Words and Wearing Pink for Yolie

Yolie starts chemotherapy for the second time in just over a year this Thursday. {long, anxious sigh} 

 

She was given a week off to allow the burns from radiation treatments to heal. The plan is for her to receive two different types of chemo: the first will be administered via a three hour infusion every three weeks. The second will be four pills in the morning and four pills in the evening every day for two weeks.

 

Some of the side effects caused by chemotherapy include: headache, fatigue, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, hand-foot syndrome, sores in the mouth and throat, shaking or trembling, and a whole slue of other not-so-fun ailments. She will be on this regiment for a minimum of six months and at some point they will start to monitor the size of the tumors to see how they are responding to treatment.

 

To help her get through the next six months, she is going to need all of the love, support and encouragement she can get and although we have the best intentions to say all the right things, we sometimes miss the mark. {Myself included}

 

So, to ensure that she receives just what she needs, I did some research and thankfully, I found some great information. I feel so much more secure in my ability to really be there for her in every sense of the word and my hope is that you will feel the same way.  

• Ask permission—before visiting, before giving advice, before asking questions. And make it clear that saying no is perfectly okay.
• Make flexible plans that can be easily changed in case something comes up or she needs to cancel or reschedule.
• Be careful not to come across as pushy or demanding.
• Be humorous and fun, when appropriate and when needed.
• Allow for sadness—do not ignore uncomfortable topics or feelings.

Practical Ways You Can Help:

• Send regular text messages and Facebook posts.
• Make a donation to her Fund Me page
• Offer to make a home-cooked meal via Meal Train.
• Gift her a magazine subscription.{Magazines are her favorite}

What to Say:

Avoid Saying:

• I know just how you feel.
• You need to talk.
• I know just what you should do.
• I feel helpless.
• I don't know how you manage.
• I’m sure you’ll be fine.
• Don’t worry.
• How much time do the doctors give you?
• How long do you have?
• Let me know what I can do. (Instead, offer specific ways you can help or other things you can provide if they need it.)

Do Say:

• I'm sorry this has happened to you.
• If you ever feel like talking, I am here to listen.
• What are you thinking of doing, and how can I help?
• I care about you.
• I’m thinking about you.
• I don’t know what to say. (It is better to be honest than to simply stop calling or visiting out of fear.)

To help brighten her first day of chemotherapy, we are planning another Wear Pink for Yolie event. Here's how it works: simply post a photo of yourself on Facebook and/or Instagram using the #pinkforyolie hashtag. It's so easy and has the potential to make an enormous impact.

I'm basically asking, pleading and begging everyone and anyone I know to not just participate but to also help me spread the word. Do you work for a large company? Get your co-workers involved. Do you have a favorite Starbucks that you frequent? Ask them to participate. Ask your Family, your Friends, your Neighbors, your Mom's Groups and your Gym Pals.

Nobody is off limits. Not even your Dog. Cat. Hamster.
{You get the picture}

Enjoy the Day!
Missy

You.

Stunned. Elated. Grateful.

These are just a few words that come to mind when I think of the Fight for Yolie Bake Sale that we hosted last Thursday, the day before Good Friday.

We set-up an amazing spread of Easter themed baked goods on my friend Julia's beautiful patio, just down the street from the University of La Verne campus. Our hope was that people would stop by on their break or on their way home from work and all of the money raised would go directly to my Sister, who is battling breast cancer for the third time in three years.

And one by one, that's just what you did. You showed up.

But you didn't just spend a couple of dollars. You left with platters, plates and brown paper bags full of cupcakes, cookies, mini cheesecakes, rice crispy treats and scones.

And that's not all. You offered encouraging and supportive words and lots and lots of hugs. {Thank you!} It was almost overwhelming. By the time Yolie arrived, an hour into the bake sale, we had already raised almost 500.00!

She was genuinely taken aback by the generosity displayed all around her. She felt incredibly loved and supported and it was exactly what she needed as she prepares to start another six months of grueling chemotherapy. How did you know that? You just did.

You. My friends and co-workers. I don't think I could ever thank you enough. Without you, without your support, I'd most definitely feel helpless and hopeless. I wouldn't be able to muster up the strength to fight alongside her. But I don't have to.

Because of you, I feel empowered. I feel strong.

I don't fear the future because I know I am doing everything in my power. No rock left unturned. I'm willing to do pretty much anything for Yolie and time and time again you've proven to be supportive no matter what crazy idea I think up. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

For always being there for me and now for my sister. Because of you, we raised over $1,000.00 as a result of our Fight for Yolie Bake Sale. Because of you, we are over half way to our goal of raising $10,000.00. It seemed out of reach just a few weeks ago but if there is one thing I've learned over the past few weeks is, there is strength in numbers and in community.

And boy did I get lucky in the community category!

Enjoy the Day!

Missy

If you would like to make a life-changing gift, please click here

P.S. There were so many people who were instrumental in the success of this bake sale. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them here:

Thank you for the countless text messages and facebook posts wishing us a successful event and for the online gifts from friends who couldn't attend the bake sale.

Maria Hernandez - for the use of your amazing kitchen, for keeping us well-fed, for donating cookies, a general donation jar, poster board and tags.
Griselda Hernandez - for donating baking supplies, disposable containers and your time.
Lisa Mejia - for donating your time.
Denise Gutierrez - for donating baking supplies and your time.
Debbie of Dagal Creative - for donating your graphic design talents for our beautiful table signs.
Julia Wheeler - for allowing us to use your beautiful home to host our event - it was perfect!
Debra and David Morales - for helping with set-up and for lending your tables at the last minute!
Sarah Prosenko - for donating chocolate dipped pretzels.
Marianne Duyan - for donating cookies, lemon bars and your time.
Rebecca Farraj - donating beverages and ice and for donating your time.
Alma Argueta - for donating carrot cupcakes and mini Oreo cookie cheesecakes.
Isabel & Darlene Rodriguez - for donating beautifully decorated cupcakes.
Amanda Hanson - for donating freshly baked almond scones.

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