Thank you to EVERYONE who helped us with this great Fund Raiser!
We can't express our gratitude for all the hands we had helping that day. My mom Wendy, Keith, Amanda, Mashala, Katie, Frances, Cindy, Gene, Gabi, Caroline, and Liz! We could not have sold 400 dozen with out you. And To everyone who purchased...we couldn't have sold them with out your purchase also! Thank you Thank you Thank you. God blessed us that day and we were able to raise about $1,500!
God has done GREAT things for us and we continue to accept His mercy and peace as we travel this journey! We magnify Him for all the great things He has done!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
July 2010 Update
On Sunday July 11th we went to Piedmont around 4pm. Ray was running a temp. of 103.7 & shaking uncontrollable with shivers & high blood pressure of 170/86. They admitted him around 1 am. They did a ctscan and saw his colon was inflamed, as well as his spleen and liver( which those 2 have been since all this started!)
Ray stayed until the 15th, until his fever broke and stayed down. What they found out was he had colitis, which was cause from Strep that they found in his bowls. He apparently had the Strep, and with his low immune system, his body just didn't detect it, and it stayed and got into his blood stream and worked it's way down.
He went home with a pic iv line and has been on antibiotics since he was admitted and released. The antibiotics have made him feel much better. He has had to go to Piedmont 2-3 times a week since he was dis charged to get new meds for his pic line and get his blood tested. Last Friday they called and told him his white blood cell count was dangerously low..so he went in the following Monday and was given an infusion shot. He went that Wednesday and had his blood drawn again and was given more pic line meds. On this Friday, he went in again for more blood work and they said his white blood count was back up and looking good, and it probably had been lowered due to the antibiotics he was on for those 3 weeks.
Then, they also found from Wednesday's blood tests what caused his Strep to begin with...Mononucleosis. Which he most likely got due to his low immune system again. While waiting for his liver transplant, getting infections and sick can be very dangerous for Ray with his low immune system, his body has a much harder time fighting things. The good news is that it isn't the infectious mono, and he is not contagious. He may have been at one time, but there is no way of knowing but he isn't now. Once someone has mono, it usually remains dormant for the rest of their life. There is no medical treatment for mono, just plenty of rest and lost of fluids, so he is trying to take it as easy as possible. He is still working, but trying not to over due it!
Some family members have already had tests done to make sure they do not have mono either, and Ansley and I are going this week to be checked! No one that sees Ray or us on a regular baisis should drink after anyone in our family( especially parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) or eat after anyone in our family to keep from the viral infection from possibly being spread, this is especially important for Ansley, she not eat or drink after no one.
Thank you for your continued support and please keep Ray in your prayers and on your church list prayers too! As most of you know by now, we are strong belivers in the power of prayer and are so thankful for each and everyone of you so much! Please remember, and feel free to pass along, that Rasising For Ray is now Incorporated and we are a 501 c 3 Non profit organization now. Any donaiotns, large or small are a tax write off and every penny adds up! I have our 501 c 3 info that I can send in an email or mail if you or someone or business you know would like to make a donation. All donations can be made at any BB&T Location. Anonymous donations can be made as well. Please make checks payable to Raising For Ray, Inc and the address on the account is 1360 Stag Run Dr Mansfield Ga 30055. We also have autographed Jason Aldean Blue jeans up for Raffle. $10 a ticket. You can view the jeans on our website at www.raisingforray.blogspot.com and purchase tickets through there on paypal or mail check to address above. The drawing will be this fall, at our next big fund raiser, details TBA. Fund Raising is essential for us, we are not sure how much longer Ray will be able to work! We have done well the 1st year, but with insurance coverage being reduced in January , we still have about $90,000 to go!
Thank you all so much!
Love and God Bless,
Krystle, Ray, and Ansley
Ray stayed until the 15th, until his fever broke and stayed down. What they found out was he had colitis, which was cause from Strep that they found in his bowls. He apparently had the Strep, and with his low immune system, his body just didn't detect it, and it stayed and got into his blood stream and worked it's way down.
He went home with a pic iv line and has been on antibiotics since he was admitted and released. The antibiotics have made him feel much better. He has had to go to Piedmont 2-3 times a week since he was dis charged to get new meds for his pic line and get his blood tested. Last Friday they called and told him his white blood cell count was dangerously low..so he went in the following Monday and was given an infusion shot. He went that Wednesday and had his blood drawn again and was given more pic line meds. On this Friday, he went in again for more blood work and they said his white blood count was back up and looking good, and it probably had been lowered due to the antibiotics he was on for those 3 weeks.
Then, they also found from Wednesday's blood tests what caused his Strep to begin with...Mononucleosis. Which he most likely got due to his low immune system again. While waiting for his liver transplant, getting infections and sick can be very dangerous for Ray with his low immune system, his body has a much harder time fighting things. The good news is that it isn't the infectious mono, and he is not contagious. He may have been at one time, but there is no way of knowing but he isn't now. Once someone has mono, it usually remains dormant for the rest of their life. There is no medical treatment for mono, just plenty of rest and lost of fluids, so he is trying to take it as easy as possible. He is still working, but trying not to over due it!
Some family members have already had tests done to make sure they do not have mono either, and Ansley and I are going this week to be checked! No one that sees Ray or us on a regular baisis should drink after anyone in our family( especially parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) or eat after anyone in our family to keep from the viral infection from possibly being spread, this is especially important for Ansley, she not eat or drink after no one.
Thank you for your continued support and please keep Ray in your prayers and on your church list prayers too! As most of you know by now, we are strong belivers in the power of prayer and are so thankful for each and everyone of you so much! Please remember, and feel free to pass along, that Rasising For Ray is now Incorporated and we are a 501 c 3 Non profit organization now. Any donaiotns, large or small are a tax write off and every penny adds up! I have our 501 c 3 info that I can send in an email or mail if you or someone or business you know would like to make a donation. All donations can be made at any BB&T Location. Anonymous donations can be made as well. Please make checks payable to Raising For Ray, Inc and the address on the account is 1360 Stag Run Dr Mansfield Ga 30055. We also have autographed Jason Aldean Blue jeans up for Raffle. $10 a ticket. You can view the jeans on our website at www.raisingforray.blogspot.com and purchase tickets through there on paypal or mail check to address above. The drawing will be this fall, at our next big fund raiser, details TBA. Fund Raising is essential for us, we are not sure how much longer Ray will be able to work! We have done well the 1st year, but with insurance coverage being reduced in January , we still have about $90,000 to go!
Thank you all so much!
Love and God Bless,
Krystle, Ray, and Ansley
Monday, May 24, 2010
New Update 501 c 3 and INC.!!!!
Hi Everyone!
We are very excited to tell you all of some wonderful news we have to share!
God had been so good to us and blessed us by opening a door for our fund raising.
We are now officially a Non Profit 501 c 3 organization!!!!
What does that mean....any donations made can be a tax write off for you, any company, or entity! And we will not be taxed for income tax on these donations!
And...we are incorporated! Raising For Ray, Inc.!
The racing organization, O.R.S.C.A. ( www.outlawracing.com ) that we are apart, and their ministries, were able to help provide the resources to fund this. It can be very costly just to be established! Thank you Diana Crawford Accounting for you help and time to set this up for us. And thank you again ORSCA, and all involved!
God has truly blessed us with this opportunity!
So...if you know anyone, businesses, corporations, foundations, or any other entity's that would like to help a great cause and have a tax break as well, please keep Raising For Ray, Inc. in mind and in your prayers!
Any donations can be made anonymously, if desired. And they can be made to us or directly to any BB&T location to the Raising For Ray, Inc. account.
If you need our EIN number for yourself or someone you know, please just email me!
Also,
Through a new friend with some amazing contacts and by the grace of God, we have a pair of Wrangler Blue Jeans worn and autographed by country artist JASON ALDEAN up for raffle! We will not draw the winner until our next big fund raiser, which is in the works..possibly 6-8 weeks down the road..but the sales of the raffle tickets will start now! They are $10.00 a ticket. You can purchase them on our website, www.raisingforray.blogspot.com by clicking on the Pay Pal Donation button and entering $10.00 per ticket that you would like to purchase to enter! Please provide your name, phone number and address on the pay pal info page, so that I can fill out your ticket correctly! If you would like to purchase by check, I can email you the address to send it to!
I will have a picture soon on our website of the blue jeans! Please pass this email and info to your friends who may be interested in the tax write off, Jason Aldean blue jeans, or who would be able to pray for us! God has a lot in store and had blessed us greatly thus far!
Im not sure if everyone got the latest news on our fund raising goal...but even though we found out in January that our insurance coverage went from 90% down to 70%..I didn't think about what that meant for the transplant.A few weeks ago I called to get the info on our coverage and what that means for us is that it added another $60,000.00 to our fund raising goal, with that 10% loss of coverage. The transplant itself, after insurance coverage, is going to cost approximately $1000,000.00. Then after we calculate post transplant medications, and out of work & recovery time, and post medical expenses, our goal is now $200,000.00 + to be as ready as we can when all this falls into place.
Since September last year, we have fund raised about $13,500.00 and we have accrued almost that amount just this far in medical expenses for Ray's liver transplant related medical bills. Insurance has been a huge blessing and we are so blessed to have it, but it does only cover so much!! I know we have a journey a ahead of us and still a lot of hard work to do and prepare for but we trust the Lord will take care of us and provide as He wills. Thank you to each and everyone of you for each of your donations..big or small, cash or items to help with raffles, every dollar and every donation has helped add up to that we have accomplished so far! And thank you for each of your thoughts, cards, and every prayer! We strongly believe in the power of prayer and believe in miracles and healing.
Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers!
God Bless,
Krystle, Ray, and Ansley
We are very excited to tell you all of some wonderful news we have to share!
God had been so good to us and blessed us by opening a door for our fund raising.
We are now officially a Non Profit 501 c 3 organization!!!!
What does that mean....any donations made can be a tax write off for you, any company, or entity! And we will not be taxed for income tax on these donations!
And...we are incorporated! Raising For Ray, Inc.!
The racing organization, O.R.S.C.A. ( www.outlawracing.com ) that we are apart, and their ministries, were able to help provide the resources to fund this. It can be very costly just to be established! Thank you Diana Crawford Accounting for you help and time to set this up for us. And thank you again ORSCA, and all involved!
God has truly blessed us with this opportunity!
So...if you know anyone, businesses, corporations, foundations, or any other entity's that would like to help a great cause and have a tax break as well, please keep Raising For Ray, Inc. in mind and in your prayers!
Any donations can be made anonymously, if desired. And they can be made to us or directly to any BB&T location to the Raising For Ray, Inc. account.
If you need our EIN number for yourself or someone you know, please just email me!
Also,
Through a new friend with some amazing contacts and by the grace of God, we have a pair of Wrangler Blue Jeans worn and autographed by country artist JASON ALDEAN up for raffle! We will not draw the winner until our next big fund raiser, which is in the works..possibly 6-8 weeks down the road..but the sales of the raffle tickets will start now! They are $10.00 a ticket. You can purchase them on our website, www.raisingforray.blogspot.com by clicking on the Pay Pal Donation button and entering $10.00 per ticket that you would like to purchase to enter! Please provide your name, phone number and address on the pay pal info page, so that I can fill out your ticket correctly! If you would like to purchase by check, I can email you the address to send it to!
I will have a picture soon on our website of the blue jeans! Please pass this email and info to your friends who may be interested in the tax write off, Jason Aldean blue jeans, or who would be able to pray for us! God has a lot in store and had blessed us greatly thus far!
Im not sure if everyone got the latest news on our fund raising goal...but even though we found out in January that our insurance coverage went from 90% down to 70%..I didn't think about what that meant for the transplant.A few weeks ago I called to get the info on our coverage and what that means for us is that it added another $60,000.00 to our fund raising goal, with that 10% loss of coverage. The transplant itself, after insurance coverage, is going to cost approximately $1000,000.00. Then after we calculate post transplant medications, and out of work & recovery time, and post medical expenses, our goal is now $200,000.00 + to be as ready as we can when all this falls into place.
Since September last year, we have fund raised about $13,500.00 and we have accrued almost that amount just this far in medical expenses for Ray's liver transplant related medical bills. Insurance has been a huge blessing and we are so blessed to have it, but it does only cover so much!! I know we have a journey a ahead of us and still a lot of hard work to do and prepare for but we trust the Lord will take care of us and provide as He wills. Thank you to each and everyone of you for each of your donations..big or small, cash or items to help with raffles, every dollar and every donation has helped add up to that we have accomplished so far! And thank you for each of your thoughts, cards, and every prayer! We strongly believe in the power of prayer and believe in miracles and healing.
Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers!
God Bless,
Krystle, Ray, and Ansley
Monday, March 29, 2010
Together We Can Raise Awareness
From Life Link of GA
Media Information Sheet
Factual information provides the most important content in any story; misinformation about organ and tissue donation can cost lives. Any story mentioning organ and tissue donation or transplantation creates an opportunity to save lives by raising awareness.
Together We Can Raise Awareness
Fact: More than 90,000 Americans are listed for a life-saving organ transplant; thousands more are in need of tissue transplants.
Fact: More than 22,000 African Americans, 12,000 Hispanics, 4,000 Asians, and 2,000 other non-Caucasians are on the national transplant waiting list. More than 3,200 Floridians are listed, more than 1,600 Georgians are listed and more than 500 Puerto Ricans are awaiting their gift of life.
Fact: Our experience shows families are more willing to donate a loved one's organs and tissue if they have talked about it. A family discussion indicating one's wishes helps the families make decisions upon death.
LifeLink is Your Local Resource for Information about Donation & Transplantation
Fact: Donor organs are offered for transplantation based on urgency of medical need, compatible blood type and body size. Political, social or celebrity statuses are not factors.
Fact: Donation is not discussed with a family until all efforts to save a life have failed. Once death has been declared, a family is asked about donating life through organ and/or tissue donation.
Fact: Death occurs in two ways: 1) brain death; and 2) cardiac death. Brain death occurs when a person has an irreversible catastrophic brain injury that causes all brain activity to stop permanently. In such cases, ventilator support can maintain function of the organ systems. However, these functions will cease when the ventilator support is discontinued. Brain death is an accepted medical, ethical and legal principle. Cardiac death is the cessation of heart-lung function. Tissue and bone may be recovered for transplant in either type of death. Organs are usable in cases where brain death occurs.
Media Terminology
Like many aspects of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, terminology is continually updated and changed. Please note the following words or phrases preferred by donor families and transplant recipients.
Deceased - families of organ and tissue donors have asked donor programs and media to refrain from using the term "cadaveric donor." The preferred term is "deceased donor."
Recover/Recovery - out of respect for the heroes who donate life, we ask reporters not to use the term "harvest" when referring to the surgical recovery of lifesaving and enhancing gifts. This word has negative connotations for patients and families. We harvest crops; we recover human organs and tissue for transplant.
Ventilator/ Mechanical Support - A ventilator or mechanical support is the accurate term to use when reporting on organ donation. A deceased donor remains on a ventilator in order to maintain organ function, which enables the sharing of life with others. It is incorrect to state the donor is on life support, as it gives the false impression that an individual remains "alive" so organs can be donated. Deceased donation only occurs when death has been declared and consent has been given.
Donation after Cardiac Death - Everyone has the potential to be a donor. After cardiac death, tissue may be donated for transplantation. In some instances a person may donate organs after cardiac death has occurred. This may happen if the patient has suffered devastating and unrecoverable brain damage resulting in ventilator dependency, the family wanted organ donation to occur, and also decided to withdraw support. Death occurs from cardiac and respiratory arrest and the patient is pronounced. Following death, organ recovery could proceed.
Media Information Sheet
Factual information provides the most important content in any story; misinformation about organ and tissue donation can cost lives. Any story mentioning organ and tissue donation or transplantation creates an opportunity to save lives by raising awareness.
Together We Can Raise Awareness
Fact: More than 90,000 Americans are listed for a life-saving organ transplant; thousands more are in need of tissue transplants.
Fact: More than 22,000 African Americans, 12,000 Hispanics, 4,000 Asians, and 2,000 other non-Caucasians are on the national transplant waiting list. More than 3,200 Floridians are listed, more than 1,600 Georgians are listed and more than 500 Puerto Ricans are awaiting their gift of life.
Fact: Our experience shows families are more willing to donate a loved one's organs and tissue if they have talked about it. A family discussion indicating one's wishes helps the families make decisions upon death.
LifeLink is Your Local Resource for Information about Donation & Transplantation
Fact: Donor organs are offered for transplantation based on urgency of medical need, compatible blood type and body size. Political, social or celebrity statuses are not factors.
Fact: Donation is not discussed with a family until all efforts to save a life have failed. Once death has been declared, a family is asked about donating life through organ and/or tissue donation.
Fact: Death occurs in two ways: 1) brain death; and 2) cardiac death. Brain death occurs when a person has an irreversible catastrophic brain injury that causes all brain activity to stop permanently. In such cases, ventilator support can maintain function of the organ systems. However, these functions will cease when the ventilator support is discontinued. Brain death is an accepted medical, ethical and legal principle. Cardiac death is the cessation of heart-lung function. Tissue and bone may be recovered for transplant in either type of death. Organs are usable in cases where brain death occurs.
Media Terminology
Like many aspects of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, terminology is continually updated and changed. Please note the following words or phrases preferred by donor families and transplant recipients.
Deceased - families of organ and tissue donors have asked donor programs and media to refrain from using the term "cadaveric donor." The preferred term is "deceased donor."
Recover/Recovery - out of respect for the heroes who donate life, we ask reporters not to use the term "harvest" when referring to the surgical recovery of lifesaving and enhancing gifts. This word has negative connotations for patients and families. We harvest crops; we recover human organs and tissue for transplant.
Ventilator/ Mechanical Support - A ventilator or mechanical support is the accurate term to use when reporting on organ donation. A deceased donor remains on a ventilator in order to maintain organ function, which enables the sharing of life with others. It is incorrect to state the donor is on life support, as it gives the false impression that an individual remains "alive" so organs can be donated. Deceased donation only occurs when death has been declared and consent has been given.
Donation after Cardiac Death - Everyone has the potential to be a donor. After cardiac death, tissue may be donated for transplantation. In some instances a person may donate organs after cardiac death has occurred. This may happen if the patient has suffered devastating and unrecoverable brain damage resulting in ventilator dependency, the family wanted organ donation to occur, and also decided to withdraw support. Death occurs from cardiac and respiratory arrest and the patient is pronounced. Following death, organ recovery could proceed.
Hi All!
I'm very excited to invite you all to our first fund raiser this year!
Please mark your calendars and save the date form April 25th. At Bear Creek Marina on Lake Jackson. The time is from 12-4pm..but can possibly go later depending on the crowds!!
We will have a lot going on!
Of course we will have some great raffles:
~Charlie Yates Golf Course 2 Rounds of Golf. Donated by Rick Burton GM of East Lake =)
~ Mary Kay basket
~Dinner for 2 donated by the Marina
~Premier Designs Jewelry sales and raffle ( all sales proceeds go to Raising For Ray)
~ Coca Cola Company Basket
~50/50 cash raffle
~ POSSIBLY another fishing trip on Lake Lanier!!
~~~~And many more raffles!!
If you or your business have any item you would like to donate any thing to be raffled or auctioned..PLEASE let me know! Anything is greatly appreciated!
Also....
We will have a Karaoke contest. They details are not set in stone. There will be a small entry fee with LARGE cash prizes!. We are hoping to have 3 categories: Best male, best female and best duet! I will need 3 judges so if you would like to volunteer for that please let me know! This is my first time putting together a karaoke contest!!
Please let me know if you might be interested in entering the contest!
We are in the works of having a band play for an hour or two. We have a few prospects and can not promise..but we are in the works of arranging something with Thomas Tillman maybe!! I spoke with him yesterday and as long as he has that date open, he would love to be there!! YAY!!
If you have a band recommendation, please let me know! We will not be able to pay for a band, since this is a benefit fund raiser, so we gladly appreciate any considerations to any artist or band that would be willing to play and hour or two for free to help us fund raise or donate any memorabilia to raffle off or silent auction. There may be a $5.00 cover charge or " any donation appreciated" accepted depending on the popularity of the band, to add to the fund raising proceeds.
Also, the Bear Creek marina does offer a full bar on Sunday. There is typically a 3.00 charge to drink on Sundays ( Jasper Co. law I guess) and the marina is covering this cost on Ray's behalf so there will be no Sunday fee to purchase an alcoholic drink. Remember Ages 21 and up to drink ( but of course this is a family event to so all ages are welcome to attend!) There is a bar...but is it not just a "bar" setting.
Although Ray does have End Stage Liver Disease aka Cirrhosis, it is not caused by alcohol...which is ironically the leading cause for Cirrhosis. Having drinks on Ray's behalf seems like a funny thought because of his liver, but we are actually trying to see if the Marina will let us have a specialty mixed drink named after Ray and for each one purchased, we would like to have half of the cost go towards the fund raiser. Please give me any idea if you have suggestions on how this works and how to make it do-able!
We are also in the process of having a guest speaker from LifeLink of GA. They are a great organization! Please check out their website on organ donation! http://www.lifelinkfound.org/georgia.cfm
The Monticello Newspaper is doing a cover story on Ray and our fund raising. Please know that this should make the front page in a week or two..any business' or bands affiliated with this benefit will be advertised in the paper for Free! I also plan on having this advertised in the Rockdale and Newton Citizen as well.
We are looking forward to great turn out and a fun filled day!
Any advice, tips, questions or concerns are welcome!
I will update all detaisl as they fall into place, but please keep this date reserved and please feel free to help get the word out!
Thank you all again SO much.
And a very special thank you to my neighbor Mary Alice Carter and District Commissioner Alan Cox for arranging this venue for us!
God Bless,
Krystle, Ray, and Ansley
I'm very excited to invite you all to our first fund raiser this year!
Please mark your calendars and save the date form April 25th. At Bear Creek Marina on Lake Jackson. The time is from 12-4pm..but can possibly go later depending on the crowds!!
We will have a lot going on!
Of course we will have some great raffles:
~Charlie Yates Golf Course 2 Rounds of Golf. Donated by Rick Burton GM of East Lake =)
~ Mary Kay basket
~Dinner for 2 donated by the Marina
~Premier Designs Jewelry sales and raffle ( all sales proceeds go to Raising For Ray)
~ Coca Cola Company Basket
~50/50 cash raffle
~ POSSIBLY another fishing trip on Lake Lanier!!
~~~~And many more raffles!!
If you or your business have any item you would like to donate any thing to be raffled or auctioned..PLEASE let me know! Anything is greatly appreciated!
Also....
We will have a Karaoke contest. They details are not set in stone. There will be a small entry fee with LARGE cash prizes!. We are hoping to have 3 categories: Best male, best female and best duet! I will need 3 judges so if you would like to volunteer for that please let me know! This is my first time putting together a karaoke contest!!
Please let me know if you might be interested in entering the contest!
We are in the works of having a band play for an hour or two. We have a few prospects and can not promise..but we are in the works of arranging something with Thomas Tillman maybe!! I spoke with him yesterday and as long as he has that date open, he would love to be there!! YAY!!
If you have a band recommendation, please let me know! We will not be able to pay for a band, since this is a benefit fund raiser, so we gladly appreciate any considerations to any artist or band that would be willing to play and hour or two for free to help us fund raise or donate any memorabilia to raffle off or silent auction. There may be a $5.00 cover charge or " any donation appreciated" accepted depending on the popularity of the band, to add to the fund raising proceeds.
Also, the Bear Creek marina does offer a full bar on Sunday. There is typically a 3.00 charge to drink on Sundays ( Jasper Co. law I guess) and the marina is covering this cost on Ray's behalf so there will be no Sunday fee to purchase an alcoholic drink. Remember Ages 21 and up to drink ( but of course this is a family event to so all ages are welcome to attend!) There is a bar...but is it not just a "bar" setting.
Although Ray does have End Stage Liver Disease aka Cirrhosis, it is not caused by alcohol...which is ironically the leading cause for Cirrhosis. Having drinks on Ray's behalf seems like a funny thought because of his liver, but we are actually trying to see if the Marina will let us have a specialty mixed drink named after Ray and for each one purchased, we would like to have half of the cost go towards the fund raiser. Please give me any idea if you have suggestions on how this works and how to make it do-able!
We are also in the process of having a guest speaker from LifeLink of GA. They are a great organization! Please check out their website on organ donation! http://www.lifelinkfound.org/georgia.cfm
The Monticello Newspaper is doing a cover story on Ray and our fund raising. Please know that this should make the front page in a week or two..any business' or bands affiliated with this benefit will be advertised in the paper for Free! I also plan on having this advertised in the Rockdale and Newton Citizen as well.
We are looking forward to great turn out and a fun filled day!
Any advice, tips, questions or concerns are welcome!
I will update all detaisl as they fall into place, but please keep this date reserved and please feel free to help get the word out!
Thank you all again SO much.
And a very special thank you to my neighbor Mary Alice Carter and District Commissioner Alan Cox for arranging this venue for us!
God Bless,
Krystle, Ray, and Ansley
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Feb. Update
Good Morning!
Just wanted to send another quick update about Ray!
Ray went to the Mason Clinic Transplant Center at Piedmont on Feb. 16th.
They did more blood work and he has a new Meld score. (The meld score is what I call the liver score, it is how they base your needs for a transplant on a scale of 1-40...with 40 being the worst, and you must have a transplant within a day or two to live).
Before Christmas, Ray was a 12-13. He has been on the transplant list since Thanksgiving, but since he was not at least a 15, he wouldn't qualify for a transplant, unless there was an emergency, like if he got the flu or became very ill...then he would be all ready. Now, we have found out that he is a 16. He is averaging about a point a month increase.
Although comparatively speaking, he is still on the low end of the scale, but we were informed that recently, and it is not common, but there have been a lot of people with score's of 17's and 18's getting transplants. What that means for us: is that it could possibly be just around the corner. Please continue to keep Ray, his liver, and our family in your prayers! With all of this unraveling so fast, it's all we can do to remind ourselves that God is in control and His will will be done.
With his score going up, that also means that it is taking a toll on Ray. For that past almost 2 months now, he has really felt the difference with his score going up. His stomach does hurt and with pressure and bloating and he is very weak and lethargic most days. He is still working, praise the good Lord...but when he gets home he usually falls asleep as soon as he sits down..which is from the liver disease and him being anemic. This also is causing a problem with sleeping at night..even on days where he doesn't sleep during the day, he still has a lot of problem either falling or staying asleep..so it seems lately it has been un-ending circle with his lack of sleep and energy! Please especially keep this in your prayers, Ray needs all the rest and re-couping he can get now!
Some good news...As most of you know, Ray has also been having banding done on his varcies veins in his lower esophagus. His liver disease causes pressure on these veins and they are what the doctors believed to be the bleeding that he experienced when all this started. The pressure from the liver would enlarge them and make them swell and bleed. If they go untreated, they can burst. Typically, this banding procedure takes about 5 rounds. They just go down with an endoscopy tool and put 5 rubber band type things in his veins, each time, working their way down. Ray's veins are doing very well and they became so small and almost back to normal size, that he only had to have 3 banding procedure's done. The last one was Feb. 15Th.
Fundraiser...
We were planning on having another fund raiser at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Conyers, but when I sent in our application for a non profit booth, I found out that they only accept 501(c) 3 organizations, and as you know, for us to be one, we would have to pay between $400-1000 + a year, just to have a license. Unfortunately, we did not think of even asking our church before the deadline past for applications. However, we are in the process of finding another venue for a fund raiser this spring/summer. We are hoping to have some bigger items donated..like a car!! Please keep our fund raiser in your prayers, I have no doubt God will provide and his will be done! If you have any suggestions or know of any business's that would like to get involved in either a donation item to be raffled off or offering a location, please feel free to let me know!
We are also on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=164675942403
We can not thank you all enough for your continued support and prayer. We are HUGE believers in the power of prayer! I am reading '90 Minutes in Heaven' by Don Piper and it re-confirms everything I believe and know about God and prayer. If you have not read it, or it has been a while since you read it, I would highly recommend it! It is amazing and really hits close to home! We are so blessed to have so many family and friends love us and pray for us and be here for us! And we are blessed to have Piedmont Hospital. They really have been a great help and we feel very comfortable there!
Thank you again, for your continued support, prayers, encouragement and donations.
Love In Christ,
Krystle and Ray
Just wanted to send another quick update about Ray!
Ray went to the Mason Clinic Transplant Center at Piedmont on Feb. 16th.
They did more blood work and he has a new Meld score. (The meld score is what I call the liver score, it is how they base your needs for a transplant on a scale of 1-40...with 40 being the worst, and you must have a transplant within a day or two to live).
Before Christmas, Ray was a 12-13. He has been on the transplant list since Thanksgiving, but since he was not at least a 15, he wouldn't qualify for a transplant, unless there was an emergency, like if he got the flu or became very ill...then he would be all ready. Now, we have found out that he is a 16. He is averaging about a point a month increase.
Although comparatively speaking, he is still on the low end of the scale, but we were informed that recently, and it is not common, but there have been a lot of people with score's of 17's and 18's getting transplants. What that means for us: is that it could possibly be just around the corner. Please continue to keep Ray, his liver, and our family in your prayers! With all of this unraveling so fast, it's all we can do to remind ourselves that God is in control and His will will be done.
With his score going up, that also means that it is taking a toll on Ray. For that past almost 2 months now, he has really felt the difference with his score going up. His stomach does hurt and with pressure and bloating and he is very weak and lethargic most days. He is still working, praise the good Lord...but when he gets home he usually falls asleep as soon as he sits down..which is from the liver disease and him being anemic. This also is causing a problem with sleeping at night..even on days where he doesn't sleep during the day, he still has a lot of problem either falling or staying asleep..so it seems lately it has been un-ending circle with his lack of sleep and energy! Please especially keep this in your prayers, Ray needs all the rest and re-couping he can get now!
Some good news...As most of you know, Ray has also been having banding done on his varcies veins in his lower esophagus. His liver disease causes pressure on these veins and they are what the doctors believed to be the bleeding that he experienced when all this started. The pressure from the liver would enlarge them and make them swell and bleed. If they go untreated, they can burst. Typically, this banding procedure takes about 5 rounds. They just go down with an endoscopy tool and put 5 rubber band type things in his veins, each time, working their way down. Ray's veins are doing very well and they became so small and almost back to normal size, that he only had to have 3 banding procedure's done. The last one was Feb. 15Th.
Fundraiser...
We were planning on having another fund raiser at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Conyers, but when I sent in our application for a non profit booth, I found out that they only accept 501(c) 3 organizations, and as you know, for us to be one, we would have to pay between $400-1000 + a year, just to have a license. Unfortunately, we did not think of even asking our church before the deadline past for applications. However, we are in the process of finding another venue for a fund raiser this spring/summer. We are hoping to have some bigger items donated..like a car!! Please keep our fund raiser in your prayers, I have no doubt God will provide and his will be done! If you have any suggestions or know of any business's that would like to get involved in either a donation item to be raffled off or offering a location, please feel free to let me know!
We are also on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=164675942403
We can not thank you all enough for your continued support and prayer. We are HUGE believers in the power of prayer! I am reading '90 Minutes in Heaven' by Don Piper and it re-confirms everything I believe and know about God and prayer. If you have not read it, or it has been a while since you read it, I would highly recommend it! It is amazing and really hits close to home! We are so blessed to have so many family and friends love us and pray for us and be here for us! And we are blessed to have Piedmont Hospital. They really have been a great help and we feel very comfortable there!
Thank you again, for your continued support, prayers, encouragement and donations.
Love In Christ,
Krystle and Ray
Monday, January 18, 2010
January Update
Hey Everyone!
I know it has been a while since my last update! Just wanted to thank everyone for your continued concern and prayers!
Ray has been doing a little better the last couple days.
Back in December, he had bands put around his varcies veins. Those are right below his esophagus and above his stomach. They wanted to put them there to eliminate bleeding since his liver and enlarged spleen made those veins enlarged, also, which led to bleeding. He had 5 bands put on. It was a pretty simple, out patient procedure.
I know it has been a while since my last update! Just wanted to thank everyone for your continued concern and prayers!
Ray has been doing a little better the last couple days.
Back in December, he had bands put around his varcies veins. Those are right below his esophagus and above his stomach. They wanted to put them there to eliminate bleeding since his liver and enlarged spleen made those veins enlarged, also, which led to bleeding. He had 5 bands put on. It was a pretty simple, out patient procedure.
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