Family Time and Celebrations

We enjoyed a mini family reunion in La Crosse for the 4th of July and celebrated some very notable milestones together.

It has been 15 months since this crazy journey started! Eric gained an ankle foort orthosis (AFO) this month to help support some right side muscle weakness and it has made a big difference. The AFO has allowed Eric to have longer walks in the neighborhood, time on the trails, and even some attempts at running in the driveway. The nieces and nephew were all very interested in his AFO and each took a turn trying it on. It was pretty cute seeing each of them stick their leg in his shoe and fasten the AFO around their upper thighs. 

Eric has passed the halfway mark of "killing some f*cking cancer cells". He's been getting radiation treatment 5 days per week in La Crosse and has just a few weeks left before he and J return home to Montana. We're all hoping that this radiation treatment is slowing his disease progression, but we won't know for sure for several more weeks. The infusion center and radiation teams at Gunderson have been wonderful to Eric and J. We are all very grateful that he has built another great care team around him. I can say firsthand that these care providers are some pretty awesome people!

The weekend was also marked with a LOT of family fun. We really know how to show up with all of our crazy and go hard! There were water slides, pool time, slip n' slides, hiking (with a major side of bug bites), playgrounds, FOOD...way too much food, puppy play time, tie dye, hot tubs, and naps. Plenty of naps! And thanks to Eric and J's friend Mel, Eric got to try out some adaptive water skiing. The need for adventure is strong and we're all continuing to find and adapt to new ways to keep everyone moving. 

When I piled my family (and puppy) back into our car to head home there were some tears. Gavin mostly cried because he was going to miss Grammie and the hot tub (sorry Papa). Morgan cried because she wanted to stay and have more fun with everyone. I think I cried because of all of it! The great laughs and memories we all shared. How hard and how much this all sucks. But mostly because I love these people and I'm grateful that a totally shitty situation has allowed us to spend even more time together.