Kay Blackburn

It’s been over a month since my last post. The day job that I referred to in my last post has been keeping me super busy. Odyssey of the Mind, dance competition, track practices, theater rehearsals, ukelele lessons, field trips, a Justin Timberlake Concert, an art show, and a 6th grade promotion!!

To say I have been busy is an understatement, but it makes the “in-between” time so precious. I love it. It’s normal. Even my super rigid diet almost seems normal too. But as I approach the June 13 date (my next PET scan), my anxiety seems to creep up. A few weeks ago I noticed that my forehead was feeling so fatigued every afternoon. I think it was tension and stress that caused me to perpetually frown. I only realized this by catching a reflection of myself on my phone. Yikes! I do it so unconsciously I can’t even control it. I even discovered that I do it during yoga!!

Botox was my first thought, but it doesn’t make sense to pump toxins into my head when I am doing my best to “detox”. Instead, I decided to try some Eastern medicine techniques. I made an appointment for Reiki, which is energy healing, and acupuncture. After a few sessions I am happy to report that my forehead has relaxed; even my mom noticed. Honestly, I had no idea that I could feel so relaxed from just laying on a table for an hour and having a 70 year old man wave his arms over me. It sounds kooky, but I leave feeling like I have had an 80 minute massage at the Ritz after a session with Frank, the Reiki Master!

Today, we are kicking off the summer with a trip to Ames, Iowa. The girls all competed in the State Odyssey of the Mind State Finals in April. Kaitlyn’s and Trinity’s teams qualified to go to World Finals at Iowa State University.

I feel so lucky to be able to chaperone Trinity’s team! I put a lot of effort into this trip and packed all my juice and food for the next four days. Living the anti-cancer lifestyle definitely has its challenges, but I am an expert on over-preparing for trips!

When we return, I will be in for a rude awakening. My mother will be back in Dallas. She has been here for 6 weeks cooking, cleaning, juicing, and washing lots of dishes.

I am truly blessed that at 80, she is still able to take care of me so that I can take care of my family. The funny thing is that because of all her gaming, her mind is sharp as a tack and she is my back up when I forget things… which seems to happen a lot. Her morning routine consists of coffee and candy crush.

She’s just adorable and priceless…and we all love her to pieces! The best thing about her being here is that daily she asks me if I have eaten my seeds and leaves because I get busy and forget.

She also makes my Cottage Cheese and Flaxseed Oil concoction which is a bit of a process. It’s called the Budwig Protocol developed in … by a scientist named Joanna Budwig. Many people have gone into remission from following this protocol. It natural and not bad tasting. It’s one of the many things I have learned about diet and cancer-fighting foods on this journey!

In fact was reading a blog, http://www.anticancermom.com It is about a woman who healed herself using this protocol. I have been doing it for the last month so I hope next month it will be interesting to see if it is making a difference.

These last several weeks have been busy for sure, but I finally feel like I am living in the moment, always grateful that I am where I am today. No symptoms, just feeling good and living life. Yesterday Kaitlyn did this in her bible and it made me smile.

It also reminded me to keep the faith, continue to hope, and just savor the in between time.

Thank you all for you love, support and prayers!! I am doing great and looking forward to summer!!

Onward and Upward,

Kay