Susan G. Komen and a Teeny Update

Erin and I have started a team to participate in the Susan G. Komen race this April 27th in Spokane.  If you would like to join our team, please go to http://www.komeneasternwashington.org/index.jsp  Click on "register," then click on "Join an existing team," and search for "For the Girls."  We plan on participating in honor of the victorious cancer battles of both Erin and Claire.  I hope you can join us!!  It would be awesome to have a huge showing in support of these two amazing women.

As for our girls, they are both doing awesome!  My family and I recently enjoyed a phenomenal meal with Erin, her family, and Claire and Terry before they left for Ajo.  Of course, Terry and Claire outdid themselves with the meal and truly made us feel like royalty.  I do believe we all left full, heavier, and so happy.  I was touched and humbled by the outpouring of appreciation from all of them.  Truly, it was way more than we deserved.  

That evening, we also expanded our personal art collection.  Terry gifted me an original painting of his.  The work itself is beautiful, and also touches me in a very deep way.  The snowy scene is of the golf course just blocks from Erin's home.  She and I had quite an exciting time sledding there last year.... until her docs put a stop to that type of risky activity.   I love that even as moms now, we are still game for a little rebellion and disobedience.  In any case, I will cherish the painting for so many reasons.  I am including a picture of Terry's work, but must apologize for the photo quality.  I don't actually even own a camera, besides my iPhone.  YIKES!  And, well, clearly I know nothing about lighting and photography.  BUT, I hope you can appreciate the beauty of this awesome gift.

I confessed to Claire that I felt the wonderful fuss was so undeserved as I had completely abandoned the blog.  She shared that she thought the lack of posts was a great sign.  She was relieved I didn't have a reason to update their friends and family.  I appreciate that outlook and her letting me of the hook.

Claire and Erin have both finished their sentence of herceptin treatments and are cancer free!! We talked about so many aspects of this stage of their journeys.  Without a doubt, they both are elated to be cancer free and finished with the frequent appointments, treatments, and tests.   Toasting their healthy status was a long time coming and a very surreal, ecstatic moment.  So, at this point, we celebrate and pray there are no more big reasons to get this blog rolling again.  Claire and Terry have returned to Ajo, planning to return to the northwest long after the white stuff has melted.  Erin is busy, busy, busy with work, a teenager (gads!), and a first grader.  I am so excited to have our conversations return to boring, normal mom frustrations and exhaustion.  Whew.  If only we could have seen this boring, wonderful, ordinary life a year ago.  It truly is a beautiful thing.

TWO FOR TWO!!!!! (And a BIG **screw you** to cancer!)

Claire found out today that both her mammogram and CT scan were clear.  I cannot imagine how excited, relieved, and happy the little house on Grace Street must be.  HUGE Congratulations to Claire!!!!  Who knew that last year, we would endure breast cancer awareness month with heavy, burdened hearts, but this year we would wrap up the month with tears of joy and a huge need to uncork the finest vintage we can find?!  Cheers to Claire!!!

Awesome Story!

Happy Fall!!!  I am so grateful that this fall has started off way, way, way less eventful than last year.  It is amazing to me how much can happen in just a few months.  One of the many awesome things that has occurred through this whole journey is seeing how people dig deep to find ways to help.  Erin's brother, Alex, is a high school teacher and coach in California.  Just like his sister and his mother, Alex obviously has formed a very special bond with many members of his community, especially his students and athletes.  Last winter, the young people from Palos Verdes High School surprised Alex with gift cards and money to help support Alex and his family through that difficult journey.  The mother of one of Alex's students sent me the following clip from the high school broadcasting group.  Follow the link, click on the broadcast for 9-13-13.  The story is around the 7 min 40 sec mark.  Enjoy!!!

http://www.livefrom205.com/205-shows/

The Garden Girls and Terry

Lately, I have been thinking, "So.... what about Claire?"  I hate that I overlook her a lot, but truth be told, I don't have much info about how my favorite fellow wine lover and mom is doing.  I think she is in a bit of a holding pattern for now, too - finished with radiation and waiting for the team to decide the next step.  

I have heard a few little tidbits about the fun things going on her little world.  I know she and Terry have been up at the island quite a bit, hopefully enjoying the sunshine and the beauty up there.  The two of them have joined forces with Claire's sister, Eileen, to participate in an art show and sale this Sunday, August 18th.  The event, "Expose Yourself to Art," will be held at the Bonner County Fairgrounds from 4-8 p.m.  There will be 30 artists, each showing 30 paintings, that will be available for purchase for $30 apiece.  Proceeds will benefit the Bonner County Fairgrounds.  If you would like to join in the fun, head out to the Fairgrounds and look for paintings by, "The Garden Girls and Terry."  

*Guest* Blogger

***Big News from Erin herself:***

Yesterday I had my first CT Scan since doing chemo and radiation. I finally got the nerve to call and ask for results. It was CLEAR!! No signs of cancer. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, it worked! I feel like I can breathe now.

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!!!