UPDATE ON KRISTINE
Kristine is nearing the end of her first 100 days of recovery since receiving her transplant. Today is Day 93. So far, she hasn't had any major issues... that's a good thing, right??? That's what we thought. Well, at Kristine's last appointment at UCLA, she and Dave were left feeling a little deflated after Dr. Paquette said he would like Kristine to have developed a mild case or two of GVHD (grant vs host disease). He said her chances of having a relapse (the cancer coming back) are greater having not experienced any issues with GVHD. We don't understand why but we hope and pray Kristine will defy the odds and stay cancer free. Being that Dave did not understand why this is so, he contacted one of the nurses at UCLA who debriefed them prior to Kristine being released from the hospital. She said patients who do develop GVHD within the first 100 days of recovery have also been known to have relapses as well. So we are going to keep our thoughts positive and hold onto the hope that she will continue to do well, stay healthy and remain cancer free.
POSSIBLE COMMERCIAL
Orange Coast Memorial asked Dave and Kristine if they would participate in a photo shoot to potentially be included in a commercial for the hospital. They had Kristine hold a sign that said, "Diagnosed with Leukemia at 34," with a sad face. Then she had to turn the sign over and it said, "Cancer free at 35," with a happy face while Dave was kissing her on the cheek. All the guys from Dave's fire station showed up at the hospital to show their support for Kristine who was very nervous over the whole situation. If Dave and Kristine are chosen amongst the numerous patients they photographed, they will be invited to appear at a benefit for the hospital in Newport Beach. As shy as Kristine is, she is nervous about being the "chosen one." See the photo to the right that Dave took while Kristine was being photograghed.
FUNDRAISERS
We currently have two ongoing fundraisers to help with the mounting medical bills from Orange Coast Memorial and UCLA Medical Center. The first is a Quilt Raffle mentioned in a previous post. We are currently selling tickets at $10 for one and $20 for three. If you purchase your tickets by November 1st, you'll receive one extra ticket for free!! 100% of th proceeds raised will go directly to Kristine. Call or email Karen Fondersmith at 707-688-7706 or bbcsmom@gmail.com to order your tickets.
Our second fundraiser is being put on by a friend who is a Pampered Chef Consultant. She felt compelled to help Kristine and her family in some way, so she decided to put together a BINGO NIGHT Pampered Chef Fundraiser. Those of you who live in Solano County or a nearby county are welcome to join in the fun on Friday, September 9th at 6:30pm at Liberty Christian Center, 2641 N. Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533. This is a fun filled event with pizza, drinks, raffle prizes, games and Jodie's famous Quartermania, so don't miss out, RSVP today to Karen at bbcsmom@gmail.com. Those of you who live out of the area are welcome to make a purchase and the sale will go towards Kristine's benefit. Just go to www.pamperedchef.com/jodiescookin and be sure to enter my name, Karen Fondersmith, as the host and you will see Kristine's name appear along with mine. If you don't see both our names appear, you are not making a purchase towards this fundraiser. So be sure to follow the above instructions when making a purchase. 100% of the proceeds raised at this event will go directly to Kristine.
Please spread the word regarding these fundraisers. The more people we have participate in these events, the more we are able to help out Dave and Kristine.
Thank you all and please continue to pray for Kristine that she will remain healthy and cancer free!!
