Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Camp Okizu-Hard To Put into Words

I wish since DJ went to Heaven that I wrote on a regular basis. I stopped writing because I wasn't sure what to share. I was going through the raw emotions of grief. I have thought about it, and it would have been very healing for me, and maybe helpful to another PARENT going through this horrible experience.  I miss my baby guy... but I realize that  it is important share what we experience.   Today many children are  being diagnosed or dying from childhood cancer. It's not anything any child or family should have to go through...

Last year we had a chance to attend this camp but I opted out. I wasn't ready to be part of the sad parents club, even though I was part of it. Last year I felt really lonely. I honestly didn't think anyone could understand. I pushed away friends and family. I kept myself as busy as I could until my health was once again swept up under my feet. This year when I received the package for camp I filled it out and sent it off immediately. I couldn't wait to get out of town, and listen  to other parents who could relate to treatments, sickness, and they too lost their sweet babies. 


We went to a bereaved family camp at the end of last month.  I can't explain what an incredible experience it was  for my family.


Camp Okizu: Okizu (oak-eye-zoo),  comes from the Sioux language and means unity, to come together, to heal from a hurt, to make whole.

The mission of Okizu is to provide peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreational programs to meet the needs of all members of families affected by childhood cancer.

For more than thirty years, Okizu has been committed to the continuing support of the Oncology, Siblings, Family, Bereavement, and Teens-N-Twenties programs. These programs are the result of a collaborative effort of Okizu and the pediatric oncology treatment centers in northern California. The specific purpose of this corporation is to operate peer support programs for children and families affected by childhood cancer, many of which are based on the community-forming nature of a residential camp experience.  — www.campokizu.org

It was a breathtaking spot...They did a wonderful job. Every aspect has been thought out. They have so many activities! We did ropes courses, zip lined, boated, shot archery, and so much more! The counselors, and staff were amazing! Lyndi blossomed:) That weekend she showed us such an independence. She blew my socks off. I am so blessed by her! She had a great time. She was able to hang out with other brothers, and sisters who had last their siblings. They all had an unspoken bond...They played and laughed all weekend long. It was awesome to see and be part of. She is excited to go back for her week long Super SIBS camp. One day she says she wants to be a counselor at Camp Okizu. I believe she will be :) 


 Lyndi walked into the bathroom and screamed! She ran out saying "monster lizard".  lol

The monster lizard. Its tail was as long as its body:)                                 ----------->
 
We had an incredible family weekend!




We had eight other families with us that weekend.  The camp can hold a few hundred people. I was pleased to find out we were in a smaller group. Each one of the families are so very special. I was blessed to be able to share in their joy,memories, and pain. I am honored to know parts of each life.  We had one couple that had lost their child not even 3 moths before camp,  another  family who had lost their child 15 years ago, and everything in between. We were able to have an adult talk time. I found it to be insightful and overwhelming. My heart just ached for each family. I hate childhood cancer...I hate cancer!  I am glad that they have established such an amazing place for kids, and families. 

Their children were so beautiful...I am blessed to know their mommies, daddies, sisters, and brothers. We can't wait to go back next year:)



Sunday, April 14, 2013

One More Day

Tomorrow is my Grandma Sally's Birthday.
She went to Heaven last May.
I sure miss her...
We are going to Celebrate her day tomorrow. 
She loved sweets.
I am going to make an incredible batch of brownies.
I can't believe how fast time can go...

On another note...
I am so excited to have answers. 
Waiting isn't my favorite part.
I am praying a ton!!
I am so excited that this is going to be fixed! 

Praise Jesus! 
Now I just have to be patient. I can't wait until Wednesday!!
Thank you for stopping by:)
Enjoy your week!



Friday, April 12, 2013

Answered Prayers :)

Hello friends, family, and fellow bloggers :)

Many of you know that I have had many health issues for the past few years, or this may be new news to you. For a few years I have battled black outs, throwing up, headaches, loss of vision, loss of depth perception, and the list goes on and on.

Over time I have had many "friends", and some doctors have say that it must be the way I deal with life....

I am explaining all of this so I can share the most current event going on in our lives...

I have been having chronic non-stop headaches since The beginning of March... Actually since last April, I fight to be healthy everyday. Last April the day after Easter I had a blackout.  I had my husband, and a person I will always be thankful for, take  me to Redding Mercy Hospital. I stayed their 5 days. I did physical therapy and speech therapy. After that I was able to return home. When I went home I had to use a walker, write my words down, and did some more physical therapy. My speech came back slowly. I still stutter, and I don't always say the right words, and well who needs a memory. lol

When I came home I also had to see doctors...I couldn't remember anything other then my pituitary gland was swollen...My doctor said there was nothing to be concerned about and that I had a disease called hemiplegic migraines. I wasn't ecstatic that this would be part of my life, but I was happy for any diagnosis that made sense of these crazy health episodes I  have. 

I have had so many things continue to get worse, or have new symptoms pop up....Which blows me away because I try so hard be a healthy person. I juice, eat overall a raw food diet, and exercise when my body allows me to. I think positive, and I believe Papa God's promises! 

Sorry I am bouncing around...

We had a blast at Disneyland last month. However, it was more then my head could handle. The rides, the flashing, headaches, throwing up, all the while keeping up with my baby girl and my little brother A. I try super hard not to burden either of them with this sickness. I just want to live life to it's fullest and want to teach my baby girl just that...so I pushed myself. When I got home I was exhausted. I started throwing up daily, and basically I have to wear sunglasses everywhere I was go, even inside my home. I just thought I over did it and was having a dumb migraine again.

Then came a day where I couldn't take it any more, so I went to Fairchild Medical group to the  doctor who diagnosed me with the migraines. However he was no longer practicing medicine  there..So we went to the best place in town Linda Jo at, Deegan Family Practice.  I was all laid up in the car. She said we need to get this under control and sent me to the ER. It was the quickest and by far the best visit I have ever had here locally. LJ called them and told them what was going on. I was in and out in two hours. I had two bags of fluid, nausea, and pain medicine... I felt like I could make it through yet another day! At discharge my ER doctor tells me my platelet count is in a high range, and that I need to make an appointment with my doctor within a couple of days...A couple days after I was seen in the ER we made on appointment at Deegan Family Practice..She again blows me away...She handles her patience with such love, and attention. She is real. So I went and got more blood work done. ..Tuesday my headache was crazy out of control....Went in again. Thank you Holley and LJ for fitting me in! You both are amazing:)  After she performed an exam, and asked for a detailed background. I mentioned that last April about my swollen pituitary gland. She got  super busy and got my medical records. My blood work came back the same, so she sent it to a hematologist. The hematologist checked my CRP levels and they were extremely elevated. So Linda Jo digs....Last April when I was admitted they performed two tests the first night.… An EEG and MRI.
My EEG was clear but my MRI had shown a pituitary adenoma, which is benign. With my chronic headaches, elevated CrP levels, and many other symptoms that it is effecting my brain....Then Linda Jo was on the phone with UC Davis and referred me down. I can't express how thankful I am to her for being so diligent, and amazing at what she does. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts...

Received a call today from UCDavis and I will see the Endocrinologist next Wednesday! So thankful for so MANY answered prayers!!

I have since gotten ahold of family members, and friends before I shared this blog(If I forgot someone I am sorry)...

  I am so excited that this is fixable, just have to get this taken care of.

Thank you Father God for working ALL things out for good!

A special thanks to my husband who edited, and help me write! I love you babe!



Monday, January 21, 2013

Precious Time

This is short and sweet......
I really enjoy spending time with my husband, and daughter:) It doesn't matter what we do.. most of the time we have fun, and tons of laughter:) Time is a precious gift. Thankful for the daily growth:) Our chart, and calendar defintly keep this mama on track!


Lyndi is super crafty:) Doing projects with her is always fun:)
Enjoy your day! Hugs!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

We Did It :)

Today was a very productive day...
I have to start by saying I do NOT sew. I did when I was a kid, and tried again when I was in my early 20's,. Either time I didn't have a passion to continue.lol However, I really wanted to make something special to send to kids battling cancer . The idea went into " The Cancer League of Superheros." Easy enough, right? Well as I found out there is alot behind sewing...This slowed the process for sure....
Before I went straight to making capes a practiced some basic things...Didn't even bother to take pictures of the first things I made.lol After successfully finishing a few projects, I took Mama Frick up on her offer to help me make the capes! She is very patient, always encourages, and is a great teacher:) Thank you again for all of your help!!We love you! After looking at different ideas we just went for it......
We will be getting the packages finished up, and mail them out by the end of this week:) Thank you for all for your continued support!!!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Relay for Life 2013:)

So excited for Relay for Life this year:) As many of you know I was planning on doing this last year....I didn't. I went, and left. I was still in a healing process and I wasn't ready.... This year is different!!!!
The theme for Relay for life is....drum roll please..... SUPERHEROS:) I love it! Tomorrow my wonderful mother-in-law, and I will be finishing up two capes, for two precious children. Earlier this year I started a facebook page called "The Cancer League of Superheros". We want to be able to send care packages, and custom designed superhero capes to each child that is sent to us: via facebook, email, or twitter. We have had many donations, and I want to thank you all for the support:) We will be sending off the first packages in the next week:)
So that brings me back to this amazing organzation, Relay For Life. The walk will be this year on July 20th, and it will start at 9am. It goes for a full 24 hours! Josh, and I are going to walk for the Entire time, with the exception of using the bathroom.lol Team Dylan is going to make an impact on cancer!!! Please join us spread Hope , and make some memories that we can cherish forever!!! You won't want to miss it;) If you are interested please let me know. I will get you the information that you will need as soon as possible .
We really appreciate all of your support, and love!
Blessings, and lots of LOVE, Jenn
Just wanted to share the keychains that we got each other at Christmas:) Dylan loved superheros! When he was little he had multiple pairs of superman jammies, cape and all:) Such an amazing smile....His eyes just so full of love and life:) Blessed to be his mommy! Such sweet memories:)

Thursday, January 10, 2013

5 For 55

So on Janurary 5th I committed to 5 habits I would like to incorporate in my life....
1. Spend time in Papa's Presence
2. Read 30 minutes daily
3. Continue making smart food choices
4. Journal
5. Spend time inside V6
I made a daily checklist at home, and am looking forward to the daily growth...Why 55 days? It's said a habit takes 21 days to be created:) I hope you are having a great New Year so far!