Saturday, July 30, 2011

I'M DOING IT!!!

I fly out in the morning...to an amazing ranch between Vail and Apen, CO...and will train all week with the top whitewater kayakers in the world.  It is through an amazing young adult cancer program called FIRST DESCENTS.  Day one after breakfast we'll be learning to roll and taking on the river...and it will be full speed ahead from there.  Fun will be hiking, horseback riding, and more.  I can't tell you how excited I have been since I was accepted into this program.  I don't know anyone that has ever done it.  No doctors ever told me about it.  I found it about 6 months ago through a web search and a series of links.  It happened to have been the week before they started taking applications.  I feel like I was led to it...and the timing was perfect...so that I actually got in!!!  More tender mercies...
(here is the link and video I posted before...but it gives you an idea of what I am doing...)
http://www.firstdescents.org/

I wasn't sure I could go with recent events...but I met with my surgical oncologist Thursday and begged him to wait.  Due to logisitical issues we can't do it until Sept. 21st...but it gives me time to get ready.  ALL of my other surgeries have been emergency surgeries.  I feel quietly relieved that he is letting me wait.   It will be similar to my other huge ones...and we will be ready to do the heated chemo again as well if they find more cancer involvement.  The incision will be the same huge one I have had... and it will be in spokane again.  All the same, except one crucial thing...I am SO much stronger this time.  It will brutal and another long hospitalization...but I've done it before...and will do it again.  I'll update more later but need to finish packing.  My pain isn't going to stop me from taking on the Colorado river...and I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

7 comments:

jodi said...

Congrats, Shanda!! That's so cool, I'm so happy for you! I went kayaking at the lake a couple of weeks ago & it was so much fun, but I remember saying something about how much harder it would be to kayak on a river. You're amazing, I hope you have an incredible trip. So glad you still get to go!

reverseoreo said...

I hope you have a great time. I am kind of afraid of water so I know I couldn't go. I am glad you still get to go. I hope your pain doesn't increase while you are gone. Good luck and have fun!!! We will be praying for you.

Kristen said...

I am so excited that you get to go! You are going to have a blast!! When you get back let me know and we can plan something!!

Laurene said...

Just returned from a weekend of family gatherings including my mother's 90th birthday celebration!
What a wonderful surprise to find this post!!! The "force be with you"!!! The surge of positive energy your mind set generates is mind boggling to me!!! Come home safe and victorious White Water Queen!!!

Kesterfam said...

Shanda!! I am so glad to hear you got to go. Enjoy, enjoy and gain strength for what's to come.
Sorry to hear about more surgeries...please call if we can have your girls over to play!
ha, ha, did I tell you that Larry scarred Quentin for life with his prank the other day!!!! :)
~Alicia

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