JUNE IS ALS AWARENESS MONTH!
"Life is too damn short. When you get an ALS diagnosis, you are told you only have 2–5 years at the most. Your clock is tickin’ and it’s tickin’ fast. What do you do? Because with ALS, the disease doesn’t care. It takes away mobility and functionality of your body. Sometimes it’s slow. Sometimes it’s fast. I’m going to die from ALS, but it’s not going to take away my life. It’s ALS Awareness Month. You’ve got 30 Days. Take a video, post your story, or spread the word. Do it for someone with ALS, someone you love, someone you lost or do it for you. This is it! Seize the Days."
"Life is too damn short. When you get an ALS diagnosis, you are told you only have 2–5 years at the most. Your clock is tickin’ and it’s tickin’ fast. What do you do? Because with ALS, the disease doesn’t care. It takes away mobility and functionality of your body. Sometimes it’s slow. Sometimes it’s fast. I’m going to die from ALS, but it’s not going to take away my life. It’s ALS Awareness Month. You’ve got 30 Days. Take a video, post your story, or spread the word. Do it for someone with ALS, someone you love, someone you lost or do it for you. This is it! Seize the Days."
I am seizing the day today by spending a much needed day off with my husband. By speaking with my dad on the phone for father's day. And by appreciating our upcoming family's baby boom in that my cousin Brad and his wife Erin are going to have a baby girl in October, my other cousin Emily and her husband Rupert are going to have a baby ????, my brother & sister-in-law Luke & Joy are going to have a baby girl in August, my amazing friends Brittany & Sean are going to have a baby girl in July, and my brother & sister-in-law Rachel & Logan are going to have a baby ???? in November. So many excited fathers-to-be in my family. Happy Father's Day to you all! xoxo
Ooh, it's been a tough year for me. Losing Don, and health-wise I've been in bed far too often due to the flu, back pain, and now I'm recovering from e-coli. I had a pretty bad infection that went to my blood and put me in the hospital. My immune system is quite vulnerable to illness, and with my low reserves of energy and strength due to living with ALS, if I am ill it takes absolutely everything out of me. Travis and I have had to put a no-visitor clause if anyone has any signs of illness. It has been difficult staying positive being in bed for so long, especially when I feel that this is the fate that is inching closer toward me. I sadly had to miss the Canada vs. Brazil women's soccer game, this year's Ottawa Walk for ALS, and even more devastating had to cancel a visit from Miss Beth.
Despite this, and though I do have days where I feel quite sorry for myself, I still have plenty to be grateful for. This is what I would like to try and focus on and share with you.
I am now able to get out of bed, though still quite weak and shaky. I'm taking things slowly and day by day trying to build my strength back up, although at this point I'm not quite sure if the lack of strength is due to infection or ALS.
Crazy story, I went to the emergency room due to my fever and I recognized the Doctor. It turns out that it was Dr. Lorne Wiesenfeld who was at Delta Upsilon at McGill with Keith. What a small world. I was a very lucky girl as he took such good care of me, comforted me, shared DU stories with me (I promised not to tell the nurses!) and followed up with me on a daily basis. Once again the Greek community comes through and if you ever wonder why people join fraternities or sororities, it is due to the lifetime bond, friendships, care and respect we have for each other and each other's families.
I am so proud of my team the "Living Loving Laughing Walkers" and all of our sponsors for this years Ottawa Walk for ALS. We raised $3,829! Special thanks to Craig & Donna who represented our team at the walk even though I was too sick to go! Also, special thanks to Brittany & Sean who donated the proceeds of their garage sale to the walk, so generous.
Despite this, and though I do have days where I feel quite sorry for myself, I still have plenty to be grateful for. This is what I would like to try and focus on and share with you.
I am now able to get out of bed, though still quite weak and shaky. I'm taking things slowly and day by day trying to build my strength back up, although at this point I'm not quite sure if the lack of strength is due to infection or ALS.
Crazy story, I went to the emergency room due to my fever and I recognized the Doctor. It turns out that it was Dr. Lorne Wiesenfeld who was at Delta Upsilon at McGill with Keith. What a small world. I was a very lucky girl as he took such good care of me, comforted me, shared DU stories with me (I promised not to tell the nurses!) and followed up with me on a daily basis. Once again the Greek community comes through and if you ever wonder why people join fraternities or sororities, it is due to the lifetime bond, friendships, care and respect we have for each other and each other's families.
I am so proud of my team the "Living Loving Laughing Walkers" and all of our sponsors for this years Ottawa Walk for ALS. We raised $3,829! Special thanks to Craig & Donna who represented our team at the walk even though I was too sick to go! Also, special thanks to Brittany & Sean who donated the proceeds of their garage sale to the walk, so generous.
Special thanks to Craig & Donna who represented the "Living Loving Laughing Walkers"!
I am also very grateful that we had a wonderful visit with Heather & Andy at their home in Newburgh. The flowers were blooming, the weather was fantastic, the wine was flowing and of course the company was magnificent!
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I am very excited to be heading to Kamp Kanawana in St. Sauveur this July with Travis, I have been honoured as the recipient of 2016's PIP Award. This is a very special honour awarded to a Kanawanian who exemplifies the values of Non Nobis Solum, the Kamp motto meaning Not For Ourselves Alone. I am so humbled by this as Kamp Kanawana made me into the person I am today, and taught me so much about leadership, confidence, making children feel special and important, and making a choice to live, love and laugh in the moment. I will be receiving the award in front of the Kampers in July and at the Alumni Reunion in September.
Senior Girl Counsellors!
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