It's anniversary time... can you believe it?! And below is my newest adventure!!!
Love ya! Reba
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Friends and Family,
To honor my 1-year anniversary (July 4) as a cancer SURVIVOR, and to celebrate this year’s very special birthday (June 26), I am joining forces with The LOVE HOPE STRENGTH Foundation to help raise global cancer care awareness.
Please visit my page: http://lovehopestrength.org/trekkers/?user=1&trekker=223
*Any gift, small or large, will make a difference. In lieu of birthday presents this year, I would love to receive donations. Thank you!
*By getting “on the list” you might be the one person to save a life!
WHAT IS OUR MISSION?
LHSF is an international, music-centric cancer charity dedicated to saving lives, one concert at a time. The mission is to save lives, right now, with the advances that have already been made in cancer care. We do not fund cancer research; rather we use our funds to:
Build and support cancer centers around the globe.
Build awareness of global cancer needs.
Build internatioanl marrow databases through the "GET ON THE LIST" campaign.
WHY IS THIS OUR MISSION?
As of 2010, cancer is now the world’s #1 killer and will touch each and every one of us in our lifetime. It is a global issue in need of support from a worldwide network. In 2007, LHSF was co-founded by leukemia survivors Mike Peters of the Welsh rock band The Alarm and President of CSI Entertainment James Chippendale who believe that awareness, early detection and proper treatment should not be a luxury and wanted to find a way to ensure that all people have access to the same resources that saved their lives.
WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR?
Funds from recent events have:
-Purchased the first mammography machine for the country of Nepal.
-Purchased the first brachytherapy (internal radiation) machine for the country of Nepal.
-Funded a mobile cancer unit which will screen and treat 20-000-30,000 patients per year in remote regions of Peru.
-Funded a new wing for a cancer care center in Wales.
-Purchased a transport vehicle for a children’s cancer center in New Jersey.
-Conducted over 200 bone marrow drives at venues such as The Pepsi Center and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Mile High Music Fest, Union County Music Fest and Austin City Limits.
-Added over 10,000 people to the national marrow database.
-Located over 80 matches for patients in need of bone marrow transplants.
-Brought supplies to cancer centers in need around the world.
-Hosted the first saliva-based bone marrow registration drive at a concert in UK.
-Funded the making of Everest Rocks, a documentary on cancer survivorship now in it’s 3rd year of airing on Palladia (MTV High Def Channel) and new airings on NBC’s Universal Sports.
-Funded a Public Service Announcement on the need for bone marrow donors with world renowned musicians at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
-Funding the construction of a children’s cancer center in Tanzania.
-Funding the making of a documentary on bone marrow registration.
-Working with the International Coalition of Cancer (UICC) to make saliva based bone marrow registration a global initiative.
Please visit http://lovehopestrength.org/ for more information!
***I would like to dedicate this effort to several people I know personally who are currently fighting the good fight. Stay strong!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Happy Holidays to You and Yours!
Dear Family and Friends,
As you know, this has been a challenging yet rewarding year for me. Much of this year was spent at Scripps Mercy Hospital. The phenomenal doctors, nurses, and staff at Scripps Mercy Hospital and Scripps Cancer Center literally saved my life.
I have decided to give a generous gift to their “Caring for the Future” campaign. Most personally significant to me in this campaign is the plan for the Outpatient Infusion Center at the Cancer Center where I am a patient. My donation is a very small token of my appreciation. The greatest gift I could receive this season is that perhaps you will consider making a donation as well. Any amount, large or small, will make a difference!
As 2011 approaches, please take time to reflect on your many blessings and give thanks. I count each and every one of you as a blessing and I thank you for your love and support. I am healthy and living a wonderfully normal life once again. I am looking forward to a joyous New Year, a year that will include the birth of a Granddaughter! Life is good.
Wishing you all the very merriest of holidays!
With much love, Reba
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No other part of our nonprofit hospital speaks to the mission of Scripps Mercy more than our emergency room and trauma department. They are the gateway to our hospital, open to all who turn to Scripps Mercy for care.
We are the longest-established hospital in the region, caring for people who live and work in central and southern San Diego County. From downtown and Point Loma to Chula Vista and the Mexican border, our service area includes nearly 1 million people.
At our San Diego campus, we operate one of the busiest emergency departments in the region, with more than 51,000 emergency room visits annually. Our Level 1 trauma center treats 2,500 patients each year – the most in San Diego County.
Although our programs and specialties have grown throughout the decades, the communities we serve have grown even faster. Scripps Mercy is at a critical point and must expand with extensive renovations in these vital service areas to continue to meet the needs of our patients:
Emergency Department and Trauma Center: Our facility will nearly double, from a 27-bed emergency department, which includes two trauma bays, to 43 beds with three trauma bays.
Intensive Care Unit: Our three intensive care units will expand and modernize, and additional ICU space will be added.
Operating Rooms: Two operating rooms will become robotic surgical suites equipped with the most advanced technology.
Scripps Cancer Center at Scripps Mercy Hospital: Our services will grow to include an outpatient infusion center and women’s breast care center.
Mercy Hospital Foundation has launched Caring for the Future: The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital to support the hospital’s historic modernization and expansion project. To date, more than half of our $50 million goal has been raised. Phase I of the campaign has been funded and construction has begun on the new Conrad Prebys Emergency and Trauma Center. We are well on our way to funding Phase II and, with your help; we will continue a legacy of quality care that will benefit our community for many years to come.
Online at: https://secure.entango.com/donate/nbkQaFEUKks
*click on “other”: and fill in, Outpatient Cancer Infusion Center, Scripps Mercy Hospital
By Phone: 800-326-3776, M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
*Indicate you would like your donation to go to the Outpatient Cancer Infusion Center, Scripps Mercy Hospital
By Mail: Send check, payable to Scripps Health Foundation, to:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caring for the Future: The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital
Phase I
Conrad Prebys Emergency and Trauma Center $25 million goal FUNDED
Phase II
Outpatient Cancer Infusion Center, Women’s Breast Care Center, Robotic Surgical Suites $15 million goal
$6 million raised to date
Phase III
Intensive Care Unit Expansion & Renovations $10 million goal To begin in 2011
As you know, this has been a challenging yet rewarding year for me. Much of this year was spent at Scripps Mercy Hospital. The phenomenal doctors, nurses, and staff at Scripps Mercy Hospital and Scripps Cancer Center literally saved my life.
I have decided to give a generous gift to their “Caring for the Future” campaign. Most personally significant to me in this campaign is the plan for the Outpatient Infusion Center at the Cancer Center where I am a patient. My donation is a very small token of my appreciation. The greatest gift I could receive this season is that perhaps you will consider making a donation as well. Any amount, large or small, will make a difference!
As 2011 approaches, please take time to reflect on your many blessings and give thanks. I count each and every one of you as a blessing and I thank you for your love and support. I am healthy and living a wonderfully normal life once again. I am looking forward to a joyous New Year, a year that will include the birth of a Granddaughter! Life is good.
Wishing you all the very merriest of holidays!
With much love, Reba
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conrad Prebys Emergency and Trauma Center.
Caring for the Future
The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital
No other part of our nonprofit hospital speaks to the mission of Scripps Mercy more than our emergency room and trauma department. They are the gateway to our hospital, open to all who turn to Scripps Mercy for care.
We are the longest-established hospital in the region, caring for people who live and work in central and southern San Diego County. From downtown and Point Loma to Chula Vista and the Mexican border, our service area includes nearly 1 million people.
At our San Diego campus, we operate one of the busiest emergency departments in the region, with more than 51,000 emergency room visits annually. Our Level 1 trauma center treats 2,500 patients each year – the most in San Diego County.
Although our programs and specialties have grown throughout the decades, the communities we serve have grown even faster. Scripps Mercy is at a critical point and must expand with extensive renovations in these vital service areas to continue to meet the needs of our patients:
Emergency Department and Trauma Center: Our facility will nearly double, from a 27-bed emergency department, which includes two trauma bays, to 43 beds with three trauma bays.
Intensive Care Unit: Our three intensive care units will expand and modernize, and additional ICU space will be added.
Operating Rooms: Two operating rooms will become robotic surgical suites equipped with the most advanced technology.
Scripps Cancer Center at Scripps Mercy Hospital: Our services will grow to include an outpatient infusion center and women’s breast care center.
Mercy Hospital Foundation has launched Caring for the Future: The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital to support the hospital’s historic modernization and expansion project. To date, more than half of our $50 million goal has been raised. Phase I of the campaign has been funded and construction has begun on the new Conrad Prebys Emergency and Trauma Center. We are well on our way to funding Phase II and, with your help; we will continue a legacy of quality care that will benefit our community for many years to come.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donate Now!
Donate Now!
Online at: https://secure.entango.com/donate/nbkQaFEUKks
*click on “other”: and fill in, Outpatient Cancer Infusion Center, Scripps Mercy Hospital
By Phone: 800-326-3776, M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
*Indicate you would like your donation to go to the Outpatient Cancer Infusion Center, Scripps Mercy Hospital
By Mail: Send check, payable to Scripps Health Foundation, to:
Scripps Health Foundation
PO Box 2669
La Jolla, CA 92038
*Indicate you would like your donation to go to the Outpatient Cancer Infusion Center, Scripps Mercy Hospital. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caring for the Future: The Campaign for Scripps Mercy Hospital
Phase I
Conrad Prebys Emergency and Trauma Center $25 million goal FUNDED
Phase II
Outpatient Cancer Infusion Center, Women’s Breast Care Center, Robotic Surgical Suites $15 million goal
$6 million raised to date
Phase III
Intensive Care Unit Expansion & Renovations $10 million goal To begin in 2011
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Checking in!
It's November! Not that you'd know it on a day like today... it's currently 97 degrees in San Diego! Yikes!!!
Tomorrow will be the end of my 5th week back at work fulltime. It has gone SO quickly. I feel so normal again... when I think about all I went through it seems like a dream now. I'm amazed everyday with my outcome and I am ever so grateful.
What prompted me to blog today is the billboards, radio ads and website reference to my amazing oncologist, Dr. Marin Xavier, and another miracle patient, Diana Sanchez. Perhaps you've heard the radio spots or have seen the billboards with Diana and her two young sons on it?! You can also visit www.scripps.org/diana and read her story and watch a video with Dr. Xavier in it. Where she is being filmed is in the actual hallway of the floor at Mercy where I spent so many days and nights this Spring and Summer. While Diana and I are living miracles, Dr. Xavier and many other fine doctors and nurses are truly miracle workers.
Life is so incredibly precious and my life is amazing! I have great friends, a wonderful job, loving family, including my beloved daughter, son-in-law, grandson and a new granddaughter coming in the New Year!!! I am truly blesssed.
A big shout out to my dear friend, Nancy, this week. She had surgery and the outcome was the best case scenario. Another miracle!!! So grateful for her good news :)
Happy Fall everyone! I hope your Halloween was lot's of fun and that you all enjoy the rest of the upcoming holidays as well! I'll be thinking of you and wishing you well.
Much love, Reba
Oh! I almost forgot to tell you! I have the cutest short hair :) So cute in fact that I'm thinking of keeping it short. I get compliments all the time and it's SOOOOO easy to take care of! I will try to get a picture posted sometime soon.
Tomorrow will be the end of my 5th week back at work fulltime. It has gone SO quickly. I feel so normal again... when I think about all I went through it seems like a dream now. I'm amazed everyday with my outcome and I am ever so grateful.
What prompted me to blog today is the billboards, radio ads and website reference to my amazing oncologist, Dr. Marin Xavier, and another miracle patient, Diana Sanchez. Perhaps you've heard the radio spots or have seen the billboards with Diana and her two young sons on it?! You can also visit www.scripps.org/diana and read her story and watch a video with Dr. Xavier in it. Where she is being filmed is in the actual hallway of the floor at Mercy where I spent so many days and nights this Spring and Summer. While Diana and I are living miracles, Dr. Xavier and many other fine doctors and nurses are truly miracle workers.
Life is so incredibly precious and my life is amazing! I have great friends, a wonderful job, loving family, including my beloved daughter, son-in-law, grandson and a new granddaughter coming in the New Year!!! I am truly blesssed.
A big shout out to my dear friend, Nancy, this week. She had surgery and the outcome was the best case scenario. Another miracle!!! So grateful for her good news :)
Happy Fall everyone! I hope your Halloween was lot's of fun and that you all enjoy the rest of the upcoming holidays as well! I'll be thinking of you and wishing you well.
Much love, Reba
Oh! I almost forgot to tell you! I have the cutest short hair :) So cute in fact that I'm thinking of keeping it short. I get compliments all the time and it's SOOOOO easy to take care of! I will try to get a picture posted sometime soon.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
I'm doing cartwheels!
Sooooooooo happy! The fabulous Dr. Xavier called today to inform me 1. the MRI of my lower spine was normal. 2. The colonoscopy polyp was benign. 3. My PET scan was clean, clean, CLEAN! Woo hoo! I'm cancer-free and fit as a fiddle :) So blessed and amazed at my good news. While I can totally believe it, it's a little hard to believe! Jay just bought me dinner to celebrate and I even had a yummy glass of red wine.
LIFE IS GOOD.
I'm back at work full-time and am loving it! Life feels so normal again and it's a beautiful thing. I'm a happy camper. :)
So now what?! I plan on being the best me I can be. I want to get in shape, eat right and respect my amazing, strong body. I want to find ways to give back. I want to explore, expand and discover. But most of all, I want to make sure each and every one of you knows how much I love you and how much I thank you for all your love and support! You all made this miracle possible by lifting me up, making me laugh and keeping me positive. I could not have done this without you.
Many people have asked what the biggest thing I've learned from this experience is. Well, there's a few. First, listen to your body and respect it's messages. But, on the other hand, don't obsess... find the balance. This is true for life in general. It's all about respect and balance. Don't sweat the small stuff! Find the beauty in every day and in all people. Don't be critical, of yourself or others... you never know what someone might have going on in their life. LOVE!!! with all your heart. SMILE!!! the world will smile with you. GIVE!!! what you can... whether it be a hug, a hand, or a prayer. No gesture is ever too big or too small. One of my favorite quotes is, "One person can make a difference. And everyone should try." - John F. Kennedy. If you are stuck, get unstuck. Whether you believe you can or you can not, you are right. Speak up for yourself. Be kind. Play. Be silly. Laugh. Do yoga. Meditate. Read. Dance. Move. Shake things up!
***Find what makes YOU happy!!!***
The future's so bright. I am overjoyed at the prospect of getting to be of part of my beloved Tate Thomas' world as he grows into a young man and to watching Travis and Brenna welcome their new little girl into this world in January. I can't wait to spoil my Granddaughter ;)
I feel like I've been through one crazy storm and was spit out the other end, miracously, in one piece. Wow. I probably won't be doing much blogging from here on out, but please feel free to catch up with me on Facebook or email me if you want to check in :) I'd love to hear from you! Heck, I'd love to visit with all of you too!!! Just give me a call or email and we'll make some plans. I've got a whole lot of livin' to do!
With much love and gratitude,
Reba xoxo
*Leave a comment below if you need my personal email address and/or phone number :)
LIFE IS GOOD.
I'm back at work full-time and am loving it! Life feels so normal again and it's a beautiful thing. I'm a happy camper. :)
So now what?! I plan on being the best me I can be. I want to get in shape, eat right and respect my amazing, strong body. I want to find ways to give back. I want to explore, expand and discover. But most of all, I want to make sure each and every one of you knows how much I love you and how much I thank you for all your love and support! You all made this miracle possible by lifting me up, making me laugh and keeping me positive. I could not have done this without you.
Many people have asked what the biggest thing I've learned from this experience is. Well, there's a few. First, listen to your body and respect it's messages. But, on the other hand, don't obsess... find the balance. This is true for life in general. It's all about respect and balance. Don't sweat the small stuff! Find the beauty in every day and in all people. Don't be critical, of yourself or others... you never know what someone might have going on in their life. LOVE!!! with all your heart. SMILE!!! the world will smile with you. GIVE!!! what you can... whether it be a hug, a hand, or a prayer. No gesture is ever too big or too small. One of my favorite quotes is, "One person can make a difference. And everyone should try." - John F. Kennedy. If you are stuck, get unstuck. Whether you believe you can or you can not, you are right. Speak up for yourself. Be kind. Play. Be silly. Laugh. Do yoga. Meditate. Read. Dance. Move. Shake things up!
***Find what makes YOU happy!!!***
The future's so bright. I am overjoyed at the prospect of getting to be of part of my beloved Tate Thomas' world as he grows into a young man and to watching Travis and Brenna welcome their new little girl into this world in January. I can't wait to spoil my Granddaughter ;)
I feel like I've been through one crazy storm and was spit out the other end, miracously, in one piece. Wow. I probably won't be doing much blogging from here on out, but please feel free to catch up with me on Facebook or email me if you want to check in :) I'd love to hear from you! Heck, I'd love to visit with all of you too!!! Just give me a call or email and we'll make some plans. I've got a whole lot of livin' to do!
With much love and gratitude,
Reba xoxo
*Leave a comment below if you need my personal email address and/or phone number :)
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wow... has it really been 3 weeks?!
So much for my blogging weekly! Oops! 3 weeks has literally flown by.
I'm back at work part time until October 1 when it will be full days/full time once again. It feels great to be back in the real world! After spending so many months in a bubble the real world is simply amazing. So full of life, living and love. I feel more and more like myself everyday... but an even better me. I've definitely come through this a changed person. Changed for the better :)
Health update... hmmm, let's see... I had a mammogram 2 weeks ago. There was a small scare but it all turned out a-ok. Monday I will be having an MRI on my low back due to regular back aches and I will also have my first post-treatment PT scan. I believe the backaches are simply because my abdominal muscles are weak still but Dr. X wants to make sure. The PT scan is the big test and when it comes back clean I will be doing cartwheels in celebration!!! Thursday I will have a colonoscopy, NOT FUN but a necessary cancer screening. Dr. X assured me there would be plenty of screenings in my future and she wasn't joking! I saw my surgeon this week and things are good in that department. She told me I can start exercising and building my core strength as long as it doesn't hurt. That was good news :)
I feel amazing! Sometimes this whole thing seems surreal... I know I went through a lot but I'm feeling so good and so normal it's hard to believe sometimes. It truly is amazing what our bodies are capable of enduring and it's amazing that we can heal so well. I'm truly blessed.
HAIR! I have hair!!! The last week or so it's really taken off... I sort of feel like a Chia Pet! I can't really tell what color or texture it's going to be just yet. It is really dark though... stay tuned!
Well, it's Friday and I hope you all had a really nice week. Enjoy your weekend!!!
Much love, Reba
I'm back at work part time until October 1 when it will be full days/full time once again. It feels great to be back in the real world! After spending so many months in a bubble the real world is simply amazing. So full of life, living and love. I feel more and more like myself everyday... but an even better me. I've definitely come through this a changed person. Changed for the better :)
Health update... hmmm, let's see... I had a mammogram 2 weeks ago. There was a small scare but it all turned out a-ok. Monday I will be having an MRI on my low back due to regular back aches and I will also have my first post-treatment PT scan. I believe the backaches are simply because my abdominal muscles are weak still but Dr. X wants to make sure. The PT scan is the big test and when it comes back clean I will be doing cartwheels in celebration!!! Thursday I will have a colonoscopy, NOT FUN but a necessary cancer screening. Dr. X assured me there would be plenty of screenings in my future and she wasn't joking! I saw my surgeon this week and things are good in that department. She told me I can start exercising and building my core strength as long as it doesn't hurt. That was good news :)
I feel amazing! Sometimes this whole thing seems surreal... I know I went through a lot but I'm feeling so good and so normal it's hard to believe sometimes. It truly is amazing what our bodies are capable of enduring and it's amazing that we can heal so well. I'm truly blessed.
HAIR! I have hair!!! The last week or so it's really taken off... I sort of feel like a Chia Pet! I can't really tell what color or texture it's going to be just yet. It is really dark though... stay tuned!
Well, it's Friday and I hope you all had a really nice week. Enjoy your weekend!!!
Much love, Reba
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