Jordan's JDMS Diary

September 1999




September 7
I'm sorry that I have been late getting my entries into the diary.We had a busy week.Jennifer attended a Debutante social on Saturday.It was a swim and ski party.She was very excited about skiing for the first time.Almost all her her friends have skied and many live on the lakes and river.Everyone was excited for her.But that excitement turned into fright very quickly.The girl incharge of driving the boat, who happens to be on a ski team, had explained to Jennifer how to mount the skis.Jennifer had requested a smaller ski jacket and the girl was going to hand her one.Apparently, she felt the boat was floating to far from Jennifer, so she told one of the other girls in the front of the boat to back it up a little.Well, unfortunately, the girl in front didn't know anything about boating and reversed it too fast.Jennifer was only about 6 feet from the boat to begin with. When she realized it was coming at her, she quickly turned and tried to swim away. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time. The propellor hit the ski cutting through the rubber top and cutting Jennifer's foot in 2 places.Needless to say, she was rushed to the Emergency room. I was called and was there waiting when she arrived.She ended up with a fractured bone, cut tendon and 2 pretty good sized slices out of her foot.They cleaned it very well fearing the lake water would cause infection.The ER Dr. wrapped it up and sent us home with Jennifer on crutches.

We saw an orthopedic surgeon on the following Monday as was suggested by the ER Dr.He examined her foot and the x-rays and stated that she would be on crutches for at least 4 weeks to allow the fracture to heal.We went back today and he removed her stitches.There was really only one stitch, as they wanted the cuts to heal from the inside out.She's had a pretty tough week not being able to drive, having to carry books and make it from one class to the next on time.She did get lots of flowers, cards and visitors which made her feel good. We are so very thankful that it was not worse.Since the accident, I've heard horror stories about boat propellors and I probably wont be allow her or Jordan to go boating without one of us.I know accidents can happen very quickly and even though there were and are responsible adults around, it can happen.I just feel its my responsibility to be there for my children.

Jennifer's biggest disappointment is that the team's cheerleading competition in October had to be canceled and she can't participate in any cheerleading or basketball practices. The best thing out of the accident is that we now take her and pick her up from school and that we get to spend more time with her, rather than her going to friend's houses.

Jordan is enjoying school and can hardly wait to get her instrument for band. She and her father have been making late afternoon trips to the golf course and she's really enjoying that as well.

September 13
Jordan saw DR. C today. The nurse S doesnt always get to take her weight or height because the office we usually go to doesn't have scales. In June Jordan weighed 66 pounds. In August she weighed 69 and today she weighed 68. She's grown an inch since June and now stands at 53 inches. She is still on the small side for an eleven year old but she progressing. She is physically capable of doing anything a healthy 11 year old does. Her lab work continues to look good. The only concern we presently have is that her rash seems at times worse. She forgets to put on sunscreen and that may be the problem. She also likes to use glittery lotions which doesnt help. She seems to be allergic to many products like lotions and even certain shampoos. Her cuticles, knees and knuckles look a little better than last month. Dr C. continues to be pleased but is cautious. He again decided not to reduce her medications. She is presently taking 100 mgs daily of Immuran and 10 mgs weekly of Methotrexate. We wont see him until November but will have lab work done in October. In the mean time, we'll work on getting her to remember the sunscreen.

She hasn't had any form of physical education at school yet. Apparently the schedules are not quite right but they assured everyone they will have PE. I hope she gets into a class very soon. We feel its very important for her to keep up with an exercise program. She has been playing golf with her father but the swimming has decreased over the past month. She hopes to take a cheerleading camp this next week and the high school head cheerleaders have mentioned that they would like for Jordan to be their mascot. I know she would enjoy that. She's always practicing the cheers her sister teaches her.

September 21
Jennifer and Jordan are both doing very well. Jen didn't care much for the crutches and didn't use them more that 2 weeks. She not doing any cheerleading stunts yet or playing basketball to her full ability, but she's participating as much as possible. She will have her foot x-rayed again tomorrow and hopefully, the bone is healing well.

Jordan got her trumpet last week and is enjoying herself. The rest of us are trying to convince her she should practice way out back under the shade trees......heheehe....So far she is enjoying school and is not having any problems using the stairs. I hope she has a wonderful school year! I pray God continues to watch over her.



You Are Visitor # Since 9/15/98