Last week, Alex and his family flew up to visit with Erin, Claire, and family. The visit meant so much to our gals who were counting the days until the arrival of the Broughton Family from California. They spent a long weekend up at Schweitzer together. They rented a condo and enjoyed some time visiting. Alex and his wife, Narumi, took the kids skiing and had a blast. Three of Erin's aunts and one of her uncles were able to visit, too. Erin shared that it was super relaxing and very fun. They hung out, went out to dinner, played cribbage, and shared stories. From all accounts, Erin and Claire enjoyed some precious time with family and will be looking forward to the next get together.
This round of chemo has been kicking Erin's buns a little, but overall, she seems to be in good spirits and coping well. Please continue to keep both Erin and Claire in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to fight their battles with cancer. Thank goodness the blueness of January is departing in a few short hours. I know at my house, the excitement of the holidays has passed, the checking account is just barely in the black, homework for my little people is mounting quickly, work demands keep me hopping, and my inclination is to hibernate with a hot mug of tea and wait out these dark days. I'm hoping that as Erin and Claire's friends, we can tap into some of the enthusiasm we felt during the holidays and keep sharing our love and encouragement with these amazing women in whatever ways we can. Letters or cards of encouragement and support can be sent to 3118 W Grace, Spokane WA 99205. If you are inclined to make a meal for our friends, please visit their meal calendar. Thank you!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Life with Chemo
Chemo is really an ugly monster. Overall, Erin is doing well, but has been fighting some nausea, sour stomach, and a headache or two. Oh how fun. Luckily, she has been able to enjoy some fun things, too. She and I whisked Claire and Terry away to see Les Miserables yesterday. Simply amazing! Thank goodness we brought the tissues for one of us..... not saying who, but there might have been a sob or two stifled in our row. We also stopped for lunch. Who knew a chemo belly would enjoy some sushi after a little bit of popcorn??
Today, we met at Chuck E. Cheese to let the boys run and play. That was three hours of solid fun! Well, fun.... except for when that crazy critter came out to lead a dance party, much to the horror of a couple of little people. AND, other sad news, someone needs to inform Mr. Cheese that switching to Pepsi does not make these two tired moms excited! NOT AT ALL!!!! What in the world? Huge disappointment. Oh well, the skee ball, basketballs, and slobber coated vampire teeth definitely made up for it.
Erin's brother and his family are coming to town this Thursday. Erin and her family are looking forward to spending the weekend with them at Schweitzer. It sounds like everyone is crazy excited for the visit. Hopefully the gurgling belly stuff will have run its course and Erin can enjoy some family time.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Birthday Celebrations!!!
It definitely sounds like Erin had a fabulous birthday weekend. She started off her festivities on Friday by dining with our long time friends, Jennifer and Kerrie. I'm sure the evening was filled with tales of their children, giggles about many old stories, and apparently some delicious clams for the birthday girl. Sorry to miss out on this very special girls' night! Next time!!!
On Saturday, Erin enjoyed a quiet morning at home, a massage, her first foray to Polka Dot Pottery (which she LOVED), and a birthday dinner with friends. A million thanks to Dyanne and Su for arranging Erin's incredible day. She shared that it was absolutely amazing, very relaxing, and exactly what she needed. A HUGE thank you to Su's hubby for taking all the boys swimming, followed by dinner out, and video games at the McDonald home. Brave, brave man!!! I know Erin greatly appreciated the time.
On Monday, Erin celebrated her actual birthday at Milford's, enjoying a yummy martini and the best seafood in Spokane. Sweet Landy Lou accompanied his mom to dinner along with another friend. Unfortunately, Gavin was feeling under the weather and not able to join in the festivities.
I was unable to see Erin this weekend as my family was out of town visiting friends and family. This morning, I hurried by her home to drop off her present on my way to work. I set the package on her doorstep, knocked on the door, and got in the car. Well, as we all know, Erin is one of the most giving, caring people ever, and showed it again today. As I was pulling out, I saw my sweet friend, barreling down the driveway, wrapped in a blanket, wearing her pajamas, bald head completely exposed (very, very rare!!), BAREFOOT in the snow, and carrying a small package. One of my first grade students and his family have done many things to help out Erin.... too many things to mention. Well, sweet Erin had a small thank you for my guy and was NOT going to let another day pass without getting it to the little man. Barefoot..... what was she thinking? Oh yeah, like always, she was thinking of others, regardless of the discomfort to her. On a separate note, I must say, Erin was absolutely stunning. I don't know how she pulls it off, but she is definitely one hot baldie!!!
After her barefoot adventure in the icy driveway, Erin unfortunately had to set off for another round of chemo. She has three more to go after today's dose and will finish up around April. Her team will then discuss what the next steps will be. I know items on the table include maybe a mastectomy, radiation, or perhaps both. As for now, hopefully Erin will tolerate the chemo well and will be feeling awesome for a visit with her brother soon. I know she has been looking forward to seeing him.
Thank you to everyone who made her birthday weekend extremely special. Erin is beyond grateful for the support, the time to relax, the visits with friends, and ultimately getting to see how much she means to so many. As Erin stares down this chemo monster once again, cards of encouragement can be sent to her home at 3118 W Grace, Spokane WA 99205. Thank you!!!!
On Saturday, Erin enjoyed a quiet morning at home, a massage, her first foray to Polka Dot Pottery (which she LOVED), and a birthday dinner with friends. A million thanks to Dyanne and Su for arranging Erin's incredible day. She shared that it was absolutely amazing, very relaxing, and exactly what she needed. A HUGE thank you to Su's hubby for taking all the boys swimming, followed by dinner out, and video games at the McDonald home. Brave, brave man!!! I know Erin greatly appreciated the time.
On Monday, Erin celebrated her actual birthday at Milford's, enjoying a yummy martini and the best seafood in Spokane. Sweet Landy Lou accompanied his mom to dinner along with another friend. Unfortunately, Gavin was feeling under the weather and not able to join in the festivities.
I was unable to see Erin this weekend as my family was out of town visiting friends and family. This morning, I hurried by her home to drop off her present on my way to work. I set the package on her doorstep, knocked on the door, and got in the car. Well, as we all know, Erin is one of the most giving, caring people ever, and showed it again today. As I was pulling out, I saw my sweet friend, barreling down the driveway, wrapped in a blanket, wearing her pajamas, bald head completely exposed (very, very rare!!), BAREFOOT in the snow, and carrying a small package. One of my first grade students and his family have done many things to help out Erin.... too many things to mention. Well, sweet Erin had a small thank you for my guy and was NOT going to let another day pass without getting it to the little man. Barefoot..... what was she thinking? Oh yeah, like always, she was thinking of others, regardless of the discomfort to her. On a separate note, I must say, Erin was absolutely stunning. I don't know how she pulls it off, but she is definitely one hot baldie!!!
After her barefoot adventure in the icy driveway, Erin unfortunately had to set off for another round of chemo. She has three more to go after today's dose and will finish up around April. Her team will then discuss what the next steps will be. I know items on the table include maybe a mastectomy, radiation, or perhaps both. As for now, hopefully Erin will tolerate the chemo well and will be feeling awesome for a visit with her brother soon. I know she has been looking forward to seeing him.
Thank you to everyone who made her birthday weekend extremely special. Erin is beyond grateful for the support, the time to relax, the visits with friends, and ultimately getting to see how much she means to so many. As Erin stares down this chemo monster once again, cards of encouragement can be sent to her home at 3118 W Grace, Spokane WA 99205. Thank you!!!!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Enjoying the Sunshine
Last week, Claire and Terry flew out of the snowy mess in Spokane for some time with friends in Ajo. I hear they are being quite spoiled in their desert home and haven't had to cook a single meal, awesome! Love the pictures!
 |
| Claire with her friend, Hope |
 |
| Claire in the sunny desert! YEAH, her hand is in her pocket! |
 |
| Terry and friends sipping lattes in the plaza |
 |
| A church in the plaza. Beautiful!!!! |
Monday, January 7, 2013
It's About Time!!!
Finally..... some good news! Erin met with her oncologist to review her scan results. Her cancer has NOT spread!!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The new plan is for her to restart chemo next week. She will have four chemo treatments and finish that phase. Then, the team will reconvene to decide the next step. Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes. It was finally Erin's turn for some fabulous news - best birthday present EVER!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Updates
Erin had a P.E.T scan this week to determine if the cancer has spread. I believe the docs were specifically focused on her bones, brain, lungs, and liver, but am not positive on that detail. At this point, Erin has not received the results and is anxious to hear from her doctors. She thought the earliest she would hear anything would be later next week. Based on these results, a plan will be made for her future treatment. I will post as soon as I hear.
Claire is doing well. I know it hasn't been all sunshine and roses, but I am amazed at how well she has handled recovery from her mastectomy thus far. It isn't like she has been symptom free, but Claire is strong and fighting back. She was given the green light to fly and has tickets for a trip to Arizona soon. I am sure she is over the moon excited to see her Ajo friends and maybe enjoy some warmer temps! Claire and Terry recently accompanied my family and some friends to a wine tasting. I know we wore her out, but it was so awesome to see them both having fun. LOVE it!!!!
Erin's birthday is coming up on January 14th. I told her she shares a birthday with Benedict Arnold, but I don't think she was impressed at all. Perhaps it would impress her more to learn her special day is also the anniversary of the birth of Andy Rooney and Faye Dunaway? Maybe??? Or.... well.... L.L. Cool J? Not sure. In any case, birthday cards can be sent to her at 3118 W Grace, Spokane WA 99205. Thanks!!!
Their benefit fund is still open for donations, and will be open until this mess is over. Donations can be made at any Spokane Teachers Credit Union to the "Erin Broughton Hughes Benefit Fund." Also, a link to the wide open meal calendar is on the right side of the blog for any interested chefs out there. Thank you for all the support, encouragement, positive thoughts, meals, cards, care packages, and prayers sent to these inspiring women. I know that is what keeps them fighting and smiling. Blessings to this new year. May 2013 be much healthier than 2012.
Claire is doing well. I know it hasn't been all sunshine and roses, but I am amazed at how well she has handled recovery from her mastectomy thus far. It isn't like she has been symptom free, but Claire is strong and fighting back. She was given the green light to fly and has tickets for a trip to Arizona soon. I am sure she is over the moon excited to see her Ajo friends and maybe enjoy some warmer temps! Claire and Terry recently accompanied my family and some friends to a wine tasting. I know we wore her out, but it was so awesome to see them both having fun. LOVE it!!!!
Erin's birthday is coming up on January 14th. I told her she shares a birthday with Benedict Arnold, but I don't think she was impressed at all. Perhaps it would impress her more to learn her special day is also the anniversary of the birth of Andy Rooney and Faye Dunaway? Maybe??? Or.... well.... L.L. Cool J? Not sure. In any case, birthday cards can be sent to her at 3118 W Grace, Spokane WA 99205. Thanks!!!
Their benefit fund is still open for donations, and will be open until this mess is over. Donations can be made at any Spokane Teachers Credit Union to the "Erin Broughton Hughes Benefit Fund." Also, a link to the wide open meal calendar is on the right side of the blog for any interested chefs out there. Thank you for all the support, encouragement, positive thoughts, meals, cards, care packages, and prayers sent to these inspiring women. I know that is what keeps them fighting and smiling. Blessings to this new year. May 2013 be much healthier than 2012.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)