Mar 17, 2011
What"s New????
We had such a great time in Minneapolis....I can't begin to tell you! We headed out on Friday and we were all very excited...to be on our road trip. We went with our good friends Bruce and Debbie Tervoort and their daughter, Brittany and her boyfriend Keith. We all had a little surprise for Earl, in that Brittany had convinced us that we should buy tickets to the Anaheim vs Wild game that night. We didn't tell Earl until we were almost in Minnie, that we weren't actually going to hotel first. He was so excited he was close to tears. Oh how we all love a good surprise. After we told him the plan I showed him an email from Andreas Lilja, his friend who plays for Anaheim, telling us he had passes for us to go down after the game....it was awesome. Not only did we get a chance to visit with Lils, but we met Teemu Selani, former Winnipeg Jet and hockey great, but we met Jason Blake and Saku Koivu who are players who have also survived cancer. Earl was so excited to meet them and let them know how they inspired him.
We spent to next day shopping and shopping and did I say shopping!!! On Sunday we headed of to the Excel Energy Center to see our Boys the Red Wings play against the Wild. We arrived early, because we had a date with CBC TV's Reg Sherren and producer Terry and cameraman Warren. Yes Earl had his very own crew....! We headed down to the dressing room before the game and let's just say it was so much fun and Earl was so in his "Happy Place" If you get a chance to watch Earl's documentary you will get a very good first hand look at Earl hanging with the team. The Wings won and we were excited because Todd Bertuzzi got his 1000th goal. Yeah Todd. After the game we headed down to the dressing room and continued recording our experience.
Since that weekend we had another little trip as we headed out to Leduc Alberta so that Earl could participate in his very first Sledge Hockey Tournament. He played four games as goalie for the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers, slating 2 shutouts and only allowing 2 goals. The team was a great bunch and welcomed Earl with a great team spirit. Earl was just bursting with excitement as they won all four games and were presented with the Gold medal.
Earl's documentary can be seen on CBC's "The National" on Friday March 18th at 10:pm and heard on CBC's "The Current" on Friday morning after the 8:30 traffic report.
Next week we head out to Detroit to watch a few games and hang out with family, friends and the team.
Take care,
Debbie
We spent to next day shopping and shopping and did I say shopping!!! On Sunday we headed of to the Excel Energy Center to see our Boys the Red Wings play against the Wild. We arrived early, because we had a date with CBC TV's Reg Sherren and producer Terry and cameraman Warren. Yes Earl had his very own crew....! We headed down to the dressing room before the game and let's just say it was so much fun and Earl was so in his "Happy Place" If you get a chance to watch Earl's documentary you will get a very good first hand look at Earl hanging with the team. The Wings won and we were excited because Todd Bertuzzi got his 1000th goal. Yeah Todd. After the game we headed down to the dressing room and continued recording our experience.
Since that weekend we had another little trip as we headed out to Leduc Alberta so that Earl could participate in his very first Sledge Hockey Tournament. He played four games as goalie for the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers, slating 2 shutouts and only allowing 2 goals. The team was a great bunch and welcomed Earl with a great team spirit. Earl was just bursting with excitement as they won all four games and were presented with the Gold medal.
Earl's documentary can be seen on CBC's "The National" on Friday March 18th at 10:pm and heard on CBC's "The Current" on Friday morning after the 8:30 traffic report.
Next week we head out to Detroit to watch a few games and hang out with family, friends and the team.
Take care,
Debbie
Feb 17, 2011
Off to Minnieapolis this weekend to hang out with the Wings.
HI Everyone,
Just a quick update to let you know that we are off to Minnie, this weekend to see the Wings vs The Wild on Sunday @ 11:30am. It will be televised on NBC so keep an eye out. The team from CBC "The National" will be filming and interviewing Earl for the upcomming documentary they are working on. We are hoping that Earl will be able to be at the bench as the team goes out for the pre game warm-up so keep your eyes open.
Also Earl and I are heading out to Edmonton (Leduc) next weekend as Earl will be playing in a Sledge Hockey Tournament. He will be playing for another team (Sask) as they needed a goalie. He is very excited and very much looking forward to the tournament experience.
Take care,
Debbie
Just a quick update to let you know that we are off to Minnie, this weekend to see the Wings vs The Wild on Sunday @ 11:30am. It will be televised on NBC so keep an eye out. The team from CBC "The National" will be filming and interviewing Earl for the upcomming documentary they are working on. We are hoping that Earl will be able to be at the bench as the team goes out for the pre game warm-up so keep your eyes open.
Also Earl and I are heading out to Edmonton (Leduc) next weekend as Earl will be playing in a Sledge Hockey Tournament. He will be playing for another team (Sask) as they needed a goalie. He is very excited and very much looking forward to the tournament experience.
Take care,
Debbie
Feb 3, 2011
Great News!
God is So Good!!!!
Earl has had a very busy week. The first thing to share is that after the very inspirational documentary done about Earl by friends Jessica Cable, the phone rang with a request for Earl to agree to being the "star" of a CBC Radio documentary for "the Current" and a CBC Television documentary for "The National". Of course he said yes, so the last couple of weeks have been busy with interviews and film footage. We also appeared on CBC local radio with Mike Babcock...that was so much fun.
Earl had the great opportunity to play sledge hockey against Team Canada and the camera's were there to catch some of it. He was so excited to be playing against these amazing athletes and enjoyed some chat with them. He was happy to have Billy Bridges on his team, as Billy is known to have one of the hardest shots in the world. Earl did take one from Billy off the head in the warm-ups and lived to tell us all about how it felt....physically!
This week Earl had several appointments at Cancercare, which included a visit with his oncologist and bloodwork on Monday. Suzanne Dufresne from "The Current" was there to carry on an interview with us and Dr. Wong. Then on Wednesday morning bright and early Earl had a CT scan which was filmed by the TV guys from "The National" and then today we had both radio and TV with us for Earl's Chemo treatment. The next exciting part will be when the TV guys travel to Minnieapolis with us in a few weeks to watch the Wings play the Wild. Keep your eyes on the blog and watch for the times that these documentary will be aired.
Now for the really good news. While at the hospital today we actually received the results from the CT scan done yesterday.. You can imagine our absolute joy and excitement as Dr Wong told us that the tumor in Earls kidney is dying....Yes I said THE TUMOR IN EARL'S KIDNEY IS DYING!!!!! An MRI earlier in January showed that the tumor in his heart continues to shrink, but honestly we did not think we would see results in the kidney just yet. The chemo will continue and we continue to pray that it continues to be effective. One thing I feel I have to stress is that this chemo was not expected to be as effective as it is proving itself to be.
Praise our mighty Lord and Savior who is the great physician and who displays how much he loves Earl. This is not a coincidence friends this is God working a miracle to show us that He can! Praise Him!
Keep watching!
Debbie
Earl has had a very busy week. The first thing to share is that after the very inspirational documentary done about Earl by friends Jessica Cable, the phone rang with a request for Earl to agree to being the "star" of a CBC Radio documentary for "the Current" and a CBC Television documentary for "The National". Of course he said yes, so the last couple of weeks have been busy with interviews and film footage. We also appeared on CBC local radio with Mike Babcock...that was so much fun.
Earl had the great opportunity to play sledge hockey against Team Canada and the camera's were there to catch some of it. He was so excited to be playing against these amazing athletes and enjoyed some chat with them. He was happy to have Billy Bridges on his team, as Billy is known to have one of the hardest shots in the world. Earl did take one from Billy off the head in the warm-ups and lived to tell us all about how it felt....physically!
This week Earl had several appointments at Cancercare, which included a visit with his oncologist and bloodwork on Monday. Suzanne Dufresne from "The Current" was there to carry on an interview with us and Dr. Wong. Then on Wednesday morning bright and early Earl had a CT scan which was filmed by the TV guys from "The National" and then today we had both radio and TV with us for Earl's Chemo treatment. The next exciting part will be when the TV guys travel to Minnieapolis with us in a few weeks to watch the Wings play the Wild. Keep your eyes on the blog and watch for the times that these documentary will be aired.
Now for the really good news. While at the hospital today we actually received the results from the CT scan done yesterday.. You can imagine our absolute joy and excitement as Dr Wong told us that the tumor in Earls kidney is dying....Yes I said THE TUMOR IN EARL'S KIDNEY IS DYING!!!!! An MRI earlier in January showed that the tumor in his heart continues to shrink, but honestly we did not think we would see results in the kidney just yet. The chemo will continue and we continue to pray that it continues to be effective. One thing I feel I have to stress is that this chemo was not expected to be as effective as it is proving itself to be.
Praise our mighty Lord and Savior who is the great physician and who displays how much he loves Earl. This is not a coincidence friends this is God working a miracle to show us that He can! Praise Him!
Keep watching!
Debbie
Jan 3, 2011
Happy New Year & and final post for 2010 !
Can you believe another year has passed. Earl wants everyone to know that he feels great and that 2010 was a great year in his mind. It was the first year since his diagnosis that he wasn't hospitalized and he spent only a few hours in emergency. He feels better than he has for the last four years. He is back playing sledge hockey and even got his own equipment this year. He is coaching hockey in the girls high school league and really enjoying it and he has been attending a variety of local hockey games. So in Earl's mind things are great and really that's what matters most. He is also spending many hours each week at the church where he visits with the staff, prays, reads the bible and reflects how great God is. This I believe has had a huge impact on his life and his health.
Speaking of his health............Earl is still in chemotherapy for the cancer that recurred in his right kidney, renal veins, inferior venacava and his heart. The chemo which started back in April with continue as long as it is working and so that means that as long as we see shrinkage in the tumor the chemo will be ongoing. The chemo is rough on Earl and not at all fun, but he knows and is constantly encouraged that it is working. He will have another MRI of his heart on January 12, and we are hoping that it will show that the tumor has pulled out of the heart and is shrinking in other places.
Our travels this past fall and winter took us to Minnieapolis for a pre-season hockey game and a NFL game The vikings vs our favorite Detroit Lions. Darby Earl and I joined my cousin Al, his wife Gail and their kids, Trisha and Keith. We had a great time and even went to our first tail-gate party.
In October Earl and I headed out to Toronto and Detroit where we stopped in at MT Sinai in Toronto to visit Dr Wunder and the staff on 11 South where Earl spent 16 1/2 weeks in the first two years after diagnosis. We had a great visit and everyone especially Dr Wunder were exicited to see Earl looking so good. We then drove down to Windsor spent a night at my cousins and then headed over to Detroit and a few days with the Red Wings and our friend Billy. Earl as usual made him self at home in the locker room and reconnected with the guys and coaches on the team. It always seems so surreal to me when we are there and I just sit and smile as Earl wanders around with the players. This time we had a very special invitation by Valteri Filpulla one of the Finnish players to the team Halloween Party at his house. Talk about surreal as we sat around at the party visiting with the players and their wives. It was so much fun and a memory we will have forever. We had to come up with some costumes so Earl went as a tripod with a camera on his head (remember Earl has one leg and crutches so a tripod isn't much of a stretch) and I went as a cat (not very original but the best I could do with 1 day's notice and staying in a hotel) I still laugh today as I remember the various costumes of the players and their wives, and girlfriends. The night before we had gone to the Game and afterwards went to a party at Kid Rocks place. We had lots of fun there, but it was a very late night and we had to get up in the morning to go to the morning skate. We also had a special treat as we were able to watch Earl's friend Colin Wilson who plays for the Nashville Predators and the night before we enjoyed a night out with Darren Helm from Detroit and Colin. It was a busy week, but tons and tons of fun.
Our last trip of the year took us to Montreal, to visit our friends the Curtis'. We love this family so much and time with them is so much fun we can't wait for the next time. Earl attended to Canadiens games and a Quebec Junior Major game in Drummondville. We headed home less than a week before Christmas and had a great Christmas with our family. We are so blessed to have a family than loves one another and appreciates the gift of life and healing.
Take care, have a great year and stay posted for more good news to come.
Debbie & Earl
Speaking of his health............Earl is still in chemotherapy for the cancer that recurred in his right kidney, renal veins, inferior venacava and his heart. The chemo which started back in April with continue as long as it is working and so that means that as long as we see shrinkage in the tumor the chemo will be ongoing. The chemo is rough on Earl and not at all fun, but he knows and is constantly encouraged that it is working. He will have another MRI of his heart on January 12, and we are hoping that it will show that the tumor has pulled out of the heart and is shrinking in other places.
Our travels this past fall and winter took us to Minnieapolis for a pre-season hockey game and a NFL game The vikings vs our favorite Detroit Lions. Darby Earl and I joined my cousin Al, his wife Gail and their kids, Trisha and Keith. We had a great time and even went to our first tail-gate party.
In October Earl and I headed out to Toronto and Detroit where we stopped in at MT Sinai in Toronto to visit Dr Wunder and the staff on 11 South where Earl spent 16 1/2 weeks in the first two years after diagnosis. We had a great visit and everyone especially Dr Wunder were exicited to see Earl looking so good. We then drove down to Windsor spent a night at my cousins and then headed over to Detroit and a few days with the Red Wings and our friend Billy. Earl as usual made him self at home in the locker room and reconnected with the guys and coaches on the team. It always seems so surreal to me when we are there and I just sit and smile as Earl wanders around with the players. This time we had a very special invitation by Valteri Filpulla one of the Finnish players to the team Halloween Party at his house. Talk about surreal as we sat around at the party visiting with the players and their wives. It was so much fun and a memory we will have forever. We had to come up with some costumes so Earl went as a tripod with a camera on his head (remember Earl has one leg and crutches so a tripod isn't much of a stretch) and I went as a cat (not very original but the best I could do with 1 day's notice and staying in a hotel) I still laugh today as I remember the various costumes of the players and their wives, and girlfriends. The night before we had gone to the Game and afterwards went to a party at Kid Rocks place. We had lots of fun there, but it was a very late night and we had to get up in the morning to go to the morning skate. We also had a special treat as we were able to watch Earl's friend Colin Wilson who plays for the Nashville Predators and the night before we enjoyed a night out with Darren Helm from Detroit and Colin. It was a busy week, but tons and tons of fun.
Our last trip of the year took us to Montreal, to visit our friends the Curtis'. We love this family so much and time with them is so much fun we can't wait for the next time. Earl attended to Canadiens games and a Quebec Junior Major game in Drummondville. We headed home less than a week before Christmas and had a great Christmas with our family. We are so blessed to have a family than loves one another and appreciates the gift of life and healing.
Take care, have a great year and stay posted for more good news to come.
Debbie & Earl
Nov 19, 2010
LATEST SCAN REULTS ARE IN!!!!!!
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME GOOD NEWS........!!!!!!
WE HAVE THE LATEST SCAN RESULTS FOR EARL"S CANCER. THE TUMOR IN HIS HEART HAS DECREASED IN SIZE AGAIN, BY HALF AND THE TUMOR IN HIS RIGHT KIDNEY IS DECREASING! YEAH AND PRAISE GOD WHO WE KNOW CAN DO ANYTHING.
The original tumor in his heart measured 5.4 and the first MRI showed it had decreased to 2.4 and now is measuring 1.5cm. The impressions of the report also state that the tumor in his right kidney is less bulky. I will have a better understanding of the details once I get the written report.
I have more news, but no time right now, but promise I will update soon.
Praise God,
Debbie
WE HAVE THE LATEST SCAN RESULTS FOR EARL"S CANCER. THE TUMOR IN HIS HEART HAS DECREASED IN SIZE AGAIN, BY HALF AND THE TUMOR IN HIS RIGHT KIDNEY IS DECREASING! YEAH AND PRAISE GOD WHO WE KNOW CAN DO ANYTHING.
The original tumor in his heart measured 5.4 and the first MRI showed it had decreased to 2.4 and now is measuring 1.5cm. The impressions of the report also state that the tumor in his right kidney is less bulky. I will have a better understanding of the details once I get the written report.
I have more news, but no time right now, but promise I will update soon.
Praise God,
Debbie
Oct 19, 2010
October Update
I can't seem to keep this blog up to date....at least not as much as Earl would like. I have thought of letting him update it himself, but then it would turn into another one of those "hockey blogs" and some of you would be bored by that.
Well as of today, Earl continues to battle hard and what a fight it can be at times. This month his chemo was delayed by two weeks due to an infection in and the removal of two of his wisdom teeth. So all in all he had no treatment for 1 month. Needless to say the first round back was pretty rough. He saw Dr. Wong today and is ready to go for chemo again tomorrow. In case any of you are wondering how long he will be on chemo.....the answer quite honestly is we don't know. As long as the tumor is still there and as long as Earl is still responding well (that is that the tumor continues to shrink) he will remain on this chemo. (gemcitabine is a fairly low dose drug/poison and therefore he can be on it for a fairly long time)
As many of you know life is never dull with Earl and this past weekend was the perfect example. When we found out that the AHL team Grand Rapids (Michigan) Griffins were coming to town to play our very own Manitoba Moose we made sure we purchased our tickets. The Griffins are the farm team to the Detroit Red Wings and from our many visits with the team we have come to know several people who are involved with the Griffins. We were able to touch base with them and as Earl's reputation proceeds him, we were welcomed with open arms. The first game on Friday night saw the Griff's win 1 -0 which makes it so much fun to go down into the dressing room. Earl was so excited to meet the guys he didn't know and to touch base with the one's he does know. Earl was on a special assignment from a certain coach and was to report back with his findings. Well this made for a great time for Earl as he loves to study the game and the players. I just hang around in the background smiling and so full of pride for him. This started the weekend and then first thing Saturday morning we were back at the rink for the morning skate and more time for Earl to hang out and fool around with the boys in the locker room.....to be cont'd
Oct. 20th - I spent some time chatting with Bob Kaser the Vice President of Community Relations and Broadcasting and the voice of the Griffs on the radio. Earl made such and impression on the coaches that he was invited into the dressing room before the game to announce the starting line-up and give the pre-game pep talk to the team. He did a great job and I will try and figure out how to post this video clip. Earl and I were invited up to the broadcasting booth to watch the game with Bob Kaser and it was quite funny when we ran into Craig Heisinger the GM for the Moose and had to tell him that we were with the visiting team. It was great to watch the game from way up there and it was even better when the Griffins won 2-1. It was very exciting to go down into the dressing room after the game and Earl was given full credit for his encouraging speech which led the team to a win. After the game we went to Moxies where Earl hung out with the team while I sat back and had some quiet time at my own table. It was a late night for Earl...and did I tell you he played Sledge hockey before we went to the gane.
Earl will have chemo today and I pray and ask for your prayers as well that he will recover quickly and that the chemo would have a powerful effect on shrinking the tumor. Earl and I leave for Toronto and Detroit on Monday for a week so he wants to feel good and strong. We will be visiting at MT Sinai, Dr Wunder and 11south, then going to TSN for a visit and then onto Elmira to visit our friends the Allison's and Mark in his new appt. After that we head to Windsor and then to Detroit. We will be see the DRW play Phoenix and Nashville on Thursday and Saturday. Earl's friend and Winnipeger Colin Wilson plays for Nashville and so we look forward to seeing him play. Sorry Colin but our hearts are with the Red Wings, but we promise to cheer when you score. We have also been invited to a game in Grand Rapids on Friday night so we will have a little roadtrip and a lot of fun. Then the final activity will be a Detroit Lions Football game with our good friend Billy Ritchie.
Well that's it for now...Earl will be happy!
Take Care until the next time
Debbie
Well as of today, Earl continues to battle hard and what a fight it can be at times. This month his chemo was delayed by two weeks due to an infection in and the removal of two of his wisdom teeth. So all in all he had no treatment for 1 month. Needless to say the first round back was pretty rough. He saw Dr. Wong today and is ready to go for chemo again tomorrow. In case any of you are wondering how long he will be on chemo.....the answer quite honestly is we don't know. As long as the tumor is still there and as long as Earl is still responding well (that is that the tumor continues to shrink) he will remain on this chemo. (gemcitabine is a fairly low dose drug/poison and therefore he can be on it for a fairly long time)
As many of you know life is never dull with Earl and this past weekend was the perfect example. When we found out that the AHL team Grand Rapids (Michigan) Griffins were coming to town to play our very own Manitoba Moose we made sure we purchased our tickets. The Griffins are the farm team to the Detroit Red Wings and from our many visits with the team we have come to know several people who are involved with the Griffins. We were able to touch base with them and as Earl's reputation proceeds him, we were welcomed with open arms. The first game on Friday night saw the Griff's win 1 -0 which makes it so much fun to go down into the dressing room. Earl was so excited to meet the guys he didn't know and to touch base with the one's he does know. Earl was on a special assignment from a certain coach and was to report back with his findings. Well this made for a great time for Earl as he loves to study the game and the players. I just hang around in the background smiling and so full of pride for him. This started the weekend and then first thing Saturday morning we were back at the rink for the morning skate and more time for Earl to hang out and fool around with the boys in the locker room.....to be cont'd
Oct. 20th - I spent some time chatting with Bob Kaser the Vice President of Community Relations and Broadcasting and the voice of the Griffs on the radio. Earl made such and impression on the coaches that he was invited into the dressing room before the game to announce the starting line-up and give the pre-game pep talk to the team. He did a great job and I will try and figure out how to post this video clip. Earl and I were invited up to the broadcasting booth to watch the game with Bob Kaser and it was quite funny when we ran into Craig Heisinger the GM for the Moose and had to tell him that we were with the visiting team. It was great to watch the game from way up there and it was even better when the Griffins won 2-1. It was very exciting to go down into the dressing room after the game and Earl was given full credit for his encouraging speech which led the team to a win. After the game we went to Moxies where Earl hung out with the team while I sat back and had some quiet time at my own table. It was a late night for Earl...and did I tell you he played Sledge hockey before we went to the gane.
Earl will have chemo today and I pray and ask for your prayers as well that he will recover quickly and that the chemo would have a powerful effect on shrinking the tumor. Earl and I leave for Toronto and Detroit on Monday for a week so he wants to feel good and strong. We will be visiting at MT Sinai, Dr Wunder and 11south, then going to TSN for a visit and then onto Elmira to visit our friends the Allison's and Mark in his new appt. After that we head to Windsor and then to Detroit. We will be see the DRW play Phoenix and Nashville on Thursday and Saturday. Earl's friend and Winnipeger Colin Wilson plays for Nashville and so we look forward to seeing him play. Sorry Colin but our hearts are with the Red Wings, but we promise to cheer when you score. We have also been invited to a game in Grand Rapids on Friday night so we will have a little roadtrip and a lot of fun. Then the final activity will be a Detroit Lions Football game with our good friend Billy Ritchie.
Well that's it for now...Earl will be happy!
Take Care until the next time
Debbie
Sep 10, 2010
Are you ready for some GREAT news!
HI Everyone,
Surprise Surprise, I am updating much sooner than usual....but remember the old saying!
No news is good news! Well forget I said that, just for today...because this news is good news and I just updated the BLOG a few weeks ago.
We have received a preliminary report from Earl's latest heart MRI. We are still excited and pray that the Sigificant Decrease in size of the tumor in Earl's heart!!!!!!!! yes you read correctly>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Significant decrease continues.
Earl's chemo is working and so it will continue!
Don't forget to come out for the Terry Fox Run on September 19th. Remember to join Earl's team online today. Earl Cook Family and Friends located on the Terry Fox .org website.
ANYONE CAN JOIN....EVEN IF YOU CAN'T BE THERE....YOU CAN RAISE A DOLLAR (REMEMBER WHAT TERRY SAID) OR SPONSOR EARL, ME OR ANYONE ELSE!
Take care......I am so happy,
Debbie
Surprise Surprise, I am updating much sooner than usual....but remember the old saying!
No news is good news! Well forget I said that, just for today...because this news is good news and I just updated the BLOG a few weeks ago.
We have received a preliminary report from Earl's latest heart MRI. We are still excited and pray that the Sigificant Decrease in size of the tumor in Earl's heart!!!!!!!! yes you read correctly>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Significant decrease continues.
Earl's chemo is working and so it will continue!
Don't forget to come out for the Terry Fox Run on September 19th. Remember to join Earl's team online today. Earl Cook Family and Friends located on the Terry Fox .org website.
ANYONE CAN JOIN....EVEN IF YOU CAN'T BE THERE....YOU CAN RAISE A DOLLAR (REMEMBER WHAT TERRY SAID) OR SPONSOR EARL, ME OR ANYONE ELSE!
Take care......I am so happy,
Debbie
Sep 2, 2010
It's Terry Fox Time
Terry Fox Marathon of Hope 30th Anniversary Cross-Canada Run 2010
Mark Sunday September 19, 2010 on your calendar and make sure you join Earl's Team. We really want a big group this year. If you can't come out for the run on that day....we still want you on our team. If you make a donation you are on our team...you just have to take a minute and register your name. Let's help Earl...help Terry's foundation this year by showing our support.
Mark Sunday September 19, 2010 on your calendar and make sure you join Earl's Team. We really want a big group this year. If you can't come out for the run on that day....we still want you on our team. If you make a donation you are on our team...you just have to take a minute and register your name. Let's help Earl...help Terry's foundation this year by showing our support.
Aug 29, 2010
August Update
Hi Everyone As we near the end of summer...some people are sad, but in this house we know one person who is happy. His name is Earl.....!!!! Why you may ask, well OBVIOUSLY hockey season will soon be upon us. Earl has kept up with all the free agents and trades and prospects (boy I am learning alot about hockey) He has had a number of conversations with the Red Wings coach Mike Babcock and feels like it could very well be a good year for his team. He is very much looking forward to October when we will make our first trip of the season to Detroit and his team. He has chatted also with some of the players over the summer and I thank them all and Mike for keeping him interested in fighting his personal battle with cancer.
September brings our annual participation in the Terry Fox Run at Assiniboine Park here in Winnipeg. Join us if you can in person or in Spirit on September 19th. This will be our fourth year and we hope to make our team bigger and raise more money than ever before. Watch for details on the blog or on facebook. You can call us if you like at 487-0077
Other news for September is that Earl may be helping coach the Vincent Massey girls hockey team and the best news, at least for Earl is that the Dr's have said he can play hockey again. I told Earl I reserve the right to give the final okay until after the results of the MRI he will have this Tuesday.
Chemo update: Earl continues to have chemo and so far it seems to be working. The latest CT scan shows no measurable growth and the MRI will give us a better picture of the condition of his heart. Stand by for more news within the 2 weeks.
We had a great trip to Montreal on a few weeks ago spending time getting to know our new friends the Curtis family. What a great time we had and Earl was feeling so good and strong.
We also had a visit to a friends cottage in Lake of the Woods. I really feel blessed by all of our great friends.
Take care
Debbie
September brings our annual participation in the Terry Fox Run at Assiniboine Park here in Winnipeg. Join us if you can in person or in Spirit on September 19th. This will be our fourth year and we hope to make our team bigger and raise more money than ever before. Watch for details on the blog or on facebook. You can call us if you like at 487-0077
Other news for September is that Earl may be helping coach the Vincent Massey girls hockey team and the best news, at least for Earl is that the Dr's have said he can play hockey again. I told Earl I reserve the right to give the final okay until after the results of the MRI he will have this Tuesday.
Chemo update: Earl continues to have chemo and so far it seems to be working. The latest CT scan shows no measurable growth and the MRI will give us a better picture of the condition of his heart. Stand by for more news within the 2 weeks.
We had a great trip to Montreal on a few weeks ago spending time getting to know our new friends the Curtis family. What a great time we had and Earl was feeling so good and strong.
We also had a visit to a friends cottage in Lake of the Woods. I really feel blessed by all of our great friends.
Take care
Debbie
Jul 16, 2010
HI Everyone,
Please forgive me for not updating this blog. Life just seems to slip by and I forget. I was just reading my niece's blog (ithinkiwillgoforawalk.blogspot.com) and was reminded that there are many people out there that care and a want to know what is going on, but are too afraid to ask or too afraid to bother us. So for those of you and all the rest here is a long awaited update.
Earl is back on chemo and it is much more difficult that it ever has been, but in saying that the wonderful pharmacist's at St B are concocting many meds to help him.
He is currently taking 3 anti-nausea drugs to keep from being sick. They work for that but make him feel quite drugged for 2 days. Now in saying that it doesn't keep Earl down for long and he is anxious to see his friends and follow his hockey analysis. Coach Babcock has Earl keeping an eye on things for him and Earl takes it very seriously...making sure he doesn't miss a chance to call Mike and give him the latest news, concerning free agents, trades and any changes going on in the NHL. What would he do without hockey.....it's his reason for living.
Earl's chemo regime is two weeks on chemo and then 1 off always on Wednesday with bloodwork the day before and an oncology appt every 3 weeks. He will have some scans at the end of the month to see how the chemo is affecting the tumor that is in his right kidney, renal veins, inferior vena cava (IVC) and 2 chambers of his heart. The last scan did show that the chemo was working and there was no visible growth in the size of the tumor. The next scan should reveal more and we are anxious for that report.
We were hoping to get away for a holiday out east, but we don't want to take a break from chemo so we will hold on to that plan. so for now we are hanging close to home and looking forward to any excuse to get out for a few hours and have some fun together as a family. Our next very exciting outing is going to see BonJovi and Kid Rock tomorrow night. There are a whole bunch of us going so it should be a fun night....hopefully Earl will not get too tired.
Take care, have a good summer and give us a call.
Debbie
Please forgive me for not updating this blog. Life just seems to slip by and I forget. I was just reading my niece's blog (ithinkiwillgoforawalk.blogspot.com) and was reminded that there are many people out there that care and a want to know what is going on, but are too afraid to ask or too afraid to bother us. So for those of you and all the rest here is a long awaited update.
Earl is back on chemo and it is much more difficult that it ever has been, but in saying that the wonderful pharmacist's at St B are concocting many meds to help him.
He is currently taking 3 anti-nausea drugs to keep from being sick. They work for that but make him feel quite drugged for 2 days. Now in saying that it doesn't keep Earl down for long and he is anxious to see his friends and follow his hockey analysis. Coach Babcock has Earl keeping an eye on things for him and Earl takes it very seriously...making sure he doesn't miss a chance to call Mike and give him the latest news, concerning free agents, trades and any changes going on in the NHL. What would he do without hockey.....it's his reason for living.
Earl's chemo regime is two weeks on chemo and then 1 off always on Wednesday with bloodwork the day before and an oncology appt every 3 weeks. He will have some scans at the end of the month to see how the chemo is affecting the tumor that is in his right kidney, renal veins, inferior vena cava (IVC) and 2 chambers of his heart. The last scan did show that the chemo was working and there was no visible growth in the size of the tumor. The next scan should reveal more and we are anxious for that report.
We were hoping to get away for a holiday out east, but we don't want to take a break from chemo so we will hold on to that plan. so for now we are hanging close to home and looking forward to any excuse to get out for a few hours and have some fun together as a family. Our next very exciting outing is going to see BonJovi and Kid Rock tomorrow night. There are a whole bunch of us going so it should be a fun night....hopefully Earl will not get too tired.
Take care, have a good summer and give us a call.
Debbie
Jun 16, 2010
Good News
Hi Everyone,
I am happy to say "we have some good news" At our most recent visit to the oncologists we received the report on the latest MRI of Earl's heart, chest and abdomen, which shows little/or no growth of the tumor. This means that Earl is responding to the chemo and will continue being treated. Today he will start cycle 3 of his treatment. We have no information on how long the treatment will go on for, but I would feel hopeful in saying that we will continue until the tumor is DEAD.
Needless to say he is feeling pretty good and is actually driving us a little mad with his chatter and bubbly personality LOL......
Take care,
Debbie
I am happy to say "we have some good news" At our most recent visit to the oncologists we received the report on the latest MRI of Earl's heart, chest and abdomen, which shows little/or no growth of the tumor. This means that Earl is responding to the chemo and will continue being treated. Today he will start cycle 3 of his treatment. We have no information on how long the treatment will go on for, but I would feel hopeful in saying that we will continue until the tumor is DEAD.
Needless to say he is feeling pretty good and is actually driving us a little mad with his chatter and bubbly personality LOL......
Take care,
Debbie
Jun 8, 2010
June update
Hi Everyone,
Can you believe it's June already, and it won't be long before the kids and many of my friends are finished school and enjoying what we hope will be a beautiful summer.
Earl has now completed two cycles/4 treatments of chemo and it hasn't been easy for him. We are so surprised to see him having such a tough time, because compared to the chemo he had in the beginning this should be a cake walk, but for some reason Earl, whom we can never quite figure out, is really struggling with this milder chemo. He feels like he has the flu and needs a lot of rest. But Earl, as one would expect is remaining positive and determined to beat this. He certainly has his down days and we do our best to turn that around for him...usually all it takes is a phone call from one of his hockey friends, a little locker room advice or a pep talk, a story about how he is and inspiration to one person or another and he is good again. His energy gets depleted rather quickly so he has to be careful about picking and choosing which activities and how many he can manage each day.
Earl had his MRI this past Friday and we see the Dr. on the 14th, so please keep him in your prayers as we anxiously await the results. We are hoping that we will see some evidence that the chemo is working.
We are all very excited about his upcoming fundraiser, especially to see our many friends, family and supporters. I have just about sold all 250 tickets and we have had so many generous donations....thank-you....thank-you....thank-you!
Take Care,
Debbie
Can you believe it's June already, and it won't be long before the kids and many of my friends are finished school and enjoying what we hope will be a beautiful summer.
Earl has now completed two cycles/4 treatments of chemo and it hasn't been easy for him. We are so surprised to see him having such a tough time, because compared to the chemo he had in the beginning this should be a cake walk, but for some reason Earl, whom we can never quite figure out, is really struggling with this milder chemo. He feels like he has the flu and needs a lot of rest. But Earl, as one would expect is remaining positive and determined to beat this. He certainly has his down days and we do our best to turn that around for him...usually all it takes is a phone call from one of his hockey friends, a little locker room advice or a pep talk, a story about how he is and inspiration to one person or another and he is good again. His energy gets depleted rather quickly so he has to be careful about picking and choosing which activities and how many he can manage each day.
Earl had his MRI this past Friday and we see the Dr. on the 14th, so please keep him in your prayers as we anxiously await the results. We are hoping that we will see some evidence that the chemo is working.
We are all very excited about his upcoming fundraiser, especially to see our many friends, family and supporters. I have just about sold all 250 tickets and we have had so many generous donations....thank-you....thank-you....thank-you!
Take Care,
Debbie
May 30, 2010
Earl's Fundraiser - June 10th, 2010
Earl's Fundraiser - June 10th, 2010
We are having a fund raising event for Earl on June 10th here in Winnipeg. It will take place at Rumor's Comedy Club and will star comedian John Beuhler. You can help in two ways, either by purchasing a ticket and joining us, or by donating a silent auction prize or cash donation.
If you know Earl, you know what a special young man he is and what a huge inspiration he is to others. Let's join together and pay it forward to Earl.
We are having a fund raising event for Earl on June 10th here in Winnipeg. It will take place at Rumor's Comedy Club and will star comedian John Beuhler. You can help in two ways, either by purchasing a ticket and joining us, or by donating a silent auction prize or cash donation.
If you know Earl, you know what a special young man he is and what a huge inspiration he is to others. Let's join together and pay it forward to Earl.
May 6, 2010
May update 2010
HI Everyone.
It's finally springtime and it's so nice to be outside...but more importantly for Earl it means the "Playoffs". Earl and I had a nice trip out to Detroit for games 3&4 of the first round. We had such a nice time, staying with my cousin in Windsor for a few days watching hockey and enjoying their amazing hospitality. We won 1 and lost 1...but in the end Detroit managed to win the series against Phoenix in game 7. Mike Babcock wore the tie that Earl had given him...(red with a small white dot) and it seemed to be the lucky tie. Now we are in round 2 against San Jose. It's been tough but we believe we can do it.....GO RED WINGS.
Speaking of tough...recent tests show that Earl's cancer is back. He started chemo this past Tuesday to try and shrink the new tumor. So keep praying for him.
Take care.
Debbie
It's finally springtime and it's so nice to be outside...but more importantly for Earl it means the "Playoffs". Earl and I had a nice trip out to Detroit for games 3&4 of the first round. We had such a nice time, staying with my cousin in Windsor for a few days watching hockey and enjoying their amazing hospitality. We won 1 and lost 1...but in the end Detroit managed to win the series against Phoenix in game 7. Mike Babcock wore the tie that Earl had given him...(red with a small white dot) and it seemed to be the lucky tie. Now we are in round 2 against San Jose. It's been tough but we believe we can do it.....GO RED WINGS.
Speaking of tough...recent tests show that Earl's cancer is back. He started chemo this past Tuesday to try and shrink the new tumor. So keep praying for him.
Take care.
Debbie
Mar 28, 2010
March Update"Earl Makes the Paper"
Hi Everyone,
This has been a pretty good month. We have been to Hawaii and Calgary and best of all the Wings are winning. Earl's new name for his favorite team is "The Detroit Hot Wings" ha ha. We are so proud of how well his boys are doing.
Earl saw the oncologist this past week and this is the news. The nodule in his right lung that we have been watching has not grown significantly, which is good news, but there appears to be 2-4 new nodules..not such great news....so now we wait for another 3-4 months before we get another ct scan. The other problem is that one of his kidney's is dilated and they are doing some tests to figure out the cause. Other than that, Earl has his good days and his bad days and we continue to ask you to keep him in your prayers,
- that he would begin to feel better and stronger
- that the cancer would just stop growing
- that Earl would take responsibility for eating healthy and staying strong.
While we were in Detroit in February we met a young couple who were also from Winnipeg, and when they heard about Earls story and connection to Mike and the Red Wings thought it was a story worth telling. Below you will find 2 stories that were printed in the Winnipeg Sun on Sunday March 14 about Earl, Mike Babcock and their relationship.
ENJOY.
Debbie
“Earl, you own the Joe.”
Those words are uttered often when Winnipeg’s Earl Cook makes a pilgrimage to his hockey mecca, Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
It’s the home of his beloved Red Wings, a team with which Cook, who is battling cancer and had his left leg amputated because of it, has basically become part of due to his friendship with head coach Mike Babcock.
“He’s become a good friend of the Detroit Red Wings,” Babcock said, “and he’s become a good friend of mine.”
Cook, 22, is given free reign when he shows up at the venerable Motor City arena. He sits on the bench during the morning skate and darts around the locker-room after games.
“He’s got an opinion on everything!” Babcock said. “He’s got an opinion on who should shoot in the shootouts, he’s got an opinion on who should play with who and what goalie. I remember the last time he was in, we were playing Ottawa. He had the scouting report on (Brian) Elliott.”
Debbie Hopkins, who has been Cook’s foster mom for the last six years, is thankful the Wings have let her son live out a dream.
“Earl is given that experience, and he believes that he makes a difference,” she said. “And I think that’s the way Mike wants it.”
Babcock is always telling Cook that he knows a lot about hockey and specifically the Wings.
“I can’t tell you everything,” Cook said, “because some of it’s secret.”
Cook analyses tape with Detroit video coach Keith McKittrick. Johan Franzen calls him the team’s fourth coach. He has dumped Gatorade down Darren Helm’s jersey three times during practice and knows the St. Andrews product will exact his revenge soon.
He writes motivational messages on the white board. He’s met entertainer Kid Rock and befriended his brother, Billy Ritchie, whose hip and leg were amputated when he was six.
Due to behavioral and learning disabilities, Cook sometimes says whatever he’s thinking.
“I speak my mind,” said Cook, who has given motivational speeches around Winnipeg. “They like that about me.”
He even went up to Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg last spring during the Stanley Cup playoffs and told him he was struggling.
It was OK, though, because “me and him are tight,” Cook said. “I got his e-mail.”
Cook and Debbie are travelling to Calgary for Detroit’s game on Monday night against the Flames. Cook will no doubt catch up with his pals.
“I want to study for them, but I don’t know (Miikka) Kiprusoff’s weak spot,” Cook said. “I don’t know how to score on him. He’s too good.”
Babcock isn’t going to be happy to hear that.
Cook’s strongest bond is with the coach, but he has made an impact on the players as well during his dozen or so trips to watch them play.
A signed picture from defenceman Andreas Lilja reads: “To my best bud. You are an inspiration to us all. All the best.”
Cook also has a Wings calendar, and each player featured wrote a personal message of hope.
Cook’s bedroom is plastered in red and white. Pictures, jerseys, sticks and coffee mugs, not to mention a Curtis Joseph goalie helmet, are all over the house.
His prosthetic leg, which includes a rear end since he doesn’t have a hip, is painted red with a Wings logo on it. His good buddy Zetterberg even autographed the thing — while Cook was wearing it!
Cook believes his relationship with Babcock and the Wings is helping him strive to beat cancer. He and Debbie have tried to make trips to Motown just before he goes in for surgery.
“It brings my spirits up,” he said. “My Red Wings are my friends, and they’re cheering me on. I gotta do it for them, and I made a promise to other cancer patients before they died that I’m going to do whatever it takes to survive.”
Babcock’s wife lost one of her closest friends to cancer during the Olympics. His mom died of the disease as well. He invites kids stricken with cancer to every Wings home game.
None of them, however, left an impression like Cook has.
“There’s a few of them over the years that I’ve got to know better than others, but no one as good as Earl,” Babcock said.
“He’s just a great guy. He’s a piece of work. There’s nothing else you can say about him. He’s just fantastic, and his heart is huge. Sometimes when you don’t win, sometimes when you don’t feel like things are going as good as they should be, all you gotta do is think about him.
“You think about the hand he’s been dealt and how he embraces it. He’s an inspiration. He’s a remarkable man, is all I can say. He’s a gift from God.
“Earl’s going to be one of the survivors, and he’s also going to be one of the people who inspires people to make a difference, and I think that’s so important.”
kirk.penton@sunmedia.ca
When the doctor found another “something” in his lungs at Christmas time, Earl Cook wasn’t sure if he was ready to continue his cancer battle.
So his foster mom, Debbie Hopkins, sent an e-mail to one of Cook’s closest friends to ask if he could light a fire under her 22-year-old son.
That friend, who two months later would guide the Canadian men’s hockey team to Olympic gold in Vancouver, did just that.
Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock told Cook that it was overtime in Game 7. It was time to find another gear. He threw in a few salty words to make sure he got his point across.
“He gave Earl a locker-room talk,” Debbie said with a laugh. “And he doesn’t mince his words with Earl, either, which is really cool. As a mother, I don’t prefer that people use those kind of words with my children, but he treats him just like a player. And it’s awesome. It’s one of those situations where it’s OK.”
It’s OK because Cook, who has gone through more in his 22 years than anyone could ever imagine, responds to Babcock. One of the world’s most famous hockey coaches and the foster kid from Winnipeg have formed a deep friendship that just might be keeping the latter alive.
“If it weren’t for Mike, I wouldn’t want to keep fighting,” Cook said matter-of-factly. “Mike has given me the desire to live. There’s lots of times during each day I say I want to be dead right now, I don’t feel good.
“I get depressed sometimes, but Mike gets me out of it.”
Cook had it rough from the beginning. And when we say the beginning, we mean the beginning.
“Earl was born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder,” Debbie said. “He was actually born drunk. And, actually, he was born in a toilet. His mother didn’t even know she had him. His older sister found him and saved his life.”
Cook was abused and diagnosed with failure to thrive. Doctors didn’t think he would make it past the age of two. He was placed in foster care as an infant, but the numerous behavioural and learning disabilities that were caused by his early experiences, like Asperger syndrome, are with him for life.
The fact he was diagnosed with cancer when he was 19 falls under the category of ‘Life’s not fair.’ The kid’s a fighter, though, and it’s his remarkable attitude that draws people to him.
“He’s a guy with an infectious personality,” Babcock said last week from Detroit. “The life he’s had … he’s a guy who’s found a way to make lemonade out of lemons, I guess you could say.
“I love when I jump in the car and it’s him on the phone. I turn it on, and I listen to him. It gives me inspiration.”
Cook and Babcock first made contact in July 2008, after Cook’s left hip and leg were amputated in Toronto. Cook was first diagnosed in 2007 with osteogenic sarcoma in his leg, the same kind of cancer Terry Fox had.
Cook had gotten to know part-time CTV Winnipeg sports anchor Dan Palsson, who in turn asked his friend, TSN’s Darren Dreger, if he could pay Cook a visit. Dreger stopped by and asked Cook who his favourite hockey coach was. Cook said Babcock. Fifteen minutes later the two were chatting on the phone.
“I was telling Mike how to run the lines, who to play with who and stuff and he listened to me,” Cook said. “And sure enough we went to the finals (in 2009).”
After the amputation, Cook had chemotherapy for the cancer that had spread to his lungs, but he wasn’t responding well to the treatment and the doctors weren’t hopeful.
So Debbie decided to get in touch with Babcock to see if Cook could come down for a game or two. He said yes. A friendship was born. Cook and Debbie have attended about a dozen Wings games over the last two seasons. When he’s unable to be there in person, Cook has Babcock’s direct line. They spoke three times on Thursday.
“If Earl ever calls, without a doubt he returns the call,” Debbie said. “Unless he calls at a completely inappropriate time, he will return the call within an hour.”
Debbie believes her son’s relationship with the Olympic- and Stanley Cup-winning coach is why Cook is still fighting off the disease today.
“It’s been everything,” she said. “It’s given him that motivation, the desire, the need to survive.”
kirk.penton@sunmedia.ca
This has been a pretty good month. We have been to Hawaii and Calgary and best of all the Wings are winning. Earl's new name for his favorite team is "The Detroit Hot Wings" ha ha. We are so proud of how well his boys are doing.
Earl saw the oncologist this past week and this is the news. The nodule in his right lung that we have been watching has not grown significantly, which is good news, but there appears to be 2-4 new nodules..not such great news....so now we wait for another 3-4 months before we get another ct scan. The other problem is that one of his kidney's is dilated and they are doing some tests to figure out the cause. Other than that, Earl has his good days and his bad days and we continue to ask you to keep him in your prayers,
- that he would begin to feel better and stronger
- that the cancer would just stop growing
- that Earl would take responsibility for eating healthy and staying strong.
While we were in Detroit in February we met a young couple who were also from Winnipeg, and when they heard about Earls story and connection to Mike and the Red Wings thought it was a story worth telling. Below you will find 2 stories that were printed in the Winnipeg Sun on Sunday March 14 about Earl, Mike Babcock and their relationship.
ENJOY.
Debbie
“Earl, you own the Joe.”
Those words are uttered often when Winnipeg’s Earl Cook makes a pilgrimage to his hockey mecca, Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
It’s the home of his beloved Red Wings, a team with which Cook, who is battling cancer and had his left leg amputated because of it, has basically become part of due to his friendship with head coach Mike Babcock.
“He’s become a good friend of the Detroit Red Wings,” Babcock said, “and he’s become a good friend of mine.”
Cook, 22, is given free reign when he shows up at the venerable Motor City arena. He sits on the bench during the morning skate and darts around the locker-room after games.
“He’s got an opinion on everything!” Babcock said. “He’s got an opinion on who should shoot in the shootouts, he’s got an opinion on who should play with who and what goalie. I remember the last time he was in, we were playing Ottawa. He had the scouting report on (Brian) Elliott.”
Debbie Hopkins, who has been Cook’s foster mom for the last six years, is thankful the Wings have let her son live out a dream.
“Earl is given that experience, and he believes that he makes a difference,” she said. “And I think that’s the way Mike wants it.”
Babcock is always telling Cook that he knows a lot about hockey and specifically the Wings.
“I can’t tell you everything,” Cook said, “because some of it’s secret.”
Cook analyses tape with Detroit video coach Keith McKittrick. Johan Franzen calls him the team’s fourth coach. He has dumped Gatorade down Darren Helm’s jersey three times during practice and knows the St. Andrews product will exact his revenge soon.
He writes motivational messages on the white board. He’s met entertainer Kid Rock and befriended his brother, Billy Ritchie, whose hip and leg were amputated when he was six.
Due to behavioral and learning disabilities, Cook sometimes says whatever he’s thinking.
“I speak my mind,” said Cook, who has given motivational speeches around Winnipeg. “They like that about me.”
He even went up to Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg last spring during the Stanley Cup playoffs and told him he was struggling.
It was OK, though, because “me and him are tight,” Cook said. “I got his e-mail.”
Cook and Debbie are travelling to Calgary for Detroit’s game on Monday night against the Flames. Cook will no doubt catch up with his pals.
“I want to study for them, but I don’t know (Miikka) Kiprusoff’s weak spot,” Cook said. “I don’t know how to score on him. He’s too good.”
Babcock isn’t going to be happy to hear that.
Cook’s strongest bond is with the coach, but he has made an impact on the players as well during his dozen or so trips to watch them play.
A signed picture from defenceman Andreas Lilja reads: “To my best bud. You are an inspiration to us all. All the best.”
Cook also has a Wings calendar, and each player featured wrote a personal message of hope.
Cook’s bedroom is plastered in red and white. Pictures, jerseys, sticks and coffee mugs, not to mention a Curtis Joseph goalie helmet, are all over the house.
His prosthetic leg, which includes a rear end since he doesn’t have a hip, is painted red with a Wings logo on it. His good buddy Zetterberg even autographed the thing — while Cook was wearing it!
Cook believes his relationship with Babcock and the Wings is helping him strive to beat cancer. He and Debbie have tried to make trips to Motown just before he goes in for surgery.
“It brings my spirits up,” he said. “My Red Wings are my friends, and they’re cheering me on. I gotta do it for them, and I made a promise to other cancer patients before they died that I’m going to do whatever it takes to survive.”
Babcock’s wife lost one of her closest friends to cancer during the Olympics. His mom died of the disease as well. He invites kids stricken with cancer to every Wings home game.
None of them, however, left an impression like Cook has.
“There’s a few of them over the years that I’ve got to know better than others, but no one as good as Earl,” Babcock said.
“He’s just a great guy. He’s a piece of work. There’s nothing else you can say about him. He’s just fantastic, and his heart is huge. Sometimes when you don’t win, sometimes when you don’t feel like things are going as good as they should be, all you gotta do is think about him.
“You think about the hand he’s been dealt and how he embraces it. He’s an inspiration. He’s a remarkable man, is all I can say. He’s a gift from God.
“Earl’s going to be one of the survivors, and he’s also going to be one of the people who inspires people to make a difference, and I think that’s so important.”
kirk.penton@sunmedia.ca
When the doctor found another “something” in his lungs at Christmas time, Earl Cook wasn’t sure if he was ready to continue his cancer battle.
So his foster mom, Debbie Hopkins, sent an e-mail to one of Cook’s closest friends to ask if he could light a fire under her 22-year-old son.
That friend, who two months later would guide the Canadian men’s hockey team to Olympic gold in Vancouver, did just that.
Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock told Cook that it was overtime in Game 7. It was time to find another gear. He threw in a few salty words to make sure he got his point across.
“He gave Earl a locker-room talk,” Debbie said with a laugh. “And he doesn’t mince his words with Earl, either, which is really cool. As a mother, I don’t prefer that people use those kind of words with my children, but he treats him just like a player. And it’s awesome. It’s one of those situations where it’s OK.”
It’s OK because Cook, who has gone through more in his 22 years than anyone could ever imagine, responds to Babcock. One of the world’s most famous hockey coaches and the foster kid from Winnipeg have formed a deep friendship that just might be keeping the latter alive.
“If it weren’t for Mike, I wouldn’t want to keep fighting,” Cook said matter-of-factly. “Mike has given me the desire to live. There’s lots of times during each day I say I want to be dead right now, I don’t feel good.
“I get depressed sometimes, but Mike gets me out of it.”
Cook had it rough from the beginning. And when we say the beginning, we mean the beginning.
“Earl was born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder,” Debbie said. “He was actually born drunk. And, actually, he was born in a toilet. His mother didn’t even know she had him. His older sister found him and saved his life.”
Cook was abused and diagnosed with failure to thrive. Doctors didn’t think he would make it past the age of two. He was placed in foster care as an infant, but the numerous behavioural and learning disabilities that were caused by his early experiences, like Asperger syndrome, are with him for life.
The fact he was diagnosed with cancer when he was 19 falls under the category of ‘Life’s not fair.’ The kid’s a fighter, though, and it’s his remarkable attitude that draws people to him.
“He’s a guy with an infectious personality,” Babcock said last week from Detroit. “The life he’s had … he’s a guy who’s found a way to make lemonade out of lemons, I guess you could say.
“I love when I jump in the car and it’s him on the phone. I turn it on, and I listen to him. It gives me inspiration.”
Cook and Babcock first made contact in July 2008, after Cook’s left hip and leg were amputated in Toronto. Cook was first diagnosed in 2007 with osteogenic sarcoma in his leg, the same kind of cancer Terry Fox had.
Cook had gotten to know part-time CTV Winnipeg sports anchor Dan Palsson, who in turn asked his friend, TSN’s Darren Dreger, if he could pay Cook a visit. Dreger stopped by and asked Cook who his favourite hockey coach was. Cook said Babcock. Fifteen minutes later the two were chatting on the phone.
“I was telling Mike how to run the lines, who to play with who and stuff and he listened to me,” Cook said. “And sure enough we went to the finals (in 2009).”
After the amputation, Cook had chemotherapy for the cancer that had spread to his lungs, but he wasn’t responding well to the treatment and the doctors weren’t hopeful.
So Debbie decided to get in touch with Babcock to see if Cook could come down for a game or two. He said yes. A friendship was born. Cook and Debbie have attended about a dozen Wings games over the last two seasons. When he’s unable to be there in person, Cook has Babcock’s direct line. They spoke three times on Thursday.
“If Earl ever calls, without a doubt he returns the call,” Debbie said. “Unless he calls at a completely inappropriate time, he will return the call within an hour.”
Debbie believes her son’s relationship with the Olympic- and Stanley Cup-winning coach is why Cook is still fighting off the disease today.
“It’s been everything,” she said. “It’s given him that motivation, the desire, the need to survive.”
kirk.penton@sunmedia.ca
Mar 10, 2010
March Update
Hi Everyone,
Well time sure speeds by! Since our last update Earl and I have been to Mexico, Detroit/Windsor/Niagara Falls and Hawaii and we leave on Saturday for a quick trip to Calgary to watch the Wings play and hopefully WIN against the Flames. We have had lots of fun and I will tell some of those stories and add some pictures later. For now I want you to know a little about what's going on with Earl medically.
Well time sure speeds by! Since our last update Earl and I have been to Mexico, Detroit/Windsor/Niagara Falls and Hawaii and we leave on Saturday for a quick trip to Calgary to watch the Wings play and hopefully WIN against the Flames. We have had lots of fun and I will tell some of those stories and add some pictures later. For now I want you to know a little about what's going on with Earl medically.
In the last number of months and prior to our vacation Earl was having daily headaches. We talked to our nurse today and reported Earl's headaches, vomiting and a few other symptoms to her. Upon consulting with the Dr. she informed us that a CT Scan of his head will be done tomorrow at 8:40 am. Please pray for this test and of course for Earl and myself. We are sure hoping that the news will be good and that nothing will be found.
Debbie
Feb 1, 2010
It's 2010...WOW
HI Everyone,
It's hard to believe it's already the beginning of February and it's turned pretty cold here in Winterpeg. Earl is feeling pretty good these days, and we are both feeling better after a week in the sun. We left for Mexico on Jan5th and came home on the 12th, it's was wonderful. We stayed at a very nice resort, which was not too big, and gave Earl the opportunity to wander around at his leisure and chat up a story with the other guests. We met some awesome people and made some great friendships. The resort was beautiful and Earl swam in the ocean everyday except one. We went snorkeling and took a day trip to Xcaret, and ecological park which told the story of Mexico and its history. The weather was pretty nice for us cold Manitoban's.
Since returning Earl has made it back on the ice and is fully recovered from his surgery. As we wait and try to think of things other that cancer we are planning a trip to Detroit next week, during which we will visit with my cousins in Windsor and spend time with the team and some friends from Detroit. We are taking along 2 friends of Earl's Brittany and Keith and so this should be a fun trip. We are hoping to take Earl to visit Niagara Falls, he's never been there and I am sure he will love it.
Two weekends ago, my brother called and told me about a super good deal to go to Hawaii (Maui) so, after we get back from Detroit, we flying off for a 12 day trip to Maui. We are looking forward to it and will have a great time because my brother and his wife and other family members will also be there.
that's the update...remember no news is good news....!!! but really I am sorry it took me so long to update the blog.
Earl continues to stay positive and is serious about beating this cancer. On February 21st our church will be having a healing service for Earl, so if you live in Winnipeg you are welcome to join us as we hold Earl up in prayer and trust that God will be his strength and healer.
Take care,
Debbie
It's hard to believe it's already the beginning of February and it's turned pretty cold here in Winterpeg. Earl is feeling pretty good these days, and we are both feeling better after a week in the sun. We left for Mexico on Jan5th and came home on the 12th, it's was wonderful. We stayed at a very nice resort, which was not too big, and gave Earl the opportunity to wander around at his leisure and chat up a story with the other guests. We met some awesome people and made some great friendships. The resort was beautiful and Earl swam in the ocean everyday except one. We went snorkeling and took a day trip to Xcaret, and ecological park which told the story of Mexico and its history. The weather was pretty nice for us cold Manitoban's.
Since returning Earl has made it back on the ice and is fully recovered from his surgery. As we wait and try to think of things other that cancer we are planning a trip to Detroit next week, during which we will visit with my cousins in Windsor and spend time with the team and some friends from Detroit. We are taking along 2 friends of Earl's Brittany and Keith and so this should be a fun trip. We are hoping to take Earl to visit Niagara Falls, he's never been there and I am sure he will love it.
Two weekends ago, my brother called and told me about a super good deal to go to Hawaii (Maui) so, after we get back from Detroit, we flying off for a 12 day trip to Maui. We are looking forward to it and will have a great time because my brother and his wife and other family members will also be there.
that's the update...remember no news is good news....!!! but really I am sorry it took me so long to update the blog.
Earl continues to stay positive and is serious about beating this cancer. On February 21st our church will be having a healing service for Earl, so if you live in Winnipeg you are welcome to join us as we hold Earl up in prayer and trust that God will be his strength and healer.
Take care,
Debbie
Dec 29, 2009
Last Update for 2009
HI Everyone,
I was hoping to end the year on a positive note with a report that the latest CT Scan was clear, but Earl saw the oncologist today and unfortunately there appears to be yet another "something" in his right upper lobe (lung). The plan is to wait 3 months and do another CT Scan....and see if it grows and then make a decision as to what should happen next. For those of you who don't know, Earl had surgery on October 29, which involved the opening of his sternum so that the surgeon could access both of Earls' lungs. They removed two cancerous tumors from his left lung and what ended up being scar tissue from his right lung. He was in hospital for 5 days and off his crutches for a total of 8 weeks. He is back moving around again and doing a great job...like he never stopped.
We were reall
y hoping that the latest results would be different and therefore we are having a tough time keeping our heads up. Earl has been struggling emotionally for the last few months as we have said goodbye to several more sarcoma friends. We were especially saddened by the loss of our dear Friend Ramona Reimer...and send out prayers to her husband Earl and their families.
We did however have a great Christmas with family and plan to continue to celebrate the love that God has bestowed upon us and share it with all we meet. I have a terrific family, and terrific friends...we have a church family that stands behind us and prays for us all the way and all the time...and for that we are forever thankful. God is Good and his Love endures forever.
The next few months will hopefully involve a trip to Detroit...Earls misses his boys so much, hopefully a trip to Calgary... to see the DRW put the Flames out.....! (that's for you Mike) and I am currently scanning the net to find a sell off vacation... to somewhere hot and where we can have a much needed change of scenery.
Take care everyone, please keep in touch, please keep praying and oh yeahhhhhh
HAPPY NEW YEAR....
Debbie, Earl and Darby.
I was hoping to end the year on a positive note with a report that the latest CT Scan was clear, but Earl saw the oncologist today and unfortunately there appears to be yet another "something" in his right upper lobe (lung). The plan is to wait 3 months and do another CT Scan....and see if it grows and then make a decision as to what should happen next. For those of you who don't know, Earl had surgery on October 29, which involved the opening of his sternum so that the surgeon could access both of Earls' lungs. They removed two cancerous tumors from his left lung and what ended up being scar tissue from his right lung. He was in hospital for 5 days and off his crutches for a total of 8 weeks. He is back moving around again and doing a great job...like he never stopped.
We were reall
y hoping that the latest results would be different and therefore we are having a tough time keeping our heads up. Earl has been struggling emotionally for the last few months as we have said goodbye to several more sarcoma friends. We were especially saddened by the loss of our dear Friend Ramona Reimer...and send out prayers to her husband Earl and their families.We did however have a great Christmas with family and plan to continue to celebrate the love that God has bestowed upon us and share it with all we meet. I have a terrific family, and terrific friends...we have a church family that stands behind us and prays for us all the way and all the time...and for that we are forever thankful. God is Good and his Love endures forever.
The next few months will hopefully involve a trip to Detroit...Earls misses his boys so much, hopefully a trip to Calgary... to see the DRW put the Flames out.....! (that's for you Mike) and I am currently scanning the net to find a sell off vacation... to somewhere hot and where we can have a much needed change of scenery.
Take care everyone, please keep in touch, please keep praying and oh yeahhhhhh
HAPPY NEW YEAR....
Debbie, Earl and Darby.
Nov 27, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Getting to know Earl
Earl and the Kickers
Earl's Trip To Minnie
Checking out the New Guys
Earl and Paul Lapolice