We had a trip planned for this summer. The perfect beach house picked out and reserved, private golf cart to travel back and forth to the beach, wonderful friends to share the experience… then cancer hit. Date #1 canceled and rebooked for later in July in case all I had to do was radiation. That date came and went with no available time to go to Destin. So, kinda last minute, Ethan and I decided we still needed to do something. Something for us and something for the kids. We found The Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, OH. It was so fun! And we managed to bring Nana along to of course enjoy her company, but also to help with the girls. She took Audrey back to the room to nap while the big girls and us were able to keep playing. She took Audrey in early in the evenings, so we could keep playing. She helped with breakfast, she helped with dinner. She kept all three so Ethan and I could enjoy Kings Island right next door and get in a half-hour of Lazy River coasting. Thank you Nana for joining us and managing my kids just as well as I would. View all the photos
Waiting in line for the big rides
Floating down the lazy river
Trip to Kings Island
This is the Diamondback. The first drop on the left is a 215 ft high, 74 degree drop picking up to 80 miles/hour. I have to admit that I wouldn’t have climbed on this ride had it not been for Ethan. It was thrilling, scary and exciting. And by far the smoothest ride all night. The wooden rollercoaster we were told we had to ride, literally cracked my neck and shook my brain up a bit more than I remember the Texas Cyclone doing. A few bruises, little nausea, and a coke and fish and chips later, I was good to go. At least for a bit. Then I wimped out to go relax in the lazy river back at the waterpark while we were kid-less. Even with all the whining, the struggles of bedtime, the discomfort of hotel beds, the lack of eating, the perceived germs, this trip was near perfect. A good end to summer 2010.
We returned on Thursday to make it back in time for treatment #6 of 8! Whoo-hoo! I can’t believe we are this far and only have 6 more weeks of chemo to go. This last round of Cytoxin has been much easier. Very little recognizable side effects and I have felt great. Praise God! My eyebrows and eyelashes are finally starting to thin and based on a conversation with another girl, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go before this is all over. But ya know, you just get used to that stuff. Yes, I would love a full head of hair, long, a bit thicker and preferably blond, but things are in transition right now. Lets put looks and outwardly appearances on the back burner for now – maybe forever. There are things that are more important than fitting in to the crowd. Which is why after 2 days at the park, I was perfectly fine with wearing only my Bondiband and a very well seen bald head from the back. Thank you for your support. I am not sure where I would be right now without the prayers of so many. But I know where I am, and that is strong and hopeful.
I love that you sound so good! Strong & hopeful! I love you so much & I love that you had this time with your family to relax & have a vacation…(from all of the house guests!) Next year we will try the beach again!
Cancer sucks but God is Great! I think you are passing this “test” with flying colors… (HE told me so!)
Megan’s got some moves!!!! love the video~
Too bad I didn’t know you were coming out this way. You don’t know me…..but you have been such an inspiration! I only live about 45 mins from Kings Island and it would have been a blessing to meet you! God Bless you and your family!
Girl – you could not look better in this pics. Your amazingly strong faith and confidence in a BIG BIG God are so apparent and just pour out of you; even in your pictures. What fond memories the girls will have of this summer and this vacation in particular! Way to beat cancer and not let it beat you…as always – you are amazing!! 🙂
Love you…
You are so beautiful, Julie. I loved catching up on your sweet family and, as always, am completely humbled by your strength, faith and honesty. And just looking at that coaster makes me a little queasy.
Precious Julie,
I can’t wait to meet you! You are adorable and filled with fun spunk and enegy! I love that! Thank you for loving Our Lord so very much. Thank you for trusting in His complete plan and thank you for teaching all of us along your journey.
Would we like to know exactly what God is doing? Would we want to pull aside the veil and see the end from the beginning? Would we like to know the way that He is taking with us in this walk? I’m learning if we did, and if we could see, would we have FAITH to believe and accept God’s perfect way? If we could understand all of God’s dealings, we would not need faith. We would not fall before His throne in complete trusted faith that He is Our Great Healer.
Sweet Julie, WE are walkin this walk in solid, promised, loving, great faith. Faith in Our Father, a faith that if not exercised will not grow and a faith that if not tried will never be strong! YOU precious one … have a faith that brings tears to my eyes. When you look back on this journey in years to come … you will have an even more amazing story of great faith.
Keep glorifying God, let your faith be strengthened …. let His glory shine and know that we all love you, pray for you fervently and can’t wait to see what great things God has in store for you and your family!
Come join us October 2nd for the Susan Komen Walk … you all can stay at my house! We can sport our beautiful bald heads (ugh) and my 3 big girls can play with your 3 little girls!
Love you with The Love of the Lord … Sweet Sister in Christ in this spiritual journey we both know so well!
Jill Greer