Sharing my story is not something I have done much over the past 10 years, as it is still something very personal to me. I have found though that that more I share it, the more I am able to help others. What I am sharing is a snapshot of me, my story and my journey, which has led me to my current volunteer role of Event Chair for the Relay For Life of Ripley County, Indiana. I had been…
My son Matt is a local comedian in Pittsburgh who is 24 years old and was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma on July 17, 2013. He was in stage 4, very aggressive cancer, but after 6 months of chemo. With the help of the staff at Hillman Center and awesome doctor he had Stanley Marks he was cancer free on all all his final scans and blood work. We received the great news February 10, 2014. Stephanie Do you have a…
Our daughter Hannah was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just after her 6th birthday 6-19-08. There have been many ups and downs in the last 5 1/2 yrs. Hannah has been a trooper. She did not like the routine of 5 or more shots per day and wanted to be on the insulin pump. Two weeks before her 7th birthday, she was put on it. She was then later taken off of it (2-13) because of dosing herself causing hypoglycemia. She was having a hard…
Noah was just 6 years old when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Just beginning first grade, he now had to learn about carb counting, insulin, and diabetes in addition to what other kids his age were learning in school. Diabetes is hard on a young boy, just starting “real school”. He felt different than the other kids. The kids in school suddenly stopped inviting him to birthday parties and social events because they were afraid he couldn’t eat…
When Paige was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, we thought her life was over. We couldn’t begin to imagine how she would live a normal life. It just seemed so overwhelming. She had become slower and slower through T-ball season and could barely run the bases. We told ourselves it was because she was so little; after all, she was only five years old! But then, when she started with this insatiable thirst and waking up several times in the…
DIETITIAN MOM AND TYPE I DAUGHTER TAKE ON DIABETES As a Dietitian, teaching people to make healthy eating choices is my life! It doesn’t sound as glamorous as being a rock star but I am truly passionate about helping those inflicted with medical conditions to be in the best health possible through optimal nutrition. I remember it was Spring Break of 2011. You know the time where you are supposed to be carefree, celebrating the warm weather and basically life?…
On July 5th 2013 (just 2 days after Shelby’s 11th birthday) we were on our way to Blair Batson ICU via ambulance as we had just learned that our daughter is a Type 1 diabetic in critical condition. I THOUGHT I knew what I would be facing given that I have two Type 2 parents. Saying that I was wrong in my assumption is the understatement of the decade! During Shelby’s stay in ICU the staff of the hospital educated…
After spending 20 years in the Army, this was a retirement tattoo that I’ve always wanted to get. A portrait of my favorite person and inspiration who has always supported troops and their families. This one is for you Bret! I will see you April 26th in WV. You can see it in person! With much Love, Tammy Do you have a story of giving back, supporting charities, overcoming obstacles, a story of strength, inspiration through music to battle through…
September 25, 2010 I was diagnosed with aggressive stage 3 Breast Cancer. I started my chemo in December 2010 which was pretty much all of my summer back and forth to the hospital every week for my chemo treatment and shots. September 2011 I had bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction (8 hours in surgery). The pain I endured after surgery I can’t begin to describe, followed by 8 weeks of intense radiation, but I got through it. How I got through…
Both my boys are juvenile diabetics. We have actively participated in the Tour de Cure and have raised more than $20,000 over 5 years as a team, The Brooklyn Boys. My boys are not limited by this disease as they are both very active in sports. Cooper is a wrestler and a football player and Mason is a Baseball player and also plays football. Nothing has slowed them down as they both continue to fight this disease. It makes me…