This started out as a charity because i was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lung Cancer in August 2020.  But it quickly changed.  

My dear best friend, best brother, uncle, son and friend passed away. We are all in complete shock. 3 weeks ago he was fine and his normal funny self. Monday he was admitted to the ER and was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer. It took him so quick that we are all in complete shock! How very blessed i was to have such a wonderful. loving brother. He has been my best friend from the day i was born. We talked every day! He was always there for all of us! He still took my mom on weekly dates, would have Peyton over for sleepovers and always made her Star Wars waffles in the morning. He also taught her to love scary movies! He would jump in to help us without ever complaining and always with a smile. And gosh was he funny. I never met someone who didn't like my brother! I don't know how i am going to live without him in my life! He was my person! I will miss him more than words can express!  So this charity is not dedicated to my brother. 

Here is my story and how the charity was born.  

In the last year and a half i have had over 15 surgeries or procedures. I have had my lung collapse and be on chest tubes more than 6 times, have had my right lung removed, over 20 lymph nodes removed, with surgeries i have such bad nerve damage that i live with constant pain in my right arm and hand, not to mention, the chemo treatments, being so weak that there are days i can barely move. I wake up every morning in so much pain that i have to make myself get up and move. And even with all of these procedures and surgeries...the cancer just doesn't go away... and i have to live with that every day. Wondering how long i have left, will i make it to see my daughter go to college, get married, my grandchildren. And those thoughts and fears are far worse than any surgery or physical pain i feel.

 

 

I went on the trip and we went parasailing, surfing, boat cruise, saw dolphins, swam in the ocean, Road to Hana, Luau, say amazing sunsets and sunrises, laughed, smiled and for that week i didn't have a care in the world. We got back on a Monday, i was in surgery on a Thursday and found that my cancer was back. So as i laid in the hospital room, with a chest tube in and realized just how much that trip saved me. Saved my daughter. Gave us a time to escape and refresh and reset! And i realized how ironic it is...when i was healthy, i had more money because i didn't have these medical bills, i didn't have to take much time off of work, and i could afford a few vacations a year. Now, when i really need a vacation, it is the last thing i could afford. Instead i am currently working 4 jobs...about 80 hours a week. One job so i can get health insurance, a weekend job, my company (which took a dive during covid) and a part time sales job selling tequila that i love. But i have to work all of these jobs so that i can pay my medical bills and save for when i won't be strong enough to work as much anymore. So that i can afford to still pay the bills for me and my daughter. I don't say any of this for pity or to feel bad for me. But if i have to do all of this and i went in this with money... how does a family that lives pay check to pay check do it?

 

So as i lay in my hospital bed, i realized that this is what i had to do. Help someone else, who is sick to afford a dream vacation. Or to help them skydive or go surfing, or go sailing. Something for a person who is suffering from cancer, who is sitting in the chemo chair and can have something to look forward to. Something to help lift spirits. Something to help them LIVE FOR TODAY!

 

We are in the process of becoming a true nonprofit 501c3 charity and help make sick adults dreams come true! And while doing that also try to raise money for lung cancer research. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story! Lets all LIVE FOR TODAY! Learn more at https://Live4Today.org