiation!!!  Jonathon will have a 4 week break from chemo.  He is looking forward to the break to rest without feeling crapy, get stronger, put on some weight and continue to strenghten his swallow.

Thank you for continued comments, prayers and wellwishes!!! Jon and his family have such great friends, THANK YOU!!!  God hears and heals!!!!!!  Jon slept through the night last night for the first time since surgery!  What a good feeling.  Today he ate 3 scrambled eggs!!! That is exciting!  Yesterday  he ate 2 scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pureed chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and sweetpotatoes!!! That is the most he has eaten!!

He continues to have more feeling in his face!  That fabulous smile is determined to come back!!!  He is using his right hand more to eat or drink.  It is getting stronger every day!  I can see the pound he has gained starting to fill him in.  Every day is a better day!!!

Saturday, Nov. 11 was a good day!  Jonathon ate a pureed dippy egg and Chicken noodle soup, using his right hand!!!

Andrew and Ryan stopped by to play x-box(thanks) and give Jon  an awesome shirt!!! Your team is already on the way for a winning season! Have fun guys!

Jonathon commented his face was tingling and itchy.  He said,”My face is itchy and I can’t scratch it, that is bitter-sweet.”  From surgery Jon has had little to no feeling  on his right side, as the nerves repair themselves they tingle and itch. That is a good thing! 

9 more days of radiation

Jon has 9 more days of radiation as of Thursday, Nov. 9!!!  They are finished with the radiation of his spine and are focusing on his head.  Chemo. takes a lot out of him and he is VERY tired and at times is sooooo tired it even takes great effort to speak,(if you visit and he doesn’t talk to you, he is not mad at you he is just tired) but his sense of humor remains!  Thank you for all your prayers, support and encouragement.  We are so very blessed to have so many with us on this journey!  Everyone who has made life easier with your generosity, thank-you, you are wonderful, we are grateful! 

 Jon is very determined and works very hard at his exercises to swallow!  Every day he improves and is thankful for your prayers, for he knows that every bit helps.  He must take in 2600 to 3000 calories a day in order to gain or maintain weight.  His main diet is  Carnation shakes, Boost and Gatorade. It is surprising how difficult that is.  He can’t wait for the day he can enjoy pizza and burgers especially with his friends!!!

Monday, his MRI results showed that there was no tumor growing in his brain!!!  Jon’s nueropsycology doctor informed him that his memory and thinking skills have improved since before the tumor was removed.  She also commented that in 1 year he will see great improvement overall!!!

Congratulations Black Knight Football players on your last two great wins!!!  We knew you could do it!  The game ball is awesome!!! THANK YOU!

Way to go girls volleyball, CONGRATULATIONS!

Jon is asking about getting started on his school work, he must be feeling better!

Catching up with Jonathan

It was so neat to see the Hempfield Football Team on the news last Thursday and excited about their win this weekend.   Congratulations Black Knights!!

 Jon and Nick have a difficult road ahead, but they’re both moving ahead with courage and determination.  One of Jon’s doctors at Hershey said they are aggressively treating the tumor with chemo and radiation and says there’s an 80% cure rate!  He has about 2 weeks left of radiation and is off for 4 weeks!  (That’s a relief!)  Then 1 overnight stay for another round of chemo.

Swallowing is still very difficult – some days are better than others.  He needs nourishment, so they’re pumping him up with nutritional shakes from Hershey.

Thanks for connecting with Jon by e-mail…that’s a little easier than the phone right now and he is grateful to be able to stay in touch with everyone.  Thanks for being faithful prayers and friends.  Thanks too for the meals!

Swallowing!!!!!!!

Jon had his swallow study today and is cleared to eat applesauce like foods…smoothies, and pureed food!!!   Dr. Weed removed his feeding tube today and his docs want him to beef up a bit. 

Radiation is everyday at Hershey and chemo is once a week.  So far so good. 

Mrs. Zimmerman and the rehab staff at the health campus are great!  It’s nice to have it so close. 

Jon and the family went out for dinner to celebrate Amanda’s  21st Birthday.   That’ll be some celebration!!  Lots to celebrate and congratulations to Amanda on this big milestone!

Thanks for the meals, flowers, balloons and other expressions of kindness.

Jon Sangrey says…

“I walked the Lakeview Dr./Pine Tree Way/Christine Lane/Indian Springs Drive block yesterday!

I’m eating applesauce and drinking chocolate milk and sprite.  I’m doing my swallowing exercises for the swallowing study I should have this week sometime so I can officially drink chocolate milk and eat applesauce, jello etc. 

Doc says I’m looking more symmetrical and my walk looks good!

I have more sensation down my left side and my vision is 20/20. ”

That’s all for now.  Thanks for your  notes! 

Getting Started!

Jon’s been enjoying the comforts of home with his family for the last several days!
Tuesday (yesterday), he started several therapies and did really well…You go Jon!
Today, (wednesday) he starts radiation at Hershey and will continue 5 days a week for 6-8 weeks.
He is swallowing some liquids and he expects to be eating in a few weeks…he’s actually watching the food channel and getting inspired! Move over JoAnn…Jon’s going to create an awesome dinner for you down the road!