Different Kinds of Adventures

The Judges will soon be hitting the road again! Here’s what we’ve been up to for the last two months.

My trachea resection surgery in Boston on May 3^rd went smoothly. My surgeon removed three rings of cartilage (about one inch of my trachea). Tracheas are stretchy, so it will eventually stretch out to its full length again.

People, hospitals are no joke! My eight day stay at Massachusetts General Hospital was probably the most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever done. That could be due to the no talking, no eating or drinking, no showering, very little sleep, being connected to countless monitors, being stuck with needles often (heparin shots hurt like the dickens!), and a very sore neck because my chin was stitched to my chest so that I wouldn’t extend my head back. I also managed to catch a lovely hospital infection complete with fever, aches, nausea, and other gory details. Nonetheless, I survived!

Left Side: Feeling good on pain meds a few hours after surgery

Right Side: Showing off the neck scar a month after surgery

Bill was a fantastic companion, entertaining me with countless games of Hangman since I couldn’t talk. My mom also came to Boston for about five days. It was so nice to have them both there to keep me company and tell me stories to distract me. They also pushed my IV pole around as we walked miles of laps around my floor.

Me and mom in the hospital.

We got back to Murrieta, CA on May 13, and our first month here was incredibly relaxing while recovering from surgery. I slept, listened to podcasts, went for walks, napped, watched TV, read, etc. I was able to whisper for a few weeks, and now have my voice back, although it’s a bit lower than normal. I prefer to think of it as "sultry". Bill kept himself busy by working on his flight instructor ticket so that he can teach people how to fly. It involves studying to pass several tests, creating lesson plans, and going for a check ride with an FAA examiner.

Testing out my new trachea on an overnight backpacking hike. Success!

Things changed from recuperation to family time a couple weeks ago. Here’s the back story: For the past four months, we’ve known that something was amiss with my sister’s pregnancy. My nephew, Blake, had a genetic condition called Trisomy 18. My sister Jadyn and her husband Ryan, knew they probably wouldn’t have much time with Blake, so they took Blake on special adventures and treasured every moment of the pregnancy. Due to some expected complications, Jadyn was induced on June 16, and Blake was born on the morning of June 17. He lived an incredibly precious hour, and I will forever be grateful that I got to be in the room for his birth, his whole life, and his gentle passing. We’ve spent the last two weeks with family, celebrating his life by hosting a memorial celebration party for 75 friends and family, and getting Blake settled at his new home in the local cemetery. It has been two weeks of such high highs and low lows, and I am so pleased that we were able to be present for all of it. An incredible gift.

Ryan, Jadyn, and Blake about two weeks before Blake was born. 

Kenzi and Bill at Blake's grave celebrating the 4th

Now, we’re looking forward to the next step in our year of adventure. We leave for Rome on July 6. You wouldn’t know it to look at him, but Bill is ½ Italian. However, he’s never been to Italy. I’m looking forward to introducing him to the Pope and daily gelato deliciousness. Stay tuned as we get back on the road again.