Packers, N.E.D., and Myrtle Beach

(Hanging out on the pier in Myrtle Beach, SC)

This past month has been crazy! Since the last post, I have been investing in my passion- Childhood Cancer. 

While speaking at the AFCH Radiothon, I was approached about speaking for the Green Bay Packer's head coach, Mike McCarthy. The McCarthy Family has a foundation that helps American Family Children's Hospital through fundraisers and financial involvement. I jumped at the opportunity and ended up being the guest speaker for the 2016 McCarthy Dinner and Golf Invitational. 

(My Family and I with the McCarthys)

The event included 40 former Packers players, Mike McCarthy and his family, and one of the Packer's announcers, Larry McCarren. We had a lovely evening talking to the McCarthys, chatting with the Packer players, and hanging out with a lot of awesome people! There were 700 guests and in one night they raised $440,000 for AFCH. I was very thankful for the opportunity to share our story, and in a small way give back to AFCH. 

If you would like to watch the speech, click here!

 (Coach was one of the most humble people I have ever met!) 

The night was great, but it helped remind me of what I have just finished. The endless days and nights in the hospital, radiation burns, chemotherapy, infections, fevers, transfusions, pain pumps... all of it. It helped me come back to the reality that although I am finally done with treatment, this is my new life. Those hardships have given me a perspective that is driving my passion to go into Pediatric Oncology. Being a Stage 4 Bone Cancer survivor can be a source of hope for those still fighting! 

Which brings me to my next bundle of news!

I am officially N.E.D.!

On the 16th, my Oncology Team let me know that my scans came back clear! Though this is the first of many many scans to come, I am thankful that I can finally say this. It has been a decent year of difficulty and these are the words that you fight for! Thank you to every one of you who has helped my family and I reach this point. Not only do these scans mark the path God has allowed for me, but it celebrates the incredible support system that has helped me get here! Much love to all of you! 

And finally, the reason it has taken me so long to post the above news. ;) 

This past week my family and I were able to escape to Myrtle Beach! This was our first vacation in over six years. Thanks to the onslaught of health issues, vacation quickly lost priority in my family's life. Every day I lived on the beach. I soaked up the sun and relished in the fact that only a year ago, I was living in a nightmare. I am so thankful for the time that we had as a family, and the time that we could spend enjoying the ocean! 

Thank you all for everything you have done, been, and given to my family and I this past year! Your kindness, love, and generosity have carried us through an incredibly difficult time. We are thankful to God for His grace, to my medical team for their care, and to you for your love and support! 

Much love to all!