Rally 'Round Awesome Aldridges!

I am opening this account for my AWESOME sister-in-law Gina Aldridge and her AWESOME family! Gina is in the final stages of her second battle with breast cancer (third battle of cancer). Unfortunately, this time the cancer is too aggressive to beat. If you know Gina, or any of the Aldridges for that matter, than you have probably been influenced for good by them. Perhaps it was during one of the classes you sat in on during Gina's Jr. High science teaching days, or one of her epic skits as a girls camp leader or primary chorister,  or during her inspirational commencement speech at graduation. Perhaps you go way back in time with her and remember her as a silly teenager, or fun loving college roomate, or more recently as a compassionate mother and friend.  However you know Gina or even if you don't know Gina,  I'm hopeful this venue will be a good way for you to pay it forward with a contribution which will be used to help alleviate some of the financial burdens, (particularily medical bills and costs associated with raising the kids) that will be left to Corey once Gina is gone. Any amount is greatly appreciated by all family and especially Gina who I know appreciates the peace of mind this gives her knowing that her family has something to fall back on after her passing.  Please help in this effort to  Rally 'Round the Aldridges,  and show them our support during this challenging time. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! 

GINA'S STORY:
For the past 8 years, Gina has been battling cancer off and on. Just three months after her second child was born, a large tumor was found in her abdomen (GIST).  She endured surgery to remove this cancer and continued to live her life to the fullest, raising her two young children.  Four short years later in October of 2012, while doing a routine mammogram, a tumor was found and the first breast cancer battle ensued. 


Gina did not let this diagnosis beat her down. Despite countless surgeries and setbacks, Gina was hopeful and as strong a fighter as I've ever seen! She kept a blog documenting her ups and downs while receiving treatment and even humorusly earned the nickname "One-Boob-Wonder," after a successful single masectomy.  During this first 18  month battle of breast cancer, (and an even longer battle of reconstructive surgeries) Gina always tried to make the best of the situation. One example of this was when she started to lose her hair from the Chemo. Rather than let it get her down, she dyed it her favorite color purple,  and in true Gina fashion, took silly selfies to document it before shaving it all off. Once again, she turned  a trying situation into a "lighthearted" one.  


Just months after Gina finished her "final" reconstructive surgery (May 2015) and months after their family had moved to their dream location to raise their family, she received the  devestating news that the cancer had returned. That was last September (2015). It was clear this time it was even more aggressive than the first. Once again, Gina fought and fought to extend her life so that she could optimize the time with her family.  Fast forward 10 months, through more painful surgeries and more devasting news, and we are here now where the cancer has completely taken over her body.

Body Scan from April 2016 , the black dots are tumors.


Body Scan from JUNE 2016

Gina is in constant pain, but even still, in true Gina fashion, she somehow manages to make sure you know that you are the most important person at any given time and that you are a valued person regardless of your religious, political or social views.  She doesn't judge, she just loves. That is just one of the things I love most about her. It is clear she loves people and it is even more clear that she loves her family. 

Check out her blog for additional updates: 
www.awesomealdridges.blogspot.com