My second second birthday

Today is my second second birthday. Two years ago today I was diagnosed with brain cancer and my life was changed forever.
Two years ago I didn't know what would happen next but, I knew that I was going to beat cancer with a positive attitude
Last year I was bald, using a walker to get around and did not expect to graduate on time
This year I have a headful of hair, am walking with hardly any pain, and working on college applications because I will be graduating in June.

It really is incredible how much can change in a year.

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Last week I was in New Orleans with the Sunshine Kids on the "Haunted Halloween Getaway" trip. I had such a great time and met so many wonderful people.

We did so much in three days! A carriage tour of the French Quarter, shopping in the French Market, Swamp Tour, Bowling Party, Cemetery tour, the Mortuary haunted house and Mardi Gras World (they build mardi gras Floats.) In between all that, we ate... a lot. The whole experience was fantastic! New Orleans is so different than anywhere I have ever been and I would definetely like to visit again.

Other than that, life has been pretty busy. School, physical therapy, practicing driving, college apps. I can't believe it's almost November!

Time has a funny way of moving fast without anyone even noticing.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Mischief Managed,

SAMMY

1 Year Later...Cancer Free

Sorry for the long gap between posts, it has just been really busy around here since school started. I still have physical therapy for my leg twice a week and have been progressing very well. For the past few weeks I have been walking with the boot and I will begin transitioning to a shoe this week. I also have driver’s ed twice a week and we try to practice driving any chance we get. Although I started as a very nervous driver, I am feeling much more comfortable behind the wheel.

Last Sunday, September 25, we participated in the 3rd annual Run of Hope. My team, Sammy’s Blobslayers, raised $3,857 this year. There were over 2,000 people at the event and over $200,000 will be going to the Olson Lab for pediatric brain tumor research. This year I was able to participate in the 3k walk. Sammy’s Blobslayers’ “turtle patrol” made it in 1 hour and 20 minutes and had a good time every step of the way. Next year I am hoping to get in under an hour. I had such a wonderful time at this year’s race. Thank you so much to my teammates and everyone who supported my team. You guys rock!

This past Wednesday I was at Children’s for my 1 year post treatment MRI. My scan was clean, nothing but a brain in there. Yay for 1 year cancer free!!! Sometimes treatment feels so long ago while other times it feels like it was yesterday. I can’t believe the difference a year makes. This year I am getting around so much better, I have eyebrows and hair, and I don’t feel tired all the time. It is nice to visit the hospital and leave rather than be visited in the hospital. My visits are more social than serious, which is a welcome change.

Friday was my final high school homecoming game. While our team lost really bad I still had a great time hanging out with my friends and dancing to the pep band. Megan and I took our annual picture, this year’s addition…eyebrows.

I am really excited for this school year. It's gonna be a great one!

Mischief Managed,

Sammy Loch