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.



We went back on Jan. 14th for another session of this. It went really well also. Dr. Rubin said it usually takes about 5 procedures of the banding to help it be successful, but said Ray's veins were actually smaller this time and thought only one more time would be sufficient!

Ray has lowered his blood pressure medicine a little and that has helped him not feel so lethargic! With his change in diet and very low to no sodium intake, his blood pressure naturally has gone down and there was just to much medicine making his pulse rate and pressure low! So that has been a wonderful change the last couple days! We pray it stays that way!

Also, some of you have asked about the foundation for donations. Since talking more in depth with the representative from that organization, she highly recommend we did not use that program for savings for our personal situation. They did not explain it very well in the beginning. The foundation is primarily for out of state residents, and for poverty income level families. The matching a dollar for dollar can only be used post transplant and of course we will be buying medications for that, but our biggest medical expense is the transplant itself. She says if there is any money left in your account after 6 months of your transplant, you just loose it. She advised a savings account at our local bank, so that is what we have done. To make donations, the best way is either to pay pal, which is directly connected to that account or by check or money order in the mail!


Fund raising

We have fund raised and saved about $4,000.00 since August. That is only a dent compared to the 70k, but it is a GREAT start for that short amount of time! We are looking forward to what God has in store for us this year!
The current fund raiser we have is the "Catching Not Fishing" Lake Lanier Striped Bass Professional Guided fishing trip donated by Capt. Clay Cunningham. It is a 5 hour trip for you and 2 guests. All bait, tackle and ice are included! Our original date for this drawing was for Jan. 30th, but just found out today, Ray has a conference on the 30th in South GA, so he won't be here! We have moved the date to the following weekend of Feb. 6th. It will be a public drawing at Piedmont Outdoors in Covington, Ga. We would LOVE to see you there, especially if you have bought tickets, or plan to buy tickets. or can purchase tickets that day if you wish! You do not have to be present to win, I can mail the certificate for you to redeem your trip! Tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased through the pay pal donation link on Ray's blog page, or through check or money order. www.raisingforray.blogspot.com

We will have a booth at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Conyers, GA this year. March 27 and 28th. A huge thank you to Skills USA Club at Jasper Co. High School. They are our sponsors for this event! We are in the process of trying to have a car donated to be raffled off, as well as some other great items! If you or your company/business would like to make a donation of any item to be raffled off at the Cherry Blossom, please let me know! Any company will receive FREE advertisement. There will be ads in the Rockdale and Newton Citizen. The Cherry Blossom in Conyers brings in about 40,000 people each weekend so we are praying for a great fund raiser and great turn out!

And most of you know, now I am an independent distributor with Premier Designs Jewelry. God has put this business in my life and is allowing for us to have a second income. (not fundraising) I hope all you ladies will consider hosting a Jewelry show of your own to help kick star my business, if you haven't already! It is a great time to fellowship with friends and for you to earn free jewelry! Hostesses are the heart of my business! For more info, please just let me know!

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, and encouragement, and support! God has blessed us with such loving friends and family!

We love you and will send another update next month!
(If you would like me remove your email address from these updates, or if you receive duplicates, please just let me know!)

God Bless, and Thank you,
Krystle


http://raisingforray.blogspot.com/

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”.-Romans 8:28

WHEN I GO TO WORK, ITS A PARTY!!
**ASK ME HOW YOU CAN GET FREE JEWELRY**
OR MAKE FULL TIME $$ ON A PART TIME HOURS!
krystle_donald@yahoo.com