Wedding plans have been coming along slowly but surely. Tina had some things that were taken care of already, such as picking out bridesmaids dresses, her colors, and the best part, her wedding dress. Last week, she found out that after she paid her deposit on the dress, the store, Enzo's, closed its doors taking her deposit with them and had never even ordered the dress from the manufacturer. Since so many other women went through the same situation, the Asbury Park Press picked up on it. You can read the full story HERE, featuring Tina.
The story from the Asbury Park Press was then picked up by a New Jersey radio station, 94.3 The Point. They asked her to be on the morning show today. I'm hoping to have a recording of it to post so you all can hear it. An incredibly generous man, Maurice Payami with Castle Couture, was also on the air and offered to donate a dress. People have been so giving with their time, money and services that someone else had already offered to buy the dress for Tina. Instead of taking back any offer, he is donating $2000 to whatever she needs for the wedding. He has also extended an offer to all of the other brides who were caught in this same situation. They can go to his store with proof that they put down a deposit at Enzo's and that will go towards a dress as his store, Castle Couture. Don't quote me on this; that is what I understood to be his offer from the radio interview. For details on his store and contact information, you can go to Castle Courture's site.
Although so many people have been incredibly kind and forthcoming, there are still a lot of medical bills to pay and a wedding is definitely not cheap. We are set to launch the big fundraiser next Wednesday, April 14. It's a raffle for a four-day, three-night cruise for two to the destination of your choice. The room has an ocean view and it's fully upgradable to add more days or more guests. All details will follow next Wednesday, but in the meantime, let your friends and family know so they can get their paypal accounts and checkbooks ready. :)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Lots of Updates
Tina, mom, and I had a great couple of visits while they were in Houston. They drove to Austin to visit me on the weekends. We went out to eat a few times, saw Avatar in 3D and visited with family and friends. It was a good trip. While in Houston, Tina saw the doctors at MD Anderson. They gave a few recommendations to give to her doctor in Philly. As of right now, she cannot do any of the drug trials, but they are hoping that when she comes back to Houston in April for a follow up that she will be stronger and ready for whatever new meds they want to try. Mom and Tina booked their flights today, April 15-21. I can't wait.
I also heard that the dates for the Disney World trip have been submitted; it'll be some time in July...shortly after the wedding! Well, they're still trying to work that out with the reception hall. I know that they have looked at some places but not made any final decisions.
Speaking of the wedding, we're gearing up for a really big fundraiser. This will also help pay for hospital bills as they are always coming in. We're doing a raffle for a vacation for two. We're still working on the details, so I can't say much, but there will be a website to buy the raffle tickets online so this is a nation-wide event.
My Aunt Lisa sent me the family photos from this past Christmas. This one came out so good that I just had to share it with everyone.
I also heard that the dates for the Disney World trip have been submitted; it'll be some time in July...shortly after the wedding! Well, they're still trying to work that out with the reception hall. I know that they have looked at some places but not made any final decisions.
Speaking of the wedding, we're gearing up for a really big fundraiser. This will also help pay for hospital bills as they are always coming in. We're doing a raffle for a vacation for two. We're still working on the details, so I can't say much, but there will be a website to buy the raffle tickets online so this is a nation-wide event.
My Aunt Lisa sent me the family photos from this past Christmas. This one came out so good that I just had to share it with everyone.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tina's in Houston at MD Anderson!
About two weeks ago, Tina had a Pet Scan done to check on the progression/regression of the cancer. It showed that the cancer in her organs (liver, lungs, chest nodules) has shrunk. (yea!) Unfortunately, the cancer in her bones has spread. That's why she's looking to MD Anderson to find a treatment that will help with both.
Tina has been trying to get into MD Anderson since her hospital in Philadelphia told her to get second opinions and try to get into any clinical trials. This trip was pushed back due to her hip surgery. That healed nicely and on Thursday, she and my mom made the trip.
Thursday was also Tina's 33rd birthday! They spent the evening celebrating with our family in the Houston area. We're really lucky to have family that is near the hospital that is willing (and happy) to help. Tina and my mom are staying at Debi and Joe's house, our cousins. Debi is the one that organized the Tina's Texas Team Mother's Day Walk last year. She's getting everything ready again for the walk coming up in May.
Since she doesn't have appointments on the weekends, they drove to Austin to come visit me and to see her best friend, Casey. For Tina's birthday we went to our favorite restaurant, The Melting Pot. OMG, YUM! I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate...you know, other than a cure for cancer.
She has an appointment with the specialist at MD Anderson on Wednesday to find out what type of treatment they recommend. Depending on what that is, they may treat her there, or hopefully, the hospital will relay the information to CTCA in Philly so she can be back with Paul and Ashley. I know it's hard for her to be away from them and equally hard on them.
Wedding plans will be getting going very soon and very quickly. She's thinking June 26, 2010. Clear your calendars!
Tina has been trying to get into MD Anderson since her hospital in Philadelphia told her to get second opinions and try to get into any clinical trials. This trip was pushed back due to her hip surgery. That healed nicely and on Thursday, she and my mom made the trip.
Thursday was also Tina's 33rd birthday! They spent the evening celebrating with our family in the Houston area. We're really lucky to have family that is near the hospital that is willing (and happy) to help. Tina and my mom are staying at Debi and Joe's house, our cousins. Debi is the one that organized the Tina's Texas Team Mother's Day Walk last year. She's getting everything ready again for the walk coming up in May.
Since she doesn't have appointments on the weekends, they drove to Austin to come visit me and to see her best friend, Casey. For Tina's birthday we went to our favorite restaurant, The Melting Pot. OMG, YUM! I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate...you know, other than a cure for cancer.
She has an appointment with the specialist at MD Anderson on Wednesday to find out what type of treatment they recommend. Depending on what that is, they may treat her there, or hopefully, the hospital will relay the information to CTCA in Philly so she can be back with Paul and Ashley. I know it's hard for her to be away from them and equally hard on them.
Wedding plans will be getting going very soon and very quickly. She's thinking June 26, 2010. Clear your calendars!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Update
Tina was at the hospital on Friday. Instead of getting chemo, they gave her fluids and some IV pain medication. They are holding off on the chemo to see if she can get into MD Anderson soon for the trials and second opinions. If they don't hear by Monday or Tuesday about a date to go, they will start chemo back up until they hear from MD Anderson.
She is going to get a PET Scan on Tuesday to check out the status of the cancer. She has a follow up with the surgeon to have the stictches taken out and for him to check the site.
I'll give more updates after the PET scan results come in.
She is going to get a PET Scan on Tuesday to check out the status of the cancer. She has a follow up with the surgeon to have the stictches taken out and for him to check the site.
I'll give more updates after the PET scan results come in.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Ugh, Surgery
While Tina was in the hospital earlier this week, the doctors made a discovery. She was getting an MRI done to check on the nerves in her lower extremities to figure out what was causing the pain. They found that she has fractured her right hip. Oddly enough, this is not what's causing the pain, but it's a good thing that they caught it now because it's not displaced.
They scheduled surgery for Saturday. I got to talk to her just before she went in yesterday. She sounded good, not nervous at all. My mom said it went very well. The docs put in three pins to make sure it's fully stable. The last time, when she fractured her left hip, she was up in one day walking. This time the recovery will be a little longer, but they should release her in about three days.
I do have to say, the title of this blog is really true, lots of ups and downs lately. Hopefully we'll be able to stay away from the latter. There's a homonymal joke (yes, I just made up that word) in there about ladders and elevators, but I'll leave that one alone.
They scheduled surgery for Saturday. I got to talk to her just before she went in yesterday. She sounded good, not nervous at all. My mom said it went very well. The docs put in three pins to make sure it's fully stable. The last time, when she fractured her left hip, she was up in one day walking. This time the recovery will be a little longer, but they should release her in about three days.
I do have to say, the title of this blog is really true, lots of ups and downs lately. Hopefully we'll be able to stay away from the latter. There's a homonymal joke (yes, I just made up that word) in there about ladders and elevators, but I'll leave that one alone.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tina Update
Tina went to Philadelphia today for a chemo treatment. She's been in a lot of pain over the last few days. When she went and described her pain, they opted not to do the lumbar puncture and the chemo through her spine today. Instead they admitted her overnight tonight and most likely tomorrow night.
I hate to hear that she's in pain, but the good news is that the hospital has a lot of drugs to make her more comfortable. I talked to her about an hour ago and she said she was feeling much better. What a relief.
Right now she's hanging out with my mom and doing whatever she can not to be bored. It's difficult when you're stuck in a bed, but she does have the Internet. Write a comment on here, send her an email or contact her on Facebook. She always loves to hear that you're thinking of her. I love you all for your support. Keep those prayers and positive thoughts coming.
I hate to hear that she's in pain, but the good news is that the hospital has a lot of drugs to make her more comfortable. I talked to her about an hour ago and she said she was feeling much better. What a relief.
Right now she's hanging out with my mom and doing whatever she can not to be bored. It's difficult when you're stuck in a bed, but she does have the Internet. Write a comment on here, send her an email or contact her on Facebook. She always loves to hear that you're thinking of her. I love you all for your support. Keep those prayers and positive thoughts coming.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Good News Continues
I received a call while at CTCA just before I went to the airport. It was from The Dream Foundation. They make dreams come true for adults. I spoke with the representative today and got great news. Since wedding plans are underway and it might be a difficult dream to fulfill, they have decided to go with Tina's back up dream. The Dream Foundation, in conjunction with the Memories of Love foundation, is sending Tina, Paul, Peyton and Ashley to Disney World. It's six days and five nights including park tickets, airfare and meals. This is incredible.
There is one draw-back. The trip includes the family of four, but not my mother who is Tina's caretaker. It makes sense that they only include two adults since usually the other is the caretaker. Since Tina won't be able to go on all the rides and the kids are too young to go alone, if Paul went, Tina would be left by herself and you know how long those lines can get. My mom is also there day in and day out; they have their routine down. I'm going to try to raise money to pay for my mom's airfare, the additional money for the room, and food/expenses. I know this may not sound like a worthy cause, but it is the only way to grant Tina's wish. If you can help, please donate to the right, anything helps.
Everyone has been so amazing and now that help is coming in (finally), it really does relieve some of the financial burden.
Right now I'm working on wedding plans for June. Most items/services have been donated, but we're still looking for invitations, the reception hall, and a caterer; the latter being the two most expensive wedding services. Tina's "Wedding Team" is also working on ways to get all of the details taken care of. Thanks to everyone for all your support!
There is one draw-back. The trip includes the family of four, but not my mother who is Tina's caretaker. It makes sense that they only include two adults since usually the other is the caretaker. Since Tina won't be able to go on all the rides and the kids are too young to go alone, if Paul went, Tina would be left by herself and you know how long those lines can get. My mom is also there day in and day out; they have their routine down. I'm going to try to raise money to pay for my mom's airfare, the additional money for the room, and food/expenses. I know this may not sound like a worthy cause, but it is the only way to grant Tina's wish. If you can help, please donate to the right, anything helps.
Everyone has been so amazing and now that help is coming in (finally), it really does relieve some of the financial burden.
Right now I'm working on wedding plans for June. Most items/services have been donated, but we're still looking for invitations, the reception hall, and a caterer; the latter being the two most expensive wedding services. Tina's "Wedding Team" is also working on ways to get all of the details taken care of. Thanks to everyone for all your support!
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