My apologies for being MIA for the past month. We've had a lot going on as a family and I've been slack on doing more than what is needed these days...haha!

John is on his 2nd round of Capecitabine (oral chemo) in which he takes 4 pills in the morning and 4 pills in the evening for 2 weeks straight. Then he has a week off in between each round. It's been a grueling pill regimen for him as he already takes about 9-10 pills in addition to those each day. For a guy who hates taking pills, it's been brutal just to start the day with that task. He's been slowing down a bit more with naps needed most days and the nausea is a daily battle. But the good news is that his neuropathy (numbness/pain in hands and feet) are not as bad. It mostly affected him when he touched/ate anything cold. It has subsided enough for him to eat ice cream....so we're all happy with that improvement!

We've been able to socialize and get him out of the house more often this month. In moderation, it's good for his soul. We spent Easter with our Alaska framily with the traditional Easter egg hunt at the Nordstrom's house. It was great to see that all the kids, even though they are older, were up for an Easter egg hunt. Of course, many of the eggs now contained cash so the hunt was more appealing! John has also been able to go ice fishing again (thank you Chris!) and salmon fishing on the Bay, including fishing in Homer's Winter Salmon Tournament (thank you Anders!). He loves fishing and just being on the water, frozen or not. 

We've just been trying to make memories and milestones and live each day appreciating the little things. That's what it's all about. I am so grateful we are all together each day. Even though homeschooling has been unfamiliar and untraditional in our experience, it has given each of us a greater appreciation for one another and has contributed to a stronger family bond. Even though McKenna has not had the social scene that John and I had experienced in high school, the external social and academic stresses of high school for McKenna have been decreased -- and that was very important. I'm so proud of her for rising to the occasion -- of everything. She is going through a lot herself. I am mindful to, not only focus on John, but to also prioritize her wellness and happiness. So I don't care if I go "a little extra" on things. It's about the now and about making my family happy. 

We are about to enter the throes of our physical fish camp preparation. We've been working on bookings all winter and we have a fully booked season ahead of us! So thankful, but it will be an exhausting one for John. The plan is to keep him on his oral chemo meds and he will have another scan in early June. Our hope is that his bloodwork and scans will be positive and allow him to take a break from chemo for the summer months. Therefore, he won't have to go back and forth from the Bush to Anchorage for follow ups. That being said, he is obviously not in the same physical condition that he was in past years. I will be at camp for the majority of the summer as well. I don't want to leave him alone for too long. So that will be a juggle with leaving homebase, dogs, and access to communication with our guests. But we have some contingency plans in place (kind of) and we are just going to tackle the season with the same grit, determination, faith and hard work that fuels us on this side. Plus we have such a great crew who are also rising to the occasion and have the skill and know-how to make things successful. We have family, besties, and beloved return guests coming to fish camp this summer so we are all so excited. This may be one of the last great runs for Alaska Trophy Fishing Safaris, so we're going to make it one to remember!! 

Keep praying for John, his health, his physical and mental/emotional strength as they go up and down like the tides. Know that we appreciate all of you and your well wishes. 

In hope, love, and faith always ~
The Carlin Crew