Well dear readers it has been all quiet on the front lines here, and for that I apologize. These past few weeks have been a confluence of events that have made keeping a regular diary rather difficult. The upside is that, after today, I will only have two more treatments left and I will be done with chemo!!! Now, that is if my CT scans come back clean and clear, but we won’t know that for a few more weeks. So keep your fingers crossed and your prayers flowing, because they are working. I am still tolerating the treatments well, with few side effects. See pictures of hairlessness above.

Alongside my treatments I have also been prepping for our vacation, which as Lauren already posted about was a welcome respite between Rounds 2 and 3. One of the most difficult things about this has been starting the IV. My veins have not been very cooperative at all. So, being on the high seas as part of Mickey’s Pirate Crew gave my body, and specifically my arms, some time to heal. It is the only thing so far that has been anxiety producing; how many times will it take to find a good vein. Usually it is two, though Nurse Brandi has been a saint and is called upon frequently to work her magic and get the IV started on the second go when my primary nurse cannot get it to start. Once the IV is started then we are good to go and there is not much else for me to do but sit and wait as the drugs and fluids are slowly pumped into my system. So, our vacation came at the perfect time, and though some people might be scratching their heads as to why we would still go on a cruise while in the midst of chemotherapy, but I am grateful to Dr. Manning who said, no, keep the cruise on the schedule and take the vacation. The time away from home not cooking or cleaning, the time away with Lauren and Stevie gave me the necessary strength to face this final round.

And as if this was enough, we are also preparing to move. As you may or may not know, I have accepted the offer to become the next Rector of All Saints Anglican Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. So, just because we wanted to add another JENGA on it, we are also coordinating a move and saying our goodbyes to our wonderful congregation here in Twin. For those of you who know us well, know that we tend not to do things simply; like the time I graduated from seminary, got married the next day, and trekked across the country to be ordained in Boston before starting my new job at Saint James in Lancaster, PA. So this confluence of events is nothing new for us, but I often wonder what God is trying to tell us through these experiences??? Our last Sunday is June 25th and then we are off to Winnipeg the next day, which means we have roughly a month to finish packing the house for an international move. Thankfully we have friends who have made similar moves who we have been relying upon to learn from their experiences how to do this move well.

Well, I think that is all I have for you right now. Thank you for all your prayers and support. It has made a huge difference in this cancer journey to know that I am surrounded by love and prayers. And with that, I bid you all adieu.