June Highlights

So it isn't a secret to most that I was not looking forward to the month of June.

June tends to be rather busy here and every other household who has school age children.
I have personally been dreading it since about April.
Why schools pack in every possible opportunity into the last four weeks baffles me. 
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad our children have gotten to experience so many wonderful class trips and extra special days but why not try spreading them out through the year. 
We can fly kites in October.  Visit Ottawa in May.  Make scrapbooks all year long.

But look here it is the end of the month and we all survived.
John knew it was possible and I need to learn to never doubt him.
I will be starting July in spoon deprivation but I am optimistic.
I can now release the breath I have been holding.

Here are our highlights...

  

Building BLACKberry Fields and John Black Carpentry

Amy preforms in the Heritage Ballet Spring Recital

Dana at her first Track and Field Meet in Haliburton

Amy and Brenden receive their brown belts in Karate 

Amy on the low ropes at Pinecrest YMCA camp

Brenden visits our nations capital

Dana visits Settlers Village

Brenden Graduates the DARE program at JDHES

Amy Graduates grade 8 from JDHES

Dana's last day ever at SBES

This family welcomes the summer holidays...

PS if you are not familar with The Spoon Theory click the link above.  It will help you understand what it really feels like to live with an invisible illness.

All about spoons...

When you have an "unknown" illness you are always looking for ways to explain how you are feeling to others.  Considering only 1% of the general population have an AVM it stands to reason that even fewer have them in the left frontal lobe of their brain.  Even fewer people still who have had the exact treatment.  It's a pretty lonely place to be.

Having an AVM isn't like having cancer, a diagnosis that has touched everyone.  It isn't like having a physical disability that everyone can see.  When I am asked about my symptoms people feel like they may able to relate because they too have headaches and they are often tired.  When I talk about my bruit (woosh, woosh, woosh inside my head) people will say "Hey, I can hear that too!"  Let me personally guarantee you that it's nothing like what you hear.  Imagine it 20 times louder and it disrupts your sleep and concentration. (But thank you for trying to understand.)  Sometimes people unknowingly minimize my seizure experience(s) because "at least it's not a grand mal or a big one." 

My friend Holly has an AVM.  It is in a similar location to mine.  She was also treated by Gamma Knife and has similar side effects.  We are on the same anti-convulsant. She is a single mom and one of the most amazing women I have yet to meet.  She introduced me to "The Spoon Theory" written by Christine Miserandino.  I encourage you to read Christine's story.  Though her diagnosis is different, Christine's explanation of what it feels like to live with Lupus couldn't get much closer to what it feels like to be me in this moment.  We talk in terms of spoons often here now and it has helped my family significantly.

A very thoughtful Christmas gift from John. 

So I'll always have enough spoons.

Holly has one too - because John is just that awesome!!

Keep your extra spoons handy I may need them yet.

Sending you love from the hill.

Steph