appreciation Category

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Curvey

Times are tough all over
People loosing jobs
I lost my job.

My Friend, Kristen, has lost her job
her “day” job
and will be temporarily moving to another state
to pursue an opportunity.

I wanted to get with her to wish her luck before she left,
so I went to her “other” job to see her.
She owns a Curves studio in my neighborhood
I used to be a member, “before”.

Mr. Sack gave me the membership
for my birthday 2008
plus flowers
when he was still being a
nice guy
and cared.

Kristen has been busy and is not a computer person
does not read my blog often
so did not know of my need to start exercising again
or the search for a Rebounder.

She was unaware of my need to start exercising
but I cannot afford to pay for a membership.

Kristen has gifted me a month membership to her Curves location
with the stipulation that I get my eBay up and running.

A gift AND incentive!
Thank You, Kristen!

Tags: , , , , ,

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

UPDATE #5: Its Your Health Radio Interview

I’ve been so excited about the radio interview I did yesterday on “Its Your Health” radio. I know that it was rescheduled several times, so the actual occurrence kinda “got away” from some people. I’ve been excited cuz Lisa Davis said that she would be sending me an mpg of the interview asap, but then I got an email from her which informed me of More technical difficulties! I Swear, I have Crummy Luck ~sigh~

“Hi Denise,
Thanks again for an awesome interview. For some reason when the show was taped, my voice wasn’t recorded! I am going to have to fill in the questions and edit them in! I will do this over the weekend. What is up with all of the technical problems!! Oh well. Thanks for your patience. I will find us another date for a second interview as soon as I can. Best, Lisa ”

She is Thanking ME?? Wow.

Thank YOU, Lisa Davis!!

Thank You…

Tags: , , , , ,

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Radio Interview, Its Your Health – Done!

The interview on “Its Your Health” radio was this morning.
A few minutes ago.
Wow.
The time flew
and there was so much I didn’t get to say.

Information that I wanted to share.
Information about my situation.
Information that I have gone through
Information that may help others.
.

My monthly medical bills – depending on what tests I need done – are between $15,000 and $17,000.
Yes – Per.Month.
The cost for the 5 medications that I am on is almost $15,000 per month
Monthly infusion and blood tests – tack on an additional $400.
PET / CT scan adds $1,200 every 3 months.

With the PAPs (Patient Assistance Programs) that I am qualified for, my monthly medicine bill goes “down” to $4,500, plus the cost of the tests.

Not easy for a currently unemployed temp secretary who is doing it all alone…

I really wanted to touch on the PAPs – Patient Assistance Programs. These are SO Important!! These are “offered” by the drug companies for people in need – that would be me. If you are in need, PLEASE contact the drug company and ask if there is a Patient Assistance Program that you would qualify for. Most drugs have some form of a PAP.

When you go for appointments or tests, Be Sure to tell them your story – that you have no insurance, that your insurance doesn’t cover this or that or whatever. Most medical facilities offer discount rates for people in need.

As I said – now is Not the time for pride.
Ask for help.

There are people out there who WILL help you.
People who Want to help.
Regardless if you are a precious toddler, a young adult, or – like me – an “old fat gal”.
People Will Help.

I am here, asking for help.

I have gone through my savings and the small inheritance I got from my Grandfather ($30,000) to purchase a home. My own home. My first home.
Gone.

Now I am dependent on fundraisers and donations.
The kindness of Family, Friends and Strangers.

The kindness of people helping.

Each month is a struggle to pay for my meds.
Each month is terror that I will not be able to afford to continue to fight this battle.
I do Not want to die.
Not yet…

Thank You So Very Much to Lisa Davis! and “Its Your Health” radio for giving me the opportunity to get my info out there!!

Tags: , , , , ,

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Bath Water

Time to shake this depression off of me like a dog shakes off its bath water.

Ok, I had a good cry
a Very Good Cry
felt sorry for myself
got mad
got mad at this cancer
got mad at Mr. Sack
got mad at my Folks
got mad at myself.

I can do that
I am allowed to do that.

Now, it’s
Time to
Stop the whining
Stop the public wailing.

I need to look back
and be
Grateful for the
Blessings I received.

I am Thankful for the Holiday cards people sent me. I loved opening each one. Anticipating the greetings, the decor of the cards, if anything would be enclosed – a note, a personal newsletter, photos, a memento.
Thank you.

My Mom & Dad paid to have the leak in the roof of the Hyundai fixed. That is a Huge stress off of me, but am sad at the “waste” of this large amount of money.
Thank You.

My Dear Friend, Crystal, gave me a loaf of the BEST Banana Bread I think I have Ever had! I Tried to ration it out, but it was too good. It is gone.
Thank You.

My Dear Friend, Christy, gave me some Spiced Pecans and Oreo Candy Cane Bark. Since I am not supposed to eat sugar, I am being very careful in rationing this out – but what I have had so far is Very Yummy!
Thank You.

My Dear Friend, Donna, made me a Beautiful name tag to wear at my social events. It is beaded and has fringe and is just LOVELY!
Thank You.

My Dear Friend, Grace, took me to dinner where we laughed and cried and laughed and drank too many margaritas.
Thank You.

My Friend, Josie, gave me a Lovely plaque inscribed with a quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt; “A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water”. This is very inspirational.
Thank You.

My Dear (Old-time) Friend, Marianne, sent me an AWESOME handmade Christmas stocking. Made of Funky Wild Pink Paisley patterned fabric with “Girl Friend” beads and decor and white faux fur and pom-pom trim, and filled with fun and useful items. It was So Much Fun to unwrap!
Thank You.

In lieu of gifts, I received some Unbelievable donations for the Holidays. I was several people’s “Charity of Choice”. While I do not relish this title, I am Extremely Grateful to be gifted in such a manner.
* Cherie’ & Billy
* Marianne & Jim
* Patti
* Katherine & Family
* Margot
* Cindy & Family
* Christy & Bill
* Niver Family
Thank You is not, and will never be, enough.

My (Old-time) Friend, Cherie’ & Hubby, Billy, made me their “Charity of Choice” in their annual Charity Exchange with their Friends. I received (an additional) 5 generous donations due to their gracious act of kindness.
Again, Thank You is not enough.

So… while I will always mourn the loss of the life that was planned with Mr. Sack and what I gave up “for him”, for everything we had talked of, for everything we had planned, for everything we had promised… for the 35+ years that I believed him to be the epitome of a man and held him up to compare all others to (which they were never able to measure up), for the lies he told and the shallow judgment he made, for him “dumping” me one month after my diagnosis – for now, there is enough whining about what was lost and be Grateful for what I have.

Shake off the Bath Water.
The dampness will dry out in time…

I am Truly Grateful.
Thank You.
Thank you for thinking of me.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Monday, December 21st, 2009

UPDATE: Radio Interview – Its Your Health

The interview on “Its Your Health” radio has been canceled due to “technical difficulties”. With the bad weather that they are having up North, I’m not surprised…

Hopefully Lisa can schedule me in another time soon!

Tags: , , , , ,

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Radio Interview – Its Your Health

I am being interviewed on a Boston radio station!

It’s pretty exciting…

The show is “Its Your Health” and the host is Lisa Davis – a gal who I connected with via Facebook. Don’t ask me how cuz I don’t remember, but she seems nice.

But I do remember that she mentioned that she wanted to interview me about my battle without insurance.

She remembers me and wants to share my story.

My story.

She also has interviewed Suzanne Somers several times, regarding her new book, Knockout, which addresses cancer and specifically mentions Dr. Burzynski and The Burzynski Clinic. So I will be happy to share my tests results.

I’ve known for about a month that this interview might be upcoming, but didn’t have a firm date. There was talk of “sometime in January”, so I’ve been waiting…
Waiting, waiting waiting…
Hoping
but not expecting.

Now I know.
The interview will be tomorrow – Dec 22 – at 10:50 EST.

Tomorrow
I’m nervous…
Need to get ready.
I’m excited…
Excited to get the word out some more
TeamDenise!

Tags: , , , , , ,

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Help for a friend- Lone*Star Speed Zone

A Gentleman who I went to high school with (just a Few years ago) recently reconnected with me via Facebook. His daughter battled lymphoma in 2001 – she became a Warrior during her freshman year of college. Jeff, his wife and their 2 sons were right by her side as she battled and won! She is now happily married with 2 beautiful sons of her own.  What a True Blessing for their family!

Jeff found me via mutual FB Friends, and felt empathy for my situation. He has emailed me kind words of encouragement and prayers.

To help get my story “out there”, Jeff surprised me by posting my story on a forum that he is active on – Lone*Star Speed Zone. It is titled “Help for a friend, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month“.  I am very touched by this kind gesture.

Yes, boardgames are my passion, but my Dad is a “Gearhead” (eh – in high school, I believe we called it “motorhead”) and I was raised with horsepower under the hood – and Loved it!

Lone Star Speed Zone

Thanks, Jeff!!

Tags: , ,

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Crabby Cranky and Totally Humbled

Sometimes you get caught in a crabby cranky mood.
Everyone gets them…

The crabby cranky that often makes you open mouth and insert foot.
Everyone gets them…

I get them.
I get that often these days.
Cuz I’m often crabby cranky at this whole flippin situation.
This whole flippin cancer situation.
cancer sucks, it robs everyone
it saps strength and hope and life…
And the crabby cranky sometimes spills over
Sometimes too often…

I recently joined Facebook.
It seems like everyone and their whoever wants to “Friend” everyone else.
Here a Friend, There a Friend…
People I don’t even know trying to Friend me.
Fernando from Spain, Buto from Africa, Mohammed from Libya.
WHO ARE YOU?

I am very wary…

A Friend of a Friend tried to Friend me.
And it caught me at a crabby cranky moment
and I had a crabby cranky moment on his Wall
(in what I Thought was a Private crabby cranky comment)
asking Why she would try and Friend me.
She and I don’t know each other, have never met, never exchanged a word – so why?

Again – very wary…

Then I am suddenly on her email list.
Getting info from her, regarding her business, her living.
So I reply back to her in a crabby cranky manner
Explaining that I really don’t have time for her business info, that I am fighting my own battle.

And this woman replies to me
in the Kindest, Most Generous manner
With Humor and a Gentle touch
Offering to help me.

To Help Me.

To.Help.Me.

When I Thanked her, she told me “it’s the High Holy Days… Sunday God balances my account and closes my Book of Life… I’d like to think I’ve touched at least a few lives along the way this year!

What a Wonderful outlook.
What a Wonderful spirit.

For whatever reason we have been led to each other, we do not yet know.

I am so Humbled.

And picking my toenails from between my teeth

from inserted foot.

Thank You, Pamela.

Tags: , ,

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Roller Coaster

I’m Up
……….I’m Down
I’m Up
……….I’m Down
I’m Up…

Finally got an appointment with my PCP this afternoon, had a heart-to-heart with him and…

He wrote the reorders for my PAP meds!  For my Tarceva, Zolinza, Zometa and Xeloda!

I can breath a little easier for a while cuz I don’t have to worry about coming up with the extra $1,500 “Medication Maintenance” for Burzynski Clinic to write the reorders, instead I can focus on other things I need to deal with.

I’m no longer bent over the barrel

I’m Up

I know there’ll be more to come
but for now
for now
for right now…

I can enjoy the coast.

Tags: , , , , ,

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Kingwood Underground – Thank You.

Thank You Very Much to the community of of Kingwood Underground who responded to Sheryl’s post about my situation.

You have No Idea how much strength I get from your prayers and kind words of encouragement.  And your donations to my cause will definitely help to ease my financial burden…

Your generosity is Much Appreciated!!

Tags: ,







  • Write your comment within 150 characters.

  • Categories
  • Recognition Wall
    • Doug Blanchard: hello, my son has brain cancer and today UCSF told...
    • Ramona: Hi there Denise, this is Amber and Joe's camping f...
    • crystal: I enjoyed hunting for stuff to sell more than sell...
    • Mare: Love ya, love ya attitude......
    • Christy: Woo hoo! That is great! And I see you DID get some...

    Powered by WordPress

    Blossom Theme by RoseCityGardens.com