“Be still, and know that I am God…”
-Psalm 46:10
the nominations came in, slowly but surely, as the big christmas giveaway contest came to an end...i said to my husband, time after time, how am i EVER going to pick a winner? every persons tragedy feels horrible to them, how can i pick one over another? i stressed about this for a few weeks and then i received an email and instantly it was laid on my heart…i just knew they were the ones that were suppose to win.
On June 25, 2009, Deanna was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. At the age of 34, with a husband and two small children, her world was turned upside down. She had less than 24 hours to prepare for a trip to Pittsburgh which would last most likely 4 to 6 weeks. Explaining this to her young children was no easy task. She ended up being away from her family and home for 6 weeks. When Deanna was able to come home, she ended up having multiple trips back to Pittsburgh for fevers and infections.
Then, in January of 2010, Deanna received news that she was in remission. With this news came a sigh of relief, that the chemotherapy was successful and that she could get back to being the wife, mother, and friend as she was before. Over the next several months she regained most of her strength, started back to work and was living life to the fullest! You would have never known she had just been through five months of vigorous chemo treatments and away from her family. She realized she had a second chance at life...and she was going to live it!
In August of 2010 Deanna noticed bruises again on her body, and immediately realized what it meant. After blood work and a bone marrow biopsy test, she was informed on September 2nd, 2010 that her Leukemia had indeed returned. She was sent to Pittsburgh hospital again for 6 weeks to undergo treatment. She returned on October 13th and was able to spend about a month regaining her strength and spirits before her next trip. She left for Pittsburgh again on November 23rd to undergo more chemo treatments before receiving a bone marrow transplant on November 30th. An amazing blessing was that she had a perfect match from a donor in Europe. With this transplant came the news that she would have to be in Pittsburgh for at least 100 days.
On top of this, Deanna’s employer stopped paying her back in September. So, along with the normal household bills, the family has also paid thousands of dollars to get Deanna through this. Everything from lodging in Pittsburgh, gas money for trips back and forth, parking passes, medical bills, and more, quickly adds up. Her stay this time alone at the family house will cost nearly $8,000. Her friends have done several fundraisers to help them with the costs they’ve incurred so far. But, even once she’s finally able to return home, we’re unsure of how long it will be before she will able to return to work again. It will be a long time before their family rebounds both emotionally and financially from this.
For all tests and treatments, Deanna’s mother Vanessa has been right there in Pittsburgh with her. They have both made so many sacrifices and lost time with their children, grandchildren, and loved ones that they will forever miss.
Deanna will receive a free 1 hour photo session, a 20" x 30" canvas gallery wrap and all the images from the session on a disc. Once we have the session I will share some of the pics here.
Deanna could really use all the prayers ya'all have to offer. Prayer is a wonderful and powerful thing. Please join me in lifting Deanna and her entire family up this holiday season.
i also have one more surprise about the big christmas giveaway...i have a hard time with not giving all the other candidates something...and i just can't do that...sooooooooo EVERYONE that was nominated will receive a half hour mini-session with all their images on a disc...
congratulations to:
* the Aretta Straw family
* Gary and Shannon Keith
* Joe and Mary Kay Dick
* the Lill family
* Bill and Dottie Lewis
Merry Christmas to all my winners, clients, fans, friends and family…take time this season to be still and remember the real reason for the season…
peace, love and happiness to all,
amy
On June 25, 2009, Deanna was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. At the age of 34, with a husband and two small children, her world was turned upside down. She had less than 24 hours to prepare for a trip to Pittsburgh which would last most likely 4 to 6 weeks. Explaining this to her young children was no easy task. She ended up being away from her family and home for 6 weeks. When Deanna was able to come home, she ended up having multiple trips back to Pittsburgh for fevers and infections.
Then, in January of 2010, Deanna received news that she was in remission. With this news came a sigh of relief, that the chemotherapy was successful and that she could get back to being the wife, mother, and friend as she was before. Over the next several months she regained most of her strength, started back to work and was living life to the fullest! You would have never known she had just been through five months of vigorous chemo treatments and away from her family. She realized she had a second chance at life...and she was going to live it!
In August of 2010 Deanna noticed bruises again on her body, and immediately realized what it meant. After blood work and a bone marrow biopsy test, she was informed on September 2nd, 2010 that her Leukemia had indeed returned. She was sent to Pittsburgh hospital again for 6 weeks to undergo treatment. She returned on October 13th and was able to spend about a month regaining her strength and spirits before her next trip. She left for Pittsburgh again on November 23rd to undergo more chemo treatments before receiving a bone marrow transplant on November 30th. An amazing blessing was that she had a perfect match from a donor in Europe. With this transplant came the news that she would have to be in Pittsburgh for at least 100 days.
On top of this, Deanna’s employer stopped paying her back in September. So, along with the normal household bills, the family has also paid thousands of dollars to get Deanna through this. Everything from lodging in Pittsburgh, gas money for trips back and forth, parking passes, medical bills, and more, quickly adds up. Her stay this time alone at the family house will cost nearly $8,000. Her friends have done several fundraisers to help them with the costs they’ve incurred so far. But, even once she’s finally able to return home, we’re unsure of how long it will be before she will able to return to work again. It will be a long time before their family rebounds both emotionally and financially from this.
For all tests and treatments, Deanna’s mother Vanessa has been right there in Pittsburgh with her. They have both made so many sacrifices and lost time with their children, grandchildren, and loved ones that they will forever miss.
Deanna will receive a free 1 hour photo session, a 20" x 30" canvas gallery wrap and all the images from the session on a disc. Once we have the session I will share some of the pics here.
Deanna could really use all the prayers ya'all have to offer. Prayer is a wonderful and powerful thing. Please join me in lifting Deanna and her entire family up this holiday season.
i also have one more surprise about the big christmas giveaway...i have a hard time with not giving all the other candidates something...and i just can't do that...sooooooooo EVERYONE that was nominated will receive a half hour mini-session with all their images on a disc...
congratulations to:
* the Aretta Straw family
* Gary and Shannon Keith
* Joe and Mary Kay Dick
* the Lill family
* Bill and Dottie Lewis
Merry Christmas to all my winners, clients, fans, friends and family…take time this season to be still and remember the real reason for the season…
peace, love and happiness to all,
amy
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