Lynne's Surgery Long But Positive- New Journal Post

Seems the doctors were able to find ways to repair more than they expected in Lynns's arm. Her future range of motion may be greater than expected. At the same time she needs prayers for the three weeks of limited movement she faces. I know there is no doubt that Lynne is Loved and is open to Love. That in that receptivity is healing and gratitude for the wholeness that God/dess in our lives. And with that awareness by me an others Lynne will be restored to wellness in perfect order.

I have also posted a new Journey post. Hope you enjoy.

NORTH's JOURNAL

North

A day of healing (Moms surgery and more...)

Good Morning.
It is the last day of the 5th month of this year and also the long-awaited day of my Mom, Lynne's, shoulder surgery. North is home with is brother Bruce (who is taking him to treatments and helping with all sorts of little home projects) and I am at my Mom's computer in the home where I grew up in Lakeside (east county San Diego).
Currently my Mom is nervously puttering about getting last minute things done before she is unable to move her arm for at least a week. She has said numerous times that her experience is nothing compared to North's surgery, but the truth is that anytime anyone goes under anesthesia it is a bit scary and I know she is nervous about the surgery and what the recovery process will be like. We rode the horses last night (my absolute favorite kind of therapy) and she is determined to be back in the saddle much sooner than the doctor's recommended 6 months!
North just called her on the phone to wish her peace and wellness. He is so amazing. He found out yesterday that the radiation treatments are going to go longer than he thought, 10 days more for the IMRT type that really focuses in on key areas. The effects of the radiation are growing increasinly intense. There are areas on his face that are second degree burned and they look and feel beyond what I am sure you want to read or imagine.
SO... the truth is that this blog entry is a direct request for prayer and "high thoughts" of peace, wholeness and healing for both my Mom and North. These two key people in my life are beautiful and brave. And I know I am able and capable of providing just the right love and care on thier healing journey's. Because the healing is mine too, and everyone's who reads this.
SO I know the perfect outcome for my Mom's surgery... that she is calm and peaceful as she goes in and comes out, that the caregivers (doctors and nurses) are absolutely on purpose and Divinely guided and that all goes very very well.
I also know that North continues to find the strengtht and courage to "face" his healing in all ways and that all traces of cancer are permanently removed from his body.
Thank you God and thank you friends and I let it be and so it is.
Love and thanks and blessings,
Stef

Brother Bruce Arrives

Bruce flew in all ready to "catch me some fish" yesterday. He has already been to the pier, sized up the ocean and is ready to take his fishing skills to the big Pacific. Of course Brother Bill is still here. Together they are quite the video production team. Bill the director and Bruce the actor. They are talking about taking their fishing show national now that they have footage from both coasts. The first episode was the two of them fishing for crappie in East Tennessee. (Titled it "Crappie", because of the size of their catch.) Stay tuned there may be a sneak preview of "Pier Fishing" posted in a few days.

I am so fortunate to have both of them here. Not only does it provide Stef and I some extra support, but their love and laughter together is a joy to watch. Its not often that the three of us are together. In fact this is the first time since 1990 that we've been together on the west coast. So this is a rare opportunity to rejoice in our brotherhood. Of course add Zach coming of age 18 and joining in with his uncles and we have a real "man fest". Sadly, Bill will be departing tomorrow, but today will be marvelous. Stef's Mom and sister will be coming up later today. So, things will be lively.

PS Please pray for Stef. She is courageously embracing this celebration of testosterone with its rough laughter, inflated confidence, messiness, man-noise, and male hunger to fix everything (certain of how to without instructions) while consuming great amounts of food, beverage and space.

Brother Bill Arrives

My brother Bill McKinnon arrived last night from Tennessee. He will be here for a week and overlapping a visit from our middle brother- Bruce. Then in about three weeks, Mom will be back out. They will be rpoviding rides and home support. Stef and I are so happy to have them here.

We have not been alone in this thanks to so many friends and family here in the local area.Zach and the Bucklers have been our family in many ways. And having local friends and community supporting us has been a true blessing. And of course Stef's family has been there. With all that love, its still wonderful to have my own direct family coming out and supporting me.

Bill is taking some of his valuable vacation time. Unfortunately, the most excitement he may get will be trips to the infusion room and rides on I-5. but it will give him and I a chance to reconnect and talk of joys from the past and plans for future fishing trips.

Thanks, Bill, for all that you bring.

For more on how I am doing, check my Journal.

Have a wonderful day!

North

Happy Mother's Day

I have a couple of new posts on my journal. Please take a moment to catch up. Have a wonderful day celebrating the feminine energy that nurtures us all. I LOVE YOU MOM!

North

A little update from Stef @ the Chao Cancer Center

Hello everyone!

Just a quick update as I am sitting in the resource center at the hospital. North just finished getting his hydration and shots to prep him for radiation and is at this moment getting his treatment. Tomorrow marks one week and the second dose of chemo. Special thanks to Bruce Snyder for all his invaluable help in coordinating transpo support; and also to all of those who have driven him so far! Oh, and I LOVE the wonderful meals that have been delivered to help me out as well. We have both been enjoying them immensly.

So far, other than being suddenly very tired and some nasea, North is doing pretty darn good. He can still eat and has been trying more solid stuff lately with much success. We actually had the first somewhat normal feeling weekend in ages. It was wonderful! Zach came over on Saturday night and the three of us had a real blast opening up a big ol' box of goodies from Tennessee. The care package from family consisted of everything from clothes we hope will fit (lots of them!), to great books and cool nostalgic funky goodies such as oragami swans and a white chocholate bar (North's favorite as a kid) and a really cool DVD of the Brother's Bill and Bruce fishing show! (Great job guys!). There was even some moon pie cookies that apparently go great with the canned possum. (Gross!) And last but not least, a small jar of dirt direct from North's home state with instructions to simply sink his toes into it. Very creative, loving and fun indeed. Thanks to all of the McKinnon clan for putting that together. It really meant a lot to all of us.

And another very cool bit of good news is that the Brothers McKinnon are coming out to visit and help out during treatment! Yeah! Bill comes first for a week towards the end of this month, then Bruce comes for another week. A couple of days will overlap so all three brothers can spend some quality time together, and hopefully attend one of Zach's track meets too! North is SO happy about this. Zach is excited too although I know he can't help but wish all the McKinnon clan could be present here for his graduation on June 14th. He understands though and looks forward to seeing his uncles. Mary Mom will return for that grand occasion however, so all is well.

There is so much more I can think of to write about but time is running short before my sweetie appears and is ready to go home. And this note is quite lengthly enough for one day!

Love and blessings and HUGE thanks to each one of you who reads this. Thanks for caring and helping and praying and being a part of our lives.
Namaste',
Stef

Ole! I'm On My Way

Happy Cinco De Mayo,

I started Clearing and Recreating on Wednesday with a little help from friend s in the Chemotherapy and Radiation Units at UCI. So far its about healing and that is what I expect it to continue to be. I am home, now on Friday afternoon, from my last Radiation treatment for the week. Feeling a bit slugish and quizzy, but ok. My schedule is M-F every week for the next six weeks. M,T,T,F I have radiation with an hour of hydration beforehand. Those are short days (12-2pm). Wednesdays are long days 8:30am to about 4pm. This is my Chemo day with an additional radiation treatment.

We had a bit of unsettling news, on Wednesday. Seems the cancer made a jump from my lymph glands into my lungs. Two "very small" specs that showed up in a PET scan I had on Monday. The doctors believe the current plan will help to move those stray puppies on out to a higher pasture beyond this world. Please join with me in wishing them on their way.

So far family and friends are volunteering to get me to the center. Its about 1/2 hr drive in the car pool lane. We explored the local transit system, but the door to door access would take too long. Plus, we have been graced to have Kathy Saylor and Bruce Snyder work to schedule an ever changing routine. Because of them we are starting to see a little normalcy emerge in all the chaos. Plus, people are showing up to help with everything from getting our garage storage organized to bringing Stef dinner. I continue learn to surrender to knowing that all is well. If you are able to provide support, please let Bruce or Kathy know. The one benefit is that I will be happy to show you what a chemo treatment room looks like and how the process works. Its worth de-mystifying this disease.

Now that High School track is almost over, Zach is going to be pitching in as well. He is in the League Championships this evening for the 100M and 4X100 Relay. They hope to set a new school record in the relay. I am so pround of him.

I will try to update more tomorrow.

Much Love and Life and Happy Cinco De Mayo!

North