Just got a letter with a check for $100 from a kind lady in Walla Walla. She writes,
"We know Jim only through Automan, but have found him a lovely and generous person—and a great mechanic! The enclosed check is to help him with his medical expenses."
It's so exciting to see Jim's fund growing. Thank you so much!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Jim Andrews - The Automan - Cancer fund!
I've got exciting news about some fundraisers for Jim in the Walla Walla area. It is heartwarming to hear of the love and support that is being shown for my dear brother. He's spent a lifetime showing the Golden Rule to others, and now people are responding in kind. Truly, kindness always comes back.
Barbara Suzui of Gary's Paint and Decorating is spearheading much of the fundraising efforts (thank you so much, Barbara). Here are the details I have so far:
1. Big Cheese Pizza. A gift card purchase of $10 gives you a specialty pizza worth $18—and contributes $3 for Jim's fund. These are great stocking stuffers, and give you a great deal while helping Jim. Cards can be obtained from Barbara at Gary's Paint, or you can call her cellphone at 509-301-9406. If you can help sell the cards, just give her a call and she can work it out with you. Also, if you can help put up posters in the Walla Walla area, please contact Barbara. People are taking these cards to sell at their club meetings, churches, and other events. They are easy to sell, as everyone loves a bargain—and if includes pizza, what could be better?
2. Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. Adam at Walla Walla's Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Parlor is planning on holding evening events for Jim. A percentage of all purchases during these evenings will go to Jim's fund. The first event will be January 20. 10% of the gross profit will go to Jim's fund.
3. Kenna's Glass. Kenna Larson, herself a cancer survivor, is selling her glass etching products and donating a percentage of the profits for Jim's fund.
Thank you Barbara, Adam, and Kenna for this wonderful outpouring of support. It means the world!
UPDATE: Barbara tells me that she can arrange for a similar fundraising opportunity with Pizza Hut, if anyone from any location where there is a Pizza Hut is willing to help. The coupons are easy to sell, as everyone likes pizza, no matter what the season. If you would be willing to be involved, please contact Barbara at the phone number given above.
Barbara Suzui of Gary's Paint and Decorating is spearheading much of the fundraising efforts (thank you so much, Barbara). Here are the details I have so far:
1. Big Cheese Pizza. A gift card purchase of $10 gives you a specialty pizza worth $18—and contributes $3 for Jim's fund. These are great stocking stuffers, and give you a great deal while helping Jim. Cards can be obtained from Barbara at Gary's Paint, or you can call her cellphone at 509-301-9406. If you can help sell the cards, just give her a call and she can work it out with you. Also, if you can help put up posters in the Walla Walla area, please contact Barbara. People are taking these cards to sell at their club meetings, churches, and other events. They are easy to sell, as everyone loves a bargain—and if includes pizza, what could be better?
2. Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. Adam at Walla Walla's Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Parlor is planning on holding evening events for Jim. A percentage of all purchases during these evenings will go to Jim's fund. The first event will be January 20. 10% of the gross profit will go to Jim's fund.
3. Kenna's Glass. Kenna Larson, herself a cancer survivor, is selling her glass etching products and donating a percentage of the profits for Jim's fund.
Thank you Barbara, Adam, and Kenna for this wonderful outpouring of support. It means the world!
UPDATE: Barbara tells me that she can arrange for a similar fundraising opportunity with Pizza Hut, if anyone from any location where there is a Pizza Hut is willing to help. The coupons are easy to sell, as everyone likes pizza, no matter what the season. If you would be willing to be involved, please contact Barbara at the phone number given above.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Message from someone Jim helped along the way
This was sent to me (Jim's sister) yesterday. It is an example of stories many people have told me--but this one is in writing, and I just had to share it. It would be wonderful if you could add your own story as a comment.
"I first met Jim when we came to visit family in WW one weekend several years ago. Our vehicle had a warning light come on during the trip and we were desperate to find someone available on a weekend to check it out. We found Jim in the phone book and were so glad when he answered the phone and told us to bring the van by. Upon our arrival, he immediately stopped what he was doing and gave us his full attention. We ultimately took the van for a drive to show him what the problem was, and he gladly hopped in without a moment's hesitation. He ended up deciding that we were safe to return to Spokane, topped off the transmission fluid (the transmission was ultimately replaced when we got home but he was right, we were safe to drive home) and sent us on our way...refusing to let us pay him anything. His friendly attitude and generous spirit made quite an impression that day.
"My family and I have subsequently moved to Walla Walla. I am a physician at St. Mary Medical Center and performed a procedure on Jim earlier in the year. At the time, his face was familiar to me but I couldn't recall why. However, the article in the WW Union Bulletin on Dec. 12 brought it all into perspective as I remembered the scenario above. I was immediately compelled to contribute to the cause of such a hard working, generous man like Jim.
"Please let Jim know he is appreciated and not alone in his fight; may he trust in our Lord, the great healer and rest in the peace and comfort that He provides. We will keep Jim in our prayers."
"I first met Jim when we came to visit family in WW one weekend several years ago. Our vehicle had a warning light come on during the trip and we were desperate to find someone available on a weekend to check it out. We found Jim in the phone book and were so glad when he answered the phone and told us to bring the van by. Upon our arrival, he immediately stopped what he was doing and gave us his full attention. We ultimately took the van for a drive to show him what the problem was, and he gladly hopped in without a moment's hesitation. He ended up deciding that we were safe to return to Spokane, topped off the transmission fluid (the transmission was ultimately replaced when we got home but he was right, we were safe to drive home) and sent us on our way...refusing to let us pay him anything. His friendly attitude and generous spirit made quite an impression that day.
"My family and I have subsequently moved to Walla Walla. I am a physician at St. Mary Medical Center and performed a procedure on Jim earlier in the year. At the time, his face was familiar to me but I couldn't recall why. However, the article in the WW Union Bulletin on Dec. 12 brought it all into perspective as I remembered the scenario above. I was immediately compelled to contribute to the cause of such a hard working, generous man like Jim.
"Please let Jim know he is appreciated and not alone in his fight; may he trust in our Lord, the great healer and rest in the peace and comfort that He provides. We will keep Jim in our prayers."
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Timeline at Last!
Since Jim was accepted in the bone marrow transplant program, we have had so many ups and downs just trying to learn what the timeline for the procedure would be. We first understood that the procedure would begin in October and that everything would likely be finished by the end of the year. But different entities along the way caused delay in many frustrating ways. Slowness of the insurance to authorize necessary treatment caused much of this, because until the new treatment began, Jim's proteins could not reach the needed level.
We have been given several dates when Jim would start the transplant process. The latest information is that Jim will begin the process in Seattle on January 4, 2011. This means that he will now be responsible for another $10,000 deductible--but there are also reasons for this being a good time for it to begin.
Here is the timeline we have been given:
1-4-11: Check in and blood work
1-5: Meet with Physician
1-6/7: Bone marrow biopsy, MRI, EKG/EEG, x-rays, pulmonary function test, dental exam and urine collection
1-10 to 1-12: Meet with Nutritionist, Social Worker, Pharmacist, Finance. At this time he will also be getting information on at home food safety, IV class, how to work the pumps.
1-13/14: Review of all test result, including bloodwork, x-rays, etc. and mental/physical health evaluation
1-17: Installation of Hickman Catheter –
1-19: Start chemo to mobilize his stemcells. Daily injections of Nupagen to stimulate bone marrow production
1-24 to 1-26: Stem cell collection - 3 hours daily for 2-3 days
Approx. 2 weeks off, when he can go home.
2-7 or 8: Additional chemo to get ready for transplant. One day of rest after chemo. Then they will give him back his stem cells. He will go into the hospital for two weeks, during the most critical time when his immunity is the lowest.
About two weeks later, he will be moving into a rental unit near the hospital, where he will remain with his caregiver until the physicians feel his immune system has recovered enough for him to return home.
We'll keep you up to date as we learn more. In the meantime, thanks so much for your support and prayers. They mean the world.
We have been given several dates when Jim would start the transplant process. The latest information is that Jim will begin the process in Seattle on January 4, 2011. This means that he will now be responsible for another $10,000 deductible--but there are also reasons for this being a good time for it to begin.
Here is the timeline we have been given:
1-4-11: Check in and blood work
1-5: Meet with Physician
1-6/7: Bone marrow biopsy, MRI, EKG/EEG, x-rays, pulmonary function test, dental exam and urine collection
1-10 to 1-12: Meet with Nutritionist, Social Worker, Pharmacist, Finance. At this time he will also be getting information on at home food safety, IV class, how to work the pumps.
1-13/14: Review of all test result, including bloodwork, x-rays, etc. and mental/physical health evaluation
1-17: Installation of Hickman Catheter –
1-19: Start chemo to mobilize his stemcells. Daily injections of Nupagen to stimulate bone marrow production
1-24 to 1-26: Stem cell collection - 3 hours daily for 2-3 days
Approx. 2 weeks off, when he can go home.
2-7 or 8: Additional chemo to get ready for transplant. One day of rest after chemo. Then they will give him back his stem cells. He will go into the hospital for two weeks, during the most critical time when his immunity is the lowest.
About two weeks later, he will be moving into a rental unit near the hospital, where he will remain with his caregiver until the physicians feel his immune system has recovered enough for him to return home.
We'll keep you up to date as we learn more. In the meantime, thanks so much for your support and prayers. They mean the world.
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