A Graduation, Our Young Explorers, and An Opportunity for YOU!!!

Just over a week ago, my boys and I went to Erin's and Claire's Livestrong Graduation at the Valley YMCA.  I was so excited to attend and share in the gals' achievements.   What I saw was very touching and moving.... and slightly interrupted by our children going on an extended hike out of our line of view.  Truly, the life of a mom doesn't lighten up even for cancer!!!  And sometimes young Indiana Jones Boys need to be wrangled before they get too far.  So, long story short, I missed Claire and Erin's specific presentations from the Livestrong crew, but I heard it was very touching.  I am so proud of the bonds they have formed with other survivors, their newly extended support network in the Spokane area, and the physical, emotional, and bonding journey they completed.  Claire and Erin are truly ROCK STARS!!!!

One of the speakers, another cancer survivor, shared a wonderful opportunity to participate in on-going cancer research.  If you live in the Spokane area, have never had cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer), and are between the ages of 30 and 65, you are eligible!!!!  The study will involve one visit to one of our three YMCA locations in September and surveys every couple of years.  It will encompass several years, but very little effort on your part.  There will be one appointment, then survey completions every few years.  This study strives to understand better the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that could cause or prevent cancer.  This is one huge step in helping find a cure.  If you are even remotely interested in participating, please visit: https://www.seeuthere.com/rsvp/invitation/invitation.asp?id=/m1c9c3bc-4P3MY6Y5WCLBS  Thank you!!!!  See you at the Y in September!!!!

*****Finally, Happy Tears!!!!!!*****

Earlier this week, Erin shared with me that she had a big test coming up, a two and a half hour mammogram.  YUCK.  She was really apprehensive and worried this whole evil process would be starting over again.  Well, she just called me in tears.  Preparing for the worst, I held my breath and tried to comprehend her words as she told me there was absolutely NO evidence of breast cancer.  As of right now, she is BREAST CANCER FREE!!!!  WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Her journey isn't over, but this is absolutely incredible, miraculous news.  She will be continuing herceptin treatments through the fall and will have more tests to see if the cancer metastasized elsewhere, but at the moment, it is time to celebrate!!!  Congratulations, Erin!!!!  Too early for cocktails?  I think NOT!!!  Cheers, my friend!!!

Eleven Pink Months and Counting

Over the last (almost) year, I have learned how precious life is and how quickly things can change - good, hard, or downright rotten.  This year has been one of the harder in my own life and I am merely standing on the sidelines, trying to remember to smile and cheer for my dear friends.  I cannot begin to fathom what this year has been like for Erin and Claire.  Although we haven't chatted about it, I imagine our hopes for the next year are all very similar..... life without cancer, chemo, or any of that heinous crap-ola.  I have no idea what the timeline looks like for tests and whatnot, I truly am *that* good of a friend, but I do know that now both mother and daughter are finally finished with radiation.  Claire wrapped up her last treatment about a week ago.  Although the side effects have been tougher for her, I am sure she is anxious to get past this hurdle and face whatever the next steps may be.  

I am so proud of how hard these two have fought to conquer the vileness of cancer.  I know there must have been so many times that were near impossible to push through, but with the love of family, friends, and even strangers sending whispers of encouragement, our gals continued onward.  Unfortunately, even though the intensity of the initial diagnosis of both women has dwindled, the fight is not over.  I have felt myself relax some, but today I realized something very important.  As Erin was sharing her thoughts about scans to come, I realized that the fear, the life-threatening potential of this awful illness, is still very, very real.  I am so impressed with the strength she and her mother have shown, that I often forget that that strength is part of their armor.  So, to Claire and Erin, I pray for the cancer-free days, when we really can relax with a glass (or case) of wine, and celebrate two bodies filled with healthy, cancer-free cells.  I apologize for getting a little lax lately, but please know that all of us in your vast fan club love you, are pulling for you, and dreaming of the time when this is a rocky road we can hardly recall.  Keep fighting, Ladies.  So proud of you both.

If you would like to renew your supportive energy with a little pick-me-up card:

Erin Hughes / Claire Bistline

3118 W Grace Ave

Spokane WA 99205

Donations can still be made at any Spokane Teachers Credit Union (Spokane, Post Falls, Bonners, Newport) to the "Erin Broughton Hughes Benefit Fund."  I'd love to find some creative ways to boost that account back up as I can only begin to imagine how tough the financial world must be for them both.  Any great fundraiser ideas out there???  Hmmm......