Normal

It has been nearly 4 months since our last post.  I guess because life has pretty much returned to normal.  Oddly enough, normal still involves a lot of medical appointments; but they are usually fast and uneventful.

So, here's a quick wrap up of the last few months:


We went to swim meets EVERY weekend from January through February and watched Francesca swim with her high school.  She swam great, scoring best times in her usual events 200 Individual Medley and 100 Butterfly again this year.  She placed 3rd and 4th in those events at States this year in Blacksburg, VA and the 200 Medley Relay, of which she was a part, finished first.  In fact, the whole team was awesome.  The girls team was State Champs Runners Up and the boys won the State Title!

On another more scary note, Francesca got her driver's license and can't wait until Chuck and Grandma arrive with her car at the end of May.  While I found myself crying in the driveway when she first drove off on her own, I quickly adjusted once I realized she could drive herself to swim practice and could even drive Carson around too!

Francesca's quarterly check up at the endocrinologist revealed she/we've got some work to do in regards to blood sugar management.  The usual refrain of "tighter control" was sounded and the suggestion was made that Francesca write a song for YouTube about bolusing and checking blood glucose.  Her Dr. and I thought this was a great idea, but she does not.  If you agree with us, please send that child a Facebook message!

Carson's January clinic visit was the first one we had had since November.  He's still doing fabulous.  We are in the middle of going through his IEP eligibility meetings with the school.  The main meeting to determine eligibility is at the end of the month.  He will be due for more neuropsych testing in June.

We sat through a presentation regarding "late effects" of cancer treatment recently which was both helpful and terrifying.  Many effects (other than immediate ones) of the drugs that we pumped through Carson's body do not start to show up until 4-5 years after treatment - kidney, liver, eye, heart, you name it.  At least doctors are aware of them and begin looking for signs while they can still treat and deal with whatever difficulties arise.

Just last week Carson had a happy reunion with Nancy Worcester, a talented children's entertainer and ventriloquist.  Nancy visited Carson at our house 4 years ago when Carson's counts were too low to go to the show that was being held at our church.  It was a joy to see him laugh so much then, and even more joyful to watch him meet Nancy and her puppet Waco again.

2010:  Carson just past heavy chemo and radiation, visits with Nancy and Waco.

You may remember that we posted video of this visit because Carson was laughing so much!

2014:  Here is the trio again, and Waco has not aged at all!

On my medical front, the latest mammogram came back clean - so in regards to cancer, the Kings can say we're not busy GETTING cancer, or TREATING cancer, we are KICKING cancer!  I am due for an MRI in the next few months.


I spent most of March and half of April co-coordinating Easter Eggstravaganza at our church.  This was my third year and I still love it!  My work as Guest Ministry Coordinator at the church and this event seem to fit nicely together.

My partner in Eggstravaganza crime, Martha and I take a quick selfie before things get too eggsciting!

Paul is working hard and keeping us all going as usual.  He has a new job at work, which involves managing more people and prestige.  He is really enjoying it!

And one last thing, in early March we had a new addition to the family - Oscar!  A two year old German Shorthair Pointer rescue that has settled right in to life in the King household.  Beckett took a few weeks to adjust to the extra energy, but seems to be enjoying a new play mate now.

Day Two post adoption:

Oscar decides snuggling with Paul is the way to get on the couch, but NOT get on the couch!

We hope this post finds you well and getting ready to enjoy a hope filled Easter!  Enjoy!
-Jennifer