UPDATE: In Honor of Victor Hughes

As many of you may know, Courtney lost her brave, hard-fought battle with cancer 3 weeks ago, October 24, 2024. I was blessed to be by her side when she peacefully slipped away into the arms of her Dad, awaiting her in Heaven.

In July, we began planning and locked in a vacation for the Fall. Courtney would fly to Miami on Oct. 19th (note: her Uncle Chris, and I are stationed here in Miami), and we would board the Royal Caribbean “Allure”, for a 4-night cruise, October 21-25th, 2024. Courtney had discussed the plan with her physician(s), so that it could be worked around her treatment.

Early August, the decision was made to change her treatment regime, which had Courtney VERY excited. After completing (12) rounds of chemotherapy, the last (9) requiring a minimum of a 5-night hospitalization, in which she would receive treatment 5 days in a row, she would now receive a 30-minute infusion once every 3 weeks of a immunotherapy medication. As before, she made sure that the infusion would fall around the planned trip. Courtney received two of the infusions, however, right after we celebrated Victor’s birthday at the end of September, Courtney started having some adverse symptoms attributed to the new medication. By mid-October Courtney was requiring oxygen full-time, so we reluctantly made the decision to reschedule the cruise. As, I told her from the beginning, there was a “plan B, and plan C, if for some reason we could not take the cruise on the dates planned”. So on to “plan B, a “land-based” vacation--she would travel to Miami, we would visit the ocean and make a trip to Disney World. We had arranged a hotel, 3-day park hopper tickets for Disney parks, and a electronic scooter for mobility. Courtney was just as excited for this new plan!

On the morning she was to fly to Miami (Oct. 19th), I received a tearful call from her that she would be heading to the ER instead. She was experiencing severe shortness of breath, and a sharp pain in her shoulder (this was new). I told her our trip could be rescheduled, and I would be on the next flight to OKC. By the time I arrived later that evening, she had been told that the cancer had spread. There were so many beautiful moments we shared over the next few days, and I thank GOD that he gave me the opportunity. She had much the personality of Victor, funny, witty, and loveable!

We gathered to celebrate her life on Saturday, November 2nd, with quite a few of our Express family in attendance—it was perfect, a beautiful service. Chris (my husband) spoke these words “…even during her most recent health struggles, I never heard or saw her lose faith. She was brave and grace-filled during a period that would have caused most of us to ask GOD “why?”. Instead, she continued to seek his blessings and love. She relied on the knowledge that’s GOD’s plans for us are far greater than the best we can have for ourselves”.

I am sharing this with you because I want you to know how much Courtney enjoyed planning and was anticipating this trip, this was a GIFT that you ALL made possible…she truly felt the love and support from near and far.

As a family, we would like to know how each and every one of you would like your generous gifts designated. Please let me know if there is a specific organization that you would like to have the donation forwarded, and I will do so.

Sincerely,

Cindy (Vic’s Sis, and Courtney’s “Aunt Cindy”)

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/H9FHN3HT4YGGT26D

ORIGINAL message:

Memorial Fund for Victor

Many have expressed wishes, or asked how they could continue Victor’s legacy through generous donations.

Well, if you knew Victor, it wouldn’t take long to understand the love he had for his daughter, Courtney.

After she was diagnosed with a rare cancer in September 2023, Courtney had mentioned she had “never seen the ocean”. Victor hoped to make that happen. He had made a promise to take her on a trip, upon completion of her treatments, or when she had a good break in between regimes.

The goal of this GoFundMe is to help Victor’s promise to Courtney come true. Thank you for your generosity and kindness.