Polar Bearing for FD

Alright, sorry for the delay. We've been inundated with friends all weekend. Yay! So we've been enjoying the company, and now it's time for the results of the fundraiser. Drum roll please.........we did it!!! We climbed 51 climbs, I believe. I knew we wouldn't be able to remember all of the climbs so we took a photo of each route we completed (many we climbed a few times). I'm uploading the photos to prove it, although we did sneak in some kid's climbs, but hey, they were still 10-12 foot climbs, and of course we had to do climbs in the bouldering area (okay okay, we did mostly bouldering to get the quota). Those count, right?

We had so much fun climbing; you can't beat that crew! And in honor of all those magical donations which I consider the equivalent to a bunch of carebear stares to hearts you've never met, nor likely will, Dan and I ran into the drink today to say thank you.

And the video to prove it:

It's far away, and you probably can't easily tell, but I pulled off a shallow dive and we both went under the water for a full dunk. We also spooked three huge rock crab. One of them was missing a pincher, poor guy.

Here's a photo with our photographer, Burke. After filming, he set down the camera and ran in too! So look at that, you inspired a whole new person to get "OUT LIVING IT".

Thank you again for the AMAZING success of this fundraiser. You all completely blew us away with the continued generosity, and support. Please know that the money that you donated is truly going to have an impact on young adult cancer people. It was a turning point for me, a huge eye opener, and one of the best weeks of my whole life. When you get diagnosed then get thrown into the medical system, it's overwhelming and your whole life changes. It's terrifying, and sad, and you have amazing friends that come together to help you, but there are others who pull away, or whom you must pull away from to avoid toxic relationships. All of a sudden your whole life is survival. Your body changes as they cut, (and burn and poison) you're told you don't have long to live. The whole process is overwhelming, shocking, dumbfounding, impossible to relate. So when an organization forms to help us young adult humpty dumpties put ourselves together, it is not only generous and kind, it's profoundly needed. Young adult cancer patients have the worst survival rates. It's scary in here, in this group, and we need support to continue to mend, and flourish. So thank you for helping do that, and thank you in joining us in paying it forward. You have all touched my heart so deeply.

Climb-A-Thon FD Fundraiser

Dan and I found a way to fundraise for other cancer patients to join First Descents on an adventure camp retreat - by fundraising we make the camp free to the cancer patients! Here is my story from the fundraising page. I'm so excited at the idea of more cancer patients getting to enjoy the experience that is FD. It may be crazy but we're hoping to raise $3,000. In 10 days. Yep, we're crazy. PS All donations are tax deductible! (click to donate)

Hi Guys, 

Welcome to our First Descents Climbathon fundraising page! Very soon, on April 18th, Dan and I will rock climb to raise money so that more cancer patients/survivors can enjoy the life changing experience of a First Descents camp. We signed up a little late, so we only have about 10 days to raise money before we climb our hearts out. Our goal, in the three hour time slot, is to do 50 climbs between the two of us. Is that insane? Yes it is. But, if we divide it by two, that's 25 climbs apiece, then divide it into three hours and it's less than 10 climbs per hour per person. Is it possible? I don't know! But good gopher we're going to give it our all. 

My lovely blog readers, friends, and family, have heard me sing the praises of what a First Descents adventure camp did for my morale, my confidence, my soul, my spirit. It was epic. I also gained profound friendships, soul siblings. They're family. Please help us support First Descents and its mission to provide amazing outdoor adventure programs for young adults impacted by cancer. Please consider making a donation. I can't emphasize enough how excited I am to be raising money so that others can enjoy what I've already been able to experience.

As many of you know I was diagnosed with a brain tumor on April 13th, 2010 at the age of 29. I had my first brain surgery on the 27th of that same month. It was an awake crainiotomy. They literally put me under, sawed open my skull, woke me back up and dug around in my brain with electrodes, and tools, to determine what was tumor tissue, and what was healthy brain tissue. During the process I was joking with the doctors and answering their questions - it was wild! They awake craniotomies in cases where the tumors grow dangerously within important areas of the functiong brain. For me that area was speech, language, and movement. I was at risk of being paralyzed on my right side, of being unable to process or use language.

Not long after the eight hour brain surgery, my body created a blood clot in my brain along with hemorrhaging in the tumor cavity. It required a second, emergent brain surgery. When I came out of the second brain surgery, I was paralyzed on my right side. I couldn't say more than a one syllable word. I didn't know the months of the year, or the days of the week for that matter. I couldn't recognize everyday items. I couldn't walk. I couldn't feed myself, or even wipe my own bum. The doctors and nurses said I would not get better. And they were almost right. It took shy of a full year to learn how to read  again, and run the way that I used to, the way I loved. I still get better every single day. 

I have since had a second brain tumor grow, and it was resected. I have been doing active treatment ever since (two and a half years). My treatment protocol is intense and dedicated. I've flown to other countries for immunotherapies, I swollow hundreds of pills a day. One of my main treatments must be refrigerated, and it requires applications of medicine every four hours. (This is how I have to insert the medicine up my nose every four hours.)

When I went to my First Descents camp I was nervous because of my treatments. I thought  I wouldn't be able to enjoy all of the activities. But the First Descents crew, especially "Honeybucket", made sure that I had my medicine, going as far as strapping the cooler of my treatments to her back as we climbed. (My medicine is in a cooler in that gigantic backpack.)

For the first time since my diagnosis I wasn't the weirdo doing treatments, or the girl who had to stay home because of seizures. I was free. I was supported. I was normal in a sea of my peers. Just writing those words, remembering the freedom, has caused me to start crying happy tears. This is what I want to share with others. I want to pay it forward so that no other cancer patient ever feels alone, or weird, or isolated. We are not meant to be alone, solitary. It puts a damp cloth on the fire of our soul.

There is no pressure here, but if you can't make a donation at this point, please help me reach my goal by sharing this page on Facebook and Twitter. Or, even better, send an e-mail to friends you think might be interested in contributing and include a link to my page!

Thank you for loving me, for supporting me, and for helping me pay it forward.

With love,

"Coconuts" (and "Huckleberry" too!)

Want to donate? CLICK HERE

1st Cherry Delivery (this year)

Thank you thank you thank you for buying cherries at Kings Market & Market Place!! You guys are so wonderful!! I love it when you comment about buying cherries, and the emails, and the text messages!! It's like you're sending me hugs, and it makes me feel incredibly special. If you take any photos, I'd love to add them to the blog!

We delivered on Saturday, and the whole trip was a blast. Hanging out with Dan is my favorite thing to do. He appreciates my rediculousness. We were stressed about missing the ferry (which we didn't) but spent the entire trip laughing. And a road trip to deliver cherries might be the best thing ever. It was so much fun! The best part was getting to thank everyone at both grocery stores. This is our third year of selling cherries, and it's a wonderful fundraiser. More than that, though, it's really fun to have something to provide, to not just ask for help. Usually my dad does the deliveries, since I can't drive, and it was nice for us to take over and accomplish what he normally does since he's away getting venom. 

I can't thank you guys enough for all of the support. I love doing the cherry sales, and I feel really fortunate that Kings and Market Place partnered with us to make this a reality. 

Thank you thank you thank you thank you!! :))))))....(that's my smiley face with a bunch of extra chins because I'm so happy).

Thank You!

My parents swung by our place at Green Lake a few hours ago, and they were beaming! They were blown away by the generosity. People not only bought cherries, but also donated. Above the money that they raised in West Seattle, they were moved deeply by all of the hugs and kisses they were given. If you haven't met my parents, they're incredibly loving and affectionate. I grew up with hugs and kisses all the time, especially before bed. My parents are loving and kind, ridiculous and funny, thoughtful and generous. I appreciate everyone giving them so much love and for making this fundraiser such a wonderful success! So thank you everyone, not only for purchasing cherries or for the donations, but also for giving them so much love!! Since I'm just their child at the epicenter of the cancer without of the privilege of understanding what it means to be a parent, I can not imagine what they're going through. So, thank you! Thank you so much!! We had no idea how much love we would be given, it's been a beautiful example of love and human kindness. Thank you!

To thank you for buying cherries and donating, AND for hugging my parents and giving them kiss after kiss, I am drinking two pints of my disgusting sprout drink. I figure that, if you guys can support me emotionally and financially, I can give all of my energy to my health, even when it's incredibly tough.

Truthfully, I wish you could smell how horrible this drink is, it's created from benzyl and phenyl sprouts. Misery loves company!



Organic Bing Cherry Fundraiser

Hi friends! This is awkward. I feel weird even talking about this fundraiser, and yet I'm incredibly grateful for it. It's tricky. I'm uncomfortable talking about money, then it's double-y awkward discussing a fundraiser to help me pay for my medical treatments. The silver lining is that I'm not asking for your money. Actually, that's not true - I AM asking for your money, technically, but you get something in return! You get delicious fresh organic bing cherries at an incredibly low price. So there you go, if you love cherries like I do, it's a win-win situation. Unless you eat too many at once...

This Thursday, June 28th, from 11:00-1:00 pm my parents will be selling organic bing cherries at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (also known as Mee-Kwa-Mooks Park) in West Seattle. Just look for the maroon dodge truck with the maroon trailer. You will probably notice the large ORGANIC sign (Thank you Oehlerich family at the Copy Shop in Ellensbug!). After that, they're headed to Friday Harbor. On Friday and Saturday they will be selling right in front of the Roche Harbor Grocery Store from 11:00-4:00 pm. The organic cherries are priced at $4.66/lb and they're packaged in 1.5 lb bags for $7.00 apiece.


Thursday
West Seattle
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (Mee-Kwa-Mooks Park)
4503 Beach Dr Sw, Seattle, WA 98116


Click on the map for directions





Friday & Saturday

Roche Harbor

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

In front of Roche Harbor Grocery Store

(Just added the map for giggles...you islanders know where to go!)

The plan is to sell as many cherries as soon as possible. Way to state the obivious Jess, jeez. Anyway, if for some crazy reason we sell out we will close shop. Yep. I did it again. Obvious. Sorry, I'm just being awkward.

Thank you to anyone, in advance, for buying delicious cherries or for letting us set up shop. You are literally helping me stay alive and healthy. Both Danny and I, and of course my family, really appreciate it! I can not say enough how grateful I am.

Also, a massive thank you to Debbie Sandwith for letting us post up in front of the Roche Harbor Grocery Store this weekend!! Aaaaand, thank you to my buddy Libbey who connected us with the produce manager at Kings Market & Market Place for purchasing some fresh juicy organic bing cherries. So, whether you purchase your cherries out at Roche Harbor, or in town at Kings Market or Market Place you can feel great while satisfying your sweet tooth knowing that you've helped us tremendously.

Hood Canal

I'm so happy to be alive. Literally. I think about it all the time, several times a day. Life is so much fun, there's so much to do and experience. This weekend, Dan and I headed to our buddy Burke's cabin to do some clam digging, oyster shucking and mussel grilling. It was amazing! I'm so fortunate to do so many wonderful things. I might be fighting a serious cancer, but I'm also just a girl that wants to hang with her friends, BBQ seafood, play with her dog, and laugh hysterically. It rained a bit, then the sun came out. It was gorgeous. That's the thing about the northwest, the weather shifts often, and it's all beautiful. I love it here. 

On another note, my parents have been struggling to find a way to help me. Of course, I had no idea how terrified they are, or how helpless they sometimes feel. They're incredibly good at hiding their feelings, sheltering me from the worry. So, anyway, they got to thinking, and they figured that the biggest stressor in my life is money. I'm constantly having to avoid expensive treatments (like extra IVs), and I'm always weighing treatment options by cost. To try and alleviate the stress in my life, my parents are doing a fundraiser. They have purchased a truckload of organic cherries and they're going to be selling them in West Seattle this Thursday morning (the 28th), and then they're headed to the Green Lake area in the afternoon. Next, they'll be headed to Friday Harbor for the weekend.

I don't have all of the information, in fact, I don't even know what type of organic cherries they're selling, but I'll get all of the information and create a post soon. One thing that I DO know is that they're selling them for $4.99 a pound which is much cheaper than PCC (they sell them for $6.99/lb). It's a great deal, and it would be helping me fund my medical bills - including possible dendritic cell therapy - if we raise the money, I would have no reason not to get this amazing treatment. Anyway, just wanted to throw the basics out there. I'll put more information again soon. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

One more thing...how amazing are my parents? Pretty flipping amazing.