Community of Inspiration!

Back in December when I was first diagnosed with cancer, I managed to tell the Kent firefighters about my condition. This was not easy with my tears flowing, but they are my family.

Shortly after this annoucement, I received a call from Lt. Craig Peeps explaining that the firefighters were sending Heidi and I to the 2011 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans where Ohio State University was playing. I just began to cry again. Heidi and I agreed since this is something I had always wanted to do, and we had never been to New Orleans. Besides the Kent firefighters, Rick Bissler, and the Copley firefighers also contributed money to this trip! and of course we won the game!

One of the firefighters from Beachwood, Mike Lucas, has a brother who is a scout for the New Orleans Saints. He was able to get Heidi and I down onto the field!  This was extremely exciting and a once in a lifetime experience.

After returning from New Orleans, the next day I began chemotherapy (yuk).  I began to get a flood of cards in the mail, email messages, text messages, phone calls ... and I was overwhelmed. I could not keep up with the coorespondence. At this time, I selected a Kent firefighter, Brock Murphy, to help me manage my correspondence — especially throughout the fire departments. 

I soon learned that a committee had been formed of persons wishing to organize a fundraiser for my family and I. The committee was comprised of firefighters, police officers, dispatchers, wives and friends. The committee decided to sponsor a reverse raffle, which was held on May 13. due to the hard work by this committee. About 400 people participated in the reverse raffle night, which was the limit for the hall seating. Firefighters from the following communities attended: Kent, Ravenna City, Ravenna Township, Mantua, Hiram, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Green, Akron, Randolph, Atwater, Rootstown, Suffield, Cincinnati, Copley, Fairlawn and Beachwood. All of the money winners donated their winnings to my family! The event raised an overwhelming $19,000 in one night! Yes, I cried again. 

The outpouring of support has continued with a special bank account established at in Kent for donations to be made. Many friends and community members have made generous donations We truly appreciate this help!

I recently wrote a letter to each of the Kent firefighters and their families announcing my disability retirement effective Aug. 5. This was an extremely difficult letter to write and I asked them to stick by me that I need them more than ever now. The firefighters and families have done just that! Just this past weekend, they held a picnic out at West Branch State Park where 70 folks came and we boated, fished and picnicked. It was a great day with our families! I love them all so much!

Back in the winter months, a patient that I once responded to out in our community hand-knitted me a scarf and had it delivered to me.  She continues to send me cards of encouragement as well. It is nice to know that you have touched some lives in my work. 

As far as today, I am still not feeling very well at all. I am unable to eat food and pretty much am living on Ensure milkshakes yet still losing weight. On Jan. 7,  I weighed 196 pounds and I am now at 164 pounds. I still have the pain in my chest area (where the cancer tumor is in my esophagus) that I am taking daily pain medication for. However, my spirits are good, mostly because of Heidi, firefighters and friends!