Having Fun with #plaidfordad !! - helping to raise awareness for prostate cancer

Well it's been pretty eventful around here lately - so we thought it was a good time to do another update.

Last Thursday Wayne had his final chemo treatment!  It seems like so long ago that he started chemo and we were counting down the months till it was done - well here we are!  Generally he has tolerated the treatments quite well, just really knocks him down for a number of days.  He's in his 'down days' now, so he can crash on the couch and tell me what to write!!
This Thursday he is having his bone scans and CT done.  This will give the doctors a better view of what the treatments have accomplished - if the chemo and hormone therapy have slowed the cancers progression or not.  But before they can give us the results, we are sneaking away for a little holiday!!  Wayne, Brian and myself, along with some dear friends of ours and their son, are flying out to Alberta for 5 days.  We had done this trip when our girls were young, and we've always promised Brian we would get him out west too - so we're doing it!!   We will meet with the doctor for the test results, do more blood work, and find out what's next when we get back.

Life around here keeps on moving on.  Jessica went back for her next semester at college - not necessarily where she'd like to be for the summer, but she's pushing forward!  Vanessa had her prom last week - another milestone we are so thankful Wayne was able to see [made it back from chemo just in time to see her and Bryden off!].  Brian is enjoying his school days with great friends and great teachers to support him [and of course, he's super pumped about our upcoming trip!]

Then there's the amazing "Family Fiesta Fun day" we had this past Saturday at Dual Acres - what can we say, but WOW!!!   I was searching the thesaurus for new ways of saying how completely overwhelmed we are, but no words can match how we feel.  Actually when you look up 'overwhelmed' it literally means 'bury or drown beneath a huge mass'.  We'll we're not buried or drowned but we are most definitely completely covered and surrounded and held up by the 'huge mass' of love and support we felt that day!!  The day was nothing short of perfect. The weather, the setting, so many people working together, and so much laughter and smiles -  as one friend said - we saw a little glimpse of what heaven will be like! 
To the organizing committee that came up with the idea, and managed to put together such a fun, smoothly-run day - you are all truly amazing for pulling it all off, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  To the numerous people who helped out to keep the day running smoothly - from parking, wagon rides, 'toonie toss', kid zone, silent auction, dunk tank, and food - your willingness to help will never be forgotten.  To all those who donated to the silent auction - unbelievable!  The number of items was absolutely astounding [I believe 120 items were donated], and such unique and fun things - we were tempted to bid ourselves!!  To the dunk tank nominees - thank you for agreeing to brave the chilly waters, and for being such great sports about it.  And of course to the many people who came out from near and far [they're thinking it was close to 450 of you - or more!], again  - WOW, thank you for sharing the fun with us!  Even to those who couldn't join us, we were blessed by your messages, thoughts and support from afar!!  Our hearts are truly full.  Each and every one of you have given us the greatest gift we could ever ask for - the gift of love and wonderful memories.

Never has a day gone by since this awful new reality, have we had to doubt or question where our strength. love and support come from. Literally since the first day of diagnosis we have had food when we needed, an envelope [or jar!] appear with funds to help us out, cards/ messages/ phone calls/ visits and hugs to lift us up just when we were feeling weighed down.  God has shown us over and over again that He is walking with us and has put each of you on our path to help us along just when we need it the most. Knowing this, we are given strength for our tomorrows from Him and through you all.

With all our Love and Thanks