Woody and Buzz

What a week! Emilie had a bone marrow aspirate, lumbar puncture, her last IT chemo on Monday and a brain/spine MRI on Wednesday. The results of her aspirate and LP both came back negative. Her MRI results, as read by our wonderful oncologist Dr. Phil, showed improvement. We will be meeting with our neurologist on Wednesday to further discuss.  Thursday, we will be travelling back to TN for our last St. Jude visit, BBQ and of course, sweet tea!  Thank you Jesus for negative test results and nerve regeneration!!!!

As I was preparing this post, Nicolas and Emilie were playing Wii Fit. Emilie received this as a birthday gift last year and is now unable to play most of it due to her legs not working. I was happy to see the above as I walked out of my office....Emilie is stearing the bike and Nicolas is doing the "propulsion running". I love the creative teamwork and the sweet bond between the two!!

When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
You've got a friend in me

You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Celebrate, It's EOT Day!

On Monday, Emilie went to Stanford for an LP, BMA, and IT chemo....standard procedures.  As our nurse was going through the "pre-procedure checklist", the NP that was actually doing the procedure came in and declared "EOT".  EOT?  Yes, that is right, it was the END OF TREATMENT day!  Seven months after Emilie's diagnosis and she is finally done with treatment!!!  The clinic visits and procedures will continue but the chemo gets to stay in the pharmacy!  We are thankful to God that we have endured for the last seven months and that Emilie's test results have all come back negative.  Emilie is scheduled for an MRI tonight to check the status of her legs.  We are seeing improvement; please pray that the MRI also shows nerve restoration.  Emilie is doing well in all areas.  She is actually enjoying reading again and loves her newest class reading assignment. She has a wonderful appetite which makes my Italian heart very, very happy!   Emilie is wrestling with Nicolas, crawling through the house and even keeping up during our weekly Nerf gun wars.  Her hair is growing back and it's resembling the Erickson boys' buzz cuts!  Life is good! Really, really good.
I found the above photo while looking through photos of Emilie from June and I thought it was perfect.  The beautiful floral arrangement was from our friend's "The Mitts" and I love how our "celebrate" is in the background.....CELEBRATE LIFE!

Happy 2011 and One Little Word

Happy 2011 to all our family and friends.  2010 had it share of craziness, but we have been very blessed in so many ways.  Thank you to everyone who loved on us by bringing and sending gifts and meals, providing rides for the boys, celebrating birthdays, hosting hotel sleepovers, giving swimming lessons, running/walking marathons, sending cards and emails, etc.  A very huge thank you to Nana for putting her life on hold for the last 6 months so that she could take care of Paul and Nicolas.  Thank you, Mom, we could not have made it this far without you.  We love you.  Another huge thank you goes to Auntie Vicki, who has been "homeless" for the last 6 months due to fire damage, but has been there to help Nana out with the boys.  Thank you, Auntie Vicki, for all that you have done for us.  We love you too!  We pray for a healthy and joyful 2011 for you all!

For the last couple years, I have selected "one little word" for the new year.  One word to think on and attempt to incorporate in my life.  In the past, I have chosen such words a "joy" and "gratitude" and really tried to see and experience "the words".  This year I am breaking the rules (really, there are no rules) and I have selected 5 little words:

Wherever you are, be there!

This book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, inspired me to "be present and be grateful".  It is an amazing book and a very quick read.  Life changing, really!