This month is significant for many reasons, several of which I'll detail in today's entry - "September is ... "
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
All across the world, the message is getting out that September is CCAM. The reading I've done on the Internet is fascinating and makes me realize we are part of such a larger community. One of the neatest things about CCAM is some soul has launched a Facebook campaign to get Oprah to do a show about childhood cancer. It was started just a few days ago and has nearly 5000 members already, me included. Lets hope the message is heard loud and clear.
- Back to ... everything
Tomorrow is day one of structure, oh, I mean school. Ashley and Dane start grades 4 & 5 respectively, officially both in middle school. The backpacks are ready, the outfits picked out and the spirits mixed. Ash is definitely ready ... Dane, well he could wear a bathing suit 12 months of the year! I on the other hand really, really need them to get back to routine - nine weeks of togetherness has us all a bit on edge. Clare is not going to know what's up - she is so used to her big bro & sis being around all the time.
I return to work in a week so another big adjustment for the entire family. Clare's nanny is gearing up to start work and we're hopeful for a smooth transition.
The winter sports have kicked into high gear. Hockey & ringette camps are filling our evenings and weekends, but we love being back at the rink.
- Dragon Boating
We finished our third and final practice last night and it was the toughest one either of us can remember. Wow - we have some sore muscles and butts today. It seems finishing 2nd overall last year has the team thinking we need to improve?!? If you are interested in watching an exciting and emotional event, we are team #40 - Paddlestar Gallactica and our Saturday race times are as follows ...
1st race - Heat W - Lane #1 - Approx time 1:50 pm
2nd race - Heat YY - Lane #2 - Approx time 5:20 pm
We won't know Sunday's final time until later Saturday evening (I will post the final that night).
We are the honorary spokespersons for this year's Festival and will be speaking at the Opening (noon Saturday) & Closing Ceremonies (4:00 pm Sunday). Seems pretty appropriate September is CCAM and this event is taking place this month.
If you'd like to support our fundraising, please see the link I included in my last blog update - Thanks!!!
- The Half-Way Mark
A month or so ago when I couldn't fall asleep one night I did the math in my head re: Dane's treatment. He was diagnosed Jan 6, 2009 and will finish May 8, 2012, a total of 40 months to rid his body hopefully once-and-for-all of this nasty leukemia. Well, it's September 7, 2010 and officially month 20 or the half-way mark of our family's journey. When I figured this all out late that one night it was an overwhelming feeling. Realizing how far we've come since that awful January night is pretty amazing, yet knowing we still have just as much time to go is cause for some angst. We will make it though - Dane is just too tenacious, spirited and downright stubborn to let cancer beat him!!!
Take care - Janie & Dirk
