New Tri for EoE video

On August 24, 2014 my brother, Brian Wood, will be competing in Ironman Louisville. This is his first attempt at a ironman distance triathlon, and he has chosen to try and raise $1,500 for The Hope on the Horizon Research Fund through APFED. Below is the new Tri for EoE video he has made in honor of Jordan. Thanks for being part of Team Wood!!

All American Marathon

 

       This upcoming weekend I will be participating in my first ever marathon. Yes...... that is running 26.2 miles in case you're wondering. Once again this year, we are trying to raise money for the HOPE on the Horizon research fund through APFED ( Click here for more info ). I enjoy setting lofty fitness goals because of the sense of accomplishment at the finish line. Running for around 4 hours really is no comparison to the daily struggles Jordan faces. About 75% of his daily nutrition now comes from his G-tube. We are very grateful for the physical growth we have seen over the last year. At the same time, he has failed all of the last food trials he has started due to increased eosinophils, nausea, stomach pain, and so forth. APFED is hard at work trying to uncover and study Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

    We would like to thank all of our FirstHealth family (especially Ian Pierce) for supporting us with the t-shirt fundraising. If you would like to give money to help children with eosinophilic diseases, please click the "Donate Here" link on the upper right corner of this blog. When you are redirected to the donation page, just fill out the following items.

For Type of Payment:     HOPE on the Horizon

In Honor Of:         Jordan Wood- Team Wood

Thanks for supporting our family this weekend most importantly with your prayers!

G-Tube Anniversary

        April 30th, 2014 will mark the one year anniversary of Jordan's G-tube placement at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since we have not blogged in quite some time, we may need to fill in some details!  The decision to place the feeding tube was a very difficult one that we considered over the course of several months. As parents, we did everything we could do to avoid this, but unfortunately it was strongly recommended by our gastroenterologist. Jordan continued to show signs of nutritional deficits, weight loss, and lack of energy many months before we made this decision. Jordan had not gained any weight in a year and was continuing to fall on his own growth chart. After lots of prayers and consideration, we decided the tube was definitely what we needed to do. Looking back over the last year, the g-tube has been Jordan's primary nutrition and a decision that we have not regretted. He has gained weight, has sustained energy, and feels so much better! We never would have thought Jordan getting a feeding tube would have changed our lives for the better in so many ways.

The night before surgery

AWANA kids made a poster for Jordan

Team Wood verse taped to the hospital door

Jordan the first day after surgery

Playing games at  UNC Children's Hospital

"Me-Ma" and "Nana"

"Tubbie Buddy" that Dr. M gave Jordan

Jordan, "the hulk"

Beach to Battleship 2012

LONG OVERDUE POST!!!
Well we did it! My brother and I completed our first Half Ironman distance triathlon. I finished the 70.3 mile race in just slightly over 6 hours. It was a great feeling crossing the finish line...especially seeing my family and knowing that people donated to help APFED's Hope on the Horizon Fund. I pray that one day Jordan will benefit from the research that is being supported through the Fund. Big thanks to the Furr family for letting Team Wood invade your house for the weekend. Having a great Host family made the weekend even more special! We are so thankful for everyone who supported us through prayer, donations, or by being present at the triathlon.

Video/Tri for EoE

    On Saturday, October 20th, Walt and his brother Brian will be competing in the Beach2Battleship Half-Ironman Triathlon in Wilmington, NC. ( http://beach2battleship.com ) They will swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles. A great family from our church (thanks Faurot family) created a video about Jordan and EoE in order to help raise money for Apfed's Hope on the Horizon Grant (http://apfed.org/drupal/drupal/index.php). All of the money donated will go straight to eosinophil related research. You can click on the "Donate to Apfed in Honor of Jordan" tab on the right in order to link straight to Apfed's donation webpage. Please support Walt, Brian, our family, and so many people who are suffering from Eosinophil related diseases by donating to Apfed.
    We hope you will watch our video to learn more about Jordan's life with EoE. For the first few years of his life, Jordan stayed sick and underwent numerous tests and hospital visits before being diagnosed in December 2010. Please watch our video and consider donating to Apfed in his honor. Thanks!