The rescheduled interview on “Its Your Health” radio has been rescheduled to Dec 24, 9:50-10:10am EST.
That’s tomorrow.
TeamDenise!
Team Denise Category
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
UPDATE #2: Radio Interview – Its Your Health
Tags: Dec 2009 interview, interview, It's Your Health Radio, Its Your Health, Lisa Davis, radio interview, Suzanne Somers
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: Dec 2009 interview, interview, It's Your Health Radio, Its Your Health, Lisa Davis, radio interview, Suzanne Somers
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!
Thanks, Jeff!!
Tags: Lone Star, Lone*Star Speed Zone, racing
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Event (Recap) – May 16 2009
It Was Awesome. Totally and Completely Awesome.
Mom and I arrived at “Christ The Good Shepherd” Church about 2pm and we got to participate in the “transformation”. It was something to see, something to be a part of!
It started as a large area for receptions – stark and empty.
Then “The Team” took over… John & Mitzi R and Maria and Joseph (2 of their 3 children), Paula S and daughter Bella, Jeannie & John R, Ellen V, Laurie P, Josie & Bill E, Randy & Sharon P, Sean G, Pat S, Holly N, Stacie & Nate G, Hazer W, Vivian H, Nancy W, Russell T, Sam H… and My Mom.
We brought out tables and chairs and tablecloths and decor…
When finished, it was Spectacular… The theme was “Italian” and the decor reflected a quaint Italian restaurant, complete with the solid red and green, and the red and white checkered tablecloths. There were centerpieces made of the large cans of tomatoes used in the sauce – cleaned (of course) and stuffed with green, white and red tissue paper and accented with green, white and red balloons (colors of the Italian Flag). Very Creative! The music (supplied by Laurie P) was very apropos – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, et al!
There were balloons Everywhere! Red, Green and White! And – of course – Pink and White (colors for breast cancer and bone cancer).
The meal consisted of pasta, and sauce (either Italian sausage or meatless), garlic bread, salad, tea or water and a selection of desserts (brought by the volunteers). Each table was set with a bowl of pesto and grated cheese. The meal could be eaten there, or there were “to-go” boxes available. Seating was for about 100 at a time, and there were also many “to-go” boxes sold.
I had special Teeshirts made for the Volunteers, and we also had Teeshirts (to sell) with “I Helped Someone Survive Breast Cancer” on them. Thank You to ScreamingTees for the Teeshirts!
Donna M made some Lovely crystal bead, pink ribbon cell phone dangles – they were Beautiful and sold well!
There were 10 or 12 FULL tables of items for Silent Auction! My co-workers brought items and got gift certificates from local businesses; Audrey R made 3 gift baskets of specialized items (baking, spa and safety), and Laurie P had an Italian “Mystery Box”. Josie E went to the Master Gardener at Mercer Botanical Gardens and got some plants donated to sell. Nancy W donated some of her handmade pottery. Personal friends who donated to the Silent Auction were Jim H, Zach M, Donna & Mike M, Virginia & Dean O, Crystal G, Stephanie U and Ms. P. Their gracious gifts were Much Appreciated!
Towards the end of the evening, Tom (my boss) held a Live Auction of the Silent Auction items that had not sold. That man is So Funny – and he got Everything sold!
My Dad drove in from Corpus Christi to attend – that was Awesome! Personal Friends who attended were Carol and son, Zach; Christy & Bill; Crystal & Ryan and friend Stephanie; Julie & Mick, Donna & Mike; Donna & Joe; Jim & Sheryl and son, Preston; Tim & Dawn.
The total raised for my treatment / recovery was $8,474.50 – the Silent Auction alone raised $1,520.50! This was more financial assistance than I had ever considered. The spiritual and emotional support from this was immeasurable.
All this started as an idea in John R’s head, to do something for me. From someone I work with, to do something to help me with my situation, with my financial struggle. An idea that was supported by others within my group and grew. For me. Still difficult for me to comprehend that my co-workers, who have known me for only a year – and some for less, did this for me.
John’s mother came up to me and told me that this was the first time that Christ The Good Shepherd has ever allowed something like this to be done, for an individual, and I imagine for someone who was not a member of the congregation… What an honor for me to know this, what an honor for me to know that this Church thinks so highly of John to allow this.
Thank You is just not, and never will be, enough.
This event was "dreamed up" by my co-worker, John R. With the support of other co-workers, it grew and became something I will never forget, and am proud, and humbled, to have been associated with. "Thank You" will Never Be Enough. 103 Photos
Here’s the Teeshirts we had…
Saturday, May 16th, 2009
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Event – May 16 2009
The Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser is today. John has asked each volunteer to bring a dessert, and I am making a Tres Leches cake. I cooked it last night and got the first soaking done. Today will be the second soaking. Then the topping – I use a marshmallow topping with chopped dried tropical fruits…
I am also bring garlic heads to roast. I Love roasted garlic!
I hope this event goes well… I’m excited and nervous at the same time.
Friday, May 15th, 2009
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Event – May 16 2009
The Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser is tomorrow…
Some of the “Team” met at the church after work today to chop onions and make pesto. John’s recipe is very simple, but Yummy. Fresh basil, olive oil, fresh garlic, Asiago cheese and walnuts.
Things were done quickly, and we didn’t stay long.
I’m excited about tomorrow, and still find it difficult to comprehend that my co-workers are doing this for me!
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
RECAP: Spring 2009 Plant Swap
Today was the Spring 2009 PlantMeet Plant Swap, held at Mercer Arboretum (North Houston area). This event is a semi-annual gathering of “Planty People” who get together to swap plants, cuttings, seeds and general gardening items. The group which hosts this event is PlantMeet.com – Jennifer, Nadine and the PlantMeet group do a Fabulous job of organizing and pulling it all together. There are also a couple of other groups that participate – Houston Plant Exchange (my plant group) and GardenWeb. Actually, I believe that ANY person / plant group is invited to participate, it’s just about getting the word out.
Planty People are very a very unique and generous group, and I truly enjoy attending these events.
I always say that I’m not going to come home with a bunch of plants – I have too many as it is – but Somehow, I always manage to forget and bring home way too many. Not this time though. This time Mom and I “only” returned home with about 10!
What WAS a Huge and Very Emotional surprise though, was a gift from my Planty Friends, Beci and Noreen (Noreen of Gingers of Texas)… they planned a raffle in my name, to benefit my treatment / recovery. Noreen donated a potted Mandarin Satsuma Tree and Beci ran the raffle. Tickets were a donation of $1 each, and the end total was $205.05 (the extra 5cents came from 2 young girls who each brought a handful of change to donate – Very Sweet and Cute!).
One gentleman placed a $100 bill in the bowl and didn’t even want a ticket! I was SO touched, I just hugged him and cried. Turned out that his wife is battling cervical cancer.
Imagine that – his wife has her own battle, and these people reached out to me in my time of need.
I’m crying all over again, right now…
Much Thanks All Around!
This was a Plant Swap of several participating Houston and South Texas area plant groups. Two of my Friends in Houston Plant Exchange raffled off a Mandarin Satsuma Tree as a benefit for me! 88 Photos
Tags: Plant Swap
Monday, April 20th, 2009
Please Donate To A Good Cause – Team Denise!
(The following is an email which I sent out today. I am Scared To Death and So Mad about what has happened to me. This is a disease that should be “Easily” managed if addressed in time; but now, because I was treated incorrectly for 9+ months, I am now fighting for my life.)
April 20 2009
Because I Want To Live – Please Help If You Can, and PLEASE Keep This Email Going!
My name is Denise. I live in Spring, Texas – about 25 miles north of Houston.
I’m 49 years old, single, no children. Three dogs, one cat. I rent my home, I own my truck. I have no partner, no financial assistance… I’m a temp office worker, an Admin, aka secretary, in Houston, Texas; I work Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:30. I’m one of the “worker bees”. I pretty much live paycheck-to-paycheck. Like so many others…
I have Family and Friends who I am Blessed to have in my life. I am truly fortunate to have the love, friendship and support of my Family and very good Friends.
I have no health insurance.
I’ve been diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma. An Invasive Breast Cancer. It was mistreated for over a year, with 9+months as a “staph infection”, which allowed the cancer to grow and spread throughout my body – to metastasize. I currently have been diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer and am awaiting the results for metastatic liver cancer. I will be undergoing a head/brain scan to evaluate the possibility of metastatic brain cancer. I am waiting for my official “staging” diagnosis, but am a probable Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer.
My medical outlook is not good. I am trying to maintain a positive mental and emotional outlook, but sometimes it’s difficult.
I’m sending out this email, asking for help. I know things are tough for many people out there, but I’m hoping there will be some who find it in their heart to help me.
I Want To Live.
I’m keeping a Blog to detail this journey I am on, please “meet” me there – http://teamdenise.org/.
I am documenting the appointments and events which I am going though. I have medical reports, images and information which I am downloading daily. I am keeping an online budget of my expenses. I am keeping an online list of my Doctors and all info regarding my situation, diagnoses and treatments. If you don’t see something that legitimately concerns my situation, check back in a day – I may just not have gotten it online yet. Or you can email me – any questions can be directed to me at denise@teamdenise.org, I will reply as soon as possible.
Please read more about me and my situation here: http://teamdenise.org/about/
Please Help Me Survive. Please consider donating directly to my cause, there’s a “Donate” button located on my front page (http://teamdenise.org/)
Please donate a dollar… heck, if you feel like it, donate a few dollars!
Whether you are able to donate or not, I would appreciate if you could find it in your heart to forward this request on. Hopefully others will be able to spare a few dollars for my cause. Others who might have been affected by this horrible disease – who may have lost someone, who may have fought for someone, who may have survived themselves. Others who are able to help me.
I Want To Live, I Want To Survive, But I Can’t Afford To Do It Alone. So I am reaching out…
Whatever You Do, Whatever Religion You Follow, Please Keep Me In Your Prayers – I Believe Prayer is Powerful!
With Hope and Faith,
denise
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Thanks for your support!
Every dollar, every prayer, every good wish helps me survive!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
A person’s choice of religion is of no issue to me,
Everyone has their personal calling,
But I DO believe that prayer is a Powerful force
So if you pray, Please Keep Me In Yours.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Please check my website for my progress!
http://teamdenise.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Tags: Donations
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
Team Denise – Donations
Thanks for bearing with me while I got the “Donate” option up and running.
Things that were Supposed to happen fast are dragging, and things that were Supposed to go slow are rushing up on me.
If desired, you can now make a donation towards the payment of all medical and living expenses associated with my cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, I am not able to give any tax receipt for your charity, but I am looking into teeshirts and stuff.
Two situations which have depleted my savings and income, and continue to do so:
* I do not have health insurance. I am a Temp employee. Due to the chemo treatments and associated meds, my medical bills continue to rise; and the surgery and then radiation phase of my treatment will be even higher.
* I am a Temp employee, and if I do not work, I do not get paid. I am still working through this as much as I can, but I am missing a lot of work due to tests, Dr appointments, chemo treatments and the many side effects of chemo. The continued decrease in my income is going to make it difficult to keep up with my basic living expenses (rent, utilities, food)
So – if you’d like to make a donation of any size, it would be greatly appreciated. If you are not able, or choose not to, I would appreciate your prayers for me.
In either instance, I would Greatly appreciate if you would pass this site along as one that is worthy of people’s attention.
Much Thanks for any type of assistance – donation, prayer, passing my site!
Tags: Team Denise, update
