Wednesday, August 31, 2011
It's Been a Good August
5:00 PM
August has been a very good month. It started off at Adventure Camp. I had the special privilege of working with eleven wonderful ladies as they taught the Bible classes. It was wonderful to be able to support the teachers and then to watch them as they taught the campers. It was a blessed week as we taught the children how to pray 24/7/365. It was extra special as the entire McKenzie family was working at camp. Ken was the Activities co-coordinator which kept him hopping. Kenna helped Susan as they worked with the campers making tie-dyed t-shirts. She also created several for her family members. Kendall was working at the camp as maintenance support along with running the afternoon wood working shop. The campers had the chance to make/finish either a walking stick, cutting board or bird feeder. Kedrick was a CIT (cabin leaders in training) and coordinated the evening campfire. He also had the opportunity to work with the fifth graders on the low ropes course several days. Kalyn was an OTS (opportunity to serve) on crutches. She hurt her knee at her camp but that didn’t slow her down at all. She did breakfast KP, ran the speed cup station, helped in the wood working, and then was available for dinner KP if needed. It was a great week to be together serving the Lord and working with children. J
Another wonderful discover at camp was that my hair was beginning to grow!!! That was a definite reason to celebrate. I’ll still be wearing hats for a while but it was nice to see some peach fuzzy beginning to show.
I returned to the Palo Alto clinic the Monday of camp for my second infusion of Herceptin. I also had one later in the month so I only have five infusions left. God has blessed me with another reason to celebrate.
The Monday after camp was my first radiation treatment. My dear friend, Paty went with me as Ken need to be in Napa that day. Each treatment takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The treatments are just tedious having to go each day Monday through Friday. The odd numbered treatments go very quickly. On the even numbered days they have to tape a sheet of plastic onto my chest which causes the radiation rays to be defused differently. I have a feeling the technicians are very good at gift wrapping. They literally tape me to the tape. It is quite an experience. I see the doctor each week to make sure my skin is handling the treatment. So far, I’m doing okay especially since God created me with fair skin and light colored eyes. My skin is beginning to look lightly sunburned which is to be expected. I have a lotion that I apply three to four times a day which is helping the skin to recover. Today was treatment #18 which means I only have TEN more. Yes, I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
August also was the celebration of Ken and mine 29th anniversary. We spent the afternoon at the Monterey Bay Aquarium being able to enjoy the exhibits without any children. We had dinner on Cannery Row being able to hear the surf on the shore and then enjoyed watching the sunset as we walked along the coast. When we turned around to return to Monterey, we were treated to the full moon rising. I had a very special day spent with my sweetheart.
The rest of the month has been spent enjoying time as a family. Kendall has been home during the week which has been a treat. Kedrick and Kalyn have been preparing for school to begin along with enjoying time with friends. Ken has been busy taking care of the garden and beekeeping. We are enjoying lots of fresh tomatoes along with the first crop of apples. Yum, yum.
It has been good to spend time in August recovering and beginning to get my strength back. I’m looking forward to finishing up radiation in Sept. and continuing to heal. I’m looking forward to 2010 finishing on a more positive note than it began with.
What a great month God has blessed our family with.
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