Tom's Surgery
There have been some inquiries about Tom's surgery. It's been delayed for now. There are some concerns about his heart, and now an ECHO needs to be done and another consult with the surgeon before they'll operate. So wish them luck on that while they do some more waiting.
The Magical Miracle Blessing Bed
I've mentioned before that Tom suffers from some pretty bad sleep apnea. He falls asleep in the strangest places because he's never very well rested. He doesn't reach the REM cycle in his sleep so he's dragging around exhausted all day long. I'll tell you what, I'll never take a good night's sleep (or even a mediocre night's sleep for that matter!) for granted again!
One of the things that's been donated to the Abbotts is a sleep number bed. Fancy right? They think so too! Leah had been out running errands (didn't I just make that sound normal and everydayish?) related to the fire and she wasn't home to see the new bed. When she came in and Tom told her about it she didn't believe him. So imagine her surprise when sure enough there's this really great bed just for them!
Leah doesn't often talk about her own health problems. Her concern is all for Tom. But she has MS which has given her some bad back pain as well. She has several discs in her spine which need to be operated on. But she's got some blood clotting issues which don't make her a good candidate for surgery at all. So she gets to live with the pain instead. When she first wakes up and tries to get out of bed it usually takes her several breaths to work through the pain in her back before she can even function.
So you can see that sleep is an issue for the couple!
Whoever donated the bed knew that it needed to be something really good in hopes of giving them some comfort at last. Well they shouldn't be disappointed! Leah calls it the Magical Miracle Blessing Bed. Tom finally slept for a few hours midday, then turned around and got a full night's sleep, and Leah woke up without the intense pain that she dreads dealing with every morning. This was all uninterrupted sleep which NEVER happens for them! They feel well rested for the first time in years!
Rent
The Abbotts have been so grateful for all of the help they've received so far. They claim they've never been more humbled. So for those of you donating and helping where you can, just know that they try to express their gratitude, but never feel like it's adequate.
They thought they were receiving some assistance for their first month's rent and deposit on their new place. However they just found out yesterday that the money they were counting on won't be coming through after all. Rent is due the 8th. That's tomorrow. All donations that have been contributed so far will be transferred to their account today in order to help out with rent. If you've been keeping track we're up to $190 now. I don't know what kind of rent they pay, but I'm pretty sure $190 won't cover it. However it will help. As will any amount anyone can give between now and tomorrow.
Thanks again for all of the help you've given so far. People are pretty darn awesome!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tracking Progress
I've added a donation thermometer on the side bar to track how much we've raised so far. We're at $160 right now, but I'm hoping that with the recent news story we'll be able to reach $1000 by June 5th.
I know the economy has made things tight for a lot of people financially speaking, but the good news is that we're supposed to see an upswing again in 2009 (or so the experts say). So here's to helping me reach my new goal!
I know the economy has made things tight for a lot of people financially speaking, but the good news is that we're supposed to see an upswing again in 2009 (or so the experts say). So here's to helping me reach my new goal!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Making News
So we made the news tonight! Sam Penrod from ksl was kind enough to do an interview today in the hopes of getting the blog a little more attention. (Sam is the same one who interviewed my husband Riley when the fire first broke out. Now my four year old is asking when he'll get his turn to be on the news!) I've already been getting phone calls and emails from people just since the story aired this evening. So it seems to be doing just what I'd hoped as far as getting more attention. Hopefully that will generate more traffic which can only be good for Tom and Leah I figure!
I've included the link to the story on the side bar, but here it is again just for good measure.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6387292
I've included the link to the story on the side bar, but here it is again just for good measure.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6387292
Moving along one step at a time
When my husband and I first moved into the area about a year ago we had a week old baby and I was recovering from a c-section all while trying to move and unpack boxes. We quickly learned that we had awesome neighbors all around us who wanted to help bring dinner and watch kids and help in whatever way they were needed. It seemed like we'd moved into a great neighborhood and I'll admit I kept waiting for the catch. It all seemed kind of Stepford-ish!
Better than Stepford because it's real
So far there hasn't been any catch. :) I've decided that people are just people. Nobody's perfect, but most people are just trying to live life and be basically good people. I don't have permission to use names so I'm not going to right now. But I wanted to share a little of what's being done for the Abbott family.
Most people I've talked to didn't even know there was anyone living in the house. Tom and Leah are quiet neighbors who can't get around much. They are both mobile, but have to be careful how much they exert themselves physically. Leah has been diagnosed with MS among other issues. Tom has severe back pain from his degenerative disc disease and is currently fighting tumors on his kidneys not to mention other issues he has related to sleep apnea. Their son Chad has been a huge help in doing things for them that they can't do themselves.
Getting involved
When people in the neighborhood found out there was a need they jumped into action I don't know everything that everyone's done but I'll share what I do know. I know of someone who immediately began collecting and tracking down items to furnish a house with. I know some of those items were donated by other neighbors. They are in the process of doing another reassessment of what they still need for the Abbotts. If you live locally and have something you'd like to donate feel free to email me, and I can give you this person's contact info as he'll know what's still needed.
The Dogs
I also know that Tom and Leah have someone who was actively looking for a new place for them to live. Tom and Leah have two dogs, Maggie and Jax. So they needed someplace that would allow their dogs to come along too. Maggie and Jax are members of the family and while they aren't certified, they act as service dogs for the couple. On more than one occasion the dogs have alerted Leah when Tom's blood sugar level has gotten dangerously low. (Did I mention that he's insulin dependent? Just add that one to the list!) Some have asked why they don't just give the dogs up since they're not really in a position to be choosy about where they live. But the dogs are more valuable than that. This person understood that and spent days looking for a home where the dogs would be welcome and would have room to run around.
The new house
And speaking of the new home, the Abbotts were able to get in yesterday which is earlier than they originally thought. Mostly they were waiting until their phone could get hooked up before moving in. With so many medical problems they can't afford to be without a phone. Someone in the neighborhood set up a temporary cell phone for them to be able to use so they could get in a couple of days early.
Donations
I've been amazed by the people who have donated so far. I'm pretty sure most of you have never even heard of the Abbotts until now. I just want to thank you and let you know you've become a part of this story too!
What it's all about
I just mention these things to show that there are a lot of really good people out there. It's exciting to see the example of others helping out where they can. Leah once mentioned to me that she was so humbled by the help they're receiving and commented that she'd like to try to pay everything back when they're able. I told her no way! That's not what this is about. We're not giving out loans. We're helping because we can and because we want to. Then she responded, "Well then I'll just try to pay it forward whenever I can!" And I think that's what it's about. I think we do what we can when we can and do our best to take care of each other. Hopefully it makes someone's life a little bit better along the way!
Better than Stepford because it's real
So far there hasn't been any catch. :) I've decided that people are just people. Nobody's perfect, but most people are just trying to live life and be basically good people. I don't have permission to use names so I'm not going to right now. But I wanted to share a little of what's being done for the Abbott family.
Most people I've talked to didn't even know there was anyone living in the house. Tom and Leah are quiet neighbors who can't get around much. They are both mobile, but have to be careful how much they exert themselves physically. Leah has been diagnosed with MS among other issues. Tom has severe back pain from his degenerative disc disease and is currently fighting tumors on his kidneys not to mention other issues he has related to sleep apnea. Their son Chad has been a huge help in doing things for them that they can't do themselves.
Getting involved
When people in the neighborhood found out there was a need they jumped into action I don't know everything that everyone's done but I'll share what I do know. I know of someone who immediately began collecting and tracking down items to furnish a house with. I know some of those items were donated by other neighbors. They are in the process of doing another reassessment of what they still need for the Abbotts. If you live locally and have something you'd like to donate feel free to email me, and I can give you this person's contact info as he'll know what's still needed.
The Dogs
I also know that Tom and Leah have someone who was actively looking for a new place for them to live. Tom and Leah have two dogs, Maggie and Jax. So they needed someplace that would allow their dogs to come along too. Maggie and Jax are members of the family and while they aren't certified, they act as service dogs for the couple. On more than one occasion the dogs have alerted Leah when Tom's blood sugar level has gotten dangerously low. (Did I mention that he's insulin dependent? Just add that one to the list!) Some have asked why they don't just give the dogs up since they're not really in a position to be choosy about where they live. But the dogs are more valuable than that. This person understood that and spent days looking for a home where the dogs would be welcome and would have room to run around.
The new house
And speaking of the new home, the Abbotts were able to get in yesterday which is earlier than they originally thought. Mostly they were waiting until their phone could get hooked up before moving in. With so many medical problems they can't afford to be without a phone. Someone in the neighborhood set up a temporary cell phone for them to be able to use so they could get in a couple of days early.
Donations
I've been amazed by the people who have donated so far. I'm pretty sure most of you have never even heard of the Abbotts until now. I just want to thank you and let you know you've become a part of this story too!
What it's all about
I just mention these things to show that there are a lot of really good people out there. It's exciting to see the example of others helping out where they can. Leah once mentioned to me that she was so humbled by the help they're receiving and commented that she'd like to try to pay everything back when they're able. I told her no way! That's not what this is about. We're not giving out loans. We're helping because we can and because we want to. Then she responded, "Well then I'll just try to pay it forward whenever I can!" And I think that's what it's about. I think we do what we can when we can and do our best to take care of each other. Hopefully it makes someone's life a little bit better along the way!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The hardest part...
"The hardest part of all of this isn't losing our stuff. It's being helpless to help ourselves. It's very weird. What do you do when you have nothing?"
-Leah
-Leah
Friday, May 1, 2009
Working out the kinks...:)
So there were some problems today with people being able to access the page. I think I've found the problem, and as a result there's now only one "donate" button. This one should allow you to enter specific amounts so it still serves the same purpose, just in a simplified form. Imagine that!
We've already had some donations come in and I hope to figure out a way to track it on this page so everyone can see how much we're getting.
And speaking of donations, I just have to say that our local Kohlers grocery store is awesome. They gave the Abbotts a gift card for groceries. I was so excited when the manager told me he'd donate something that I forgot to ask how much! But really any little bit helps so I'm totally justified in my excitement!
We've already had some donations come in and I hope to figure out a way to track it on this page so everyone can see how much we're getting.
And speaking of donations, I just have to say that our local Kohlers grocery store is awesome. They gave the Abbotts a gift card for groceries. I was so excited when the manager told me he'd donate something that I forgot to ask how much! But really any little bit helps so I'm totally justified in my excitement!
The Piano *sigh*
When Leah was 10 years old she was given a piano for her birthday. She has moved around a lot throughout her life both as a child and as an adult. And you'd better believe the piano went with her! She claims it's moved from the east coast to the west coast twice! It was so heavy and moved so often that over the years they wised-up and actually made a special dolly for it. The frame of the dolly survived the fire, complete with melted wheels. The piano however did not.
Typical of this couple is the positive spin on a heartbreaking story...at least Tom doesn't have to move it anymore!
Now some really great news!
Yesterday afternoon Tom and Chad were at the house again digging through the remains. The house is big enough and Tom's degenerative disc problems with his back make it pretty slow going when they search. So it's taking a while to even establish what might have survived.
Leah was particularly worried about one room that had some precious heirlooms and family photographs. Well guess what they found yesterday! An entire box of baby pictures that the fire hadn't touched and heirloom dishes that have been passed down for generations in Leah's family! There is some water damage, but at least the fire didn't get to them. Who knew when we saw the roof collapse over that room that it would actually protect those irreplaceable items?
Housing
There's good news on the housing front too. The Abbotts have found a place in Highland to rent. I'm really glad that they'll be sticking around. They've got pretty strong roots in Florida so I was afraid they'd be heading back. So I'm relieved that they found a place to live, but I'm really excited that they'll still be living close by! For now the Red Cross is putting them up in a room until Wednesday when they can move in. Hurray for the Red Cross!
Tom
I also wanted to share some things that are going on with Tom. This upcoming week Tom will be getting an epidural for his spine. And then Friday he'll be going in for surgery to take care of the tumors growing on his kidney. If you're the praying type please remember Tom and his family. If you're the crossing your fingers and toes type then do that too!
When Leah was 10 years old she was given a piano for her birthday. She has moved around a lot throughout her life both as a child and as an adult. And you'd better believe the piano went with her! She claims it's moved from the east coast to the west coast twice! It was so heavy and moved so often that over the years they wised-up and actually made a special dolly for it. The frame of the dolly survived the fire, complete with melted wheels. The piano however did not.
Typical of this couple is the positive spin on a heartbreaking story...at least Tom doesn't have to move it anymore!
Now some really great news!
Yesterday afternoon Tom and Chad were at the house again digging through the remains. The house is big enough and Tom's degenerative disc problems with his back make it pretty slow going when they search. So it's taking a while to even establish what might have survived.
Leah was particularly worried about one room that had some precious heirlooms and family photographs. Well guess what they found yesterday! An entire box of baby pictures that the fire hadn't touched and heirloom dishes that have been passed down for generations in Leah's family! There is some water damage, but at least the fire didn't get to them. Who knew when we saw the roof collapse over that room that it would actually protect those irreplaceable items?
Housing
There's good news on the housing front too. The Abbotts have found a place in Highland to rent. I'm really glad that they'll be sticking around. They've got pretty strong roots in Florida so I was afraid they'd be heading back. So I'm relieved that they found a place to live, but I'm really excited that they'll still be living close by! For now the Red Cross is putting them up in a room until Wednesday when they can move in. Hurray for the Red Cross!
Tom
I also wanted to share some things that are going on with Tom. This upcoming week Tom will be getting an epidural for his spine. And then Friday he'll be going in for surgery to take care of the tumors growing on his kidney. If you're the praying type please remember Tom and his family. If you're the crossing your fingers and toes type then do that too!
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