Second Check-Up Since Remission

Long-time-no-blog!! I thought I should just pop in here to write that I had a CT scan at the end of February, a blood test at the end of March, and an appointment with my oncologist on April 3rd. Everything looks great, so instead of sticking to the original plan of clinical observation check-ups every three months, I don't need to go back until next September.

I've been feeling a tad emotional lately, thinking about how this whole thing started a year ago. It seems almost surreal when I consider that this time last April I had a melon-sized tumor in my chest that was about to be diagnosed as Stage IV cancer, with a statistical 50/50 chance of being cured.

I also want to mention something that is weighing heavily on my heart at the moment. A colleague of mine beat breast cancer five years ago, but unfortunately, her disease has recently metastasized in her bones. She's optimistic, tough as nails, and has a smile on her face, but your thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated.

2013-04-06: Mt. Manuel Quimper Summit

Speaking of life, I have been teaching on-call pretty much full-time. I got onto the Greater Victoria TOC list in January, so I am now splitting my time between that, the Sooke School District TOC list, and my after-school care job at Cloverdale Traditional School. Working from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. makes for some long days, especially since I've been waking up at 5:00 a.m. to run, swim, or lift weights, but aside from feeling a little tired by Friday, it has been pretty awesome: My body is in excellent shape, and I'm learning so much while engaging in the beginning of my career.

In other news, Kaitlin and I are getting really excited about our wedding, because it (and our 10 day Maui honeymoon) is less than four months away! Indeed, it really is going to be an eventful summer for our family... I'm not sure if I mentioned it previously, but my sister Jean is also getting married this summer! Here's a picture that Mom snapped of Kaitlin, me, Jean, and Cory, the "nearly-weds," on the Easter weekend:

Here's a nice photo of Kaitlin and me, from a fun little photo shoot with our wedding photographers:

(We needed something for the invitations, because I look "cancery" in our engagement pictures)

Anyways, that's my little update for April! I don't know how much more I'll be writing in this blog... although... I've been thinking about maybe changing the title, and just keeping it up as a life-and-times kinda thing... but I'm not sure yet.

Woah... I just checked and this thing is almost at 20,000 views!?? Thanks for reading, and have a beautiful end to your week :)

Christopher