a little alaska

07/09/2026

There's a new post on our CaringBridge page. If the link doesn't work for you, you can search Eric (and Molly) Manzer (Mulvaney) on the Caring Bridge website and my update should come up.

TLDR (short summary version):
Eric feels good. He continues to have immunotherapy infusions in Anchorage every three weeks. Going forward he will have double the dose every six weeks. His most recent scans have all been inconclusive. The cancer is either growing very slowly or what looks like growth is actually inflammation and metabolic activity caused by the drug, something that happens with immunotherapy medication. The next scan is will be in early September in Houston.

On our trip from Alaska to Texas for the scan we also visited my mother and Eric’s oldest sister in Kentucky and Sully in Bellingham and are now home in Cordova. Sully will be here for a couple of weeks in July and then in late September for an unknown period of time. Molly has had more time and head space to take care of herself. Cancer wise we’re addressing and hope to get a better handle on the long term financial picture of affording the cancer care which will most likely be with us for the rest of Eric’s life.

https://www.caringbridge.org/site/633e6077-9989-11ef-98b3-5beba286f3d5

01/11/2026

I posted a looong update on our CaringBridge page, available to all. The barebones summary and link to the full post are below. Photo taken January 7, 2026.

BAREBONES SUMMARY: In June we drove back to Cordova from Houston in our new to us used Subaru. In July we went to Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital to consult with a thymic carcinoma doctor who confirmed the advice from MD Anderson. We worked with our local hospital to have Eric’s every three week maintenance infusions administered there. The late September scan in Texas showed some metabolic activity so Eric was put on a new to him drug, Keytruda which is an immunotherapy drug. He has been going to Anchorage every three weeks for an infusion. He is tolerating them well. We travel to Texas this week for his PETCT scan on January 13.

Tucker kitty died in early October. Molly’s Dad died in late October. Molly, Sully and Eric went east for the calling hours, funeral and celebration of life. In early December we had some much needed R&R at a friend’s place in the Palm Springs area. We spent Christmas in Cordova with Sully who came home from Bellingham for it.

For those of you who have mentioned that the CaringBridge link that comes to your email doesn't work, my understanding is if you get an email that says we posted, it is valid for 24 hours; after 24 hours, if you're not already signed in, you will have to sign in to view.

LINK TO FULL POST:
https://www.caringbridge.org/site/633e6077-9989-11ef-98b3-5beba286f3d5

06/01/2025

Howdy Y'all!

It may seem like we've fallen off the face of a cliff as our social platforms have been quiet and we haven't been promoting our program. We're still here!

The last eight months have been life changing for us. Eric, a huge part of A little Alaska, has a very rare, advanced and aggressive cancer called thymic carcinoma. In November we temporarily relocated to Houston, Texas so he could be treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

He handled the toxic and intense chemotherapy and antibody treatment as well as can be expected. The good news is the cancer is responding, has shrunk considerably and he feels better than he has in over a year.

Chemo is over for now. He now has maintenance treatments of an hour plus long antibody infusion every three weeks and scans every three months to monitor the cancer. Arrangements to continue those infusions in Alaska are in the works.

We've made the most of the situation and have many good memories despite the circumstances. You can read about some of those as well as our journey with this cancer in our Caring Bridge page: https://www.caringbridge.org/site/633e6077-9989-11ef-98b3-5beba286f3d5

We're beginning to resurface, recalibrate and figure out our new normal. We plan to depart Houston in a few days and drive to Cordova. A 5,000 plus mile trip! Those of you who have been on the program with us know that will include a six hour ferry ride from Whittier. We have fond memories of doing that trip with some of you. :)

As you might expect, we won't be running the program this year. We're not sure what the future holds - we're waiting to see how the next six months go.

Thank you for your understanding, interest and support of A little Alaska. We hope you're able to find pockets of joy where you are, physically and emotionally.

05/16/2025

I've updated our CaringBridge site a few times with the positive results of Eric's treatments for extremely rare thymic carcinoma, stage 4. It's not over but our world cancer wise is brighter than six months ago.

Photo is us touring the Houston Space Center in April.

Until now it didn't occur to me to let y'all know on Facebook and Instagram that I updated CaringBridge. Sympathetic chemo brain?

Our health details and journey are on our CaringBridge page, link in our Instagram bio, or go to CaringBridge and search Eric Manzer and/or Molly Mulvaney or follow this link: https://www.caringbridge.org/site/633e6077-9989-11ef-98b3-5beba286f3d5

If you want to be notified of future updates, when you sign up on CaringBridge you can make that selection and you will get an email letting you know we've posted. CaringBridge is a free site and does not sell or trade your information.

We're making the most of it - hanging in there and making memories.

12/10/2024

Hi Folks, we've been quiet as we've been dealing with a major health issue that will impact our programming this summer. We're a family operation and a major part of A little Alaska, Eric, has a very rare cancer, thymic carcinoma, stage 4. Less then 150 people in the US are diagnosed with it annually.

We've been working with doctors since September 30 to figure this out. December 2nd we got the final diagnosis. It's been a lot but we're rolling with it and making the most of each day.

You can follow our journey on Caring Bridge. If you want to be notified of future updates, when you sign up on Caring Bridge you can make that selection and you will get an email letting you know we've posted. Caring Bridge is a free site and does not sell or trade your information.

Help ensure no one goes through a health journey alone.

06/02/2024

Quick and not polished post here because I don't want to delay in letting you one of our favorite Unschooling family conferences is happening this August 29-Sept 1 in Phoenix! 

Eric and I are presenting and we're super excited to be there. Early Bird Registration ends June 16 so don't delay! Check them out on Facebook and the web: freetobeconference.com. 

We've missed it dearly as they've been on hiatus the last four years. If funds are an issue, contact Jen directly. She's super friendly and approachable.

If you've been to the LIFE is Good conference in Portland, OR (our other family fav!) F2B had a similar format in the past and Jen has communicated openly to everyone on the FB page that is the intent for the upcoming conference as well. 

Our personal presentations aren't solidified but the ideas we have include:

*Adulting 101 (powers of attorney, medical directives, fixing a flat tire and jumping a car)

*Learn to tie Fairy Hair Funshop 

*Moderated Teen Panel on Adventure Programs geared to Unschoolers w teens on the panel who have attended various programs 

*We All Encountered Unschooling BEFORE We Started Unschooling Main Presentation - an overview of a number of Unschooling Concepts,. Concepts I bet you’ve had prior to unschooling - it’s a completely natural way to live and learn!

Remember, Early Bird registration ends June 16! Hope to see you there!

Please spread the word on your socials - these are old fashioned word of mouth events and not in the professional influencing and marketing millieu so your share really makes a difference.

04/12/2024

There's still time to save $300 and join this year's group of teens! Our early bird special goes through April 15. New this year is a partial financial scholarship. See our website for details.

04/10/2024

It always strikes me to see photos like this when, like today, we're in the midst of a spring snow shower. At the moment many plants have yet to come out of winter slumber and are brown. But I know they'll green up and I'll be awed once again with how many shades of green are on display in this temperate rainforest.

This bridge is a nice resting spot on the Crater Lake trail. The trailhead is about a mile from our house and bunkhouse. We take the teens on it every year. There are several natural resting spots including a lovely lookout we call "The Bench". The Bench also serves as good turn around spot for those ready to head back.

We encourage the teens to push themselves but not overdo it. We know that point is different for each person. It's why we always have several adults on every hike so those that are ready can head back while others go on.

If you're interested in joining us this summer, there's still five days left to save $300. New this year is a partial financial scholarship. Lots more info on our website, alittlealaska.com

04/04/2024

It's wonderful to hear that teens enjoy all that A little Alaska is. (Permission received to re-post the comment here)

This year we have a partial financial scholarship AND you save $300 by registering by April 15.

04/03/2024

We're delighted there's a variety of summer program options for homeschooled, unschooled and self directed teens! Variety is the Spice of Life!

This is one our son, a number of his friends, and some A little Alaska participants have attended. Our son love, love, loves nbtsc. It's a gathering for homeschooled and unschooled teenagers ages 13-18 with annual sessions in Oregon (August) and Vermont (September). https://www.facebook.com/NotBackToSchoolCamp

A little Alaska's early bird savings of $300 goes through April 15 but Not Back to School Camp's early registration special ends April 7, coming right on up! Both have BIPOC scholarships and other types of financial assistance.