Week 5 - under 3 to go.

Abby and Sherri-Lynn have been in Florida for over 5 weeks now.  I (Jerry) was fortunate to be able to go down with them the first week and then again with the other kids for the fourth week.  A big thank you to all the friends, family, and even strangers, who helped make it possible for us to be together as a family for a week.  It is very appreciated.  We have been very blessed by people's kindness and generosity over the past several months.

We are hoping to be together again in just under 3 weeks if the treatments keep on track, although it looks like Hurricane Irma may poke its influence into the schedule.  The University of Florida Proton Radiation Therapy Center does not have snow days like we do here, but they do have hurricane days, this is according to Dr. Ronny, our transplanted Canadian Oncologist who is the lead on Abby’s treatments.

The Cysts have grown a little more, which is not unexpected.  The tumour is responding to treatment by producing more liquid which is making the cysts a little bigger.  The side effects of the cysts growing include nausea and headaches.  Abby is also tiring more quickly, but this is also typical as the body tries to heal the radiation pathways, and there is some radiation impact on the brain and the glands surrounding the radiation path.

Another side effect of treatment is that Abby’s scalp has become irritated, sort of like getting a regular sunburn.  She has lost some hair in the 3 spots where the radiation goes in.  She usually wears a hat when outside just to keep the sun off the scalp, and to hopefully keep her a little cooler as her body has had trouble regulating temperature since the tumour growth and brain surgery.

We will know if things are on the right path once they are back in Canada and Abby gets her first quarterly MRI.  Radiation can act on the tumour (and surrounding cells and glands) for a few years after treatment, so we will be watching closely to see what the tumour does and how the rest of the brain responds as well.

One very nice thing this past week is that Grandma Lois and Grandpa Rod have been able to visit and they have used the opportunity for all 4 of them to go to Disney World.  Compassion Partners works with the Proton Therapy Center to provide tickets to various activities for families going through these treatments.  It helps to keep the kids active and healthy, and can be a distraction from the boring and sometimes uncomfortable medical treatments.

This weekend they went to Epcot on Saturday and then to Hollywood Studios on Sunday.  The left about 3:00 on Sunday as Abby wasn’t feeling well and was very tired out.

We talk on the phone pretty much each night and try to Skype twice a week just to see each other’s faces.  We are grateful for technology helping us stay a part of each other’s lives even when separated by over 4,000 kms.

School starts here tomorrow and I went in last week to speak with Abby's teacher at her new school (Grade 6 goes to Pioneer Middle School).  She is in the same class as many of her friends from class over the past few years, so that should help once she is back in school even if she is 3 or 4 weeks late.  I also did the school supplies and clothes shopping with Emma and Logan, which is not something they or I am used to. After seeing the receipts, I am very grateful that Sherri-Lynn does most of this each year.  Every time I paid for something I pictured the Christmas wish list getting smaller.  I missed Logan's school registration somehow so I guess I get to go in to school with him tomorrow to take care of that.

On a very positive note, Parker submitted his papers a month ago and has received a call to serve a mission for our church in Spokane Washington for 2 years.  He doesn’t leave until January, but it can take a few months to get a U.S. visa.  This is a mission where he will talk with those who are interested about our church and our beliefs, but a significant portion is also spent helping local communities at food banks, seniors centers, and probably lots of snow shoveling.  We are very happy and excited for him and this new step in life.