The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Jordan and Family Need Our Prayers
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
All is going well, for the most part. As a student in school, though, even with all the activities of games, concerts and just hanging out with friends, life can seem hard with mounds of homework and more classes waiting.
You hate it when you get a cold, and feel lucky if you avoid the flu along with some of those other crazy reoccurring things like whooping cough, measles, chicken pox, and the dreaded shingles, but you don't really think about it much.
As for my nephew, Jordan Rodeffer, of West Burlington, Iowa, he always has a smile on his face. He was even full of smiles as an elementary and high school student. And now as a Sophomore at Southeastern Junior College, Jordan's easygoing manner and big smiles and gentle spirit continues and it is always what you notice first about him, along with his love for family gatherings.
It just doesn't seem real, that last week, Jordan came down sick and he ended up in the E.R. room of Great River Medical Center where he was given the diagnoses of APL Leukemia.
The family is in shock and Jordan was sent right on to Iowa City hospitals where he remains with his dad Terry Rodeffer of Beaverdale, Iowa and his mom Pam McPeak Rothaulf of West Burlington, IA, right by his side.
He received blood (thanks to all those who donate blood) and treatments have already been started.
As of today, he's tolerated the treatment and he's not been too sick. His cousin Hilary Smith Churchill reports in an email to family and friends, that "he is an amazing young man and I am proud to call him my cousin and friend."
Hilary writes: "While there are those of us that revel in the shopping extravaganza that precedes every holiday, most of us feel a great deal of pressure to find the ideal gift for each person on our list. Donating to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or a charity of your choice in Jordan's Honor is a great way to bring new meaning to the "giving" holiday season."
This is an excellent idea. Giving to charity can help so many and if we each give a little, it can add up to hundreds, thousands, and even millions depending on how widespread the giving is and in the case of cancer, that could mean a cure!!!!
One last thing the family would like to ask of each of you, and that is to stop right now and take a moment to say a prayer for Jordan. Then, if you can find it in your heart to send him a card, whether you know him or not, it would just overwhelm him with love of a caring community. That could be some of the best medicine during this usually joyful time of the year.
His address is:
Jordan Rodeffer, 7RCS,
University of Iowa
Hospital and Clinics,
200 Hawkins Drive,
Iowa City, IA 52242-1009. The good part of his diagnosis is that his type of APL Leukemia has the best cure rate. Let's pray that Jordan has a quick recovery and is soon back in the classroom at SCC.
"God's with you Jordan...and we're thinking of you, too."