Hello.  I know…it’s been too long once again.  Time just keeps on going, and for the Kainz Family that is good news for lots of reasons.  We are all busy once again.  Craig and I keep going as teachers, Keegan is busy with his studies, new friends & violin concerts, and Kiptyn is busy with school, sports & social outings.  How nice to have a busy “norm” once again, especially when I think of what we were busy with last year at this time (weekly treatments, low blood counts, wheelchair rides and long Sunday nights when chemo effects would kick in.  Yuck..) So anyway, back to good news!  It is now November and this is a milestone for us, well, mostly for Kiptyn, because November marks just one year left of monthly treatments! His official end date is November of 2024.  Let the monthly count-down begin!  Woo-hoo!

So, yes, Kiptyn continues to be on his 3-month chemo cycle. (As a refresher, month one is the worst with a spinal tap, chemo through his port, and a week of oral steroids. Month two is a spinal-which is a chemo injection in his spine. And, month 3 is simply an appointment at Children’s just to touch-base and make sure all is going well.)  Kiptyn’s next appointment is in December and this is thankfully the easy one, just a check-in. It’s a nice early Christmas present:)

And, as I have mentioned above, Kiptyn is a busy 8th grader.  Being back in school full-time required extra motivation and perseverance on his part.  Missing days when he isn’t feeling well for reasons, either leukemia related or cold/flu symptoms, becomes a little tricky. We never quite know, like, “Is this serious…or just a cold??” But, he is keeping up and is doing as well as he can. He just learned he got an 86% on his tough math test and was feeling good about that.  So were we!

This past week Kiptyn’s soccer season had come to a close and we are already on to basketball!!  His soccer team did well this fall. Kiptyn’s skills and stamina improved as the season progressed.  Just the other day, we attended his first basketball tournament of the season.  It was a true joy to watch him play again.  Playing his first game, he seemed a little tentative, but by the second game, we were seeing true shades of how Kiptyn once played.  So fun to see him do his tricky dribble in-and-out of his legs and running a lay-up to the hoop. :) Click on the link to see Kiptyn in basketball action! Kip basketball

On another fun note, as you all know, Kiptyn had a “wish” through the “Make A Wish” foundation to attend a Packers vs. the Raiders game. As it turned out, it was in Las Vegas this year.  So Oct. 7-12, our family took a trip to Vegas.  No, we aren’t gamblers, but there were other family events arranged for us. (However, Craig did demonstrate for the boys how to lose $10 in a slot machine in just two minutes.😉 )  Monday night was the Packers game at Allegiant stadium.  It was quite an experience.  It was fun to watch Kiptyn just staring at the players on the field. He was so engrossed. Click on link to see pic:  Kip engrossed in the game. Our seats were pretty high up, but we were able to experience the feeling of a “live-game” surrounded by other Packers fans, nonetheless.  And, after the game, Kiptyn was able to meet his favorite football player, Davante Adams (a former Packer and now plays for the Raiders)  We did not know of this happening til the night before we left for Vegas. A representative from the Raiders contacted us and said Davante agreed to meet us. We were all in a little shock, but completely thrilled. This was something Kiptyn really wanted and we didn’t feel like it was going to happen.  But I believe the many emails to the Raiders Association from family members & friends, along with the communication of the reps from Green Bay & Vegas, played a huge role in making this happen.  SO …the game and the meeting of Davante (who, by the way, is a sincere gentleman) was a wish come true for Kiptyn.😊 

The other days in Vegas were spent walking the streets. (An education in and of itself.😳) And the Wish Foundation provided us with tickets to an Adventure Dome and a place called Area 15.  Both fun family places. We also played arcade games and in-door mini golf.  It was great to be together as a family when everyone was feeling healthy.  A true gift.

On a side-note, Keegan is a Katy Perry fan.  She happened to be putting on a Vegas show while we were there.  So, I looked into tickets, which were surprisingly kind of easy to get, and Keegan and I attended her “Play” concert.  Craig and Kiptyn opted to stay at our hotel and play video games & golf. Keegan and I had a great time rocking out with Katie.  Their loss;).😁 

Our hotel was beautiful.  It was called “Paris”...and it did really seem like we were in Paris in some areas.  They even had an Eiffel tower which we “toured” our last night there.  We took an elevator up 40 stories and viewed Vegas from the air.  The view was breathtaking.  It was a moment I will always remember.  It was just peaceful (believe it or not) and kind of mesmerizing.  I think it gave us all a moment to pause and reflect on our trip and our personal selves as well. Click to see Eiffel Tower pics. Eiffel tower-view from pool-side. We were way at the top for the tour.       View from Eiffel Tower 40+ stories up.

So, that was our Vegas trip in a nutshell.  We did a little bit of everything.  Oh, and the restaurants were amazing and tasty.  

Well, thanks again for checking-in with us.  Thankfully things keep rolling along…only a few minor bumps along the way, but we keep going.  God is on our side.🙏

AND…Thanksgiving is right around the corner (not to mention Christmas!) So it’s the time to be thankful for our many blessings. I looked at my Caring Bridge “journal” from last year and I feel I could say the same words, so I will once again.  However this year, we are in a much better place.🧡

From November 2022’s entry:

While we continue to go day to day, time passes and suddenly it’s this time of year again that we all re-evaluate our blessings. In thinking of all the things we are thankful for, my list is huge. I could go on and on, but here are just a few.  We are blessed that Kiptyn is handling everything “as good as can be,” that Keegan continues to excel at school with his studies and extracurricular activities, that I am able to be home with Kiptyn, that Craig can go from this family to his McLane family to energetically teach 9 year-olds, that we were able to be home for the holidays, and mostly we are so thankful for all of you.  Your continued support of prayers and generosity is truly appreciated.  Words sometimes just can’t express our gratitude. As always, strength in numbers.

All this still rings true.  (The only difference is that I am back to teaching.)

 We continue to be so grateful for praying, supporting, and caring family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Love, Denise, Craig, Kiptyn & Keegan💛