Fred In My Head 2017

I think I (and possibly we as a family) have been in denial about how much this tumour is going to affect our family.  When Abby was diagnosed just over 2 years ago I believed that we could push through surgery and radiation and then get back to normal! Lol  As I write that I know it sounds ridiculous.  Through it all Jerry and I and the other kids have tried to go on life as usual.  After meeting with Abby's teachers last week I had to admit it is not working.  Poor Abby is struggling in school, she only attends 1/2 time due to fatigue issues, headaches and over heating.  She is struggling socially, emotionally and she is struggling with her weight and diet issues...so much for her to deal with.  We came to the decision this week that I can't work full time and support Abby and the family the way that is needed.  Abby is only attending school 1/2 time and is so far behind I feel guilty that I have been focusing so much on keeping things the sam...

Over this past 2 months we have had a several doctor visits and we have had some positive news.   In early November we met with the Pediatrician in Red Deer to discuss Abby’s headaches and fatigue.   She was coming home from school by about 10:30 every day in September and October.   As a result, we signed her up for Social Studies by home schooling, and hoped that she would be able to get far enough in the mornings to learn Language Arts, Science and Math. The reality was she was really only getting through the first class of the day, Language Arts, and was starting to fall very behind in Science and Math.   She spent so much time trying to do homework for those 2 classes that it was difficult to do a lesson for Social Studies each day.   The Pediatrician prescribed a beta blocker to try and help with the headaches.   We are doing a test of about 2 months to see if it works, and if not, we will then try something else. Nova, our supposed thera...

Generally Abby’s health is well and her attitude is very good. However, we are finding a new normal as not everything can be the way we had hoped. We are well into the school year.   Abby usually only lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours at school.   This is a result of heat, noise and fatigue that contribute to headaches.   We both take turns picking her up, but we are also very grateful to the many friends who have offered their time to pick up Abby from school and bring her home.   Most days she comes home and has a 2-hour nap and then is good for the rest of the day.   This is why we got a family dog as he is her company for a few hours every day. She does a lot of homework because of missing so much school.   We are doing Social Studies as a homeschooling class, but we are really trying to help her stay for Language Arts, Math and Science in the mornings.   The school and teachers have been very flexible and helpful.   The school has provid...

Abby went to Comic-Con in San Diego for her Make A Wish wish!  Actually, all 5 of us went!  And Abby got to meet the cast of The Flash and Arrow! Comic Con ran from July 18 – 22.  Make A Wish flew us down on Wednesday, July 18, and back on Monday, July 23.  We were a little concerned about the heat, but it was about 25 degrees Celsius every day, which was warm enough but could have been worse. The short version is:  Abby got to meet the cast of The Flash and Arrow, we were a part of the 130,000 people who go to Comic Con, we went to the San Diego Zoo, some museums, the USS Midway, a beach, dad got us in a little trouble at a naval base, and we did a whole lot of walking.  It was fun, crowded, busy, and a great trip. The longer version is: Emma flew from Fort McMurray to Calgary where we all flew from.  We arrived at the San Diego airport at after 10:00 pm and we were greeted by a Make A Wish representative to help get us a van and sent to the ri...

 A post by Abby A few weeks ago we went into Edmonton for Race For A Cure. The Kids With Cancer Society organizes an activity every year where volunteers bring their sports cars and drive them for the kids that are part of the society. The child sits in the passenger seat and, because we were police escorted, we could go fast in some places. My driver was really nice. Emma, Logan and I all liked him. When I first saw it I didn’t think the car was very cool, not until I got inside. I probably thought that because I like classic cars a lot more than new cars. I’m borrowing Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Second Hand Lions, A Hundred Foot Journey and I’m also borrowing the first season Eureka. I’m excited to watch them this summer. Since we’re going to Comic Con soon we were getting my costume ready. I’m dressing up as Peggy Carter from Captain America. Lisa helped us make the pants into a skirt, made epaulets and helped with so much more. We ordered the S.H.I.E.L.D pins to put...