Meet Ally

Time to meet another member of the Kenny & Sammy team.  Her name is Ally (Al-ee).  She is our Aloe Vera plant that we use for Ken’s face and neck after radiation treatments. 

Radiation therapy causes skin changes. Skin in the treatment area may look as if you have a mild to severe sunburn or tan.  The skin also gets very dry and it can peel like it does after a sunburn.  It causes skin cells to break down and die. When people get radiation every day (as Ken does), the skin cells do not have enough time to grow back between treatments.  Ken had to switch to an electric razor and not use is favourite blade and shaving cream.  One reason being all of the additives in the shaving cream (including alcohol) would dry the skin even further.  And it would be like being a Butterball turkey in the oven as radiation would cook him during treatments.  Second reason being the fear of nicks since his platelets are low and wouldn’t be able to stop the bleeding as easy.

Luckily, Ken has a nice olive complexion so for now it looks like a tan.  Lopsided mind you…but a tan (with a ‘V-neck’ line).  Couldn’t imagine if it was my “Casper” white skin as A.P. calls me on our yearly golfing venture as I slather on the 30+ sunscreen ;-) xx

Ally has a very important job.  Every morning she sacrifices one of her arms so I can make the gel that Ken puts on his face right after radiation treatment.  It is crucial to not wait until he gets home or his skin will burn on the way.  It’s like being at the beach and not knowing how bad your burn is until that night.  Thanks C.W. for that tip.

For those who have drove Ken and those in the know…the gel has been given its own special name…Snot. ..because that’s just what it looks like!!

For those who are looking for a few less lines and smoother skin…I share with you the secret concoction below.  Ken now has baby soft skin and we both have very soft hands from applying it!  I make a new batch everyday because there are no additives it turns a rusty red colour by the next day.

P.S.  Stef & Rob – we may be over to steal the plant I hear you have if Ally doesn’t make it all the way through treatments!  She’s getting a little skinny!

P.P.S.  Thanks to a special driver with a heated cup holder console…then it’s not so cold.  I love the funny scrunchy face Ken makes when it goes on.  Somebody asked once what the gel does and I told them ‘nothing’…I just like to see the face!  Hehe.



Ally the Aloe Vera Plant



 

Need:  Cutting board, paring knife,
lemon zester (ask Ken about finding
this for XMAS one year!)

Choose an 'arm' - gently twist off

Cut off edges

Cut the arm horizontally

GENTLY scrape the lemon zester to
collect the slimy surface...don't
want the tough 'fillet' underneath

Slimy surface you want to use

Arm inside after scraping -
Gel in container

Add a bit of hot water and
whisk together with zester
- Put on lid and shake

Pack in ziplock bag and of course
include 'Habs' facecloth to
wipe your hands with after!

This is Aloe Vera Juice made
from the fillet.  Ken drinks this
with water to soothe the inside
of his throat.  Thanks J.M. for the tip!