Monday, August 29th

At the Chestico Days Boat Parade:  Emma, Michellie, Suzie, Brittany and Justin

Swimming in Little Judique off the boats:  Moira, Suzie, Brittany and Michellie



Missy on her favorite blanket - loud music in the background and completely ignoring it!

Michellie and Michelle had a wonderful visit and catch up time over the last two weeks.  With Michelle having her license they were able to get out a little more and have some freedom.  Michellie began the visit a little under the weather, but by the end they were out with friends and enjoying boating, swimming, movies etc.  Michelle brough white t-shirts and markers and the two of them drew pictures about each day of their adventures together.  They had real works of art by the end.  What a lot of fun!!!



This past weekend Michellie joined us for a wedding in Antigonish.  This was the ultimate test in endurance for all of us.  The Rankins really know how to party, and our feet flew across the dance floor continuously all night.  We hit the bed at 3 am completely exhausted.  Michellie looked fabulous in her purple dress, and flip flops are definitely the shoes of choice, until dancing starts, and then barefeet rock!  It has taken all of us several days to recover.  The winds of hurricane Irene have been challenging our energy too, so I think our recuperation was slowed down by this.  (It definitely has nothing to do with age and how big our legs were kicking to the rocking tunes).



Daddy's little girl!



Mom and Me!





Dancing at the Reception to Johnica's Wedding



Last week Michellie was able to catch up with a friend of hers who is recovering from a similar cancer and is 3 months behind Michellie in recovery.  They were quick to compare hair, and her friend looks forward to seeing if she has to endure the same ringlets of curls and for how long.  Both of them look radiant with their short hair.  It is really amazing how the eyes become so enduring and drawing when there is no hair surrounding the face.  They are both so beautiful.  While we were waiting for our food order, the two girls started comparing notes about IV's and needles and CAT Scans and PET Scans.  They were hilarious how they could rattle off the lingo and stories.  They were giggling and joking and oblivious to the squeemish looks coming from those around us who had not had the privilege of learning about such things.  They both feel very comfortable in each other's company, and relieved to have someone to talk to "Who Gets It!".  I was thrilled to be able to share the parents perspective with her parents too.  Us Mom's are happy to talk to someone "Who Gets It Too!". 





This week is the final countdown to school.  Michellie and I do not enjoy the start of the school year - I love having her home.  However, she is looking forward to some of her classes, and time with her friends.  She is down St. Peter's way this week enjoying some time there.  She is really counting down until her 16th birthday in a few weeks, and her hopes that she will be able to get her license without a delay to redo her learners.  We have our fingers crossed. 





Michellie's next round of tests and doctors appointments are on the 12th of September, and that will be her 6 month check.  It is hard to believe she has been in recovery for 6 months already.  She has definitely needed time to heal.  She is still struggling with different foods, so we hope to have some resolution on this.  She still has a lower level of stamina, and her muscles are still weak, but she pushes herself to try more and keep going to build this back up.  We look forward to finishing the back of the house so she can work out in the back when she feels so inclined.  We are hopeful that she will be able to keep up with the stressors of school and homework, and that she will have the endurance to get through her days alright.  In the meantime, we will enjoy the last few days of summer!





For those waiting on info about the bracelets, we are still waiting for the right weather to take some photos.  We finally had the weather and then the details didn't all work out.  We are hoping in the next few days to take advantage of the tropical humidity and temperatures of the hurricane remnants, and get out there for some photos.  Michellie has a good eye for artsy shots, so we look forward to seeing what she can create.



Tuesday, August 16th

We have spent the last month enjoying life as if we were cancer free.  In some areas we have been successful and in others we have been reminded that the road to recovery is a slow and windy one.  Our visit with Auntie Char, Uncle Adam, Jessica and Carson was a great visit.  Michellie spent many hours watching movies and playing games with the cousins.  Jessica was enamoured with Michellie and was thrilled when she got to sleep in Michellie's room for several nights.  David drove in one of the race cars at the Antigonish track and we were all there to cheer him on.  Afterwards we did a quick shopping spree and for the first time Michellie found a dress that she loved in a store window and it fit her perfectly.  That was a wonderful day for celebrating as many of you know that Michellie is not a dress person, but she needs one for a wedding in another few weeks.  We enjoyed several outings to the beach and one evening at the dances.  Michellie joined us for what she could and rested the rest of the time.  She is very careful about the sun and continues to make choices on how to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

The month of August has been varied.  Michellie has done a lot of sleeping and resting.  She has found some Australian dramas that she streams on her computer and enjoys episode after episode.  At the beginning of August she was lucky to land a job as the interim office coordinator answering the phones and selling tickets at Strathspey Place Theatre.  At first she thought that would be boring, but her opinion changed due to the air conditioning, quiet time and ease of the job.  On her second day at the theatre Michellie landed a job at the Red Shoe as a dishwasher.  Emma, one of her favorite buddies was working the line and put in a word for her.  Michellie was very nervous about this job and if she could handle it.  She was anxious for several days in preparation for going to work and had to deal with the headaches, jaw locking and nauseous stomach that ensued as a result.  The work was not bad, but Michellie quickly realized that her smell sense does overtime as a result of the chemo and the liquor bucket, composter and the garbage were too much for her stomach to handle.  After an agonizing morning of trying to gain control over her stomach cramps and determining if she could do the job, Michellie finally decided it was too much. The manager at the Shoe was very understanding and encouraged Michellie to try again next year.  After about three days of sleeping and resting Michellie finally recovered from this experience.

Many of Michellie's friends have jobs for the summer and Sam has been in Fort McMurray all summer, so it has been hard for her to find people to get together with.  Emma and Michellie have spent a few afternoons and a shopping trip to Sydney, but for the most part it has been quiet.  Her friend Dan invited her to his grandparents 50th Anniversary bash last weekend.  It was a semi-formal affair and the new dress was perfect for the occasion.  She danced the night away and partied into the wee hours of the morning.  She had a great time.  And, then, she came home to rest.  After three days of sleeping and resting she is still recovering.

One of the highlights of the summer will be the arrival of one of her Besties!  Michelle arrived from Cochrane last night and the giggling has started.  Michellie counted down the arrival and anticipated all the great fun she will be able to share with someone that knows her well.  Last night they began with markers and white t-shirts to design shirts that will show all the things they do together for the next 10 days.  We are very excited to have Michelle and to see Michellie enjoy some time laughing and sharing.

Each day is a different one, and David and I continue to encourage Michellie where we can, and then back up and let her withdraw and rest again when she needs it.  Depression is close at hand as she copes with all the things going on in her body and tries to adjust and cope.  Anxiety is strong and we encourage her to find the tools to cope with each situation. 

We hope that the rest and relaxation of the summer will be enough for her to cope with the demands of school in a few weeks.  The plus is her sixteenth birthday is a month away and Michellie is counting down to officially get her driver's license again. She has been driving, but her Alberta license has not been recognized here and we are not sure if she will have to redo her learners and then wait the 3 months to get her full license or not. Time will tell, but this milestone is one Michellie has waited patiently for.  She loves to drive and she took the work this summer to save money for gas.  She is always thinking ahead.  Now the question is, how much of the renovations will be done for a birthday party?  We have our fingers crossed.