Well, so many events and changes and here I haven't blogged forever.

Pub night was amazing! Together we raised over $1500.00. This was an amazing accomplishment for our first ever fundraiser, that was put together in just 3 weeks! Everyone who attended was amazing and the heartfelt words I heard after the event assured me that I am truly doing what I am meant to do. Some of the comments were thank you's for not making it a somber event.. For allowing everyone to come out and just celebrate each of our survivors strength, just by being there. There were no solemn speeches, no regrets or pity. I was happy to hear this as it truly is what I see our organization standing for.. Quality of life and Positive attitude. This is our way of contributing to longevity as I am a strong believer that with personal strength, humour and a true passion to live each day, one can outlive any stats or barriers .We all knew why we were there... Everyone there knew someone or had heard someones personal story, and they were there to support them. There was no need to make it any more than that. A second comment I heard over and over was "WHEN WILL YOU DO THIS AGAIN?!" A huge compliment and pride booster for me as I reveled in how amazingly well the event went off and how many smiling faces there were in attendance. Over 76 people joined us to make the event and amazing and uplifting night. The truth is while I would *LOVE* to do this as often as possible, the behind the scenes labour makes it more difficult to pull off properly on a continuous basis. We will definitely continue to hold our "annual" pub night, every year in May, as this fits perfectly between cancer month in April and Relay for Life in June. I know that next year will be a sell out. I want to thank EVERYONE who attended, donated, supported and made this event an intimate and enjoyable fundraiser that will continue in our future. The Funds raised covered a large part of the remaining balance on the last survivors ticket to Quebec. It paid in full, the expense for the hotel the night before our retreat, which allows us to not have to take the Red Eye flight to arrive in time for the retreat. It Paid in full, the cost of the 6 meals for the three attending survivors travelling together, and also purchased us a Propane Firepit & Propane Tank, that will be used when we attend outdoor community events, to make sure all our survivors are warm, especially on overnight events such as Relay for Life, which we will support annually. The remaining balance will be used to pay the fees to incorporate ourselves as a National Organization, the first step in becoming a Charity, so we can continue to build and disperse the many goals and community initiatives that we intend to provide as a Full Support Unit for Young Canadian Cancer Patients and Survivors. Any small amount left at that point will assist in covering support group snacks and travel costs to events outside the Abbotsford area, to ensure proper exposure to allow for optimal awareness of our society and the services we will in the future, offer. These costs to date have been paid out of my pocket, and when funds run dry, they will continue to be, as I am putting everything I possibly can in to make sure that we get this where it needs to go. This is however where we would graciously accept any donations to help assist us until we are able to secure further funding and announce further fundraisers. The next fundraiser is planned to take place in October, and further details will be posted as they come together.

In the meantime, Retreat is only 40 days away! I can feel the excitement from the other two gals attending and am so stoked myself to go and soak up Any and all learning I can.. The beach should help me absorb it all! :o)

Relay for Life is only 3 short weeks away and plans are coming together nicely. I think our teams has 15 supporters and survivors and we are so excited to get together for 12 hours of supporting the Canadian Cancer Society in promoting research and cures.

I am a little worried about how much I will be able to participate. Last year I walked for approximately 10 of the 12 hours - straight. I intended to do the same thing this year, but this morning changed that.

After dropping off my oldest, We headed to grab a coffee before dropping off my middle. I yielded while waiting to merge into traffic on the highway and was rear ended. The damage to the car was very minimal, so we exchanged info and while shaken up, I felt sure that it was no big deal. Within 10 minutes I experienced pain in my head similar to the pain I had with my brain tumour. It was screaming from the bottom of my skull and followed up my incision line on my cranium. At the same time, Chris mentioned his shoulder blades were sparking off. I noticed my neck start to tense and from there it worsened. We intended to go to the walk in clinic at 10:30 when our Dr. got in, but made it home only to realize how rough shape we were really in. Chris was bad, with his normal back pain now being excruciating, adding to that the new upper back pain and the neck stiffness and headaches. Me with Sparks up my neck, into my head and shortly after, pelvic spasms. Chris had to report the injury to his military unit and they put him on orders to go straight to the ER. My eyes were blurring and I felt week and dizzy. The two youngest girls were in the car with us, boo had seemed fine so we had taken her to school and advised them to call us if she exhibited any symptoms.

I am SOO Privileged to have such amazing friends in my life. With a phone call to Kristie, she was on her way to drive us all to the ER. We decided it was best to get Trinny checked out, just in case. She is too little to really verbalize her self.

When we arrived at the hospital, I was put in a neck brace and put on a flat bed immediately due to the pelvis/neck combo and the fact I had no motion in my neck. Luckily it was a good hospital day and we were in around 11am and out by 2pm. Xrays came back clear, Trinny appeared fine. So we were Dx'd with sever soft tissue injuries and given morphine/percoset and adivan to get through til we can follow up with our own Dr's tomorrow.

I have such a hard time understanding how there could be such little vehicular damage and such sever injuries. We are both hardly able to move. The pain is barely tolerable for me on the percoset and Chris's morphine has been uped and he is still in agony. They say we will be worse tomorrow.. I can't imagine how that is possible, but I am dreading find it to be true.

Luckily for us, Kristie stayed with us through the hospital process and helped out SO much, I don't know what we would have done without her, I really don't. I truly hope she understand what an amazing thing she did for us today. As for afterwards? we managed barely... We recruited alot of help from the girls, and made canned raviolis for dinner. My little bro saved us by picking up the older girls and getting them home.

Trinity has been complaining about pain on her chest all day, I am thinking from the car seat straps, and Boo has had a headache and sore neck on and off, so we will take them both in with us tomorrow to be sure. Thankfully Sam, was not in the car.

I had to call in sick to work, which wrenched my heart as I have only been back for a week after being off from my last bout of health issues. I love my boss and hate putting her in this spot.

I do not know how we will get through both of us with such bad injuries, with the kids. I am really nervous going into the next few days and can only hope we will be lucky and it will pass for us quickly. Katarina has two full days of dance photos on Sat and sun, which means 5 costume/makeup and hair changes. I do not know how I will do this and be able to stand around for the hours of getting through it.

This brings me back to a place of complete helplessness... Something I hate feeling and one of the many reasons why I am such an advocate of providing funds to young families in need with cancer, because this is a minor example of how helpless you can become, granted this is not cancer related, though we are sure it is worsened by it.


There is much more I could share right now, but I am exhausted and medicated and sore, so I need to rest, but I will try my best to get on and fill in the rest of the details of life as soon as I can.

Happy thought for the day - While sitting in emergency, another car accident patient was near the Xrays and I listened to him speak of his broken bones and weakened health. I realized that as much as I am going through right now, If this was going to happen to me, I am thankful it was not as severe as what others have to go through. I am also so fortunate to have friends like Kristie and Michelle who care so much and will give everything of themselves. I hope I can return these favours. I love you guys, thank you for being you!