Gracious Friends Makeover Cancer Patient’s Home in Time for the Holidays

It has been nearly three years since Emily White discovered a cancerous lump on her throat. Weak and resources dwindling, her fight continues after multiple operations and radiation treatments. Unable to work, Emily struggles to make ends meet and care for her two-year-old son. Her negligible energy makes keeping up with a household and small child unmanageable. Surviving despite failing health and lack of energy, her living conditions have been severely lacking.
Recently, a long-time pal Holly Carter organized a group of more than 20 concerned friends who set out to help Emily by providing her with a much-needed home makeover. The group started the project in the early hours of Sunday, November 7, by donating time, money, and furniture. The excitement was tangible as twenty plus friends worked tirelessly for more than ten hours to get everything finished in one day. Volunteers spent the entire day removing the old to make way for new furniture and decorations. Chipped walls were repaired and painted; a leather love seat and couch replaced old, torn sectionals; and organized décor replaced excessive clutter.
When Emily arrived from a day of beauty services provided by another friend Nikki Tunnel (Cosmetologist and permanent make-up artist), Emily entered a different home than the one she left. The lingering volunteers watched as Emily moved awestricken from room to room. She struggled to exclaim praises through joyful sobs with every new surprise. Consumed with satisfaction, tear-filled volunteers expressed with quivering voices their gratitude for having the opportunity to participate.
I had a chance to interview Amy Horlacher .
She exclaimed “What an amazing experience it was to help Emily! I have known Emily for about 14 years, and even though life gets in the way and we had gone our separate ways, my love for Emily never changed. She is one of the most sincere, loving, sweet and kindhearted people I know. When I spoke to Holly about the conditions Emily was living in and the hard times she has had the last few years, there was no question in my mind that we needed to help her! We started collecting donations and had some amazing last minute cash donations that allowed us to purchase the couches she had always dreamed of and a nice kitchen table where she and her darling little boy could sit down and have a meal together. Her reaction to the makeover was priceless! You could see a huge weight lifted off her shoulders…a new beginning. Instead of Emily thanking me, I need to thank her. It has been almost a week and my heart is still full! She is still going to need a lot of help, support, and prayers. I cannot wait to see the miracles that I am certain will happen for her this holiday season. “
The efforts of these friends have made Emily’s home warm and comfortable for the holidays. Her strength was renewed and her spirit lifted by the extreme gesture of love and she is encouraged in her continuing cancer fight.
While this gracious gesture went a long way to renew her spirits, Emily still faces grave financial struggles this holiday season. As you feel the spirit this year, remember Emily in your prayers.

Update

I love the summer. So much to do such little time. I had my follow up with my endo docc. Well it doesnt look good. I still have a positive lymp but hopefully easy to remove with a simple surgery. Tyrell has been such a joy. He was dignoised with the h1n1 virus.We were in the hospital for 2 days. That was not fun. He is doing good now. They sent us home with oxygen. I hope everyone is doing well. Love you Em

FUN IN THE SUN

I am so happy for Memorial Day. Finally some fun in the sun. Tyrell will be a year in 2 months. WOW! He is learning something new everyday. I started to chip away at some of my goals I have had for 14 years......Nursing School. I have found my self uneducated and with out a job.

I also wanted everyone to know I have been thinking of you and hope everyone is doing well. I am coming up on my 6 months since my last treatment and will be getting an ultra sound in June. I am trying to keep my self busy until then. I am really going to pray for good news I can even do ok news. I will try to post some pictures in a few days. George finally was able to get me a computer so I am back. Love you guys Em

Thank You

We had a great turn out for the fundraiser yard sale. It was last minute but it turned out great. I wanted to thank Stephanie, Mark, Troy, Greg, Amy, Tammi, Nikki, My Dad, Ann, George, Suzan, Kaden, my sweet little tay tay, and everyone at First Choice Home Health that donated. It was amazing. We had everything you could image for sale even fresh hot bread. They couldnt of done it with out all of your great donations. Thank you. I hope to back to work in April. I love each and everyone of you.

#17 Cancer Updates

I have been with out a computer for a good month so I really feel out of the loop. I borrowed my sisters computer and thought I better give you all a quick update. I am doing OK I have definitely been through an adventure. These past few months have been hard but I have had some amazing people to help me along the way. I received the body scan to see where the cancer had spread. I was hoping for a good report. It looks like the cancer had spread to other thyroid glands. They are hoping that the radiation will continue to work on the cancer cells. I have my doctors apt. tomorrow and will find out more information. I have alot of fatigue and nausea but they said that should ease up around the end of March. I will keep you posted.

I hope all is well with you. I am going to check your blogs and facebook and see if I can get back in the real world even if it is just for minute. Love you Em

#16 CANCER UPDATE

I spoke with Emily again today. Although I am a little confused with what is going on exactly; I thought it would be nice to update on what I do know. Emily is recovering from this tremendous dose of radiation. She started off the first couple of weeks resting and recovering at her Dads house and with the help of an amazing family here locally baby Tyrell was able to receive the love and care he needed while George and Emily’s family were at work. This family has also experienced what it is like to have a family member go through this and has volunteered as a support system. Although getting rest was a high priority getting out of bed, walking and other small tasks are also a very important part of the recovery. It’s easy to slip into a depressing state of mind when you feel trapped. Emily thanks her Father for keeping up on making sure she was getting around. The final scan of her body has been done, however it will take several weeks for the medical staff to read and study the outcome. Once we have a full report we will update the blog. After speaking with Emily today she mentioned that above being in some pain, the side effects of the drugs, and being extremely tired, the boredom and lack of the real world has really gotten her down. Her computer is no longer working otherwise she would have been in communication with everyone. She asked me to Thank everyone for giving her family so much love and support and is determined to be back to working by March. What a trooper this girl is! xo- Holly

Just for fun, I thought I would add an old picture of Emily and some of her lovely friends.

Update on my treatment.

I have had to postpone my radiation treatment until this coming Monday. I have had alot of life's unexpected things happen this week. It has been so crazy what life throws at ya. I have not been on any thyroid meds since January 4th. I forgot they trick ya so the radiation looks better than pre treatment. I wanted to lay on the floor and kick my feet and say I didn't want the radiation. But now if is not looking to bad.
I have decided to have the radiation treatment at my dads house in Eagle Mtn. He will be my caregiver through it while George, Leslie and Steve team up to take care of our angel Tyrell. I wanted to thank everyone that offered. It has been such a blessing to have you all in our life's.

I have no access to a computer so I have ask Holly to update my blog through my treatment. I will be having 100 more mg than I received the first go around so lets hopes for the best. Recovery will be long and hard but hopefully it will be worth and I can start living life. Love you guys I hope all is well and God Bless. Emily