Day 169

A Note From Kirk:
Sarah left on Monday for her favorite and most restful place to be: Pacific Beach, WA. Her mom and nephew Roman went with her as well. They have been having a great time splashing in the ocean! Papa Hawk and I are driving over tomorrow. Jim, Barb and Roman will go back home while Sarah and I stay and have a nice couple of days of alone time to refresh and relax before Sarah's surgery. Please pray that this time away will help Sarah to deal with all of the emotions that are coming at her and hitting her very hard. She could really use a boost of joy and happiness. I think that Pacific Beach may just be the place that God can talk to her and help her know that in time everything will be okay.

Thanks for all your prayers!
-Kirk

Day 167

A Note from Sarah: 
I am finally getting away! A very good friend of the family has offered up her cabin for a couple of days. It has come just in time too. I’m about to pull my hair out in frustration…and that can be a little challenging since my head only has a 5 o’clock shadow. Ocean Shores is one of the most relaxing places for me to go and I will soak up God’s love for me there. I hope it will put me in a place where I can hear His voice and understand what is in store next for Him and me. I have been going to this cabin since I was an infant so it is very near and dear to my heart. My Mom and I will drive over first and get some girl time in which is overdue and then in the middle of the week Dad and Kirk will join us for dinner and my parents will drive home leaving Kirk and I to relax together and listen for God’s sweet voice. I pray that this time of peace will rejuvenate me and uplift my spirit so I can push forward in my life that is filled with hardship. Pray with me that Kirk and I will return different, glowing with the light of Christ within us. We need some alone time with our Father and He is just waiting for his children to meet Him.

Thank you for those who have offered your vacation homes up to us! If it hasn’t worked out yet I’m sure soon after surgery we will need a getaway adventure. I am continually surprised at the graciousness of those around me: my family, my friends and my readers.

Love Always,
Sarah

Day 166

My surgery is on September 13th. Is that like really really soon? It sure feels that way to me. I have so many emotions running through my heart and head about so many things. I feel like I now have a time limit. You know that show Minute To Win It? I can’t stand watching it because of the ticking clock and the participant scrambling to finish. I always have hated the count down clock and that show just about makes my heart stop. The surgery is coming and there is nothing I want more than for it to just be over. When I shower it is so hard not to have my brain wander to “take a look now because it is all going to change”. I start crying and there is nothing I can do to stop. I am trying to come to grips with the fact that my chest will look and feel different but maybe there is nothing I can really do to prepare. I joked with Kirk that I wanted to have a Good Bye Party for my breasts and we laughed, but seriously what should I do? It seems dumb not to do anything to celebrate and remember that this is what my body has looked like for 24 years, no scars, no implants just Sarah. I almost feel like I’m giving up on my body and sending part of me down the river. My friend and “Big Sister” Jen told me she saw a shirt that she is going to give me. On the front it says “Of course they’re fake! The real ones tried to kill me!” Jen, you are so right about sending these ticking time bombs down the river but it is just so hard to say good bye. I had to say good bye to my hair and that was difficult, but I coped by taking pictures and making a wig from the shaved hair. I don’t think many of you would be my friends if I took pictures of my breast as memories and also had them stuffed and put on the mantle next to our wedding picture. Going a little too far? Yeah I think I am too…see where my brain goes without enough sleep! September 13th is looming and I feel like I have so many things to accomplish before then. I argue with Kirk about how important my To Do lists are, but I feel as if my time is running out. Does this mean I think I may die on the operating table? I don’t think it does but this uncontrollable drive to get everything done in time is driving me batty. I take pity on my poor husband as he sees me spiral out of control some days…or most days. These “crazy” emotions and thoughts are probably also due to a lack of sleep. My doctor and I have been trying cocktails of drugs in order to get me asleep and keep me asleep. Before I had cancer cocktail hour used to be much more fun. Last night we tried 4 of “this”, 2 of “that”, low lighting, candle light, a familiar movie and to top it off a warm hand to hold. Do you think it worked? Of course not…well at least not for me. With the relaxing atmosphere Kirk fell asleep in no time at all and I had to wake him up just to get him to stop snoring. This lack of sleep is messing with my coping skills and I am unable to do simple tasks without a wave of frustration and panic sweeping over me. Again I feel so sorry for my husband. He tries so hard to understand and do what he can to help me and I may just give him permission to smack me over the head with a baseball bat just so I can get some ZZzz’s. He may enjoy this because of all the trials that I put him through…..I’m just kidding! Kirk is nothing but loving and the only way he would hurt me is by hugging me too hard.

Please pray for me as I am losing the fight against myself and the thoughts I have. I know that God is helping me more than I realize, and He is with me even now as I write to you. My heart and body feel so numb to life and I feel so oppressed, but with God all things are possible. I will not give up on myself and I will not let go of my God.

God,
Please heal my hurt. Quiet my mind so I can focus my eyes on You. Make me feel beautiful again and make me understand that I look no different to You or to those who love me. Thank you for walking each step with me, crying along with me and catching my tears as they fall. I love you Lord and if walking this path will bring people to You, I am honored that you chose me. Just give me the strength in order to keep going. Thank you for my life and I want you to be proud of me. Amen

Love Always,
Sarah

Day 164

An Update from Kirk:Today the scheduler for Sarah's breast surgeon and her plastic surgeon called to set up a date for her double mastectomy surgery. I settled on September 13th. After I called Sarah and let her know the date, she started having a bit of a rough time dealing with the reality of it. Please pray for strength and peace of mind for the next couple of weeks ahead.

Thanks for all your support!

Kirk

Day 163

A Note from Sarah:
My P.E.T. scan went great! The Technician that walked me through the scan was so sweet and understanding and she even offered me the right sized gown! I am usually offered a size 2X and the V-neck always sinks down to my bellybutton. In that case I always worry about flashing people who don’t necessarily want to be flashed. The only part I hate about getting this kind of scan is the wait time before the scan. I had to wait an hour for the radioactive sugar to have time to get into my blood stream and search out cancer. All I could do was lie down in a dark room and wait and that is so hard for me since I am a doer by nature. Finally the wait was over and my scan could begin! The scan only took about 25 minutes and then I was on my way. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers for this scan. I am trying not to be anxious and to keep my eyes and thoughts on the promises that God has spoken over my life. God is good and He has blessings for me around every corner!

I wanted to share with you that I haven’t been sleeping well for about a month. I think the cause is the upcoming surgeries and radiation. When I try to settle down and go to sleep, my mind just can’t “power down”. My mind is a dangerous thing when all I want to do is rest. It also doesn’t help to have my husband be able to fall asleep as soon as his head hits his pillow while I am up til the wee hours of the morning waiting for the sandman to visit me. Kirk and I finally made a visit to the doctor for another sleep aid…yes I am already on a sleep aid that would knock out an elephant but it has little effect on me. We are going to try a new drug and I am told it may stir up sleepwalking as a side effect. I guess this week will be an interesting one for us as as night laundry may magically be folded and food may disappear from the fridge! I’m sure if we have an “incident” it will be the buzz on the blog and readers may send me a lock for my bedroom door.

Thanks for everything my faithful readers! I feel loved with every comment and follower. By the way, I have been waiting for my follower fan base to reach 70 so thank you for signing up! My next goal is 80!

Love Always,
Sarah

Day 161

Prayer request for the morning: 
Tomorrow morning I have P.E.T. scan to check and see if the chemotherapy did it’s job. Every scan and exam that I have had since my last round of chemo has showed no cancer but the scan tomorrow gets down to the nitty gritty. I have faith that God has kept me safe from the cancer returning and I don’t expect the results to say differently. Please pray that the results will confirm that God has healed me and that I don’t have to have another encounter with cancer. Also pray that I can stay still for the entire scan…I will be excited to praise God for a clean scan and it will be hard not to wiggle!

Love Always,
Sarah

Day 160

A note from Kirk: 
Yesterday was our nephew Roman’s 1st birthday. He is so big and we cannot believe he is already 1 year old. It was a fun-filled day done baby style. Sarah and Bethany made a custom baby birthday cake for Ro-Ro complete with Grandpa Jim’s home-grown carrots. What baby doesn’t love carrot cake? As he ate his cake, we watched him slowly enter a frosting-induced sugar coma. The gift table was totally over flowing; however I’m sure he liked our gift best (wink, wink). The party gave Sarah a chance to do something that she absolutely loves to do but was unable to do during chemo. She loves to be a hostess and to serve people. It is one of her God given gifts and she gets so much enjoyment out of making sure that all the preparing is done, that everyone has everything they need, and that the entire cleanup is handled so that no one is left with a huge mess. During chemo, she was mostly too physically weak to do this. Because this is one of her strengths, it was very hard to sit and watch others doing when she could not. On Saturday, Sarah started the day by putting on her mom’s apron and getting to work. Later, do you think we could get her to take that apron off? Not until the last guest left. In fact, She was such a busy bee that we didn't get any pictures of her with her apron. Not in a million years was she going to cut short her time of being a great servant to others. I have for some time really admired this trait in Sarah. In this day and age it is rare to find someone who gets so much satisfaction from helping other people before themselves. I am so glad that her strength to do so is returning.

To say that a day of being hostess didn’t take its toll would not be true. Sarah realized this morning that her body is still recovering from chemo and after a long day like Saturday still needs a bit of rest. Today, Sarah took time to just relax and replenish. She spent a better part of the day on the couch with her beautiful white comforter making baby hats for the newborns at the hospital and watching Audrey Hepburn movies. Wow! Even in her rest she is thinking of what she can do for others. I am so proud!

Thank you for praying for my wife! I can truly see the strength of all your support rising up within her!

Kirk

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Day 158

Today we had an appointment at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance because they will be taking over my treatment from now on. We chose to do chemotherapy in Everett for the benefit of being close and I’m sure glad we did. The nurses that helped me with all my chemo were fantastic! At our appointment at SCCA we received lots of information about my upcoming surgery. We are now well versed in pre-surgery and post-surgery knowledge. After my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon merge their schedules they will call and set up my surgery date. We have been praying for wisdom for this appointment and God heard our cries. I am at peace with the road ahead of me because I know I am not alone.

Praise Report: While at SCCA today, they requested that I have an ultrasound of my right breast which is the side that I first felt the lump. The technician, surprised by finding nothing, called in another doctor to double check her work. He also found nothing! I am very happy to tell you that my breast surgeon said if my charts didn’t say which side the cancer was in, she would have no way of knowing because both breasts are in her opinion “normal”. Thank you Lord for helping my body respond so well to chemotherapy!

Thank you all for your continued prayer and support.

Love Always,
Sarah

P.S. Some of you have asked if Kirk and I have found a place to retreat yet. The answer is no, we have not yet found a place to get away from our crazy life. My bones are aching for some R&R and some peace and quiet. God will provide! Please pray that a “haven” opens up for us.

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A Note From Kirk:

After our appointment at SCCA, I took Sarah out for an early dinner to celebrate a clean ultrasound! Sarah, feeling very cantankerous, said, "Life's too short to wait for dessert." Needless to say, we ordered our dessert first. I mean how could I say no especially to someone as cute as my Sarah. I hope this was a one time thing, but somehow I see this becoming a tradition. Mmmmmm...

Day 157

Help!!!:
Kirk and I need to get away. I am about to explode because of too much stress and “white noise”. We got some counsel this afternoon and after our meeting Kirk and I left with much on our minds. Our main road block is not hearing from God on some pretty major decisions. Kirk and I sat in silence on the way home but exploded, realizing we just need to block out everything and listen for God’s voice. We feel that answers will come if we put ourselves in the position to hear and that has not been easy here at home. Every minute in our day to day lives there are so many distractions with what I should do and what I can do and feeling pressed at to be everywhere and do everything at once. I’ll say it again…Kirk and I need to get away to silence the world and listen for our Father to give us clear direction. We are currently on the hunt for a restful place to stay for a week. Please pray for us as we desperately need a refuge.

Love Always,
Sarah

Day 156

A Successful Night:
What a fantastic night it turned out to be! Kirk and I would like to extend a great big “Thank You!!!” to everyone who turned out for the Alfy’s fundraiser night! At the Granite Falls location, business was non-stop and we can only hope it was the same at the other locations. Customers went far beyond the $5 donation from each pizza and bought ribbons, dropped donations in our jar and even handed Kirk and I donations directly. I loved meeting new people and seeing familiar faces as well. I was approached by many women who are cancer survivors and their victories spur on my will to fight. Thank you for all those who came out in support of Kirk and I. We appreciate all your kindness and love…it does make a world of difference!

Love Always,
Sarah

August Alfy's Fundraiser!

August 18, 2010  - 5pm-8pm
Snohomish County Alfy’s 

Fundraiser for Sarah’s Hope

Buy any Large or XLarge pizza at regular price 

and $5.00 will be donated to Sarah’s Hope

Day 155

“Nordie’s at Noon” 
So I started reading a book that my Aunt gave me called “Nordie's at Noon”. I was bored this morning and it looked kind of intriguing so I pulled out the beach umbrella and an old blanket and hit the grass. I am loving this book! It is about four young women who co-write a tell all of their experiences with breast cancer. When I was given this book and read the back I thought “great another book about overcoming cancer”…”I’ll throw it on the shelf with the other cancer books.” However, I can’t put this book down. Every once in while I say out loud “wow, she gets it”. I am enjoying every page and falling in love with each woman’s heartbreaking story. One of the women was 24 when she was diagnosed and I know everything that she was feeling! I am walking in these women’s footprints. I stopped reading when Kirk came home but when he goes into another room I pick it up and speed read a page or two! Kirk has caught me a few times and I just gave in and started reading out loud to him. The chapter is “Chemotherapy: Bald is Beautiful”.

“On the plus side, no shaving for several months,” offered Jen. “And you save money on hair products, haircuts, and highlights.”

“And it sure shortens the getting-ready time in the morning,” added Jana, laughing. “Doesn’t take much time to pop on a hat or wig!”

These women are in my head reading my thoughts! Well not really since it was written more than a few years ago but still they sure know what they are talking about. I look forward to tomorrow’s reading time but this time I might want to put a little more sunscreen on my legs while I’m basking in the sun with my book.

Thanks everyone for your support. I just wanted to remind you of the fundraiser at all the Snohomish County Alfy’s tomorrow from 5-8. Kirk and I will be at the Granite Falls Alfy’s location so if you wanted to come say hello we will be happy to see you.
Love Always,
Sarah

Just A Quick Update From Kirk...

I just checked my email and found that our contact at KOMO News has added another article to their website. It includes a quick Q&A with Sarah and I think you all will enjoy reading some of her responses.

Thanks for all your comments. They really are making a huge difference for her!

Kirk

Day 154

A happy note from Sarah:
Have you seen my article in the Everett Herald? Kirk just got home from work and brought me a stack of newspapers! I rifled through, found the local section, and there I was. Thanks Kristi for such a huge picture of my mom, Sherri and me…it will sure grab some attention. I got my first comment this morning about the article and I have been smiling ever since! I am so amazed that women near and far are showering me with love and prayer. I hope one day I can repay all of the love and support that has been given to me. I’ll start by crocheting more baby hats to bless the new mothers! Thank you to all those who are writing me comments…they are forwarded to my phone and I love hearing each time my phone does it’s little jingle. Your comments make my heart sing and I thank God that I am not fighting alone. Keep them comin’ ladies…Uh oh…Kirk just read my post and said I shouldn’t leave out the men! This is as much his story as it is mine. So, if you are a closet Sarah’s Hope reader just because you are a guy, come on out of the woodwork and show your support for Kirk!

If you tuned in yesterday you know that I had my nephew Roman today. Again we had a ball! I have been feeling a bit down in the dumps lately and I forget about all the sadness when Roman is near. He reminds me just how much I want to have my own babies…well the dirty diapers don’t help but besides those I think I’m good. Roman had more courage with the sprinkler today and he made me so proud. It was so hot that I envied him. I wish I could walk around in nothing but a pair of “Finding Nemo” little swimmers. I am petite but that look may not be my finest moment…Ellice (blogmaster Sister) don’t you dare work some photoshop magic or that might be the next photo in the newspaper! Just a few minutes ago Bethany came to pick Roman up and Kirk and I are now Nephewless. After having an 11month old all night and all day the quiet in the house is a bit weird/nice. Here’s to a good night’s sleep!

I love you all and thank you for reading!

Love Always,
Sarah

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Day 153

My Silly Nephew!!!
Today, I got to hang out with Roman!!! If you’re not familiar with Ro-Ro (as we call him), I will give you the rundown. He is my very favorite nephew because he is my only nephew. Roman will be 1 year old this coming Saturday. I can’t believe it! We started our day outside playing in the sprinkler to take the edge off the heat. Next we rummaged through Grandpa Hawk’s garden hoping to find Ro-Ro’s favorite treat; Grandpa’s fresh garden strawberries. After our backyard adventure we hit the bathtub. By the end of all the splashing and bubbles I think Kirk ended up more wet than Roman! While I am writing this Roman is snuggled in my arms fighting hard his heavy eyelids. What a busy day we had! Kirk and I get Roman overnight tonight and I am watching him tomorrow while his mommy Bethany is at work. Stay tuned for more baby adventures tomorrow.

Love Always,
Sarah and Roman

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Day 151

A note from Sarah:
What a morning. Why was woman cursed with having emotional meltdowns and men just swallow hard and move on? I will ask God that very question one day. Our morning started out with taking the next step on our cancer treatment journey. Kirk was making some phone calls to schedule appointments with the surgeon to talk about options and appointments for upcoming scans. We were also on the hunt for some answers regarding when I could start my Tamoxifen regiment as well as when the next opening is for a surgery date. I had no idea that taking the next step was going to hit me so hard. The reality of what is to come was at the forefront of my mind and it overwhelmed me to the breaking point. I was on the verge of hyperventilating when Kirk’s survival instincts took over and he talked me down. Kirk is a great man and I would be in a desperate place without him. One of the reasons why all this is hitting me so hard is because I am just starting to feel like myself again only to start walking down another road of physical changes. It feels like Kirk and I are in the eye of the storm. There is a storm behind us and a storm in front of us but we are holding on tight to every minute of the “calm” before the next storm. Today Kirk knew that I needed to get out of the house in order to leave some stress behind so we thought it was an excellent day to donate some baby hats to the hospital. I donated a total of 60 baby hats today and I feel a sense of accomplishment and a pat on my back for a job well done. While I was dropping off my hats I knew my mom was working so we went up to say “hey”. I love seeing my mom’s crew! They pour out the love when I’m there with hugs and smiles. I was encouraged that it was okay to enjoy the eye of the storm and by the time I left my shoulders had loosened up. Most people don’t go to the hospital to get a pick me up but Mamma Hawk’s crew can always pick me up by my bootstraps and send me on my way smiling.

Thank you for all the comments about wanting to hear more of my day to day thoughts as well as the comments about the Komo News article online. Sherri also got my story and the Alfy’s fundraiser on Komo news AM 1000 today at 2:15. Kirk and I sat in front of the radio and listened and when they had finished I did a celebratory dance which may have scared some neighbors! Thanks for your prayers and support!

Love Always,
Sarah

Day 150

Do you want to hear more?
I have been told by a couple of people now that my blog readers want to hear more. Is this true? I keep you all updated with everything medical related but don’t write much about day to day happenings. At first I didn’t want to bore you with my every thought and feeling but now I’m thinking you may want to hear about them. Please let me know if you want more and if I receive enough comments or emails I will commit to writing more about little ol’ me. By the way Sunshine…yes I’m talking to you. I hear from my mom all the time you want more so I’ll put you as my first tally mark on the “Yes” side!

Love Always,
Sarah

Day 149

Interview:
This morning I met with Kristi O’Harran from The Herald for an interview. It was set up by you know who…Sherri Pribble-Jones A.K.A. my own personal PR representative. Sherri has been chasing the newspapers, radio and TV news channels to get my story out there. What a fantastic friend she is! As we started to chat this morning at Sherri’s Alfy’s, and by we I mean Sherri, my mother, Kristi and me, it was like we were the three amigos! I guess in our case it was the three amigas! We were laughing, crying and finishing each other’s sentences. We all have played a part in this complicated road and it was good to tell “our” story. Kristi was so kind and hung on our every word. I can’t wait for the article to come out. She said it would run on Monday so grab a copy!

I do have to chat up my husband a little. Kristi was taken back at how supportive Kirk has been these past five months. Every part of my story included my loyal husband at my side. Even when our “fairytale” marriage turned a little rocky he continued to be my knight in shining armor and saved the day. I told Kristi in an email that not only did I marry my best friend but I married my biggest fan and he cheers me on every day. I also had to apologize for gushing about my sweetheart so much and blamed it on the fact that our 3rd anniversary was only yesterday. Nevermind… I can’t stop gushing about him even when it is not around our anniversary so I guess the only thing to do is thank God for the man He gave me.

Read a recent article that was featured in the “Lake Steven’s Journal” and the “Granite Falls Press”. Thanks again to Sherri for getting them interested in Sarah’s Hope!

Love Always,
Sarah

Day 148

Our 3rd Anniversary!!!
Tuseday the 10th was our 3rd anniversary!!! I cannot by any shade of the imagination understand how three years could have passed so quickly. At the same time, It feels to us like many years. This year so far has brought a lot of chances for us to learn what being married is all about. “I Do” takes on a whole new meaning. You have to mean it in the best of times (which is pretty easy) and you have to mean it in the worst of times. The latter is really just as easy for Sarah and I. The times may be hard but staying committed to each other is simple. However, we do have our parent’s good examples to follow. Thanks guys!

Monday night Sarah and I went down to Seattle (an anniversary tradition for us) and stayed at the Sheraton Hotel. We had a Deluxe King Room (which for me means that my feet don’t hang off the end of the bed…imagine that). As we always do, we spent the day of our anniversary rodding around downtown Seattle. If you could believe it, we have never done or seen the same things twice save for one stop. Sarah always likes to buy a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Pike Place Market. This year we started our day by going to Seattle’s most iconic landmark. You guessed it…”The Space Needle”. To some of you that might seem kind of silly (especially since we have both lived here all our lives) however neither of us has been up there since we were little kids. I personally didn’t even remember it. The sun decided to shine (Regardless of what Steve Pool predicted) and the views from the top were awesome! We were enjoying the sun so much that when we finally came back to earth we just laid in the grass park below the needle and soaked up some rays. We could have laid there for hours, but we had 2 tickets in our name. For what you might ask? The Duck Tours. Oh come on, you know you’ve seen them in town and always wanted to go on them. Well I don’t know how to break this to you so I’ll just come out and say it, “We beat you to it.” It was loads of fun filled with music, some lesser known Seattle facts, dancing, and of course “Quack Attacks”. What are “Quack Attacks?” I am glad you asked. Have you ever seen someone on the side of the street who looked like they could use a slice of happy and all they were waiting for was someone or a lot of someones to quack at them really, really loud? On the Duck Tours you get to do this virtually at will without being arrested. I f you ever get a chance to go don’t hesitate. What a blast!

To me, this anniversary was very special because instead of worrying about issues like losing my wife to cancer, I got to have fun with her again knowing that everything will be okay. Looking back on three years of marriage, I see how my love for Sarah has grown. I cherish all the little things that I love about her. Simple little things like how she only eats the white ”Good and Plenty” or how she makes up songs for anything and everything and then sings them in opera style just make me smile from ear to ear. I can’t wait until we have children so I can see Sarah’s traits coming out in them. What a great gift our children will be when the time comes. Sarah is doing so well, nobody would be able to tell that she has just gone through a very tough five months. I couldn’t be more proud of my wife!!!

Thank You for supporting my beautiful wife and me through the tough days as well as our “sweet” days!

Kirk

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Day 139

My Alaskan Cruise in a nutshell:
I’m back! My Alaska cruise was fantastic. Each day was filled with new and exciting adventures. I committed to going on this cruise with my mom before I was even diagnosed with breast cancer. All throughout my chemotherapy treatment I had been questioning whether or not I would be strong enough to actually go. My mother never doubted for a second that her baby girl would not let cancer stand between her and a chance to cross Alaska off of her places to see list. My mother has never doubted that I could do anything I set my mind to…don’t you just love mothers? I definitely love mine! My mom and I traveled with my Grandma Lorraine and Aunt Bonnie (my mother’s mother and sister). It was a very exciting trip for my Grandma and Aunt since an Alaskan Cruise would be the biggest vacation that they had been on. In fact for my Grandma it was the first time she had set foot on a ship and the first time she had left the state of Washington. To say the least we did a lot of “firsts” with Grandma on our trip. What a gorgeous place the Alaskan wilderness is. I could have stared at its majestic beauty for days. The glaciers were incredible. You just can’t grasp their wonder until you are dwarfed by their sheer size. Each city we stopped in was more charming than the last. Our stops included Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria B.C. I got to experience the Mendenhall Glacier, a salmon hatchery, the Mt. Roberts Tramway, a catamaran wildlife expedition, the Butchart Gardens and of course shopping! At night we would dress up and go to shows filled with dancing, comedy, juggling, singing and magic. Meals were a show in and of themselves. I must have had enough desserts to last me a lifetime. Do I feel guilty? No way! My mom and I also participated in the Susan G. Komen “On Deck for the Cure” breast cancer walk. I walked more than half the walk before my body just about gave out. I wasn’t too hard on myself though because I kept in mind that I had just finished 18 weeks of treatment. My mamma finished with flying colors with little ole’ me as her inspiration. On our Ketchikan day I had to stay onboard because of exhaustion. I urged my family to go on without me while I rested up for Victoria. That was the only day I felt the lasting effects of treatment so I considered myself blessed. Our cruise was a great time of family bonding. We talked about our dreams, played card games, laughed hysterically at old stories till one in the morning and played race car with Grandma’s wheelchair. We absolutely had the trip of a lifetime!

Thank you for keeping my family and me in your prayers! God was with me every nautical mile and allowed me to forget about cancer and completely enjoy myself. Even though I had a wonderful time, I am very happy to be back home with my husband and support group.

Love Always,
Sarah

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