Check In With Chris

Our chemo Cub Scout (note to new families -- we try to avoid using last names with pictures and other info on the blog) is back home, but his family asks that we not try to visit, as chemo requires lots of energy and the avoidance of all the germs and viruses they can skip!

But there is this that Chris' mom put together: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/christophercarlson

You will find a log-in process, but you can opt out of getting additional e-mail, and i've used this over three different situations, and haven't seen the website use my e-mail in any problematic way (it's a safety and security issue for the family).

Also, one of our Webelos families has put together this, for helping by providing meals as the family has to do some extra shuttling to keep up with treatment and such:

To coordinate meal assistance, we have established the "Carlson Family Support" online community. The centerpiece of the website is a calendar you can use to sign up to provide a dinner for the family. [Please save these instructions]

To join the community, click here: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/607919/login/

In the right hand box, under "Interested in becoming a member of this community?" enter your email address and then click on "continue." The next screen will ask you for your Name, email address, and phone #.
Enter that information and then click on "Send Email."

Two things will then happen: (1) an email will be sent to the coordinator indicating that you've requested to become an member; and (2) you will receive an automatic email telling you that "Your request for membership to Carlson Family Support is pending." At this point, you don't need to do anything else.

Once the coordinator has approved your membership (this is done to avoid spammers, not to vet you) you will receive a second email with subject line "[LHH] Welcome to Carlson Family Support." Please follow instructions to create your password. The link provided in that email (a URL with many characters at the end of it) will take you to a screen that will prompt you to set up your password.
Once you have successfully set up your password, you will have access to the website. Please remember your password (the coordinators will not have access to this information) and bookmark the website or write down this link: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/607919

The centerpiece of the website is the Calendar everyone can use to indicate when they'd like to provide a dinner. Click on any day on the calendar that says "Meal" and on the right hand side of the calendar a box of information will appear with details. To volunteer to provide a meal, click on the words "Sign Up Now." That takes you to the Task Sign Up, where you can provide more information about what you'll be bringing and also sign up for multiple days. So whether you want to bring one meal in the next 6 months or provide a weekly meal, simply click on the calendar on the right hand side of the page to indicate the days for which you'll be responsible. (Note: the days you select will turn from green to blue in those calendars. To de-select a day simply click on it again and it will turn back to green.)

After filling in that information, click on "send email." The next page will give you confirmation that your sign-up was successful. You will receive reminders of what you've committed to do. And if you find that you aren't going to be available, you can look up contact information for other members of the community on the "people" tab and possibly arrange to swap with someone.

If you get stuck, there's a pretty good "Help" facility that's part of the website. If you really get stuck, let me know and I'll do what I can to help.

Thanks everyone. Now let's get cooking!

Carol