Weekend before last Jimmy and I along with the kids managed to cook 290 Hamburgers and 90 hotdogs for about 275 bikers riding in the Soldiers Angels Annual Poker run! And I must say - no one waited for food. We fed them all in one hour. lolFor anyone who doesn't know who the Soldiers Angels are, they're a support group for our Soldiers. They send supplies over sea's like shaving kits, snack foods, micowaves, coffee makers, etc. If a unit needs it and they find out....they get it and send it.
They send care packages to our injured.
They greet homecoming soldiers by escorting them home on their bikes making parades and throwing parties.They see soldiers off who are being deployed. And they look after our injured Soldiers when they come home.
They are an awesome group of people who work day night around the clock to fulfil their moto "May no Soldier go unloved"
The hold a poker run every year to raise the money to do all of that and more.
If you get a chance, check out their web-site:
PASARC.COM
They're a local RC here in Hazleton....and Jimmy and I are so increadibly proud of them!
Last weekend Jimmy and I went to Vermont to visit Jimmy's brother and sister-in-law.
What a beautiful state! We had a great time.
Not only did I want to see them and Vermont, but I also wanted some time to talk to my sister-in-law Gina.
Gina had Hep. B a few years ago and went through treatment, but at some point while getting rid of Hep. B she wound up with an auto immune desease that I can't pronounce. Her body stopped identifying good cells from her bad cells and starting attacking all of them. She came very close to death.
She looks great today. She'll be on meds for the rest of her life and she'll be disabled....but she deals with it and rolls with the punches that her meds. throw at her. What happened to her is very very rare....I gather from her that the treatment back then caused her auto immune desease. She assures me that the treatments today are totally different and don't cause the same problems as the old drugs.I have to thank God for new technology.
I also now look at the path that I have to go down with a new view.....it seems much shorter now than it did before. A year maybe and I'll be done.
I look at Gina and I think I've found yet another Hero in the Hep. war. She's beautiful inside and out and her strength shines.
As for me, well I just can't stay away from catching colds from people. I feel like I've had Bronchitus for months. I went to the Doctor yesterday and he gave me a new script and last night was the first night in weeks that I've been able to sleep. This morning, even though I still have coughing, I feel like a million bucks! Sleep is what I need to get over this and once I am if I run into someone with a cold .....I'm RUNNING the other way!!!!
2 weeks to go and we'll be white water rafting in up-state NY. 4 weeks to go and I have my last Hep A and B vacine. 8 weeks to go and I'll be in Hershey.
and the Summer passes by.....
5 comments:
Hi, I didn't realize Hep B required treatment. I tested positive for the anti-bodies for that when I tested positive for the antibodies for HEP C, never had a clue I had either, (didn't get sick, didn't turn yellow) I think I acquired both diseases at the same time and my body must have fought off the Hep B by itself. Oh well. Looks like you're having a great summer. Enjoy! (P.S. - summer doesn't officially end till Sept. 21st, don't 'cha know - don't rush it away!)
WOW, that guys are doing a great job.
Autoimmune disease is a very bad thing. Your sister-in-law should be a very strong person to be living with it.
Even though in the USA summer officially ends on September 21, in reality it's already gone. As soon as I see first not green leafs I start feeling Autumn.
From what I gather, U.C., is that if your body can't rid itself of Hep. B like your did, you have to go through treatment. I don't know if it's necessarily the same treatment as for Hep C...but it's treatment.
Back when Gina went through it, it was a pretty nasty treatment...and they didn't know as much as they do now. They're not even sure which caused her Auto Immune desease - treatment, Hep B or a combination of both. But she is a strong and beautiful person who definatly holds her own!
I agree Teah.....we saw too many orange and yellow leaves in Vermont. Couple here and there...but even a couple make a bad reminder that summer is ending!
Part of me is kind of rushing it....I want to start getting better so that I can get past this thing. The other part of me wants to put the breaks on....the future is somewhat scary. Either way, the days keep marching on...and I keep marching with them.
Hey, anyway, I kind of love Fall. It's old man Winter that I totally hate!
Love ya both!
Laurie
What a great page. I was diagnosed in July - waiting on gen type and viral load. Liver feels more swollen with every week that passes. My gastro is not so good - he says he'll put me on Peginteron (sp) if I have it - but no liver biopsy or even a scan. I need to know how long I've had this - my husband is retired military (we're both 50) and we were happy hour central at our house (old school fighter pilot). You sound like such a wonderfully positive person.Please keep this updated so maybe we can be treatment pals. We'll probably start around the same time; however, you will get five star care and I think mine might be marginal. I'm also going to find a nutritionist. And a fairy Godmother might be nice - aw - back to the days of magic wands when all of the troubles were healed magically!
Thank you Denica for your nice words.
It seems to me like Doctors have 5 step plan to Hep C.
Step1: Test for Hep C.
Step2: Geno Type and Viral Load
Step 3: Vacinate for Hep A and B
Step 4: Liver Biopsy
Step 5: Chemo with Interferon etc.
It's hard because step 3 takes a full 6 months to complete and since this is a very slow moving virus, they just don't seem to be in a big hurry to treat it. Some people have said that they've had the A & B while on treatment. I think in the long run I'd rather have it first rather than hitting my body with 2 wars at a time.
The waiting game has become an added "symptom" to Hep C. It's very difficult.
Why can't you find a specialist? I really believe what everyone has told me....it's incredibly important to have a Doctor who specializes in Hep C. Even my G.I. agreed that I should have someone else who handles primarily Hep C.
Try if it's at all possible to find one. Mine will be a couple of hours away....but I'm hoping to do blood work and test locally and have them sent to Hershey.
Your Gastro probably could help you find one. Just don't feel like you're insulting him by asking...I'm sure he'll understand. Mine did.
As for the possitive attitude....Uncertain4sure, Teastarwitch and my husband have lead me down a possitive path. You should read all that can. Even start a blog....it's very good therapy in it's self. You'll find that you're sharing thoughts and feelings with people who are there, have been there and are going though this little dragon with you.
I hope your results come back soon. Let me know....I'll be thinking about you.
By the way...if that fairy god mother happens to show up...ask her to stop by my place.
:-)
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