Camp Breakdown and Grand Opening

I am so glad to have Isabel back home.  She had a great time.  Her eyes were very clear and strong as she hugged me.  I could tell the trip was meaningful for her.  I asked a ton of questions and got about a dozen really good answers;).  She is 13 after all.

Here is a brief breakdown of camp:

• Her cabin had ten thirteen year old girls and three counselors.
• There was pouring rain on their last day.
• Favorite part-playing near the lake.
• Decided not to canoe this year, maybe next year.
• Went on two hikes and went swimming once.
• Sang camp songs with every meal. (I thought this might be fun at home, but everyone else said no:)
• Loved the food, had lots of fruit juice and deserts every evening.
• Her camp name is Bonnebell.  She got to suggest the name and everyone liked it.  
• Her favorite counselor was Hippie (camp name).
• Her best friend camper was Prim (camp name).
• Not much talk of cancer, just types each family was dealing with-all of her cabin had a parent with breast cancer.  Several stage 4 (interesting-I am not alone!) and one who was cured.
• We packed well, she had the things she needed.
• One of the campers saw a real tarantula!
• ASU students are cool and nice (they were the counselors).

We don't have photos yet, she had to take disposable cameras so we have to get the film developed.  Yikes.  I haven't had to develop film in years.  Anyway, photos when they are ready.

We are having a grand opening of our Etsy shop- My Laughing Lion.  We have earrings, magnets and just a few made to order hats.  We are working on bracelets and other items and should have them added by the end of the week.  So stop back by if you get a chance.

I want to let my two best readers, Luli and Sylvia know how much I appreciate them.  I ask that each of you pick any item from the shop and we will send it out, no charge.  You have both been so encouraging, I appreciate every comment.  Luli, Please send me an e-mail with your choice and address.  You can reach me at ftortega@gmail.com.  Sylvia, you can send an e-mail or leave a comment with your choice.  I know where you live;).

Thank you both so much!

Here is a peek at a few of the items in our shop:

I hope you have a great start to the week.

Off to Camp

It was early Monday morning and I could tell she was nervous.  We arrived early, about 7:30am and dropped off her suitcase with the counselors.  We continued the check in process and finished in about 20 minutes.  Then we waited in a meeting room and met other counselors and campers.  At about 9:30am everything was ready and they loaded onto the buses.  I got to give her a big hug, and got very teary as she walked away.  I love her so much and hope she has the best time ever.

Take a look at a few photos of the morning:

Isabel is always her own girl.  I admire that about her and feel proud that she is my daughter.  I miss her already and can't wait to hear about all of her adventures.

I had my monthly check up today and all is still going well, my break will continue.  It looks like I will get several more months if all stays well.  I asked Doc if this was remission.  She said no.  She said remission is when the scans are clear.  My scans are not clear, at all.  But not growing is good.  She said the indications are that the medications I am taking are keeping things from growing and spreading.  She said that with other patients there is often a return of growth and I should be prepared for that.  Even with no growth, liver function may dictate a return to chemo.  Basically I have to continue to take good care of myself.  All I know is-I am going to do the best I can to take advantage of this gift of time.  

Have a Wonderful Wednesday.

Isabel's Summer Adventure!

About a month before school ended, Isabel said that one of her friends was going to a summer camp and she wanted to go.  I asked her to find out where her friend was going so we could look it up on line.  Ok, so when we looked I nearly had a cardiac arrest.  That camp wanted almost a thousand dollars for a week and a half of fun filled camping.  I explained to Isabel that our budget was much less than that.  She asked how much was the budget.  Instead of answering, I asked her to find a few different camps online to compare and to check if there were any scholarship programs to help discount the cost.  She started looking and after about 20 minutes she came rushing back to tell me she found her camp.


Camp Kesem
Isabel found a camp that is specifically for children who have a parent with cancer (or who has had cancer).  I was so stunned to learn that such a place existed, I began to cry right away.  I knew I had to get Isabel into that camp.  The camp is organized by ASU students studying early childhood education and the cost is free for those accepted after a lengthy application process.  So I applied.  It was challenging, like telling the story of my illness and how it has impacted Isabel.  Then we had to wait, it took almost two weeks.


The E-Mail
After the first week, Isabel and I were worried that it was taking too long for our application.  Isabel even did some research on other camps so we could develop a back up plan.  Then it came.  That first e-mail said that our application was received and deemed complete.  It let us know that selections would be finalized in a day or so and an e-mail would be sent.  The next day, we got it.  "Congratulations, your child is accepted to Camp Kesem."  Ok, I cried again.  Isabel got weepy too.  And Esteban.  Only strong Sebastian was able to resist heavy emotion.  "Yea, she's going to be out of my hair for a whole week."  That's the brotherly "tough love" I mentioned before;).

Getting Ready
So we received a great package via e-mail to help us get ready.  Included were two questionnaires, one for camper and one for parents of camper.  Questions like "What do you like best about your friends?" for Isabel and for me questions about her personality and how she copes with different situations.  Just amazing. I am so impressed with the program so far.  We got a packing list as well, so we are collecting things for her trip.

The Details
The camp will take place July 9-14 and it is located just north of Phoenix (about a 45 min. drive).  There is a  great 2-1 camper to counselor ratio.  I am just so excited for Isabel.   This camp is like a gift for all of us.  I could not be more grateful.


Below are a few photos and the mission from the camp website.   The camp has been in place for six years and it turns out that Camp Kesem is a national program available in many states.  Check the website if you want to learn more or are interested in volunteering or donating for this great program.

Our Mission is twofold:

1) To provide kids whose parents have or have had cancer with a summer camp experience that gives them a chance to be kids.

2) To allow college students to channel their passion for making a difference, while developing critical leadership skills for long term social impact.

Our one-week sleep away camp is a chance for children ages 6-13 and teens 14-16 to have a fun-filled week, meet other children facing similar challenges, and just be kids.

YEA CAMP KESEM!