Special People Category

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…

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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!!

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Monday, December 28th, 2009

UPDATE #4: Radio Interview – Its Your Health

The interview on “Its Your Health” radio has been rescheduled to Dec 29, 8:30-8:50am CST.

That’s tomorrow.
Woo Hoo!!
Thank You Lisa!

TeamDenise!

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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.

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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

UPDATE #2: Radio Interview – Its Your Health

The rescheduled interview on “Its Your Health” radio has been rescheduled to Dec 24, 9:50-10:10am EST.

That’s tomorrow.
TeamDenise!

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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!

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Monday, December 21st, 2009

Bah Humbug

I can see that this Christmas will be one of the worse of my life.

It should have been one of the best.

But it will not.

I should be with people I love
who love me

But will not.

I should be happy and joyous.

But am not.

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Puppy Girls

This whole situation with finding someone to care for my Pups for a few days so that I can get to Corpus is very stressful. Everyone I know is gone or will be gone. For Goodness Sakes – It’s Christmas!

Wish my Dad would let me bring them, they are very housebroken and are good girls. I grew up with dogs, so having dogs just comes “natural”. Though I CAN understand how my Folks do not want the bother, responsibility, expense of pets since they are older. They have a cat who is not much trouble.

Not like dogs.

But it Would Only be for a few days, and they are housebroken, very sweet and fairly well behaved. And I would be taking care of them.

Kinda weird to realize that having no dogs in their home is more important than having me there for Christmas.

Kinda weird

Kinda hurtful.

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Saturday, December 19th, 2009

More on The Pups and Christmas

About 2am I started feeling crummy – most probably from the infusion yesterday. Took some Tylenol and went back to sleep. I’ve been feeling crummy all day. Just hanging out at home.

I’ve been trying to find someone to watch the Pups, but everyone already has plans. People make their Holiday plans long in advance. They have their own Families and their own plans. And those plans do not include watching my Puppy Girls…

I’m gonna have my bag packed Just In Case Mom & Dad decide that they can “tolerate” my 2 dogs so that I can go and be with them in Corpus for Christmas. I’ll be ready to go!

This is a very difficult Christmas for me – with everything that has happened this past year – and I would Like to be with my Folks.

I’m understanding my Folks less and less… but I am still hoping…

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Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Prayers for Dad’s Recovery

Dad had his 2nd rotator cuff surgery today. I hope he does not push himself too hard this time and re-tear the shoulder cuz there can only be 2 surgeries, no more.

Mom will be giving him her full attention for a while, so I will need to “fend for myself”.

Prayers please…

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