Sunday, February 5, 2012

It's Hard to Ask for Help - But, I'm Asking.

This is a hard post to write as my pride gets the best of me.  Amy doesn't know I'm doing this.  She hasn't been feeling well this last week but at least she is not in the hospital!  Days are hard - I have a whole new respect and empathy for those living with a disease such as this.  As most of you know who read this blog, we had to leave our home in Joshua Tree quickly after Amy was hospitalized in Arkansas because we needed to be close to the hospital.  Two of our dogs are at a friend's home, the chickens are fostered out and my horse Mickey is at a friend's house.  We have Troy, the Chihuahua who is Amy's 24/7 care giver!  Since returning to San Diego a few months ago, we have been staying at a friend's house since we can't yet afford to rent our own place.  Amy is not able to work and gets limited income from disability from her cancer.   My business is growing but not where I want it to be.  I had to close my private practice in Joshua Tree and start my private practice up in San Diego again.  It's definitely climbing, but I expect I need another 2 or 3 months until it's where I can sustain us.  Amy needs a home.  I'm sure you can imagine what it's like to have stage 4 cancer while living in a bedroom in somebody else's home.  All of our belongings are in our shop in Joshua Tree and our life is all spread out.  We live with what we can put in the car.  Amy needs a home to have her dogs with her, her belongings and needs to have that peace and serenity that only home can bring.  I have thought of everything I can to rent a place, but I simply can't come up with the money until my business has grown more. 

So, I'm asking for support.  I know it's a long shot.  But, I see causes out there all the time so I figured it's worth a try.  I'm not asking for financial help to squander money.  We live very simply.  This is also short term.  Amy is very fragile and I don't know what could happen from a day to day basis.  But, I so want to give her a place she feels comfortable through all of this.  I can't believe we don't even have a rental of our own while she is so sick.  There is a widget below with the black ribbon for melanoma and a gold "give" button.  Click on "give".

If you can find any spare money and would consider making a donation, it will go directly to finding us a home ASAP.  There is a potential home we are going to look at and they will even let us have our 3 dogs.  But, I can't pull it all together financially.  Would you consider helping us?  Anything would help.  I would never ask this for myself, but it breaks my heart to see Amy not have the basics of what anyone should have while going through this.  There is a widget with black melanoma ribon to donate below.  You can also copy this widget to put on your own blog if you feel inclined.  Please feel free to pass the word on about this page! 

I think I've said enough.  I'll just hope for the best, say a prayer and see what happens.  Thank you so much.  And if you live in or near San Diego and can't help financially, but have other creative ways to help, let me know.  Even if you have no money to support or choose not to, your words of encouragement are appreciated.

*UPDATE* An incredibly generous friend from my past just gave me word that she would MATCH EVERY DOLLAR up to $2500 raised and that is our goal.  What started out as a bleak shot in the dark had really turned into something incredible.   In addition to that, another friend from the past who works with finances is going to sit down with me and look at our financial picture and see if there is anything we can cut out to make sure that I will be okay financially regardless of what happens after this.  I am more than half way to my goal and please help make this happen!  Between the funds and financial planning, and, despite what we're going through, I feel blessed by good friends and the kindness of strangers. 

50 comments:

  1. Wish I could have done more. My Dad is at home for his last few weeks, on Hospice. They are amazing, relieve so much stress.

    Blessing to you and Amy as you fight this horrible disease together.

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  2. Much, much appreciated. My first donation. It will go to good use and will only be used for rent. Somehow I gotta make this happen! Thank you. I'm sorry about your father. I am glad you are happy with hospice and hope he and your family are able to transition through this with as much peace as possible.

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  3. sent and wishing you peace and positive results in health and home! Take care and know there ARE people who are willing. I posted your link on my blog, and although I don't have many followers..you never know. I'll be thinking of you!

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  4. I just sent a small amount -- I so wish I could do more. I have over 200 followers now and I would like to post an introduction to Amy's story and provide a link to your blog. I would like to do this tomorrow and let it sit there for a few days -- I mean no new posts for a few days. And also provide a link to this post in my sidebar. OK, Sylvia, I know how much having her dogs around would help. I'm so sorry you are going through this and will keep you in my prayers.

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  5. I just finished writing the post for tomorrow. I hope it will help. Is there any reason you didn't post the Paypal button in your sidebar? I will try to post a link to this post in my sidebar. I already have your name there, where I ask people to send LOVE to my blogger friends who are ill or who just need it, like you. I'll try that later, I have to go and walk dogs now. Love, Inger.

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  6. Deb - thank you sooo much! Every little bit counts and I'm determined to try everything I can! Your words mean a lot. Grateful! Grateful!

    Inger - Wow! That is exciting! I am so happy you are going to the effort you are to help. And, thank you for the donation. I will get a donate button and put on the side bar. Supposedly, the whole widget that is in the post was supposed to be able to go on the sidebar, but I tried for two hours last night and it wouldn't work. I'll try again and if not, just put a donate button. I am deeply grateful for you being willing to put a post up and a widget on your own site. I will check out your site.

    Out the door for a bit. Thank you all!

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  7. My love, support and prayers are with you both.

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  8. Wishing you all every bit of sunshine and positivity. You are brave and so many share your dreams - please do not feel bad asking for support. We all need to support each other in the ways that we can. I have sent this along to my network in hope of broadening who is reached. Hang in there.

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  9. Donation sent from Maine, Im sorry to hear of your hardship and feel Blessed to be able to help in some small way. I will be posting this site on my FB page and also on www foreclosurehamlet.org I love your words "Amy needs to have that peace and serenity that only home can bring"
    May God Bless you and Amy, I will stop by often to see if there is anything more I can do to help. ~~KT~~

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  10. Amy it has to be difficult for a man to put his pride to the side and ask for help, they think they can do it all themselves. I have to say you have a real man because he put all that stuff to side to take care of you, his love must run very deep so you get better and then you two can have a long life together with your animals! I wish it could have been more. God Bless both of you and your beloved animals.

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  11. blessings and prayers being sent your way Amy also♥

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  12. Donation and prayers being sent from PA...I know how hard it is to ask for help! Be proud of yourself!!

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  13. Thank you everyone! We went to the doctor's this morning and just returned to find more donations. We are coming close to funding the difference for a month's rent. My goal is to somehow get about 3 months' difference as I think I can get my business to sustain it from that point on. I didn't even know if anyone would donate!

    Amy is going to start a medication that could potentially/probably bring on a lot side bad side effects. Even more the reason to have our own place. I will blog on this more later but really want to keep up this post for a bit longer. She is already on a chemo pill (brand new for Melanoma only and called Zelboraf) and it is holding the tumors down and have shrunk them, but the medication typically stops working after about 3 to 8 months so the doctor is wanting to start her on something else for when it stops. So, that's the new med and it's very promising for about 15% of the folks who take it, but as I said, the side effects can be awful. In the meantime, she is also doing an alternative treatment in conjunction with the conventional treatment. Covering all bases for sure! Thank you all and blessings going out to all of you from San Diego.

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  14. Love and Light to see you through :)

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  15. I wish I had a job! I pray for both of you daily and am sending peaceful, healing vibes your way.

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  16. Saw your need on Molly Vetter's FB page and gave what I could. Keep the strength and love you so clearly have, both of you.

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  17. I'm with Cheryl... I wish I had a job! But I love you both and am sending prayers for peace and healing and also sharing this with my FB friends to help spread the word. You do so much to comfort others. Now it's your turn to be flooded with love!

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  18. Sending big fat hugs to you both. You are so strong and determined! Wish I had more to give. Warm wishes sent that you will find everything you both need.

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  19. Cheryl & Sherri - prayers and good vibes are definitely welcome! Thank you. and, thanks for spreading the word.

    Simon - Appreciate the donation and words of encouragement.

    Michelle - Thank you and hugs back to Shingletown from us!

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  20. One of my followers wants to send a small donation, either directly to you or to me to forward. Please let me know how you want to do this. I know I have your email address somewhere, but can't remember the name. My email: ingerwiltz@aol.com If you send me your address, she could send a check directly to you.
    And congratulations on all these donations. Aren't people wonderful? Imagine all these people sending donations that you have never met, never touched, or even talked to on the phone. Bloggers are amazing people. I am so happy for you and Amy. I will keep my post up until Thursday and comment on as many blogs as I can today to direct traffic back to it.

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  21. Prayers and $$$ coming your way!!

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  22. Wish I had more to give.

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  23. just placed this post on a Glenn Beck fan page with over 2 million readers. God bless you.

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  24. PS -- I did a lot of research back when my dad had cancer in 2000. I highly recommend you pick up a book called Prescription for Nutritional Healing. I used to see it at Sams Club but certainly Amazon or any health food store and many drug stores carry it. Also, a book called Nutrition, the Cancer Answer. There is much more, but a few steps at a time could make all the difference. I genuinely hope and pray that your sweet wife finds healing on earth so you guys can get back to living your dreams. God Bless!

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  25. So Sorry to hear all that is happening, new job starts Monday will chip in on first payday. Hang in there, I know it's easier said than done.
    Clay (aka Thud)

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  26. I put a link to here on my blog. May God Bless you with all you need.

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  27. God Bless you for asking and I pray for a miracle here!

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  28. Hi there,

    I found your site through Sandy's blog post. Just finished donating all the way from Australia. I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you reach your goal.

    ~ Serena xo

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  29. Having a little trouble with Paypal but if we can't get it to work, I will write you an email, for an address we can mail something to you.

    All the best to you!

    Sandy

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  30. sandy - thank you for posting my page on your blog! sorry you're having trouble with your paypal!

    serena - i saw the donation from australia!! wow, really touching. and greatly appreciated.

    cat's mom - prayers welcome all the time. :)

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  31. Wish we could give more. We will hold Amy and you in the light.

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  32. catherine - thank you for caring and for the good thoughts.

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  33. HI Sylvia, I sent a message to your lootilou email. It talks about how we are sending you something - I hope that email is correct...

    Our Norton antivirus won't let us do dealings with Paypal for some reason.

    We are trying another way.

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  34. Please try cannabis oil for melanoma.Google Rick Simpson

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  35. Sandy - yes, I have received it and will be completing it. THANK YOU SO MUCH. i also sent you an email back and am hoping you got that?

    Jennine - loving the hug and thank you for the help!

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  36. So glad you got it! All the best to both of you. My prayers are with you both.

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  37. I went and checked and guess your email didn't come through. Didn't want you to think I ignored it and just did answer.

    sandy

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  38. sylvia
    I have just made my own persoanl donation... apologies I could not afford more
    I wish you both well
    take care

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  39. I don't know who you are and accidentally stumbled across your blog, but I know what it's like to watch someone suffer. I just reconciled with my father a few years ago and lost him 4 months ago to an 8 month battle of cancer. I'm sending something your way but will have the initials AH.

    Blessings and hope during such a difficult time! xo

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  40. love to both of you! Sorry it took me so long to donate. Thank you to all that don't even know Syl and Amy.. I know them well and thank you all from the bottom of my heart as well. Thanks for making a difference!

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  41. I'm so happy to see they got up to 2500 plus...wonderful people you all are.

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  42. Ran across your blog today. May God bless you both. Anna M.

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  43. I had to check back again today to see how you are guys are doing, both with the donations -- YEAH!!!! That's so great more than $2,500! I was reading some of the comments and I am just amazed at the kindness of strangers. But then I also wonder how Amy is doing and how you are holding up. Hope all is going along as well as can be expected. Sending more hugs your way.

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  44. My heart goes out to you. I came across your blog and it just hit home. I lost my husband in 2005 with Melanoma and I know exactly what you are going through. It's very hard, to maintain a simply life for your loved one plus at that time I had 2 young kids. It's been very hard, but I'm making it. How is Amy doing now? I'm sending you a donation to gel you out. Theres a melanoma walk coming to the Los Angeles area in May 2012! Hope to see you there. Give me your email address so I can send you all the details. God bless you and continue to give you the strength you need to make it though this difficult time. Best of of luck to you and Amy. My email address is conaty_girl@yahoo.com. Please keep in touch!

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  45. Hi Sylvia, sent you a little something, wish it could be more, still getting settled and recouping financially from the move to MV. Wishing you both a wonderful Spring and a full remission for Amy so you two can get back to the High Desert soon.
    Best,
    Clay (aka Thud) and Steve

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