Jordan’s Journey

Jordan and Jeanette soak up sun with the rest of the beautiful people at the W.

It was time for a break. Nearly twelve weeks of uninterrupted chemotherapy, a long summer, and a career change (I’m starting a new job in a week) demanded a week to just do nothing. The family needed to retreat somewhere with a pool and five-star service. We needed to be pampered. But we couldn’t go far. Jordan has another chemo appointment today and an MRI procedure scheduled for Friday. So we chose to stay close to home — to vacation “in town” — so we checked in at the W Westwood, about 30 miles from home.

The W is taking great care of us. We were upgraded to a penthouse suite. It’s a pet-friendly hotel, so our dog Gracie is with us, and between pampering Gracie and pampering Jordan, our family is getting lots of attention. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone smoothly… (more…)

She turned nine yesterday. She bolted into our bedroom first thing in the morning, legs leaping out in front of her.

– Do you know what today is? You have to guess.

I stirred. Jeanette didn’t.

– Is it your birthday?

– Yes, it is!

She climbed onto the bed. Jeanette turned over, squinting from one eye.

– What time is it?

– 5:30

Jordan was persuaded to venture into the kitchen and fetch a bowl of cereal. The rest of her day went pretty much the same. She told everyone she met that it was her day. And at the end of the day we went to her favorite restaurant: El Cholo. When the drinks arrived we toasted her nine spectacular years, and wished that the coming year would be one of happiness and health.