Madison received her last medical treatment on Friday May 9. Over the last couple of weeks her throat has been getting increasingly sore. Her neck is quite red on the outside and feels like Velcro on the inside.
Surgery dates were set in Boston for June 24 and again June 30 (yes, two). She and her family will be in Boston for 3-4 weeks total, home for a couple weeks, then back in Boston for 11-15 treatments of Proton radiation.
Surgery dates were set in Boston for June 24 and again June 30 (yes, two). She and her family will be in Boston for 3-4 weeks total, home for a couple weeks, then back in Boston for 11-15 treatments of Proton radiation.
Since Madi has decent energy all things considered, we decided to drive to NYC. We stayed with Angela's long time friends Steve and Erika (renewed BFFs) in NJ, and drove into the city for typical tourist stuff.
This picture is from the Circle Line Boat that goes around the island. From it you can see everything from the Statue of Liberty, World Trade (Financial) district, to Harlem.
This picture is from the Circle Line Boat that goes around the island. From it you can see everything from the Statue of Liberty, World Trade (Financial) district, to Harlem.
We went in to Manhattan and strolled around Time Square. Anything and everything goes there as you can see in the background.
Even with a sore throat, Madi was up for the trip and always can muster up a genuine smile for a glamour shot.
Even with a sore throat, Madi was up for the trip and always can muster up a genuine smile for a glamour shot.
Foxwoods Resort and Casino brought in a lavish feast to the Hope Lodge on Thursday May 8. Their top chefs prepared steak, chicken, fish, salads, and an amazing assortment of pastries.
Again, there are 40 rooms at the Hope Lodge...40 Guests (patients) and their caregivers. Foxwoods brought in enough to feed twice that many. It was an amazing culinary event. Kudos to the leadership at Hope Lodge and Foxwoods for collaborating to put together such a wonderful treat.
Again, there are 40 rooms at the Hope Lodge...40 Guests (patients) and their caregivers. Foxwoods brought in enough to feed twice that many. It was an amazing culinary event. Kudos to the leadership at Hope Lodge and Foxwoods for collaborating to put together such a wonderful treat.
And in closing this thread...
Foxwoods would not benefit from Hope Lodge guests... everyone there is from somewhere else.
On April 14 Microsoft came in and prepared a great meal in April. Tuff's University recently did the same. Nope... no opportunities for either of them.
People came in from Boston University Sunday April 19 to help clean and organize the public areas at the Lodge. Another random act of kindness.
Kappa Kappa Gamma came in to host a game night, volunteer Kathy Guilday played the harp one night during dinner, and volunteer Bobbi Davis hosted an art therapy class.
The volunteer pictured was able to give some time... and that's what it's about at the Hope Lodge... giving. With only a few actual employees, Kate and her staff (Greg the night manager) champion the spirit of giving. With the support of AstraZeneca, volunteers from local businesses and colleges, fundraisers by Charles River Labs a 2014 example, the Hope Lodge offers "Guests" a haven where people can simply be people in a communal and supportive environment. As Madi said... "people at the Hope Lodge want to get to know me... not about my cancer".
As mentioned on another tab at this site, all donations to the fund are used explicitly for medical related travel and medical deductibles/bills. All food while on the "Right Coast", the rental car to NYC, and other activities are important to maintain spirits, we also feel it's important they're covered out-of-pocket and not from donations. Heck we'd be feeding ourselves, our cars gasoline, going to movies and whatnot if we were home in Simi Valley :-)
Thanks to friends, families, flexible employers, and some people we don't know or know well for you kindness, support, and prayers. We are all so very thankful.
Foxwoods would not benefit from Hope Lodge guests... everyone there is from somewhere else.
On April 14 Microsoft came in and prepared a great meal in April. Tuff's University recently did the same. Nope... no opportunities for either of them.
People came in from Boston University Sunday April 19 to help clean and organize the public areas at the Lodge. Another random act of kindness.
Kappa Kappa Gamma came in to host a game night, volunteer Kathy Guilday played the harp one night during dinner, and volunteer Bobbi Davis hosted an art therapy class.
The volunteer pictured was able to give some time... and that's what it's about at the Hope Lodge... giving. With only a few actual employees, Kate and her staff (Greg the night manager) champion the spirit of giving. With the support of AstraZeneca, volunteers from local businesses and colleges, fundraisers by Charles River Labs a 2014 example, the Hope Lodge offers "Guests" a haven where people can simply be people in a communal and supportive environment. As Madi said... "people at the Hope Lodge want to get to know me... not about my cancer".
As mentioned on another tab at this site, all donations to the fund are used explicitly for medical related travel and medical deductibles/bills. All food while on the "Right Coast", the rental car to NYC, and other activities are important to maintain spirits, we also feel it's important they're covered out-of-pocket and not from donations. Heck we'd be feeding ourselves, our cars gasoline, going to movies and whatnot if we were home in Simi Valley :-)
Thanks to friends, families, flexible employers, and some people we don't know or know well for you kindness, support, and prayers. We are all so very thankful.
