All I heard was "You have cancer..."

On June 16th, 2010 all I remember is the words "you have cancer..." and nothing else.

April and May of 2010 have been challenging ones. Kind of nice as it helped keep the focus off of me and my pending results of numerous tests I have been going through. Having farm animals and some times sick animals, you try your damn est to keep them healthy, alive. Your emotions are shattered when you loose one of your precious animals because you feel you needed to do more. But I think things happen for a reason and this past couple of months has helped me focus on the day to day challenges and not the pending future until June 16th when that was all I heard.

Thank goodness my husband did not listen to me once again...thank goodness. I was getting my results from a biopsy and told him I was OK and that he did not need to attend this appointment with me. When I got to the doctor's office, he greeted me and held my hand.

As we waited for the doctor to call me in, I chatted about the mornings events, who pooped, who had a messy pen, how the baby took his full bottle, how this sick mom looked better today, how the cat made me laugh, all because I did not have a clue what was about to unfold. I am invincible...

In Dr. Belfond's office (a new Dr. for us, and I am really liking him) and plopped myself on a chair waiting to hear the results were good and that I could go home. I had premeditated that I was going to give him a HUGE hug and say Schanks Doc. Not so.....

Once at home I had to ask Garth what was said as I could not remember. The hardest part was calling loved ones...calling people who loved me and letting them know what the doctor said..."you have cancer......". I just could not do this.

My strong husband was the one who made the calls. As I listened to him and by his positive tone I fully believed I would be cured the next day. My energy was draining, my head was hurting and all I could try to think about was the sick mom I had waiting in the barn and her baby I had to bottle feed. What a god send to have something else to concentrate on. A delight to see all the faces in the barn light up when we walked thru the barn yard gates.

That night of June16th an abundance of love and support filled our home. It was the most powerful night, the most positive energy that has ever filled our house. It was amazing. The phone began to ring, friends dropped in, neighbors brought some dinner for us. Everyone was ready to drop everything to help us while we are about to embellish in our next step of this journey. "I can drive you", "Can I do chores" "tell Garth I am here", "what can I do" "you will be ok" were emails of support and offerings of help. I always knew that Garth and I had some amazing people in our lives and this certainly comes true when there is a crisis. The best part of June 16th is the laughter that was brought into the house again. Friends that popped in made me laughed...really hard and boy it felt goooooood. As corny as the jokes were, the doom lifted quickly as I prepared mentally for what was ahead of us.


To everyone THANK YOU. Jenny, the dinner was delicious, the strawberry pie was heavenly. I have been eating both of these when Garth is not looking so I can eat every delicious morsel myself (just kidding). We have the most wonderful support system in the world. The phone calls, the emails, the general prayers.

I am prepared for this fight. I have even came up with my own Cancer song to help me through this part of my life: Remember Cookie monster singing C is for Cookie??? Well here is my song:

"C" is for cancer let's get it out of me,
"C" is for cancer let's get it out of me,
"C" is for cancer let's get it out of me,
Oh! cancer, cancer, cancer starts with "C"! I even have his voice down packed.

More than ever I will only think positive thoughts...only positive thoughts will be allowed in our home. I will surround myself with the love of family and friends who we appreciate so much. I guess we are alright since we have an abundance to people who care for us so much.

Alpaca...it's all in the fibre.

“Once you go alpaca, you don’t go backa”

Alpacas have been around for centuries being farmed in South America and was once reserved for royalty. Since 1984 alpacas have been in North America and the industry is booming with these fibre producing animals. Alpaca is stronger than sheep's wool and warmer. It is one of the finest fibres in the world and has little or no lanolin which makes it allergen free. Another reason for alpaca being hypo allergenic is the processing method. When processing alpaca, we use an Eco scour that is environmentally friendly and non-toxic. Most people who react to sheep's wool do not react to alpaca. Alpaca is a fibre of choice for those who have difficulties with other natural fibres. It is very soft and contains microscopic air pockets which create lightweight clothing and products with great insulation values. Most people can wear alpaca right next to their skin. It is a wonderful lightweight luxurious fibre, almost cashmere like.

Alpacas raised on farms in Canada are relatively "organic". Alpaca farmers do not use any harsh chemicals on the animals to deal with parasites. Our customers enjoy the alpaca products that we sell in at our on farm store The Fleece Station.

Our clients state that when sleeping with an alpaca duvet they experience a healthy, comfortable and restful sleep with 100% natural and organic Alpaca wool comforters. Perfect for those who are allergic to feathers or synthetics? Alpaca fibre is also dust mite resistant. Alpaca fibre will not over- or under-heat underneath you, so on warm nights, you sleep soundly to wake up to a fresh morning. Our customers love the clothing we sell, providing their allergy suffering loved ones an alternative in clothing, while keeping them warm and feeling like royalty. Our motto is "once you go alpaca, you don't go backa".

To learn more visit us at www.spinningwheelalpaca.com. We really appreciate your referrals and very ecstatic that your children and loved ones can happily wear alpaca with no reactions.

Nancy Hutchinson

The Alpaca Lady

Enniskillen (NE Oshawa), Ontario

nancy@spinningwheelalpacas.com

Thank you for supporting local farmers.