Cailyn and I visited our local hospital this morning to get her assessed by the on-call pediatrician. On Tuesday, I learned that she had a pain in her left side, just above her hip. I asked her if she had felt the pain after making a specific movement, and she said “no”. She also shared that she started […]
I am way overdue updating this blog!! I did hear back from Cailyn’s oncologist after she had a chance to sit down with the neuro-radiologist and review Cailyn’s scans. She confirmed that the tumour appears stable since the November MRI but shared that, with the progression that has occurred over the last year, Cailyn will […]
There are many, many Tuesdays over the last number of years that have involved a visit to the hospital for Cailyn and me. This last Tuesday was no different! I picked her up mid-morning from school and we headed to London for a follow-up appointment with her oncologist. We had a few conversations over the three […]
From the ridiculous to the sublime… that is sometimes how we roll!! A few weeks ago, Cailyn’s Auntie Corinne organized an introductory “sitting volleyball” session, which was sponsored by the KW Predators Volleyball Club. Cailyn didn’t really want to participate, but she did, and admitted that it had been a lot of fun. Volleyball has never been […]
Bottom-line, the MRI report says that Cailyn’s tumour has not grown noticeably!! With everything leading up to this, we are very surprised but really happy that we don’t have to turn around and head back to London. Unfortunately, we also have this feeling “I sure hope that there really isn’t growth.” I’ve talked about it […]
Yesterday, Lauryn’s volleyball team had their “game-face” on… they won a gold medal at a 13U tournament, having not dropped a set. I commented to Lauryn on the way home that, although it was wonderful that they were going home with first place, I was most impressed with the team’s composure and grace. I’m so […]
We’re getting down to the short strokes. Cailyn’s next MRI is on February 7th. All of the waiting and wondering will soon be over. I have to admit I’ve crossed some bridges mentally and emotionally before we’ve gotten there… something I’ve been coached not to do (thanks Mom). Soon it will be the actual physical […]
This is an overdue update. Rather than writing about my intense conversation with Cailyn last Friday, I was trying to process it and figure out what I needed to do… more on that later. Then, Monday arrives and brings with it some interesting symptoms. My first thought was that the discomfort she was feeling […]
As I have mentioned a few times, this year promises to be challenging. Two imposing mountains are in my view. The most intimidating and overwhelming mountain is the growth in Cailyn’s tumour. Being Cailyn’s advocate requires me to use my project management skills. If the desired outcomes of this project weren’t so critical, the […]
You know… when there’s an elephant in the room, it’s hard to think about anything else. Just when you’re enjoying holiday cheer with people you love, you get smacked in the head with his trunk or you get squashed against the wall with his backside. I’m so thankful that the many special moments we’re experiencing […]