Hi EVERYONE! We're Still Ain't Done Yet!
Joyce Thompson Benefit Campaign
Only 0 days and she will continue to count - on us!
"WHAT?! MORE?!" Yes, we still need your help! We shall continue until she is home again! There will be daily updates (or nearly so) of her trip and treatments at Mayo.
Monday 6/25/2012 - Joyce is in the fight, are we? We are still need to help her fund her testing at Mayo Clinic. It isn't over yet!
I keep wanting to update this blog for the purpose of informing the many of Joyce's friends that are praying for her return to health and activity. Joyce is so loved by many, from family, friends, and her own clients. We all want Joyce and Jeff to feel reassured of a long life and to be able to bring joy and love into others lives.
I have been staying in touch with Joyce for the past 3-4 weeks now that they finally have reached Rochester, Minnesota - the Mayo Clinic. The ride up was torturous for Joyce. She had to have stops to get massages to alleviate painful swollen legs, as well, as deal with the affects of her medications. They had done a stay with her daughter then stopped once more on the way up. Once there, they had to move between 2 hotels before they found one with a handicap room where Joyce could fully utilize the restroom shower with the aid of the walker. They finally were settled and began the doctor visits.
Doctor after doctor, test after test. Joyce plowed through them all, the first 10 days. After that, came the results. Debate over which form of schleroderma was going on, as well as the type of possible source of a heart condition - which is found to NOT be inherited. Good news! Bad news - the medication she needs to control severe cramping muscles can lead to the same heart condition if triggered! She and Jeff weighed the alternatives! One doctor didn't see any problems that were new or demanded more of his time and he was going to send Joyce home! Joyce was shocked at his attitude and stayed her ground! She was defiant to the doctor and demanded more tests be done. She knew she need more attention, because her health needed their expertise! The doctor didn't have a chance! He ordered more tests - mostly to get her out of his office! (It wasn't a pleasant scene, I hear!)
Last week and this week, are tests and results for those tests. News of anything encouraging is very little forthcoming. One results gets identified but another test is needed. One other result crosses one ailment off, just to produce another. More tests are being done this week, and mostly likely next week the results.
Jeff and Joyce are beside themselves in knowing what exactly they need to do. Finances are shrinking and alternatives to fixing that are being put off. (Joyce can do phone sessions for some of her clients only at this time). Joyce is leaning to completing her tests but knows that money is stressing Jeff and THAT stress is affecting HIS health. Such a paradox for them to deal with!
The Mayo Clinic is doing an awesome job of getting information, symptoms, data, and results in really fast time, but it still is requiring Joyce and Jeff more time in Rochester. Let's keep them in our prayers and let's keep the fires going for ways to bring more donations into their Benefit account. Please if you are following this blog posting about the journey and trials of dealing with possible terminal diseases - do comment below and renew Joyce with a sense of hope. Her mental health will help her go a long way with enduring the tests and be at peace financially. Please comment - it will mean the world to her now.
Just FYI - the results of the Quartermania was excellent. Cindy Houser announces that it was one of the best she has been able to get and she has done many! They raised over $1300 for Joyce!
A repeat of what was below in this blog of other activities for fund raising for Joyce.
https://www.facebook.com/JoyceAThompsonsEmotionalJourney -- Best choice for now.
Or follow on events at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/139089872891999/
Joyce needs our continued support and prayers! She and Jeff still are accepting donations -
via https://www.Paypal.com using Joyce@emotionaljourney.org
or directly at any Wichita Bank of the West bank.
Everyone's help is appreciated more than you can imagine! Thank you (from Joyce and Jeff).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They are off and running now. I just got word that they are settling in for the night in Lansing, staying with Joyce's daughter who lives there. They is going to enjoy some grand-kids, breakfast, and and easy start tomorrow, (Sunday) morning.
The Joyce Thompson Benefit Garage Sale had great weather and location, and the people came out! Well over 100 people had been out by noon. Furniture was being loaded and knick/knacks were moving out! Joyce stopped by to check in at the end and expected a couple to three hundred dollars to take with her on the trip. Debi handed her the plastic bag, and another, loaded with bills! It counted out to be $875. Holy cow! That blew Joyce away! Lots of thanks to Debi Lawson, Denise Spurlock, and the rest of the Wichita Leads group member for helping with the garage sale and supporting the Benefit held on the 15th.
Also, a BIG thanks to Amber Harrison of the Maternal Endeavors Mom-Entrepreneur Network. She rounded up her network of ladies who donated items for auction and raised..... well, read the dialog for yourself.
I copied it from Facebook from https://www.facebook.com/groups/284068581683885/
Monday 6/25/2012 - Joyce is in the fight, are we? We are still need to help her fund her testing at Mayo Clinic. It isn't over yet!
I keep wanting to update this blog for the purpose of informing the many of Joyce's friends that are praying for her return to health and activity. Joyce is so loved by many, from family, friends, and her own clients. We all want Joyce and Jeff to feel reassured of a long life and to be able to bring joy and love into others lives.
I have been staying in touch with Joyce for the past 3-4 weeks now that they finally have reached Rochester, Minnesota - the Mayo Clinic. The ride up was torturous for Joyce. She had to have stops to get massages to alleviate painful swollen legs, as well, as deal with the affects of her medications. They had done a stay with her daughter then stopped once more on the way up. Once there, they had to move between 2 hotels before they found one with a handicap room where Joyce could fully utilize the restroom shower with the aid of the walker. They finally were settled and began the doctor visits.
Doctor after doctor, test after test. Joyce plowed through them all, the first 10 days. After that, came the results. Debate over which form of schleroderma was going on, as well as the type of possible source of a heart condition - which is found to NOT be inherited. Good news! Bad news - the medication she needs to control severe cramping muscles can lead to the same heart condition if triggered! She and Jeff weighed the alternatives! One doctor didn't see any problems that were new or demanded more of his time and he was going to send Joyce home! Joyce was shocked at his attitude and stayed her ground! She was defiant to the doctor and demanded more tests be done. She knew she need more attention, because her health needed their expertise! The doctor didn't have a chance! He ordered more tests - mostly to get her out of his office! (It wasn't a pleasant scene, I hear!)
Last week and this week, are tests and results for those tests. News of anything encouraging is very little forthcoming. One results gets identified but another test is needed. One other result crosses one ailment off, just to produce another. More tests are being done this week, and mostly likely next week the results.
Jeff and Joyce are beside themselves in knowing what exactly they need to do. Finances are shrinking and alternatives to fixing that are being put off. (Joyce can do phone sessions for some of her clients only at this time). Joyce is leaning to completing her tests but knows that money is stressing Jeff and THAT stress is affecting HIS health. Such a paradox for them to deal with!
The Mayo Clinic is doing an awesome job of getting information, symptoms, data, and results in really fast time, but it still is requiring Joyce and Jeff more time in Rochester. Let's keep them in our prayers and let's keep the fires going for ways to bring more donations into their Benefit account. Please if you are following this blog posting about the journey and trials of dealing with possible terminal diseases - do comment below and renew Joyce with a sense of hope. Her mental health will help her go a long way with enduring the tests and be at peace financially. Please comment - it will mean the world to her now.
Just FYI - the results of the Quartermania was excellent. Cindy Houser announces that it was one of the best she has been able to get and she has done many! They raised over $1300 for Joyce!
A repeat of what was below in this blog of other activities for fund raising for Joyce.
https://www.facebook.com/JoyceAThompsonsEmotionalJourney -- Best choice for now.
Or follow on events at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/139089872891999/
Joyce needs our continued support and prayers! She and Jeff still are accepting donations -
via https://www.Paypal.com using Joyce@emotionaljourney.org
or directly at any Wichita Bank of the West bank.
Everyone's help is appreciated more than you can imagine! Thank you (from Joyce and Jeff).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, 6/17/2012: Going for the long haul!
Joyce and Jeff are staying in Rochester - longer than they originally thought they would need to. Having had to listen to several doctors, and having not received any definitive statements as to what her health issues REALLY are, Joyce heard from their last visit on Friday the 15th, to "go home". Joyce DOES have the "never give up" mentality. She countered with the doctor and demanded a consensus with what other doctors were saying or come up with another answer, but give a why!
Joyce has suffered through numbing and exhausting days of travel to get to Rochester, put up with a small space of a motel room, boredom of sitting in reception areas for hours, cramping of hands and other parts of her body, sleepless nights preparing reports, fasts, getting lost on a short roadtrip through the National Park during a heavy rain storm and trying to take care of herself AND Jeff. All this time missing her friends here in Wichita.
Thursday, she received the news that she most likely has a milder form of Schleroderma, one that isn't considered "terminal" and can be controlled more easily. Still that doesn't explain all of her symptoms of low oxygen in her blood despite using the oxygenator and that is why she wants more answers!
Listening to Joyce and the struggles she is going through, is frustrating and sometimes it hits me hard and I react with sadness. I see that she has tenacity to "keep on" and demands respect for her and her condition. I, myself, would have felt too timid and would have been intimidated by the doctors, figuring that they were the experts and I should listen. I give your lots of credit to giving her all.
Here in Wichita, we are pulling together more financial resources to help her be able to stay in Rochester and stay close to her doctors long enough to get answers. Our QuarterMania as a hit and lots of donations came in. At this time, I haven't been told to the amount. I shall learn of that soon.
Another event is still in preparation - a Bingo Benefit. So be looking out for news on that. Joyce is keeping us informed with her notes in Facebook. You can access her at :
https://www.facebook.com/JoyceAThompsonsEmotionalJourney -- Best choice for now.
Or follow on events at:
Joyce needs our continued support and prayers! She and Jeff still are accepting donations -
Everyone's help is appreciated more than you can imagine! Thank you (from Joyce and Jeff).
cg
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Wednesday - 6/6/2012: Joyce's medical evaluations begin.
Joyce and Jeff finally, after many trials, made it up to Rochester, Minn.. The first 3 hours travel to Lansing to stay with her daughter were the easiest and the most hopeful for Joyce. After an overnight stay there and enjoying the family, they took off again. They encountered several difficulties along the way for the next 2 days of driving. From painfully swollen ankles/legs thus needing a massage treatment, to fuses blowing in the car as she used the portable oxygenator, to feeling sick, to inconvenient hotel stays (not very good stays for handicap), to just having zero energy, and to feeling very depressed about the struggle to get there. Joyce messaged back numerous times for our prayer help. Her friends are now supporting her with prayers and problem solving situations as they arrive - as they settle in for their doctor visits at the Mayo Clinic.
The greatest concern for Joyce is for Jeff. The stress is hard on his system and he is getting weaker and at times struggles to walk well. He is needed to do the things that Joyce can't do, and she is needed to do the things that he can't do. They completely compliment and fulfill each other's needs. Joyce comments that "Jeff is so much my soulmate". Neither one is able to even fathom the reality of their future; it is just too hard to contemplate. They so love each other and depend on each other!
Today, Joyce meets with her first itinerary of doctors. They should be well rested after 1 day of no traveling. Paperwork is done, now she begins her evaluations and treatments. We pray for relief and for improvement of her quality of life. Jeff might be able to benefit from the doctors there too.
A new blog - separate from this will be started. Keep an eye out for it. Thank you for the prayers and emotional support. Continue to communicate with Joyce through here in comments, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JoyceAThompsonsEmotionalJourney
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Saturday - 6/2/2012: Joyce and Jeff are totally and completely overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone's help.
Joyce and Jeff are staying in Rochester - longer than they originally thought they would need to. Having had to listen to several doctors, and having not received any definitive statements as to what her health issues REALLY are, Joyce heard from their last visit on Friday the 15th, to "go home". Joyce DOES have the "never give up" mentality. She countered with the doctor and demanded a consensus with what other doctors were saying or come up with another answer, but give a why!
Joyce has suffered through numbing and exhausting days of travel to get to Rochester, put up with a small space of a motel room, boredom of sitting in reception areas for hours, cramping of hands and other parts of her body, sleepless nights preparing reports, fasts, getting lost on a short roadtrip through the National Park during a heavy rain storm and trying to take care of herself AND Jeff. All this time missing her friends here in Wichita.
Thursday, she received the news that she most likely has a milder form of Schleroderma, one that isn't considered "terminal" and can be controlled more easily. Still that doesn't explain all of her symptoms of low oxygen in her blood despite using the oxygenator and that is why she wants more answers!
Listening to Joyce and the struggles she is going through, is frustrating and sometimes it hits me hard and I react with sadness. I see that she has tenacity to "keep on" and demands respect for her and her condition. I, myself, would have felt too timid and would have been intimidated by the doctors, figuring that they were the experts and I should listen. I give your lots of credit to giving her all.
Here in Wichita, we are pulling together more financial resources to help her be able to stay in Rochester and stay close to her doctors long enough to get answers. Our QuarterMania as a hit and lots of donations came in. At this time, I haven't been told to the amount. I shall learn of that soon.
Another event is still in preparation - a Bingo Benefit. So be looking out for news on that. Joyce is keeping us informed with her notes in Facebook. You can access her at :
https://www.facebook.com/JoyceAThompsonsEmotionalJourney -- Best choice for now.
Or follow on events at:
Joyce needs our continued support and prayers! She and Jeff still are accepting donations -
via https://www.Paypal.com using Joyce@emotionaljourney.org
or directly at any Wichita Bank of the West bank.
Everyone's help is appreciated more than you can imagine! Thank you (from Joyce and Jeff).
cg
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday - 6/6/2012: Joyce's medical evaluations begin.
Joyce and Jeff finally, after many trials, made it up to Rochester, Minn.. The first 3 hours travel to Lansing to stay with her daughter were the easiest and the most hopeful for Joyce. After an overnight stay there and enjoying the family, they took off again. They encountered several difficulties along the way for the next 2 days of driving. From painfully swollen ankles/legs thus needing a massage treatment, to fuses blowing in the car as she used the portable oxygenator, to feeling sick, to inconvenient hotel stays (not very good stays for handicap), to just having zero energy, and to feeling very depressed about the struggle to get there. Joyce messaged back numerous times for our prayer help. Her friends are now supporting her with prayers and problem solving situations as they arrive - as they settle in for their doctor visits at the Mayo Clinic.
The greatest concern for Joyce is for Jeff. The stress is hard on his system and he is getting weaker and at times struggles to walk well. He is needed to do the things that Joyce can't do, and she is needed to do the things that he can't do. They completely compliment and fulfill each other's needs. Joyce comments that "Jeff is so much my soulmate". Neither one is able to even fathom the reality of their future; it is just too hard to contemplate. They so love each other and depend on each other!
Today, Joyce meets with her first itinerary of doctors. They should be well rested after 1 day of no traveling. Paperwork is done, now she begins her evaluations and treatments. We pray for relief and for improvement of her quality of life. Jeff might be able to benefit from the doctors there too.
A new blog - separate from this will be started. Keep an eye out for it. Thank you for the prayers and emotional support. Continue to communicate with Joyce through here in comments, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JoyceAThompsonsEmotionalJourney
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday - 6/2/2012: Joyce and Jeff are totally and completely overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone's help.
They are off and running now. I just got word that they are settling in for the night in Lansing, staying with Joyce's daughter who lives there. They is going to enjoy some grand-kids, breakfast, and and easy start tomorrow, (Sunday) morning. 
The Joyce Thompson Benefit Garage Sale had great weather and location, and the people came out! Well over 100 people had been out by noon. Furniture was being loaded and knick/knacks were moving out! Joyce stopped by to check in at the end and expected a couple to three hundred dollars to take with her on the trip. Debi handed her the plastic bag, and another, loaded with bills! It counted out to be $875. Holy cow! That blew Joyce away! Lots of thanks to Debi Lawson, Denise Spurlock, and the rest of the Wichita Leads group member for helping with the garage sale and supporting the Benefit held on the 15th.
Next up is the Quartermania - show below with green flyer picture - June 12th! There are a few more spots available for vendors. Contact Cindy Houser - also listed below next to flyer and on the flyer.
I copied it from Facebook from https://www.facebook.com/groups/284068581683885/
Joyce A ThompsonAmber Harrison and the ladies from Maternal Endeavors Mom-Entrepreneur Network....Thank you ALL from the bottom of our hearts!! How VERY kind and thoughtful! (The other offer was to match up to $500.00 and they have already generously done that, so that we'd have the money to take with us when we left on our trip)...We will be leaving tomorrow, at the end of the Medical Fund Raiser-Garage Sale which is being held tomorrow at 7315 Tanglewood (near Central & Rock Rds)...We have had other families donate, along with items that Jeff and I have chosen to sell. (This includes everything from clothing, to furniture, to men's tool chests, to Women's PLUS sized, Petite clothing in excellent condition!!) We will stop by to pick up the proceeds on the way out of town, so that we can use that money for travel expenses...I'll be posting all of the details in a bit and would appreciate everyone helping to spread the word! I will definitely keep you ALL posted on how things are progressing for Jeff and myself! Thank you all for your love, kindness, and support...It just means SO much to us!Yesterday at 8:01pm · ·
1
Joyce A Thompson Neither Jeff nor I knew you guys were doing this, so it was a wonderful SURPRISE! Again, it means the world to us to get such a large donation, right here while we're down to the wire! This money, along with the proceeds from tomorrow's fund raiser garage sale, will give us some much-needed breathing room! God bless you guys! ♥♥♥
Amber Harrison That was sort of intentional...I wanted to surprise you!!! :) More than anything, I just wanted to help any way I could, so I rallied support from my girls and they came through. If I have time tomorrow, I'll stop by the sale. I know you two have got to be under a great deal of stress in preparing for this trip, and breathing room is exactly what we were aiming for. :)
Joyce A Thompson Well you pulled the surprise off VERY WELL!!! :) Knowing that those 'surprise' funds came in tonight, will help us BOTH to sleep better!! You all did a great job! Thank you for your kindness and understanding...
21 hours ago · · 1
Friday - 6/1/2012: Joyce and Jeff leave tomorrow evening. Funds are being collected from garage sale to help them as they travel.
We are happy to send them off with some cash in hand, but we must really continue to help move them forward. The trip will take several days to get there because their endurance is so low. Jeff is taking the activity and the uncertainty of their future hard. Joyce is keeping as chipper as she can, but just preparing for the trip today was hard. I was available to help drive her around on her errands as their car was in maintenance. She enjoyed the down time. Please continue offering your prayers for their health, healing and peace of mind. Pray that they both come back with hope and faith in their doctors to help them live with a good to great quality of living. Joyce hopes to continue with heartfelt desire to be here for her clients that need her, as well as her friends and family.
Saturday, June 2, is the Garage Sale - see note and details below.
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Those of us working to support the Joyce Thompson Benefit fund raising efforts are gearing up for more activity. I know. You are saying "What?! More?!" You probably thought that the Big Benefit last week was done and past and so was all of the efforts for the fund raising. As you can see by the title of this post - there are only 9 days left. We aren't done yet. So please be patient with the posts coming out. On June 2nd Joyce must have enough money to travel to Mayo by car, stay in hotels along the way, find a place to settle in near Mayo, and of course eat! This would be for Joyce AND Jeff. Both are disabled and need to go slowly as to not tax their systems and aggravate their diseases more!
BENEFIT DOLLARS = AIR TO BREATH!
The Big Benefit didn't bring in as much as we had hoped, but it did have enough for Joyce to purchase an oxygen machine that has all of the bells and whistles she needs in order to travel. It was rewarding for us that our efforts were able to provide that for her. NOW - we need to let you know what is next. Please pick one or more of any fund raising activities yet in the making! Personally, I wish I could do them all! There are great things to give or do that WILL make a difference! Please help Jeff and Joyce literally "breath easier!" - Amen to that!
1. May 28th - Kim Snare does a bake sale. Thank you Kim for your hard work - at baking.
1. May 28th - Kim Snare does a bake sale. Thank you Kim for your hard work - at baking.
2. June 2 - Garage Sale at Debi Lawson's house.
7315 E. Tanglewood (Rockwood community, near Rock and Central)
7315 E. Tanglewood (Rockwood community, near Rock and Central)
We are accepting items to be donated and sold at this garage sale.
Contact her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debi.lawson.9
Phone - 393-6222
3. June 12 - Quarter Mania at Office This on E. Harry 6-9 pm
If you are wanting to be a vendor or attend,
For more info contact: Cindy Houser
316.640.6187 Houser427@sbcglobal.net
5. Now until -June 12 - Bailey Martinson of Pink Zebra
Is offering 40% of the sales of fragrance candles and chips for $16 and $12, if you need a warmer, that is $27. Contact Cheryl Gnad 316-312-6954 or Bailey Martinson 316-955-9440
Visit on Facebook to connect with Bailey or Joyce or Cindy Houser or Cheryl Gnad as well.
6. Keep an eye out for Amber Harrison - (AGAIN on Facebook) for a major auction item that she is putting up!
7. Look for Randall Deverne Hare - he is offering NMC | Automobile roadside Assistance - donating profits from these to the Joyce Thompson Benefit Fund. Information on this can be found on Facebook as well at: https://www.facebook.com/events/376650452387420/388539377865194/?comment_id=390583667660765¬if_t=group_comment_reply
8. Send donations to any Bank of the West deposit to the Joyce Thompson Benefit fund.
Or Donate via Paypal.com and use the email address as Joyce@emotionaljourney.org .
9. Follow for updates on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/groups/139089872891999/139089876225332/?comment_id=139096972891289¬if_t=group_comment_reply
9. Follow for updates on Facebook at - https://www.facebook.com/groups/139089872891999/139089876225332/?comment_id=139096972891289¬if_t=group_comment_reply
"MAKE NEW FRIENDS, BUT KEEP THE OLD" (old girl scout song)
Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver and the other is gold.
As I mentioned before - I, as @SocialFocusbyCG - https://www.facebook.com/SocialFocusbyCG - am the social media consultant for this campaign for the Joyce Thompson Benefit fund raiser. I have taken this project to my heart. I have come to know Joyce well through the past weeks and before being connected in this project. We were friends/acquaintances on Facebook. Then I learned of her condition and how she was trying to find a way to increase her funds through a Benefit event, I offered to do the social media work for her. Now great things are showing up on her doorstep, calls to help, events to collect money, donated profits from product sales, new business for Emotional Journey, LLC, (Joyce's practice), and more. Social media has been the avenue of this campaign's success, and I am grateful that I got to be a part of it. Touching the lives of others is what social media is about - for both personal and business needs. In the end, if done right, it is a new friend! Valued and worth keeping!
Cheryl Gnad
Social Focus by CG |Social Media Marketing and Management
www.socialfocusbycg.com
Twitter @Socialfocusbycg
