tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192503942024-03-07T02:54:34.821-05:00neuroblastoma mom<p>Doing my best while my grade-schooler is fighting a nasty childhood cancer called neuroblastoma.</p>
<p>We've met the most wonderful, generous people. We've seen the best side of our friends and family. We've been disappointed, depressed and terrified. This journey has been a terrible blessing.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-42011629661862446252009-10-10T14:52:00.005-04:002009-10-10T15:09:51.690-04:00POGO<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kfrJceS82zM/StDY0uLQcVI/AAAAAAAAACE/U-BR75sdo2U/s1600-h/pogo-sans-25-logo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391047154222526802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 58px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kfrJceS82zM/StDY0uLQcVI/AAAAAAAAACE/U-BR75sdo2U/s320/pogo-sans-25-logo.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Sounds so little, but there is really a ton of substance behind the little logo.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our direct contact with POGO so far has been through their <a href="http://www.pogo.ca/care/pofap/">financial assistance program </a>for families that provides reimbursement for lodging and food expenses while Georgia was in hospital.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our oncologist are members of the group, and they had access to treatment protocols including the latest information from all over the world.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>These folks don't make a lot of noise, but they're working in the trenches to cure kids cancer.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Check 'em out.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-91461763406588297172009-10-09T12:06:00.003-04:002009-10-09T13:48:54.385-04:00Candlelighters<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kfrJceS82zM/Ss93dJFMklI/AAAAAAAAAB8/eclFd_DFqww/s1600-h/ccf_logo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390658621523399250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 82px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kfrJceS82zM/Ss93dJFMklI/AAAAAAAAAB8/eclFd_DFqww/s320/ccf_logo.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Candlelighters is a national charity devoted to children with cancer and their families.<br /><br />In <a href="http://www.candlelighters.net/about.php">Ottawa, there is a chapter of Candlelighters</a> that serves the children and families at CHEO.<br /><br />We received parking pass assistance which helps us with our oncology follow-up appointments to this day, but there are other programs available and lots of good advice.<br /><br />There is a crisis fund, for families who are in treatment and need the help. This is so important.<br /><br />I remember sitting down with my husband when we weren't sure whether Georgia would need up to 18 months of chemotherapy. We came up with a simple financial plan. Because it would be absolutely impossible for me to be that far away (about a 2.5 hour drive) from her, I'd give up my job. He would do the same. We would keep one car and lose the other vehicle and our house, and move our stuff into my parents' basement. We made it through with the help of some generous family members and the fact that Georgia did not need intensive long-term therapy, but this kind of worry was not what we needed to be spending our time on at that point.<br /><br />There are bursaries for kids going into post-secondary school, and a laptop program for kids in treatment -- to help them keep up with their schooling.<br /><br />They've got <a href="http://www.candlelighters.net/elginsplace.php">Elgin's Place</a> at Scotiabank Place.<br /><br />There are also events and other services including coffee breaks, bereavement support, birthday greetings and seminars.<br /><br />Take a minute and visit their site.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-5822253638886340602009-10-01T17:36:00.003-04:002009-10-01T17:52:27.404-04:00Ronald McDonald HouseWe were at an amazing retreat with the James Fund families this past weekend.<br /><br />It was regenerating, emotionally draining and uplifting, and sometimes just plain fun.<br /><br />One of the common experiences we all had when dealing with a neuroblastoma diagnosis was navigating the maze of helpful, supportive groups, organizations and agencies that serve families who are faced with childhood cancer. Some of us weren't aware of programs that could have helped until it was far too late.<br /><br />I thought I'd start a series of posts about the different organizations that are available to help -- because, when you're dealing with the immediate moment -- trying to breathe for the next 60 seconds and waiting to find out whether you can go home next week -- searching for financial aid and other support is far from your mind. But it's something that you need.<br /><br />So, here goes.<br /><br />One of the most famous organizations available to families is the Ronald McDonald House (RMH).<br /><br />When Georgia was undergoing her treatment and staging at CHEO, we were able to stay at the <a href="http://www.rmhottawa.com/">Ottawa Ronald McDonald House</a> for part of the time.<br /><br />For parents -- if your child has a neuroblastoma diagnosis and you're at a children's hospital for treatmnt or care, you should qualify to stay at RMH. The staff at the hospital should be able to tell you how to make a reservation -- at CHEO, the nursing staff made the reservation for us.<br /><br />For one of the weeks, we couldn't get in because the house was full. Another time, we stayed 1 night -- which probably wasn't the best use of this resource (I'll explain why below).<br /><br />Tips (from our experience, and IMHO):<br /><br />- ask the hospital staff to explain to you how the reservations are made - and try to have the space reserved as soon as your next hospital dates are known -- the RMH fills up quickly -- at $10/night, of course it does<br /><br />- you're probably best to use the RMH when you are going to be at the hospital for multiple days in a row -- you need to clean your room and launder your sheets, etc, when you leave -- if you're only staying 1 night, then one of the parents may be missing the appointment while they are left behind doing the clean-up<br /><br />- ask the staff at RMH about lunches, or look for the postings in the kitchen -- many groups will come in and provide meals for you at lunch time -- you can take advantage of this and save time cooking, to spend that time with your child instead<br /><br />- RMH has space in the kitchen for you to keep your own food -- this will help to save some cash and allows you to eat meals as close to family style as possible. I know for us, Georgia got really ticked when she was on liquid diet and we brought food to the room, and rightly so. It may be easier on your child for you to sneak out for a bit and grab your food rather than eat something forbidden in front of her.<br /><br />- at RMH Ottawa, the staff was wonderful, the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful and the rooms were spacious and well-furnished.<br /><br />Cheers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-26024597447450589112008-05-05T11:04:00.002-04:002008-05-05T11:13:17.724-04:00Sick Kids Radiothon in Peterborough - May 9th<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/egfEVBkIEpNm39LhwsU7rxhzobLwrcAiwZwFQFKR3Q*aYUdTAhispEBf7z6AwPC3hSVjw3EhdRalU0p1zRHhwxpA5qzWiOI6/_A5L0318.jpg?width=218" alt="" width="218" height="300" /></p><br /><br />These are my favorite girls.<br /><br />As part of our fight against neuroblastoma over the past 2 1/2 years, we have been encouraging Sydney to take actions that help her feel that she is helping her little sister. She's always been a bit of a diva (in a good way), and interested in helping others.<br /><br />Here's the depressing backstory. Georgia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma on January 6, 2006 (the news was delivered to us at about 1:41 pm).<br /><br />Neuroblastoma is a rare and often fatal cancer of children (up to 80% will die from it before the age of 10). Because it's rare, the pharmaceutical companies aren't interested in doing research--there's no profit in rare diseases. There were no government funds researching this disease, either, because there were no theories that promised any sort of success. And the big national cancer societies devote less than 7% of their budgets to ALL children's cancers. This was pretty depressing to find out.<br /><br />But, in the midst of darkness, there is a flicker of light. Families are taking matters into their own hands. The families of neuroblastoma children, and the families of angels (who have lost their fight) are banding together and raising the money required to start research. The Birrell family from Peterborough, Ontario, started a fund when their son, James, was deathly ill. They have raised over $2 million, initial studies have shown enough promise to attract some federal funding, and their current goal is to set up an endowment fund so that the money will be there to support research in the future. They have given us so much hope.<br /><br />So, we started raising money for <a href="http://jamesfund.ca/">The James Fund </a>at SickKids Hospital in Toronto. My daughter Sydney, who was 8 at the time, put a piggy bank in the office of her school. And she asked me to make something that she could sell.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.shopsickkids.com/p-134-georgia-and-sydneys-bracelets.aspx">I made bracelets (and am still making them).</a><br /><br /><a href="http://sickkidsfoundation.com/believe/radio.asp">She's" done radio advertisements for Sick Kids</a>, and television interviews.<br /><br />I'm telling you all this because she's going to be featured on a radiothon this Friday afternoon on two Peterborough, Ontario radio stations between 2 and 3 pm. They both have web streaming, if you're interested she'll be interviewed on <a href="http://www.thewolf.ca/index.html">The Wolf. ca </a>between 2-2:30 and <a href="http://www.980kruz.ca/">980 Kruz am </a>between 2:30 and 3 pm.<br /><br />I'm so proud of her.<br /><br />Georgia's prognosis is relatively good. Because she has other issues that were being followed with abdominal ultrasounds, her adrenal tumour was found very early and removed. Right now, she is 2 1/2 years NED (no evidence of disease). This is good, but we always say it with our fingers crossed. And we will continue to participate in our fundraising until we can say that there is a good treatment for this disease that will give some hope for the 50 families in Canada and 600 in the United States who are given this death sentence diagnosis every year.<br /><br />Thanks for listening.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-9061056500506539212008-04-27T11:17:00.003-04:002008-04-27T11:21:45.368-04:00Thanks LarsThere's a really cool group of photographers who collaborate on socially important topics based in Toronto, called <a href="http://www.photosensitive.com/">Photo Sensitive</a>. One of their latest projects is a photo exhibit about cancer.<br /><br />Launching in May, it will travel across Canada.<br /><br />Local photographer <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonperks/sets/72157603158044115/">Lars Hagberg </a>volunteered his time, following us around CHEO and other locations as we lived the life of a family dealing with cancer.<br /><br />His photos are amazing.<br /><br />Thanks, Lars.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-75621813651974303462007-12-30T10:36:00.000-05:002007-12-30T10:53:30.518-05:00Comfort & JoyGeorgia got a new little tikes camera for Christmas. Here are some photos she took:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D5sB-8_qPl5dL7HMdWyaDz5uzVvo_dIsWlcgzHOVpnzy7tuobmxbZ1SklcEIme4U6QPB_V0XyP90_R4RqW21aHpUd2bkZDyChbT9uFuwAICnbPIvItQXQOM4Bka6nmLNQ6Ug5A/s1600-h/G+Christmas+07+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149793700784441090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D5sB-8_qPl5dL7HMdWyaDz5uzVvo_dIsWlcgzHOVpnzy7tuobmxbZ1SklcEIme4U6QPB_V0XyP90_R4RqW21aHpUd2bkZDyChbT9uFuwAICnbPIvItQXQOM4Bka6nmLNQ6Ug5A/s320/G+Christmas+07+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kfrJceS82zM/R3e-FwnNBxI/AAAAAAAAAAw/ufBWAItztxg/s1600-h/G+Christmas+07+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149793705079408402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kfrJceS82zM/R3e-FwnNBxI/AAAAAAAAAAw/ufBWAItztxg/s320/G+Christmas+07+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kfrJceS82zM/R3e-FwnNByI/AAAAAAAAAA4/xohPSe7J-0E/s1600-h/G+Christmas+07+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149793705079408418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kfrJceS82zM/R3e-FwnNByI/AAAAAAAAAA4/xohPSe7J-0E/s320/G+Christmas+07+014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My hardwood floors look fabulous in this shot (not sure whose knees): </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149794293489928018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kfrJceS82zM/R3e-oAnNB1I/AAAAAAAAABQ/rHDwafFTYHg/s320/G+Christmas+07+021.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p></p><br /><p>And this is the star herself, blowing up the ugliest balloon I've ever met:<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kfrJceS82zM/R3e-GQnNB0I/AAAAAAAAABI/jpON5W2GuyE/s1600-h/G+Christmas+07+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149793713669343042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kfrJceS82zM/R3e-GQnNB0I/AAAAAAAAABI/jpON5W2GuyE/s320/G+Christmas+07+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p>Happy Holidays!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-10112522336956491692007-12-11T19:48:00.001-05:002007-12-11T19:57:01.999-05:00Beautiful Girl<div>We were at the Camp Trillium Christmas party last weekend.</div><div></div><br /><div>Georgia was running & dancing.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142882709584274018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qntrvy9SdrBYMB2iTgHaiZVbkXTfiM7beTQsQRAMpQvG5_GZaFM_F7gu8zXsY4jOzCZv7jDUJ2_WVj7KMkpvcHLCCvWlW0Mt70GsqpkR5Xoh-HjugxX91eMbF_12gBrhGDgPqg/s320/GW101.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Isn't she gorgeous?</div><div> </div><div>This photo, and many others of Georgia and Sydney, was taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonperks">Lars Hagberg</a>. Lars lives near us, and is helping us to participate in <a href="http://www.photosensitive.com/ps/info.php">The Cancer Project</a>.</div><div> </div><div>Every time I see this picture, it takes my breath away.</div><div> </div><div>Hey--Syd is still selling bracelets like mad, and Global News was here last week interviewing her for a feature story to be aired Christmas week--we'll be shouting out the air date once we know it.</div><div> </div><div>Peace,</div><div>Faye</div><div> </div><div> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-9363693199427163012007-11-07T08:32:00.000-05:002007-11-07T09:00:31.877-05:00The James Run/WalkIt was a beautiful day on Sunday. Crisp. Sunny.<br /><br />The family of Elgin Fraser was there. <a href="http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=763395&auth=JEANNE+PENGELLY">This run </a>was in his memory.<br /><br />The participants in this charity run varied. There were world-class runners there: a few who are training for the olympic trials, at least 1 who has qualified for the Boston Marathon. I believe the fleet-footed finished the 10 k run in 32 minutes.<br /><br />There were students from the University, since the run was being held on the lovely Trent campus. There were local recreational runners, warming up and going the distance.<br /><br />And there were families. Neuroblastoma families.<br /><br />Although the 3 young men with 'Fill the minute . . ." on the back of their shirts were inspiring for their strength and dedication and speed, I think of something completely different when I'm among the friends of James and I think of filling empty minutes.<br /><br />We did the 5 km walk as a family. G rode in the stroller, Charlie trotted along on his leash. Sydney walked, skipped & ran the whole way -- and she's the only one who didn't want to nap on the way home. I guess that's her gymnastics training showing.<br /><br />Afterward, the Birrells kindly invited several of the families and their close friends for lunch. The <a href="http://www.inanuttshell.webcentre.ca/">food was fabulous </a>! Charlie made a new friend. And Georgia trolled around the house, completely at ease. If she needed something, she simply asked the nearest adult--and she usually got just what she wanted (including at least 3 glasses of cream soda).<br /><br />It was a day I won't forget.<br /><br />Cheers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-9158293253732690342007-10-25T08:51:00.000-04:002007-10-25T09:02:28.588-04:00We Like Mike!<div><br />Hello!<br /><br />Wow, what a year. My computer and I had a major disagreement in January, which resulted in my sending it off to boot camp. It was reprogrammed, but it refused to retrieve my mailing list until I sat down with a bottle of wine and beat it to within an inch of its’ life. However, no wine was injured in the production of this e-mail.<br /><br />We have had a GREAT 2007! Georgia has had her 18 month, cancer-free check-up (applause). In merely 3 ½ more years, we can use the ‘c’ word (cure) with a bit of confidence, and our fingers crossed.<br /><br />Georgia has had a few health issues, and parents of children with long-term illnesses will appreciate, they have been more than usually worrisome for us. She has had seizures when she gets a cold, X 3. The first one resulted in a 911 call, an ambulance ride and a long evening in the emergency room. However, Dr. Keene the neurologist (and, if you’re counting, that means Georgia’s 10th specialist, thank God for universal health care), who looks like Santa, has assured us, after the EEG, that they are most likely ‘atypical febrile seizures’. Nothing Georgia does is typical, of course.<br /><br />She also had a fight with Salmonella, and came out winning. She coined the phrase ‘my bum is puking’ during that battle.<br /><br />Sydney has also had an amazing year, especially with her fundraising. She was asked to be part of the SickKids fall fundraising campaign—and there is a radio spot now out on the CHUM stations in Toronto. Scott absolutely loved our visit to the recording studio—and it was just like it looks on TV. Sydney’s fans can hear the commercial here: <a href="http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/Believe/radio.asp">http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/Believe/radio.asp</a><br /><br />We are also THRILLED that the James Fund researchers at SickKids are planning a joint research project at CHEO in Ottawa, where Georgia has had her treatment. It was announced to the public at CHEO and the James Fund will be using the proceeds of their November run—the honorary chairman of the run? None other than the Ottawa Senators’ Mike Fisher!<br /><br />Ladies, he’s as cute as he looks, his teeth are perfect, and he’s a gentleman. The press conference was held in a waiting room that serves the urology clinic, the sports injury clinic and the anesthetic assessment clinic. Before the cameras began rolling, he greeting every child who wanted to say hello, signed shirts and hats and wheelchairs, and generally made time for each person who wanted to speak to him. After the cameras stopped rolling, this nice young man posed for photos with an almost endless parade of smiling women. His father Jim was there, and it’s obvious where Mike gets his impeccable manners and charm. 3 out of 4 Inverary Whytes are now firm Senators fans, and the 4th has agreed that he will cheer for Mike when he’s not winning against the Leafs.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125257386662934162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXT4zC0IrSunhy7fvOVXhlPchylAxva0QVztHIQwGwzg-ZDseLC629DruyQd75iJxJwvuIkbv2uF-Px4qJI3oypluIgh0mpQz6r-RdqNF-7nBz5KY4z7CQQWMYIAKJhfCigVU0VQ/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br />We spent the last weekend of September in Muskoka at Camp Ooch, a childhood cancer camp, for the 1st James Fund Neuroblastoma family retreat—and I daresay, it was the 1st annual. It was a wonderful weekend. I confess, I’m still digesting all that happened and will have to write more about it later. Just be warned, we have more plans! We are definitely not stopping until there is a cure for this disease!<br /><br />One highlight I can’t ignore—we met a woman who is a 30+ year survivor of this disease. Thank goodness Jennifer doesn’t mind physical contact, because I ended up petting her like a lucky rabbit foot. She’s just such a comfort, and she’s so sweet.<br /><br />I’m now on Facebook, so if you’re there, please look me up. I’ll also post updates and more photos there.<br /><br />Cheers to all,<br />Faye<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-79641034911913506992007-07-13T08:37:00.000-04:002007-07-13T09:14:33.051-04:00Great Charities for Cancer KidsI want to share with you some of the great people and groups who have helped us in the past year.<br /><br />Last year, I saw a post up on the wall of the Medical Day Unit at CHEO about <a href="http://www.camptrillium.com/">Camp Trillium</a>.<br /><br />My husband was home with the girls last summer, so we knew a vacation would have to be on a tight budget if at all. What did we have to lose by taking a chance on this camp?<br /><br />Hmmm. Now I think about what we gained.<br /><br />The camp we went to, on Garrett's Island, is truly a world away for families dealing with childhood cancer. At Garrett's Island, kids are kids.<br /><br />We all have the same elephant in the room--and we felt an almost-instant bond with the other families.<br /><br />The week we spent at camp last year was a huge boost for us all--it reminded us there are many others in our situation, and they are fighting and surviving.<br /><br />As well as summer camping, Camp Trillium has monthly events for the children all year round--with arts and crafts, snacks and lots of hugs from the wonderful volunteers. If you think that young people these days are not loving, giving and capable of great depth, then you need to meet the Camp Trillium volunteers.<br /><br />If you choose to donate to Camp Trillium, you will be providing swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, running, jumping, laughing and healing for children with cancer and their families.<br /><br />Thank you to Camp Trillium and all your wonderful 'special friends' for memories that will last us a lifetime.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />(P.S. We'll be going back this summer, and Sydney will be going on a kid's camp week as well--we can't wait.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-79235674506768232532007-04-03T11:12:00.000-04:002007-04-03T12:27:18.567-04:00Don't Pity MeI can tell when you're doing it. I see the look on your face, and I can tell.<br /><br />People sympathize, they feel pain with us. Often, they have been through this type of experience--dealing with cancer face-to-face, hospital waiting rooms and random acts of kindness and unexpected lab results. I truly appreciate that sharing look, the understanding look of those who feel that pain and want to make it better.<br /><br />But the other folks. The ones who are secretly thinking--<em>I'm so glad I'm not you</em>. It's no secret. We, the people you pity, can see it in your eyes. I know you hang up the phone and tell someone that I'm 'holding up remarkably well', or that you 'don't know how she does it'.<br /><br />Guess what? I don't want your pity, and I don't deserve it.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, it means a lot to me when someone will listen to my story. I can't tell you how much strength I've received from friends, acquaintances and strangers who are moved by my family's predicament and our fight against it. Your pity doesn't help fight. It doesn't help me keep going on the days I want to stop and scream. All it does is drain me--and I can't afford that.<br /><br />Thanks.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1166803041343541662006-12-22T10:45:00.000-05:002006-12-22T10:57:21.353-05:00Beautiful ChristmasI can't show you the decorations or smiles or the chocolate-smeared faces. The new camera is in the shop. Haven't heard yet when it will be fixed, but I'm not going to hold my breath.<br /><br />This year is a lot different than last year. Last year at Christmas time, we were innocent, but scared. We had a surgery date--and we knew that it would be a 2-3 day hospital stay. And then, the lump would be gone and we'd all live happily ever after.<br /><br />I do remember spending a very strange day trying to do a 24-hour urine collection from an 18 month old child--it wasn't fun for anyone.<br /><br />This year, we have no time for fear. There may be terrible days ahead--and, like January 6, 2006, they will come upon us with little warning. And we'll rely on our family and friends and our faith when those days come.<br /><br />For now, we have two delightful, beautiful, strong girls whose eyes shine when they see the red ribbons and scented candles and greenery hanging in the house.<br /><br />I'm still knitting madly--now down to 1 project with a bit of finishing and 1 hopeless. And little Georgia will climb up beside me on the couch every time she sees a new project in my hands--and she'll ask ''blankie for me?". She thinks the idea of Santa and gifts is great--but he's still not a good enough guy that she'll sit on his lap.<br /><br />Sydney has become a super-sleuth these past weeks, inspecting every piece of paper, reading every note, counting the number of trips we're taking to the basement. I think she's going to be surprised, but only because she's afraid of me and I've forbidden her to go into my room.<br /><br />Have a peaceful Christmas. Enjoy the meaning of the day by taking a moment to remember or call or help someone else. Be kind to your family, because they are a gift to you from a higher power, given for reasons you might never understand. Stop worrying about stuff and start spending your energy wisely--on the things that nourish your family and your soul.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />FayeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1165000594160260122006-12-01T13:56:00.000-05:002006-12-01T14:16:34.263-05:00Knitting for ChristmasHi all,<br /><br />Thanks so much everyone for your kind words and for the bracelet orders that have been coming in. I smile and my heart warms when I think of G & S bracelets all over the country, being given to family and friends as gifts. Thank you all for helping to make this terrible time in our family meaningful.<br /><br />If you do send bracelet orders this week or next, please be patient. The next bracelet orders will be mailed out on December 11 (lots of time to receive them before Christmas, if required).<br /><br />I am madly knitting Christmas gifts (more on my <a href="http://knittingisjust.blogspot.com/">knitting blog</a>).<br /><br />Here's a sample (with my appreciative cat):<br /><br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2391/116/320/516853/2006-11-22%20037a.jpg" border="0" /><p> </p><p>Hugs to you all!</p><p>P.S. You can reach me by leaving a comment--they are sent to my yahoo email address. Or, you can email directly bracelet at kingston dot net (replace the words with symbols as per usual).</p><p>And a big ???thanks??? to the folks who harvested the bracelet email addy off the CityTV website and send several dozen spam messages each day in Chinese.</p><p>Cheers.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1164325041192473502006-11-23T17:59:00.000-05:002006-11-23T18:40:56.983-05:00Syd Believes in Sick Kids<p align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2391/116/1600/542252/IM001132.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2391/116/320/865320/IM001132.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p><br />Monday, was a fabulous, exhausting, wonderful day. We drove up to Toronto for Sydney to receive an award at SickKids hospital for her bracelet fundraising.<br /><br />She got the Spirit Award in the first annual Kids Believe in SickKids program.<br /><br />The host of the ceremony was Erica Ehm, and Daniel Cook was there! (those of you who watch children's television in Ontario know the little redhead)<br /><br />The presentation was wonderful, moving, short and sweet.<br /><br />It was, however, a little like walking into the twilight zone. We arrived, and before we were at the location, 2 people had greeted me. I was then directed to the PR company table, and told when my telephone and television interviews were scheduled. </p><p>The reporters and journalists were all polite, kind and they all bought bracelets. There was television news coverage, and thank you to all the viewers for your supportive e-mails. We'll be sending out a lot of bracelets soon, I think.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.thewhig.com/webapp/sitepages/search/results.asp?contentID=282605&catname=Local%20News&type=search&search1=sister">Kingston Whig Standard </a>wrote a nice story.</p><p>Georgia was on fire--this was her pose during the ceremony, just in case someone was worried that being the sister of an award winner was going to her head.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2391/116/1600/79703/IM001141.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2391/116/320/924864/IM001141.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />Georgia is the one wearing a purple dress, white tights and pink boots. Yes, that's the back half of my little baby, in front of about 200 people, including a press photographer, giving us her best impression of a dancing cow.<br /><br />Sydney, my dear. As a parent, my hopes for my children include that they will find passtimes that will put food on the table and smiles on their faces, that they will live fully and grasp the day, and that they will help others. At the tender age of 9, you've just about captured it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2391/116/320/825439/IM001143.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>I couldn't be prouder.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1164029412278027932006-11-20T08:16:00.000-05:002006-11-20T08:30:12.293-05:009 Months<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/1600/oct2006%20014.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/320/oct2006%20014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, it’s been 9 months since Georgia’s diagnosis.<br /><br />Good news—the latest MRI is clear! Next one in January, and if all continues to go well, we’ll go to 6 month checks.<br /><br />It’s been such a terrible, blessed year so far. We’ve met some great friends at Camp Trillium, and they have an event for the kids once a month through the winter. Sydney loves going to these events, because the volunteers are willing (and young enough) to piggy-back her all day if that’s what she wants.<br /><br />Sydney also has some good news—she is to be presented with an award from Sick Kids hospital for her fundraising. We’re so proud of her and all her hard work—and she can’t wait for another excuse to dress up!<br /><br />Bracelets—yes, we’ve got bracelets. Still knitting them, still amazed at the people we’ve met because of them. There are the ‘girl power’ girls, the folks at the St. Lawrence College Bookstore, a sweet lady from Kingston who dropped by one day with $100 cash that a friend had given her for The James Fund, grampie and his bottomless change jar, the residents at a retirement village who donated embroidery thread, and my mother who knits tirelessly.<br /><br />Thanks for your support and prayers everyone—they are priceless to us.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1157972702691660422006-09-11T06:58:00.000-04:002006-09-13T09:04:07.603-04:00Cancer ClubSunday, I spent the afternoon with some wonderful people. People who understand the whole meaning of 'my kid has cancer'.<br /><br />It was nice to hear that my family isn't the only one that deeply appreciates but at the same time has suggestions and criticisms about the way our medical system and our society treat our families. This isn't a disease that goes away when the initial testing and treatment is done. Sometimes the fight goes on for years and years.<br /><br />When we're away from work, we aren't shopping or enjoying good food or relaxing. We're probably driving or sitting in a waiting room on fairly uncomfortable chairs or camped out beside a hospital bed and a cranky child who wants to move around and can't. Maybe we're sipping coffee from a paper cup (and, surprisingly, hospital coffee isn't too shabby these days), and trying to get the poor kid to eat something she doesn't want (but, honey, if you don't eat the jello, you can't have toast tomorrow morning--kids don't get that logic, because they want TOAST, right NOW).<br /><br />It was comforting and amazing to hear the stories of the incredible caring and support we have all received from hospital staff (and these are wonderful people, doing a job that must tear them apart), and some of the bureaucracy and budget issues that make things more difficult for them and us.<br /><br />Most of all, it was sitting in a room with people I would otherwise never have met, and feeling that in a deep and overwhelming part of all our lives we have so much in common. Now I know why people go to support groups.<br /><br />Cheers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1156954862423843172006-08-30T11:53:00.000-04:002006-08-31T19:41:37.443-04:00Camp TrilliumWe just got back from a week at Camp Trillium. Wow.<br /><br />Camp Trillium provides camping and recreation for children with cancer and their families and we were lucky enough to have a week at Garratt's Island.<br /><br />The week was joyful, like when ten children eddied and scrambled and waited impatiently for a nest of baby turtles to climb out of a hole in the ground, one-by-one, and scramble away to their new lives; or when my little girl put on safety equipment and scaled a 30 foot climbing wall (while I chewed my fingernails down to the quick).<br /><br />There were laughs, when the entire camp dressed up for a 'wedding' in costumes from the costume trunk, including my husband in a fuscia skirt and myself in a mosquito netting 'sari'; or when all the 'sheep' counsellors had to be bathed 'in the lake'.<br /><br />There were moments of deep connection with other parents who have had to stand by and watch their children undergo painful and dangerous procedures in order to fight their disease. I met parents who spent weeks or months in the hospital caring for children, who lost their jobs or gave them up, who exposed themselves to radiation because their child's therapy was too dangerous for hospital staff. I am in awe of these people.<br /><br />There were moments of hope and peace, meeting parents and siblings of survivors, meeting a mother who has lost a daughter to cancer who is a wonderful mother to her children.<br /><br />Georgia loved the other children and the turtles, Sydney loved the archery range and kayaking. Scott enjoyed the peace and quiet. What a great rest.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />FayeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1155916358029591102006-08-18T09:50:00.000-04:002006-08-18T11:52:38.470-04:00The Drive-InLast weekend, we took the girls to the <a href="http://www.funworldpark.com/drivein.html">Drive-In</a> to see Zoom and Talladega Nights.<br /><br />To get a good parking space, you need to get there before dark, but at our local drive-in there's lots to do. They have a new splash pad that's free for all right now, and both Sydney and Georgia enjoyed tramping through the water.<br /><br />Then, we went over to the mini-golf course. Now these people know their marketing. When you're inside the mini-golf hut, waiting for your turn to pay, there is a shelf laden with sweet and gooey candy concoctions--right at the eye level of a 2 year old.<br /><br />Now, Georgia is certainly not one to leave a shelf of brightly-coloured candy unexplored. She reached her little paw right up there and snagged a gigantic, sugar-coated gummy-thing and popped it into her mouth--add 25 cents to the bill, please. Now, I know I let her get away with more than I should--having that neuroblastoma roulette wheel rolling over her head does that to a mother. But she looked so damned cute, with that big hunk of sugar hanging out of her mouth, she looked like a kitten after her first hunt. I just smiled, took her hand and led her away from the candy counter.<br /><br />We played mini-golf. Sydney is just old enough that she's very competitive, but she still can't beat her daddy, and it kills her. She is so cute when she's trying to be blase about something, but she can't turn off that inner competitor, and I know that will do her well in the future.<br /><br />I had a great time doing something that I might have, in the past, viewed as a necessary time-killer between parking and seeing the movie.<br /><br />Now, I consider every moment I spend with these little marvels a moment to be savoured, learned from and tucked away into my memory banks.<br /><br />Cheers!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1154282795890646902006-07-30T13:56:00.000-04:002006-07-30T14:06:35.900-04:00Iron ManJoin us in congratulating our friend and the sponsor of Georgia & Sydney's June fundraiser, Mr. Steve Wright. He completed the ironman competition in Lake Placid last weekend in just over 13 hours.<br /><br />An ironman race consists of: 4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride and then a full 26.2 mile marathon. Wow! It's a difficult thing, a feat that takes as much mental strength and focus as physical fitness. I could never do that.<br /><br />Know what? He wore one of our G & S bracelets during the race.<br /><br />I've been told (and not by Steve directly) that when he was feeling really sick on the course, when his body was hurting and he wanted to stop, he would look at that bracelet and think, "This isn't that hard."<br /><br />I'm so touched that our little bauble can be such a source of comfort and inspiration for others, and that by sharing our story we are Helping Other People Everyday.<br /><br />Congratulations, Steve! And thanks for showing us that ordinary people can do amazing things when they set their minds to it.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />(Sydney is away, spending a week at her great-aunt's home in Thornbury--we expect her to return thoroughly spoiled and sold out of bracelets. Georgia is here, revving up for a week with Daddy, raising cain and repeating every new word she hears.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1154101152431691342006-07-28T11:18:00.000-04:002006-07-28T11:39:12.786-04:00BlogathonChristi Thomas is a beautiful young lady fighting neuroblastoma.<br /><br />Her friend Nikki will be starting a <a href="http://bloggingforchristi.blogspot.com/">24 hour blogathon tomorrow </a>to raise money for childhood cancer research.<br /><br />Georgia will be one of the children featured during her blogathon (I think at 2 am on Sunday).<br /><br />For families in Ontario, Canada who are fighting cancer (anyone in the family, not just children), there is an organization called <a href="http://cottagedreams.org/">Cottage Dreams </a>that matches up families with cottages, to give them some time away together. Pass it on.<br /><br />Syd & Scott went to the <a href="http://hilaryduff.com/">Hilary Duff </a>concert in Toronto the other evening. They took the train and had a great adventure in the big city. Our friends at the James Fund arranged for better seats during the concert (thanks!), but we weren't able to arrange for Syd to meet Ms. Duff and give her a bracelet. It didn't matter to Sydney--she had a wonderful time and arrived home exhausted.<br /><br />Taking Georgia and our pooch Charlie to a party at the lake tomorrow--photos will follow :)<br /><br />Cheers,<br />FayeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1153677583613993222006-07-23T13:45:00.000-04:002006-07-23T13:59:43.623-04:00Findings UnchangedIt sounds so conservative and, in reality, it is.<br /><br />But the translation for us is – No new cancer growth! 6 months and counting! Three more months before we are scheduled to visit CHEO!<br /><br />Yay!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />FayeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1153445738731604992006-07-20T20:47:00.000-04:002006-07-20T21:35:38.796-04:00Six MonthsI can hardly believe that our lives came to a screeching halt over six months ago. These past months have been the most tumultuous, the most horrific and the most rewarding of my life.<br /><br />We’ve seen kindness of every type from our family and friends, who looked after Sydney when we had to travel, made us meals or simply listened when we needed to talk. Strangers have taken up the cause of our beautiful little girls, befriended us and given us incredible hope and courage. Other families who are fighting this terrible disease, and many who have lost children to it, have given us their time, their support and their love.<br /><br />And in the middle of it all, Georgia continues to grow and develop. The scars on her abdomen are fading, but I’ll always see them.<br /><br />Georgia had her six month MRI yesterday. The day started with a whimper, when Scott gently awakened me and explained that I’d set my alarm wrong and missed our early wake up by an hour. Instead of arriving at the hospital by 7:30 am, we couldn’t hope to be there before 8:30. We all piled into the minivan and dropped Sydney off at my parent’s place. Georgia complained bitterly about her imminent state of starvation when she caught me sneaking a cereal bar, but she didn’t mind missing out on the coffee.<br /><br />We were whisked right into the pre-anesthetic area in the MRI department and Georgia was set upon by two nurses and two doctors. She put up with all the probing and prodding with a bemused expression. She barely spoke, and she didn’t object to the gown. She seemed almost resigned to it, or maybe she’s forgotten our previous dozen visits there (hopefully). It’s nice that she cooperates, but I would almost rather see her fighting and complaining and getting ready to take somebody down with her.<br /><br />I put her on the table, held her hand and kissed her face while she inhaled the gas, and then came the worst moment of every visit—I turned my back on my baby and walked away. Even freshly brewed Starbucks coffee tastes bitter when your baby is asleep down the hall at the mercy of a huge, loud, metal machine.<br /><br />A little over an hour later, we were reunited with our groggy, ravenous child. She bounced back incredibly quickly. We left the MRI department at 10:30 and by 12:15, she was in the deli of the IKEA chowing down on a hot dog and fries.<br /><br />We saw Dr. Cook in the afternoon for a quick examination. Everything looks good. No MRI results yet. We’ll let you know.<br /><br />Sydney has been doing a ton of fundraising, writing thank you notes and making appearances. A couple of stores in Kingston have approached us and asked if they can sell bracelets. Her total raised for the James Fund is now over $10,000. We are so proud of this little girl, who has taken such a difficult time in our lives and given it such positive energy.<br /><br />I’ll finish with the thought I repeat to myself every time I walk away from my sleeping baby:<br /><br />If God came to me and told me I could choose to give away the cancer, but I would have to give up the child and take another, what would I do? I’d tell him ‘no, thanks’. I wouldn’t give up my precious G and her toothy smile and her ‘doo-doo’ and her innie-outie belly button, not in a million years. Not ever.<br /><br />Cheers!<br />FayeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1151862629772946902006-07-02T13:29:00.000-04:002006-07-02T14:08:48.756-04:00Vic shaves his head for children's cancerWe've been busy the past few weeks. I've been knitting bracelets, working and spending time with my kids (not necessarily in that order).<br /><br />Last Friday, there was a fundraiser at a local company--in honour of Sydney and Georgia, with proceeds donated to <a href="http://www.jamesbirrell.ca/">The James Fund</a>.<br /><br />Victor Campbell shaved his almost-waist-length hair:<br /><br /><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/knittingis/JamesFund06012.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/knittingis/JamesFund06012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And then, the boss (Steve Wright), shaved his head, too:<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/1600/James%20Fund%2006%20019.0.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/knittingis/JamesFund06019.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/knittingis/JamesFund06019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/1600/James%20Fund%2006%20019.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/1600/James%20Fund%2006%20019.1.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>We were all there to watch and cheer, and snack on the wonderful lunch buffet:</p><p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/knittingis/JamesFund06014.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/knittingis/JamesFund06014.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/1600/James%20Fund%2006%20014.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Georgia is feeling fine these days. Mom's blood pressure is going up a little again, because our next MRI check is on July 19th.</p><p>Sydney was bubbly and gorgeous and helpful as usual. And we got this great photo of the bracelets in action:</p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/1600/James%20Fund%2006%20024.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/knittingis/JamesFund06024.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/knittingis/JamesFund06024.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1150318264790013752006-06-14T16:44:00.000-04:002006-06-14T16:54:07.830-04:00In the CanYesterday was adventure day for our little troop.<br /><br />We visited the Kingston television station, CKWS, for Sydney & Georgia to be interviewed by Anthony Agostino. For those of you in our area, their television debut will be tomorrow (Thursday, June 15th) on the 5:30 Newswatch program.<br /><br />Mr. Agostino was late for our appointment, so Scott asked if someone could give us a look around the building while we waited. In a few minutes, Rob McDonald, the Operations Director, came down to the lobby and gave us the grand tour.<br /><br />First, he took us through the radio booths. At that time of the afternoon, they were empty. Computers were running the radio. We saw the television and radio creative departments, where the writers and video magicians create TV advertisements and the audio gurus tend the MP3 music and sound library.<br /><br />After a quick tour through the film library, the editing booths and the control booths, we reached the piece de resistance--the television news studio. Sydney was immediately drawn to the chair in the middle of the news set. Georgia didn't know which shiny, blinking machine to climb first.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/1600/IM000702.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2391/116/320/IM000702.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They fired up the cameras and we got to see ourselves in the monitors, in front of the Newswatch background. Then, Sydney, Georgia and I stood in front of the green screen for some fun. She did the weather report, and had a little fly around the city of Kingston.<br /><br /><br />Mr. Agostino arrived with Ray. Scott and Sydney did their interview about Georgia's illness and Sydney's fundraising, with a bit of Georgia thrown in for comic relief. They are also interested in the June 30th fundraiser, where Vic the welder will have his hair cut for the <a href="http://www.achildsvoicefoundation.com/angelhair_about.asp">Angel Hair kids</a> wig program, and proceeds will go to the James Fund.<br /><br />After the interview, the news team was setting up to tape some afternoon teasers--and news anchor Bill Hutchins was so kind to Syd. He had her sit beside him while he did the taping, and she got to push the button to bring the weather forecast up onto the screen. She was thrilled.<br /><br />Scott was just as thrilled as Sydney by all the activity. Georgia took it all in perfect stride. The best part of the tour, for her, was the ‘wall o’ candy’ machine.<br /><br />As if a visit to a television studio wasn't enough excitement for one day, last night the local firefighters were doing an exercise to improve their rating with the insurance underwriters (and hopefully lower our insurance premiums). We live in the country, so there are no fire hydrants--fire fighting power is determined by how fast the department can move water from a nearby lake to the site.<br /><br />The test involved 7 tanker trucks, 5 pumper trucks, lots of activity at 3 locations, lights & sirens past the house and a 600 gallons per minute water cannon across a field--for 2 hours. After Sydney & neighbor April waved at the first few trucks going past, we loaded everyone into the minivan for an impromptu inspection of the proceedings.<br /><br />At the Loughborough Lake site, we saw a pumper fill a 10,000 gallon tanker truck in 3.5 minutes. And how do they know they're full? When water starts gushing out the top!<br /><br />We followed the path of the truck to a field behind the local hardware store, where the tankers were emptied and a pumper shot water into the air in a huge arc. We also got to see trucks coming from both directions, and lots of waving fire fighters.<br /><br />We followed a truck to the other loading site on Collins Lake. Coming over the hill, the sight of flashing lights was spectacular (especially when you know it's a drill and no one is hurting). There were police directing traffic as the tanker trucks turned around and hooked up to the pumpers (1 on each side of the road). All in all, Scott, Sydney & April seemed to enjoy the spectacle. Georgia, again, was a bit blase--but then there was no candy involved, so I can see her point.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Faye<br /><br />Help support <a href="http://jamesbirrell.ca/index.html">the fight against childhood cancer</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19250394.post-1150309205004196462006-06-14T14:18:00.000-04:002006-06-14T14:20:05.016-04:00The first 5 minutes . . .My girls will be on <a href="http://www.ckwstv.com/home/index.cfm">television (Kingston local station CKWS)</a> tomorrow night at 5:30!<br /><br />More on our adventures in television land later on.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />FayeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16920785092418586266noreply@blogger.com0