Christmas Dance X2

Kate and Maggie had their school Christmas dances this weekend. Friday evening was Maggie's middle school dance. She and her friends had a great time. The high dance was Saturday night, however, a snow and ice storm caused them to cancel Kate's dance while most of the students were on their way to the school. Kate and her friend CJ did however, get to pose for pictures and enjoy dinner out before they learned the dance was canceled.

Maggie had her first winter league basketball game and scored 7 of the 9 points the team had in a losing effort. Because I was helping Kate get ready for her dance, I missed Maggie's game... it seems like her highest scoring games are when I'm not there!!

Kate's 18th birthday celebration was special. Thank you for your cards and emails, she was delighted with the wishes you sent her way. We celebrated with a family dinner on her birthday and she had the girls in Friday night for tacos and a movie. On her birthday, Kate and I went to the Make a Wish radio broadcast and Christmas at a mall near Pittsburgh where Kate was interviewed as a "wish kid" and our school made their donation. We all worked as volunteers collecting donations at the mall. Since Kate's wish in 2005, it's been a yearly event for us to accompany the group of teachers and students from our district that make the donation.

We met this week with an educational diagnostician who consults with Kate's oncologist's patients as needed. We've talked about the changes we've observed in Kate's cognitive and processing skills, probably an effect of radiation. She will do some testing during the Christmas break, that will help us identify where the processing issues are and ways to compensate when she studies. This testing will also provide Kate will have an official report to take with her to college should she need any accommodations for testing, etc.

Praises and requests:
~We are thankful that lately nausea has been somewhat better. Fatigue however remains an issue and Kate's appetite has waned a bit.
~Please pray in advance as Kate will have an MRI December 27th. it is her scheduled 3 month scan. The thought of an MRI always creates anxiety for both Kate and me. Please ask that the MRI be clear.