Please read the message below! I hope to see many of you there! Below you will see what will be happening that day. Bring your Family and have a day of fun and make sure you stop by our TEAM GABBEE TABLE. Thanks again to my American Family Agent Ty Schraufnagel for supporting our family through this journey!
I just wanted to take a quick moment to send out a reminder about our Open House this Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at our office at 1280 N Arizona Blvd. Coolidge, AZ 85128.
I am very appreciative of your business and do not take it lightly or for granted. It truly means a lot to my family and me and I hope you are able to swing by on Saturday so I can personally say thank you. That is what I have geared up this event to specifically do and I hope you can take advantage of some of the things that we will be offering. The attachment gives a good overview of the event but I just wanted to highlight a few things.
Wayne Locke is a jewelry appraiser with 40+ years of experience in the industry. He has agreed to come up and cut his price in half and offer Jewelry Appraisal for $25 an item. He is setting appointments for every half hour. We only have a few slots left so please give me a call at the office at 520.723.9400 as soon as you are able and we can make sure you get a spot.
Cinder Pit BBQ will be out selling BBQ Sandwiches, BBQ tacos and drinks with some meal deals available at a very low price all day. Terry Frye will also be out selling fresh squeezed lemonade, shaved ice and kettle corn during the lunch hours.
Team Gabbee is a very big highlight of our event Saturday. She is one of my clients who recently has been in a battle with breast cancer. She will be selling tickets for a brand new Beefeater Grill that will be drawn at 2:00 PM. You don’t have to be present to win.
Ever-Ready Auto Glass will be out doing free windshield repair on chips that they can fill.
We will also be doing free VIN-etching. This is something I have heard dealerships charging hundreds of dollars for that will be at no cost to you. We etch your VIN number on each piece of glass on your car, and that is a major theft deterrent. Because of that, if you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle insured with American Family and your vehicle is stolen, we will completely waive your comprehensive deductible.
Clifford the Big Red Dog will be out for kids to hang out with and offer a great photo opportunity. There will also be Clifford coloring books given out and a Clifford Kid Zone.
In addition to these things, a wide variety of vendors will be out. Anderson Financial; Core Chiropractic; Mary Kay; Power Tags, Titles, and More; The Jewelry Box; Cornerstone Mortgage; The Lamb Won Artist; Clipper Shack; San Tan Leads; etc….
DJ “Off Beat” will be there all day providing the entertainment.
I will be providing dessert and bottled water all day long and am very excited to see you.
Please feel free to invite friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, out of town guests, etc. We are poised to have a great event and can’t wait to see you on Saturday!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Insurance Decision
First, I want to share the good news, because this is what we have been praying for. I was approved for 6 more months of insurance. Praise God for that blessing and Im trying hard not to let my frustrations with the rest of the information overpower the great news! So please know that I first Praise God for answered prayers and trust that He will take care of the rest.
As I go into the details, I know you will share in my frustration.
Cory and I were approved for 6 months of medical coverage and my kids were only approved for 3 months. Go figure.
Our effective date is 2/14, which will take care of my hospital bill, and one chemo treatment, but I had thousands of dollars in chemo treatments before 2/14. So which means, that is on us now to pay. I will be fighting that, because I applied on 2/5 and they "lost" my application. So I will have to find out how to dispute that and see if I can get the bills from my oncology taken care of.
Right now, Im trying to stay positive and focus on the fact that my chemo treatments and surgery will be taken care of and there will be no out of pocket costs. I will continue to fight the effective date and in 3 months do this all over again for my children.
The system is truly a disaster.
As I go into the details, I know you will share in my frustration.
Cory and I were approved for 6 months of medical coverage and my kids were only approved for 3 months. Go figure.
Our effective date is 2/14, which will take care of my hospital bill, and one chemo treatment, but I had thousands of dollars in chemo treatments before 2/14. So which means, that is on us now to pay. I will be fighting that, because I applied on 2/5 and they "lost" my application. So I will have to find out how to dispute that and see if I can get the bills from my oncology taken care of.
Right now, Im trying to stay positive and focus on the fact that my chemo treatments and surgery will be taken care of and there will be no out of pocket costs. I will continue to fight the effective date and in 3 months do this all over again for my children.
The system is truly a disaster.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Kids say the darnest things....
I was going to blog about my crazy day of insurance stuff but instead I wanted to blog about the things that made me laugh today. So I wanted to share them with you. They are very random but they made me laugh and after a day like today....I needed a good laugh.
Earlier today I had to stop by my friends John and Amy's house to get our Youth Group Lesson together. I was standing at the door waiting for them to answer and 2 little girls were playing at the house next door on the sidewalk.
"She doesn't have any hair" Girl #1 said.
"Yes she does, its in a ponytail under her hat" Girl #2 said.
"No its not, I can tell, she doesn't have any hair". Girl #1 said.
I turned around and said "She's right, I dont have any hair".
"See I told you" Girl #1 said.
"I had breast cancer and Im on chemotherapy now, thats why I have no hair" I said.
"Oh my goodness, are you going to be ok?" Girl #2 said.
"Yup, Im getting better each day!"
LOL. It was so funny for a couple of reasons. First, that they thought I couldn't hear them, and two, that they were so shocked and concerned all at the same time. It was cute and funny and it made me smile.
The other thing that made me smile was when we got home from Youth Group I shouted to the kids. "Hit the showers." So Isaac said "Mom, Mrs. Walter said that we need to make sure we are showering each day and practice good hygiene." We immediately laughed because I know EXACTLY where Mrs. Walter's was going with that statement. So I said to Isaac "Raise your arms up" So he did. "I smelled and I was very excited to know that my son was not the culprit of the hygiene message.
Isaac told me that the class smells like B.O. and so I said "well, your not the cause of that, so your routine for showers is just fine." But he insisted that he follows his teachers rule and wanted to shower and to use her suggestion for deodorant. So I explained that sometimes boys his age, shower, but they dont really shower. That is not the case for him. If he would like deodorant, he may use some, but the message was not for him. But he went on to say that she said "everyone". LOL...So I said "Ok, if you want to use deodorant you can use all the deodorant you want, you have some upstairs, use it." So he lifts up his arms, pulls his shirt down and said "But I don't have any hair under my arms yet, so it shouldn't be smelling bad right?"
LOL....Oh, the joys of having a 4th grade boy. Poor Mrs. Walters. I know that if that message went out, the classroom had to stink. Im just glad that my son was not part of that smell. LOL.
So, after the long day of driving around town and dealing with insurance, Im happy to have little pieces of my day that can put a smile on my face.
Earlier today I had to stop by my friends John and Amy's house to get our Youth Group Lesson together. I was standing at the door waiting for them to answer and 2 little girls were playing at the house next door on the sidewalk.
"She doesn't have any hair" Girl #1 said.
"Yes she does, its in a ponytail under her hat" Girl #2 said.
"No its not, I can tell, she doesn't have any hair". Girl #1 said.
I turned around and said "She's right, I dont have any hair".
"See I told you" Girl #1 said.
"I had breast cancer and Im on chemotherapy now, thats why I have no hair" I said.
"Oh my goodness, are you going to be ok?" Girl #2 said.
"Yup, Im getting better each day!"
LOL. It was so funny for a couple of reasons. First, that they thought I couldn't hear them, and two, that they were so shocked and concerned all at the same time. It was cute and funny and it made me smile.
The other thing that made me smile was when we got home from Youth Group I shouted to the kids. "Hit the showers." So Isaac said "Mom, Mrs. Walter said that we need to make sure we are showering each day and practice good hygiene." We immediately laughed because I know EXACTLY where Mrs. Walter's was going with that statement. So I said to Isaac "Raise your arms up" So he did. "I smelled and I was very excited to know that my son was not the culprit of the hygiene message.
Isaac told me that the class smells like B.O. and so I said "well, your not the cause of that, so your routine for showers is just fine." But he insisted that he follows his teachers rule and wanted to shower and to use her suggestion for deodorant. So I explained that sometimes boys his age, shower, but they dont really shower. That is not the case for him. If he would like deodorant, he may use some, but the message was not for him. But he went on to say that she said "everyone". LOL...So I said "Ok, if you want to use deodorant you can use all the deodorant you want, you have some upstairs, use it." So he lifts up his arms, pulls his shirt down and said "But I don't have any hair under my arms yet, so it shouldn't be smelling bad right?"
LOL....Oh, the joys of having a 4th grade boy. Poor Mrs. Walters. I know that if that message went out, the classroom had to stink. Im just glad that my son was not part of that smell. LOL.
So, after the long day of driving around town and dealing with insurance, Im happy to have little pieces of my day that can put a smile on my face.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
How are you doing?
Just simply getting in the car to drop off my kids at school and as they get out of the car and saying "Have a good day, Ill see you at parent pick up" puts a big smile on my face. Ahhhhh....it feels good to feel normal again. I think I might conquer the afternoon by walking to pick them up.
This treatment lasted 5 days which is 2 days longer than last treatment. Doesn't look good for my next two treatments does it? The pain was different. The same, but different. I am not sure why. I talked to my nurses yesterday and they explained that the nerve shooting pain is neuropathy. I thought neuropathy was tingling/numbness in my fingers and toes. Well..it is, but its also the pain I am feeling in my legs. It was worse at night which I rather because Cory is home helping me. I walk and my legs would give out. My knee caps felt like they were being stomped on by a horse or something. The side effects are crazy. I will tell you....that getting chemo yesterday having to deal with that leg pain was not fun. It was very uncomfortable but my nurses were awesome and tried to help as much as they can. My doctor is going to talk to me about a drug that will help me with that specific pain. She really doesn't want me taking more than Ibprofun, but that is a fairy tale...so lets get the Rx. But thank God my drip was only 30 minutes long so my mom took me home, and got me settled, I took my meds, and took a nap. I am VERY thankful of my mom during this time. She shows me AGAPE love all the time. Taking off work, losing her own income, staying in my house for 12 hours at a time, cooking, cleaning, laundry and counseling of course. LOL. When she tells me how much it breaks her heart to see me like this, I try and imagine myself as Bella and me sitting on the chair trying to talk Bella through the pain. I couldn't imagine and I Dont want to. But its a good reminder of how much my family is going through as well.
Usually during my "down days" I learn something. This time...was 2 things. The AGAPE LOVE I feel from my husband. And 2nd I learned when you are in pain, there is no better way to do it then in church during worship time. LOL. This Sunday I went to church..medicated but I went. I kind of stayed in the background as much as I can but that is hard to do. But worship was really good this week and sitting down just singing praises to God was pretty awesome.
So, as the pain is subsiding and Im down to only 2 ibprofun now I am ready to be Gabbee again. I missed being me. So, Im going around the house and making it tidy, I have work to do along with ministry work and I have a HOT date tomorrow with my hubby. Actually we were laughing last night because I asked him if he could plan our date. So I asked him where we were going and he said "well Im hoping I can take you to a fancy resturant". I laughed and said "you do realize how broke we are right?" LOL so he said "Fine, McDonalds it is" LOL! So...who knows. I don't care. We just need alone time other than 9 hours at CHEMO and 3 days at the Hospital. That DOESN'T count as a date night. :)
Oh on the plus side? I learned that sometimes Taxol stops hair growth but doesn't necessarily make your hair fall out. Well because I had a month in between treatments (becuase of my low blood count) my hair had a change to grow some fuzz. So it stayed. My mom bought me some "miracle" hair growing shampoo in Mexico. LOL They sell it in the States, just cheaper there. Anyway, I used it this morning. I think I see a difference. I think Im ready for a haircut. LOL!!! Not really but Im anxious to see how it works after my treatment is done. 2 more to go. April 4th is my last Taxol as long as everything continues to go as planned. Then surgery probably in May.
So...that is how I am doing in a nutshell. Thank you for your prayers during this past week. Its encouraging and God has answered some prayers.
This treatment lasted 5 days which is 2 days longer than last treatment. Doesn't look good for my next two treatments does it? The pain was different. The same, but different. I am not sure why. I talked to my nurses yesterday and they explained that the nerve shooting pain is neuropathy. I thought neuropathy was tingling/numbness in my fingers and toes. Well..it is, but its also the pain I am feeling in my legs. It was worse at night which I rather because Cory is home helping me. I walk and my legs would give out. My knee caps felt like they were being stomped on by a horse or something. The side effects are crazy. I will tell you....that getting chemo yesterday having to deal with that leg pain was not fun. It was very uncomfortable but my nurses were awesome and tried to help as much as they can. My doctor is going to talk to me about a drug that will help me with that specific pain. She really doesn't want me taking more than Ibprofun, but that is a fairy tale...so lets get the Rx. But thank God my drip was only 30 minutes long so my mom took me home, and got me settled, I took my meds, and took a nap. I am VERY thankful of my mom during this time. She shows me AGAPE love all the time. Taking off work, losing her own income, staying in my house for 12 hours at a time, cooking, cleaning, laundry and counseling of course. LOL. When she tells me how much it breaks her heart to see me like this, I try and imagine myself as Bella and me sitting on the chair trying to talk Bella through the pain. I couldn't imagine and I Dont want to. But its a good reminder of how much my family is going through as well.
Usually during my "down days" I learn something. This time...was 2 things. The AGAPE LOVE I feel from my husband. And 2nd I learned when you are in pain, there is no better way to do it then in church during worship time. LOL. This Sunday I went to church..medicated but I went. I kind of stayed in the background as much as I can but that is hard to do. But worship was really good this week and sitting down just singing praises to God was pretty awesome.
So, as the pain is subsiding and Im down to only 2 ibprofun now I am ready to be Gabbee again. I missed being me. So, Im going around the house and making it tidy, I have work to do along with ministry work and I have a HOT date tomorrow with my hubby. Actually we were laughing last night because I asked him if he could plan our date. So I asked him where we were going and he said "well Im hoping I can take you to a fancy resturant". I laughed and said "you do realize how broke we are right?" LOL so he said "Fine, McDonalds it is" LOL! So...who knows. I don't care. We just need alone time other than 9 hours at CHEMO and 3 days at the Hospital. That DOESN'T count as a date night. :)
Oh on the plus side? I learned that sometimes Taxol stops hair growth but doesn't necessarily make your hair fall out. Well because I had a month in between treatments (becuase of my low blood count) my hair had a change to grow some fuzz. So it stayed. My mom bought me some "miracle" hair growing shampoo in Mexico. LOL They sell it in the States, just cheaper there. Anyway, I used it this morning. I think I see a difference. I think Im ready for a haircut. LOL!!! Not really but Im anxious to see how it works after my treatment is done. 2 more to go. April 4th is my last Taxol as long as everything continues to go as planned. Then surgery probably in May.
So...that is how I am doing in a nutshell. Thank you for your prayers during this past week. Its encouraging and God has answered some prayers.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Prayers Please!
Short and Sweet...We are facing tough times. First off, the pain from the Taxol is so different from the first time. Im so behind in everything and just when I think its over, it creeps back in. It took longer to hit me this time around, but its lingering around longer and its only from my knees down. Last time was my pelvis down. So maybe next time it will just be my feet. :) Anyway, last night was TERRIBLE. At one point I was on the floor rolling around crying. That was MY BIGGEST FEAR about CHEMO. I took DOUBLE MEDS just to fall asleep. Cory cradled me, and basically "rocked" me to sleep. As soon as I woke up, the sharp shooting nerve pains were back so I immediatley took more pain meds. Now Im able to sit here and type w/out aching into fetal position. So please pray for me. Especially because I get my weekly Herceptin tomororw! AHHH, Im so not wanting to go in and get CHEMO even if its mild. I want only to be in my bed. My mom took off work to come with me, bcuz I was having to go alone. That was dumb to try and go alone I know.
The other prayer is...we are struggling financially. We have exhausted all of our savings, and our insurance is giving us problems and there has been some out of pocket expenses already that I had no idea of and we are being billed for that wont be covered by insurance. Cory and I both lost hours at our job which will be setting us back even more. When I am down for CHEMO I lose hours at my job, so of course the ER took my "good days" away from me which took hours away. We are at the point of having to make arrangements on our bills because we know the money just isn't coming in and expenses are putting us out. We have a fundraiser coming up on Saturday, March 5th at 2:00. We are still selling raffle tickets and Tshirts to help raise money. I am also selling my guitar on craigslits if anyone is interested. Email me.
Im angry, Im frustrated and I truly just don't know what else to do. This sucks all around. I found myself sitting in front of the mirror a couple of days ago looking at my bald head and asking "how in the world did I get here". Its a neverending question. Its a question that goes through my head EVERYDAY.
Please Join us prayer as we ask God to Provide and that the Insurance goes through with no hiccups and no more out of pocket expenses. We also ask for this pain to GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!
The other prayer is...we are struggling financially. We have exhausted all of our savings, and our insurance is giving us problems and there has been some out of pocket expenses already that I had no idea of and we are being billed for that wont be covered by insurance. Cory and I both lost hours at our job which will be setting us back even more. When I am down for CHEMO I lose hours at my job, so of course the ER took my "good days" away from me which took hours away. We are at the point of having to make arrangements on our bills because we know the money just isn't coming in and expenses are putting us out. We have a fundraiser coming up on Saturday, March 5th at 2:00. We are still selling raffle tickets and Tshirts to help raise money. I am also selling my guitar on craigslits if anyone is interested. Email me.
Im angry, Im frustrated and I truly just don't know what else to do. This sucks all around. I found myself sitting in front of the mirror a couple of days ago looking at my bald head and asking "how in the world did I get here". Its a neverending question. Its a question that goes through my head EVERYDAY.
Please Join us prayer as we ask God to Provide and that the Insurance goes through with no hiccups and no more out of pocket expenses. We also ask for this pain to GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
AGAPE LOVE
AGAPE LOVE - Divine, Unconditional, Self-Sacrificing, Active and Thoughtful Love.
In our Love Dare book, the excercise asks us if we have trouble showing AGAPE LOVE to our spouse. As I was reading it this morning, I realized how much trouble I have in that area. I feel guilty because I am not allowing my heart to fully express AGAPE LOVE to Cory. I try and remain patient in times of distress. I try and think before I speak. I try and see Cory as Christ see's him. Some days are easier than others but I fail more than I succeed. Today after church, I pretty much crawled my way into my bed. Cory brought me a tray with my lunch on it, took care of the kids then made his way back into bed with me. I crawled into his arms, as we watched a movie and I asked him to rub my fuzzy semi-bald head. I laid there and fell asleep for what seemed like forever. When your bones are hurting throughout your body, the most soothing action will shoot a sense of peace through your body that relaxes your muscles. I want to compare it to rocking a baby to sleep while singing a lullaby. When I woke up and felt the shooting pain back in my bones, and the meds wore off I realized how lucky I am to have AGAPE LOVE from Cory. I couldn't imagine going through this without him. I asked the question to myself. Could I do this for him? Could I hold it together and give him Divine, unconditional and self-sacrifcing love if he was laying here in pain from Chemo? My first response would be OF COURSE! But the real question is....Can you do it without complaining?
AGAPE LOVE is a love that we receive from Christ alone. We are to share that same love with our spouses. Would Jesus lay here and comfort me until I fell asleep? Would He bring me lunch till I was stuffed? Would He rub my legs till they don't hurt anymore? Would He fulfull my needs till they are 100% met? We all know the answer right?
I pray that I can show AGAPE LOVE to my husband as He does for me.
In our Love Dare book, the excercise asks us if we have trouble showing AGAPE LOVE to our spouse. As I was reading it this morning, I realized how much trouble I have in that area. I feel guilty because I am not allowing my heart to fully express AGAPE LOVE to Cory. I try and remain patient in times of distress. I try and think before I speak. I try and see Cory as Christ see's him. Some days are easier than others but I fail more than I succeed. Today after church, I pretty much crawled my way into my bed. Cory brought me a tray with my lunch on it, took care of the kids then made his way back into bed with me. I crawled into his arms, as we watched a movie and I asked him to rub my fuzzy semi-bald head. I laid there and fell asleep for what seemed like forever. When your bones are hurting throughout your body, the most soothing action will shoot a sense of peace through your body that relaxes your muscles. I want to compare it to rocking a baby to sleep while singing a lullaby. When I woke up and felt the shooting pain back in my bones, and the meds wore off I realized how lucky I am to have AGAPE LOVE from Cory. I couldn't imagine going through this without him. I asked the question to myself. Could I do this for him? Could I hold it together and give him Divine, unconditional and self-sacrifcing love if he was laying here in pain from Chemo? My first response would be OF COURSE! But the real question is....Can you do it without complaining?
AGAPE LOVE is a love that we receive from Christ alone. We are to share that same love with our spouses. Would Jesus lay here and comfort me until I fell asleep? Would He bring me lunch till I was stuffed? Would He rub my legs till they don't hurt anymore? Would He fulfull my needs till they are 100% met? We all know the answer right?
I pray that I can show AGAPE LOVE to my husband as He does for me.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
SO MUCH TO SAY....
YES......THATS ME AND JJ & DAVE!
SHE SIGNED MY JJ SHIRT
AND SIGNED MY BANDANNA
THANKS GIRLS FOR JOINING ME! THANKS LISETTE FOR THE AWESOME BDAY GIFT
Okay, so I have so much to say about last night. I just can't contain myself. I don't really know what to say. LOL. Their music was awesome, the lyrics hit home, and her relationship with her husband is inspiring. They are adorable. I had so much fun with the girls. I laughed from deep within my belly. I had too much coffee, a large piece of cheesecake and stayed up till 2:30 in the morning. LOL. It was great fun! One of my favorites was having my CHEMO nurses Monica and Gerry sitting next to me during the concert. That was just surreal for me. I know God has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11) but I never thought this "cancer" plan was for me to one day worship with my nurses that I have already built a relationship with and have many more months to go with them. Im so blessed to have my Oncologist and nurses that I have. Prayer works and we prayed hard for the perfect doctors and nurses and GOd provided. I also had the privelage of being stopped by a women (she is 25 yrs old) that has brain cancer. I can't even explain our conversation, because Im not sure I can put it into words, but all I know, is that Im dissapointed that I missed the opportunity to connect with her after we both left. She just wanted to seek me out and get my story and it shouldn't have ended there. :( Sometimes I feel like God puts these type of situations in my life and I miss them. I promised to pray for her and I will do that.
As far as me and how Im doing from Chemo. I notice more and more that I am dealing with hot flashes. They are really annoying. And of course that is a major side effect from Chemo. I believe that I have been officially put into early menopause. LOL. That would explain alot about me and my "attitude" as Cory puts it. I have been struggling with my short fuse lately, and since all the other pieces to the puzzle are coming together, Im guessing that is where I am with my body at this time. Anyway, I woke up this morning with Neuropathy (Numbness in hands and feet). Normal. Interesting though how my body is mapping out exactly the way it did last treatment. My oncologist was right on, when she said that my body would do that. I feel tired, but the 2:30am bedtime has defnitily contributed to that. I anticipate tonight will be the start of my body shutting down. I know my body all too well. So, I am using this day as much as I can, before I am in bed for a few days.
Some prayer requests that I have.
1. That God will continue to shine through me through this journey. At times I am defeated and "comfortable" with being idle and I don't want that light to burn out.
2. Between my recent issue in the hospital, that set both Cory and I back financially due to no more PTO time left on either of our jobs. I am confident God will provide for our needs as He always does. We have an upcoming fundraiser in March that we are praying puts us ahead with a cushion in our savings. I ask that you join me in prayer for that as well.
3. I pray that through this treatment, I keep my eyes on the prize. When I am in bed for days, I become beat down and defeated. Pray that my head stays high and I shine. I just want to shine for Jesus.
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