June Update

Hi Everyone,

It's been a busy time since we last updated the BLOG, so I will try and recap as best as possible.
My last post told you that Earls Red Wings had won the conference final and when that happened we had to make quick plans to get down to Detroit for that weekend. I phoned Thursday at 7am and managed to get a flight out on Saturday morning. We arrived in Detroit (after an almost unthinkable problem with the airline) at 1:30, checked into our hotel where Earl had a quick rest, ate a quick supper and headed to the game. Once again the DRW treated us like family and a car was waiting for us in the lobby. Game 1 was terrifically exciting and we beat the Penguins 3-1. The other exciting thing that happened that night was that we met our friend Anne Marie and while speaking with her, Earl saw a man with one leg and was so excited, we had to stop him and talk to him. Well Billy and Earl were thrilled to meet each other and had a nice visit and we exchanged email/phone numbers. It turns out that Billy is at the game with his brother "Kid Rock", so during the 2nd intermission, Billy brings his brother up to meet Earl and after a quick greeting I get to snap a few photo's. After the game, we head down to the dressing room, which was an experience in itself, as the locker room is a media frenzy. In typical Earl fashion he walks right in like he is part of the team and wanders around making sure he visits everyone. I was amazed to watch him as he knew the names of many of the TV/media personalities, and even some impersonations. It was a blast, and before the evening was over (we once again were close to being the last ones out of the dressing room) Earl had met Ted Lindsay, Don Cherry, Ron Mclean, Scott Oak, Darren Pang, and of course our good friend Darren Dreger. It was 1:30 when we arrived back at the hotel and 2:30 before Earl was able to fall asleep. The next morning we were up early, picked up and at the Joe, for the morning skate. Earl was once again sitting on the bench and hanging out with the players. It is the coolest thing to sit back and watch as these caring players, coaches and equipment staff , take time at a very crucial and focused time of their careers to include Earl in their day. Earl had his new prosthetic leg with him and proudly showed it off, especially the artwork....Detroit Red Wings and the name of his favorite player Henrik Zetterberg. Z, by the way did autograph the butt of Earls new leg.

That evening we had dinner with my cousin Allan and his family wife Gail, kids; Trisha and Keith. We went to the game with them and into the dressing room after the game. They were thrilled and being Detroit fans for many years, have now dubbed Earl their favorite cousin. That night Earl met Garry Bettmen and told him he wanted to see the Red Wings....play the Winnipeg Jets. Detroit wins again 3-1.

On Tuesday we headed to Pittsburgh in a rental car.....for game 3 and a quick peek at the beautiful city. We lost that night. The next morning we headed back to Detroit and then home to Winnipeg. It was a fast paced holiday and we were exhausted by the time we arrived home.

We had a visit with the oncologist on the 9th and were told that there is another nodule growing in his right lung. Upon receiving the ct scan report, it seems there are 2 nodules appearing in his right upper lung. The plan is to wait until Sept at which time a new scan will be done and a plan will be made. Please keep Earl in you prayers.