Round Three

Mom will begin round three of her chemo today. This is a big hurdle to get over; once it's done, she's at the half way marker. She has been courageous through it all and she continues to amaze us... She is also staying as active as you would all expect. She went to McCall last weekend with Abbie and is continuing to walk as often as possible. Thank you to all her good walking partners! She loves it. ---

We're all sending you a ton of love for this next week of treatment Mom!!!

Valentine Hands

Cary and Pam sent yet another smile to Mom. She opened this mail while she was wrapped up in the beautiful quilt Pam made for her.

Friend and fellow Vixen, Calli, is driving from Washington D.C to her new home in Portland, Oregaon. She plans to send a hand from each State she crosses. Her Valentine card was the kick off.

Two Sided Hand

Justin shows us there are two sides to everything.

Chatel Family Hands

I will fly back home tomorrow morning and as excited as I am to be with Olivier, it will be difficult to leave family and friends here in Boise. What makes things easier for me is that I have an incredible family waiting for me in France as well.

This video shows only part of the helping-book the Chatel family made for mom. It is filled with helping hands, helping paws and a beautiful collection of family relationships and history. Everyone who has come to visit Mom has taken time to view and read this fabulous book. Mom, herself, has picked it up numerous times, and has had to hold her emotions back each time. It is such a very special gift...

Baked Hands

Jen is very well known for her cookies so how appropriate to send Mom these hands! What I found interesting is how Michael's hand resembled a baseball glove when it was up against little-Tucker's hand... :)

Second Round of Chemo

Second Round of Chemo

Today marks the beginning of my Mom's second round of chemotherapy. Kelli just took her to MSTI for the day. We have been updating blog posts regularly, but I thought I'd send a quick note to everyone with a few highlights from the last few weeks.
The first round of chemo went well. She certainly didn't feel vivacious, but she avoided encounters with the worst of the side effects that they warned her about.
The doctor said that she would begin losing her hair two weeks after her first treatment. At day 13, we cut her hair really short. The few of us who saw her with it short thought she looked very cute and artistic.
She spent this last weekend in McCall and enjoyed relaxing and walking around town. When she returned home she noticed that her hair was starting to fall out so she took it upon herself to shave her head. It was a bit startling at first.
She has been going to work pretty regularly and is really enjoying that.
My Mom has thoroughly enjoyed all of the kind gestures from all of you over the last couple of months - from notes, meals, gifts and helping hands. Many of you have asked about sitting with her during treatments. The drugs they give her make her very loopy and sleepy, so at this point she prefers to lie low. I have updated the helping hands web site to include a few more requests/ideas for favors.
We hope all of you are doing well and look forward to hearing from and seeing you soon.

Sincerely,
Abbie and the rest of the Parker family

Painting in McCall

Mom went with a group of us to enjoy the McCall Winter Carnival this weekend. She was able to relax and enjoy tapping into her creative talents by trying out her new watercolor pencils. Her spirits and energy were high and she looked great!

Her next round of chemo starts this Thursday. Hopefully we can pull her away from work and get her there in time. ;)

It says a lot about the great people at Bogus Basin. It is rare that people get energy from their work environment but Mom has truly enjoyed going into the office whenever she can. She loves it!

Fingers and Toes

Peggy Korol sends a hand from her and her lovely family (sans Steve but we know what he looks like :))

Penny sent mom "Helping Feet"; something she has loved having when she heads out with her walking partners!

Dee sends a bright and helpful hand. Beautiful!