Fundraisers!

We have been raising money for several different things for Tina. She had the chairlift installed last Saturday, both of them actually; one for the short steps, then another for the 90 degree turn in the staircase. She says she feels independent again. That's so great to hear. The best thing about it is...THE COUNTY PAID FOR IT! She still needs a new wheelchair and walker. Her health insurance is about to skyrocket to an astounding $1300 a month, on top of $400 in hospital bills, $200 in prescriptions every month while still paying her mortgage, bills and taking care of her daughter Ashley. Not to mention, my mom who is her caretaker has been unemployed since April. (Hmm, that makes me wonder. Why do people say "not to mention", then mention something?)

So last Friday was Beers for Boobs at TGI Fridays in Freehold, NJ. What a turnout!! Unfortunately since I'm in Texas, I was unable to attend, but I heard there were over 100 people there! That is amazing support. I will have a link to an album very shortly. There were a few different people taking pictures so I'm trying to compile them all. Tina looks fabulous!




I'm hoping this Thursday is the biggest turnout for Hope for Tina in Austin, TX yet. Every Thursday in November, even Thanksgiving, Pluckers Wing Bar on Burnet Rd and in Round Rock is donating 20% of customers' checks to Tina as long as they mention her name. The turnout has been somewhat poor, but I'm hoping this week there will be lines out the door to support her. If you're in Austin, please head to Pluckers, help out my sister, and enjoy great food at the same time...mmm wings.

Hmmm hm hmm hmmm...

Okay, so I can't hum through a keyboard but the wedding march is in my head. Tina and Paul are engaged!!! We've all known for a while that they want to get married and now the planning can begin.



Earlier this year, Paul lost his job. He wanted to get Tina a beautiful ring but under the circumstances, it wasn't something he could offer her. Unbeknownst to Tina, my grandparents gave Paul our great-grandmother's wedding ring. He has been holding on to it until the time was right.

Paul is back working again (yea! it's rough out there) and Tina's hip has healed from surgery. While we are awaiting a response from the Dream Foundation for a donated "Dream Wedding", some planning is already underway.

Whether this will be five-star, celebrity over-the-top type of event or friends and family chipping in and/or donating services, this will be a celebration of live and love like no one has ever seen. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Tina's on the Radio!

First an update. Tina had an MRI on Wednesday and got the results the same night. There are a few more spots on her brain. They have decided to skip chemo this week and do daily radiation treatments for the next three weeks and hopefully that will shrink them or even better, make them disappear. She will be coming back home daily even though it's over an hour each way. She can't miss out on seeing Ashley.

They did blood tests today and saw she has low blood platelets and white blood count, so she's headed to another hospital for a transfusion. As per usual, she was upbeat on the phone. I've never met a more positive and determined person. She's never upset or discouraged and if she is, she sure doesn't show it.

On a positive note...

Pluckers is an Austin restaurant chain that serves wings and a lot of other amazing food. Mmm, I'm drooling just thinking about it. They are holding Boobie Bingo tonight at one of the locations that has the Hope for Tina fundraisers. Although I don't know what Boobie Bingo consists of, I know it's sponsoring the Save the Tatas foundation. I'm friends with the general manager (that's how much I go there). He gave me a call tonight to let me know a local radio station, 101X KROX, is doing a live broadcast from there tonight. He asked if they could promote Tina's event and they agreed!!! I don't know how many people will go to the resaturant if they don't know who the the event is for, but I sure hope it helps.

If you're in Austin and you heard them talking about it, comment here!

Well that explains it...

Last night I got home from work and checked the mail. Most of my mail is catalogs, junk, or credit card statements on accounts that I've already paid online, so it's never an exciting task. But wait, something was different. There, standing out from the worthless trash, was a white beacon of hope, a familiar symbol on the corner of the large envelope, the Lifetime Network logo. Could it be? A lone answer to one of the many packets I sent out for a chance to get Tina and Paul the wedding of their dreams? A tear came to my eye.

I grasped the envelope to my chest, embracing the moment, because what was inside could actually change things, finally an answer to our prayers. As I ran my finger along the seam, I recall having the same anxious feeling when opening college acceptance letters, thinking to myself, "please, please, please!"

My excitement soon turned to dismay when I began reading the first few lines:

"Thank you for sending your proposed program idea. While we genuinely appreciate your interest and desire to share your project with us, as is customary throughout the entertainment industry, it is the policy of Lifetime not to accept or review any unsolicited material received from individuals who are not represented by agents or attorneys known to Lifetime or from production companies Lifetime is not familiar with."

My heart sank. It continued on for two more paragraphs letting me know that they could not help. I am, however, very thankful for their response as I had no idea why over 20 companies had not even acknowledged the receipt of my packet. Well, that explains it.

The few companies' sites where I did proceed down the right path of filling out online applications had very strict character limitations. It's hard to get Tina's full story in only a paragraph or two. I couldn't include pictures of her, her beautiful daughter and loving boyfriend Paul. I couldn't show them the picture of the "chemohawk" that truly illustrates just what a strong and amazing woman she is. I'm lost on how to progress in my mission to make this happen for her. Where do I go from here? Suggestions, along with your prayers, are welcomed.

Fender Bender

With everything that's happened, hasn't Tina had enough? On Wednesday, October 28, Tina and my mom were driving to her hospital, CTCA, for one of her usual appointments of either pain management, physical therapy, or acupuncture. She goes so often, I don't know what was scheduled on that day.

On the way to the hospital, they were rear-ended. Tina felt immediate pain in her good shoulder. They went to the ER for x-rays and thankfully, everything looked okay. They just knew they were in store for major soreness over the next few days. Because ERs are full of sick people and Tina is immune deficient from all of the chemo, radiation, and the cancer itself, it was best to get her in and out as fast as possible while donning a very stylish flu mask. She also needed to get to CTCA for her scheduled appointments there and then get over to the Temple University Hospital. She had an appointment there to do a test on her nerves, an EMG. They poked and prodded her with needles which included electric shocks. Ugh, just typing that makes me angry that my sister has to go through that.

Because her appointments got pushed back, they were going to be in Philly until late in the evening and were supposed to be back the next day. They decided to stay over in a hotel. Initially not having plans to stay the night, they had to get the essentials at Target, spending well over $100 between those goods and the hotel. Things keep piling up.

Three hospitals and a car accident in one day while suffering with nausea from chemotherapy. Tina deserves a medal, or a trophy, or a plaque. Nah, I'll settle for a million dollars.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

This morning was the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Austin, TX. The turnout was truly amazing. It's great to see so many people involved. Entire companies are going. I saw Best Buy, Dell, Round Rock ISD, IBM, Texas Roller Girls (on skates!), Cedar Park Cheerleaders, HEB and an astounding number of teams. It's upsetting to see that many teams only because you know there is a specific person behind each one.

Today, I met up with the team "Believe, Believe". That's the team for my mom's best friend, Kimberly Ellis (and my friend too). She was diagnosed with breast cancer about the same time that Tina was first diagnosed. They both went through treatment and were in remission. Unfortunately both Kimberly and Tina's cancer came back around the same time too. It's great to see Kimberly so strong and determined. She's looking very healthy which we all love to see.

I handed out about 150 flyers for the Plucker's fundraiser and many people were excited to see the Plucker's logo. Hopefully since they enjoy the food and are involved in the race, they'll go and even bring others.