Radiation treatment pt. 2

At the beginning of Penn’s diagnosis/treatment I focused on all the things Penn couldn’t do. How our entire summer was ruined. There was no way we could do anything after hearing the long list of potential side effects. I was angry. With all of the COVID restrictions being lifted, we were left behind. We couldn’t move on and enjoy the summer. Our days would be spent at the treatment centre and/or follow up appointments at the hospital.

Then Sheldon reminded me, let’s focus on the things we can do, rather than the things we cannot. I have to admit, he was right. I need to change my mentality. After Penn was taken off anti-seizure medication, she flourished. In true Penn fashion, she proved me wrong again. Other than some tiredness and hair loss in the first three weeks, she was back to her “normal” self. So we focused on completing items on Penn’s bucket list.

We saw dinosaur bones. We biked in the mountains to throw rocks in the river (multiple times). We cheered on Sheldon on his first trail run while breaking in his new shoes (he did amazing by the way). We saw baby pigs at a farm. We biked and ran to Penn’s favourite ice cream shops and bookstore. Penn looked at her treatments like her job. She wakes up early Monday -Friday for her treatment. Friday afternoon is the start of the weekend.

I haven’t been able to post because Penn has been doing better than I could’ve ever imagined. She continues to amaze me how she’s had two brain surgeries and 28 radiation treatments. When she wears her hat you really can’t tell that she has brain cancer. Tomorrow marks Penn’s last week of treatment. Thank you to everyone who continues to check in, send us positive thoughts and for your prayers. Penn is brave, she is strong and she is so resilient. All because of you!

Below are a few of my favourite photos from our recent adventures. There are plenty of updated photos in the gallery.