Hi all!
I'm still recovering from an amazing weekend and not quite ready to pen my thoughts here just yet. I wanted to thank you all again for everything and to share the Bozeman Chronicle story that was published on Saturday before my race. Tim Dumas did a great job capturing the essence of "my story" and I'm truly grateful. IBD isn't really talked about much, but so many people have a story about it to share...and I feel like this is a beginning point for opening that dialogue. Thank you, Tim!
http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2008/07/19/sports/000delay.txt
If you've seen my fundraising page, you know that officially, we met our goal - we surpassed $5,000 AND I beat my goal time significantly. I hoped for 2hours 20 minutes, secretly thought MAYBE I could get 2 hours and 15 and actually finished in 2 hours 9 minutes and 12 seconds. The people, the course, the weather....everything was fantastic. I'm just completely thrilled with everything and couldn't have hoped for it to be better.
I did have the best support crew...THANK YOU MOM, JACKIE and DYLAN for riding shot gun...and to my DAD, KODY, JULIANNE, SUZANNE and definitely SCOTT and MONTY - Thanks for carrying me through...I wish you could have been there too, but I thought about you a lot along the trail! To everyone who sent me notes, said a prayer and lifted me up - believe me - you mattered. Part of me thinks that I just floated through the race...my feet barely touched the ground.
Thanks, so very, very much. And remember, anytime is a good time to send a few dollars to CCFA! http://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
More later,
Jodie
My world!
Homecoming Princess and Football Star
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Overwhelming...
No, not the distance (though 13.1 miles is way more than I thought possible five months ago!) and not the fundraising (which I NEVER thought I could be effective with, but here we are in excess of the minimum requirement and nipping at the heels of my goal)....
The SUPPORT, the words of ENCOURAGEMENT, the PRAYERS...its truly overwhelming to me! Wow, THANKS so much to every single one of you for lifting me AND my family up. We are all so fortunate to have had this inundation of kindness and blessings. For the rest of my life, I will relish in this experience, this opportunity to see inside the hearts of people and KNOW ABSOLUTELY that this is a wonderful world. Words cannot express how grateful and truly overwhelmed I am by all of you.
THANKS to KBZK in Beautiful Bozeman Montana for running a story on my race and the need for awareness and funds for IBD. Here is a link to their story: http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=8691172
I really appreciate that the station listed this blog link on their page, also. This is so key in raising awareness and I'm very, very pleased with the compassion and the coverage!
Click here to donate...every penny counts!!! http://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
And keep those prayers coming! I'm going to be so light from being lifted up by all of you that on Sunday, my feet aren't even going to touch the ground!
May God bless you all,
jd
The SUPPORT, the words of ENCOURAGEMENT, the PRAYERS...its truly overwhelming to me! Wow, THANKS so much to every single one of you for lifting me AND my family up. We are all so fortunate to have had this inundation of kindness and blessings. For the rest of my life, I will relish in this experience, this opportunity to see inside the hearts of people and KNOW ABSOLUTELY that this is a wonderful world. Words cannot express how grateful and truly overwhelmed I am by all of you.
THANKS to KBZK in Beautiful Bozeman Montana for running a story on my race and the need for awareness and funds for IBD. Here is a link to their story: http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=8691172
I really appreciate that the station listed this blog link on their page, also. This is so key in raising awareness and I'm very, very pleased with the compassion and the coverage!
Click here to donate...every penny counts!!! http://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
And keep those prayers coming! I'm going to be so light from being lifted up by all of you that on Sunday, my feet aren't even going to touch the ground!
May God bless you all,
jd
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Deadline extended!
Hi all, I'm going to go ahead and extend the deadline to be entered in the drawing for the prizes listed below until RACE DAY, July 20th. The local media has been so good about helping me with raising awareness, that I really don't care about being recogized for hitting my goal of $5,000 - by the 16th; but I STILL hope to reach it and surpass it by the race!!!
I'm much more committed to giving anyone who comes here as a result of the coverage a chance to be a part of my Team Challenge. If you want to be involved, here is what you can do:
1) Click this link http://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1 and donate online
2) Send a check made payable to CCFA to: Jodie DeLay, 706 Home Run Drive, Belgrade MT 59714
3) Pass this link on to a friend or family member
4) Make an appointment with your doctor! If you've been having a slow decline in your health with general symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, mouth sores, low grade fever, rectal bleeding, joint soreness for an extended period - get it checked!!! While sometimes Crohns and Colitis will hit with a vengeance, often it is a slow period where things just kind of get worse and before long its hard to remember what it really felt like to feel GREAT! If you're in this position, please get checked.
5) If you're in a bad episode of IBD and need a shoulder or a good set of ears, call me or send me an email 406.209.0277 or jodiedelay@hotmail.com . If someone close to you is suffering and you just want to vent, I'm here for you, too! We will survive and THRIVE!!!
6) Say a prayer for me, my brother, my son and everyone else with bowel disease or digestive issues and then send up another prayer for their families and friends and for everyone who has been so generous and gracious and supportive of my participation in Team Challenge.
7) Wish me luck on completing this half marathon on Sunday with a SMILE on my face and great memories of a great day. I really want to finish in under 2 hours and 20 minutes, but I'm a little afraid that I might push too hard and not enjoy the race...so pray for my patience and ability to just let loose and have fun! (I appreciate this tremendously!!!)
If you can do any or all of these things, you will officially be a member of my own Team Challenge and the IBD Support Crew of Montana...I just made that up but it is catchy!
I'll announce the drawing winners on July 23rd after I return from NAPA!!
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
(Watch Z7 at 5:30 to see my moment of fame!)
jd
I'm much more committed to giving anyone who comes here as a result of the coverage a chance to be a part of my Team Challenge. If you want to be involved, here is what you can do:
1) Click this link http://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1 and donate online
2) Send a check made payable to CCFA to: Jodie DeLay, 706 Home Run Drive, Belgrade MT 59714
3) Pass this link on to a friend or family member
4) Make an appointment with your doctor! If you've been having a slow decline in your health with general symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, mouth sores, low grade fever, rectal bleeding, joint soreness for an extended period - get it checked!!! While sometimes Crohns and Colitis will hit with a vengeance, often it is a slow period where things just kind of get worse and before long its hard to remember what it really felt like to feel GREAT! If you're in this position, please get checked.
5) If you're in a bad episode of IBD and need a shoulder or a good set of ears, call me or send me an email 406.209.0277 or jodiedelay@hotmail.com . If someone close to you is suffering and you just want to vent, I'm here for you, too! We will survive and THRIVE!!!
6) Say a prayer for me, my brother, my son and everyone else with bowel disease or digestive issues and then send up another prayer for their families and friends and for everyone who has been so generous and gracious and supportive of my participation in Team Challenge.
7) Wish me luck on completing this half marathon on Sunday with a SMILE on my face and great memories of a great day. I really want to finish in under 2 hours and 20 minutes, but I'm a little afraid that I might push too hard and not enjoy the race...so pray for my patience and ability to just let loose and have fun! (I appreciate this tremendously!!!)
If you can do any or all of these things, you will officially be a member of my own Team Challenge and the IBD Support Crew of Montana...I just made that up but it is catchy!
I'll announce the drawing winners on July 23rd after I return from NAPA!!
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
(Watch Z7 at 5:30 to see my moment of fame!)
jd
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Confidence
I have spent the last couple of days trying to calmly visualize myself running through the beautiful vineyards of northern California. I'm able to get into this place that feels pretty serene and then BAM I realize that it is nearly time for this goal of many months to come to be!
I've done the training. I've been blessed to be able to tell my story to a lot of people and to hear the stories of a lot of people. Much of the anxiety that I've felt at trying to raise money has faded, because I'm so completely confident that this is an incredible worthy cause. People whose lives have been affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease, deserve a voice and this is one small way to help raise awareness, to talk about the symptoms of these diseases, to encourage people to see a doctor if they are having trouble, to let people know they aren't alone and that many, many good people are fighting WITH them to find better treatments and ultimately a CURE for IBD.
I would still like to be able to add Montana to the 5K club...and that means that we have a little more fundraising to do. We are currently sitting at about $4100 (by the time we count checks that I've sent that haven't been added to the tally on my page yet). We have basically 24 hours to come up with another $900. Will you help?
Please log onto my fundraising site: https://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
and donate whatever you can. I am offering a raffle ticket for every $5.00 donated through tomorrow, July 16th. The prizes are listed on the previous post.
But don't stop there, please send this page to your friends and family... let's put us on the map!! IBD must be stopped and I'm very, very sure that together we can get us a big step closer to that finish line.
Thank you all so very much. My shout out today has to go to my colleagues at Montana State University... they have been absolutely phenomenal. I've been touched to the core of my being by the generosity of coworkers that I barely know. They've changed my life already. THANK YOU!!
Before I close, I think today is a good a time as any for a challenge. I am one of the biggest Bobcat fans in the world...i do truly bleed blue and gold...but I'm from a mixed family...my brother Kody - yes the one who is my inspiration and who I would do just about anything for - is a diehard Grizzly fan. I'm pretty sure that other than some Levi's and possibly underwear, he doesn't own any clothing that isn't licensed Griz wear. I love him very, very much despite this one flaw. TODAY, I challenge all my good Griz friends to step up to the plate and donate to CCFA on behalf of Team Challenge. Sadly, all of us are equally likely to be affected by these diseases and I'm just really sure that by joining together in this fight, we'll all win.
Thanks, have a great day and GO TEAM CHALLENGE!!
https://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
Jodie
I've done the training. I've been blessed to be able to tell my story to a lot of people and to hear the stories of a lot of people. Much of the anxiety that I've felt at trying to raise money has faded, because I'm so completely confident that this is an incredible worthy cause. People whose lives have been affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease, deserve a voice and this is one small way to help raise awareness, to talk about the symptoms of these diseases, to encourage people to see a doctor if they are having trouble, to let people know they aren't alone and that many, many good people are fighting WITH them to find better treatments and ultimately a CURE for IBD.
I would still like to be able to add Montana to the 5K club...and that means that we have a little more fundraising to do. We are currently sitting at about $4100 (by the time we count checks that I've sent that haven't been added to the tally on my page yet). We have basically 24 hours to come up with another $900. Will you help?
Please log onto my fundraising site: https://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
and donate whatever you can. I am offering a raffle ticket for every $5.00 donated through tomorrow, July 16th. The prizes are listed on the previous post.
But don't stop there, please send this page to your friends and family... let's put us on the map!! IBD must be stopped and I'm very, very sure that together we can get us a big step closer to that finish line.
Thank you all so very much. My shout out today has to go to my colleagues at Montana State University... they have been absolutely phenomenal. I've been touched to the core of my being by the generosity of coworkers that I barely know. They've changed my life already. THANK YOU!!
Before I close, I think today is a good a time as any for a challenge. I am one of the biggest Bobcat fans in the world...i do truly bleed blue and gold...but I'm from a mixed family...my brother Kody - yes the one who is my inspiration and who I would do just about anything for - is a diehard Grizzly fan. I'm pretty sure that other than some Levi's and possibly underwear, he doesn't own any clothing that isn't licensed Griz wear. I love him very, very much despite this one flaw. TODAY, I challenge all my good Griz friends to step up to the plate and donate to CCFA on behalf of Team Challenge. Sadly, all of us are equally likely to be affected by these diseases and I'm just really sure that by joining together in this fight, we'll all win.
Thanks, have a great day and GO TEAM CHALLENGE!!
https://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
Jodie
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bozeman Chronicle
(This is kind of part 2 of the post below!!)
Now, I also have to say thanks to Dana Klopp who hooked me up with the Chronicle for an interview. It's not that I wanted fame or anything...it's actually a little difficult to go out on the line about something that is so personal, but this is WAY bigger than me....AWARENESS is a huge part of this journey and I'm able to tell my story to a much bigger audience because of her. It was scary to do the interview, but I honestly feel that it is God's will for me to talk about this and to be as much an advocate for others who are suffering as I can be. I don't know what tomorrow holds for me in terms of my Crohn's disease, but I know I have today...and I'm so grateful. If there is someone out there recently diagnosed, who gains some strength from my story, it is WORTH it! If you are that someone, PLEASE call me. 406.209.0277, mailto:jodiedelay@hotmail.com) I will listen ANYTIME. I'll be there for you. The bigger our team of IBD fighters, the better. If you don't have IBD, but have a loved one who does, I'm here for you, too. Let's stick together and one day at a time, one dollar at a time, make lives better.
Being diagnosed with IBD is scary and the challenges can be really significant, but there are a lot of good times too... sometimes it takes awhile to get in remission, some people only have one or two major phases, others have a really long, hard road....but with love and friendship, guidance from a good medical team, discipline and some guts (ha ha, i intended that pun).... life with IBD can be very fulfilling. I know!!!
We have achieved the minimum fundraising goal for this race. It was a challenge for sure, but WOW people came out of the woodwork to help. THANK YOU a million times over....I am forever indebted.
Let me explain a little how this works. In order for the CCFA to be sure that they make a MINIMUM of 83% of their revenue go directly toward finding a cure and improving the lives of people with IBD, they determine a minimum amount that participants have to raise in order for the expenses of the race to account for no more than 17%. If everyone participating in this Team Challenge event raises the minimum, then 83% at least is used for this purpose. If I hadn't raised this minimum, I would be obligated to cover the difference, I had to guarantee at least that much. (This is why the CCFA was one of only 4 organizations out of more than 60 that received an A report card!!)
Now, here is where the fun comes in! Since we've made the minimum, nearly ALL of what we bring in from here on out will go to IBD research and support! How cool is that! We are reducing the overhead percentage with every single dime.
My original goal was $5,000... and I think we can do it..I think we can beat it! What do you think!The prizes for the drawing (1 ticket for every $5.00 donated) to be held on July 17th (basedon donations made by the 16th), so far are:
A beautiful handmade quilt
A cool sculpture of a wildcat
A $25.00 gift certificate for Stampin Up products from Nicole Flournoy (http://www.nicole.stampinup.net/)
A front-end alignment
A bottle of wine from NAPA, California!
Let me know if you are interested in donating another prize!
Finally, look for the feature in the Chronicle in the next week. I want to thank Tim Dumas for his time and just remind you all to be aware of some of the symptoms of IBD. Check out http://www.ccfa.org/ if you have extended fatigue, cold sores in your mouth, pain when eating...even arthritis type pain, etc. Don't WAIT to get digestive issues looked at... sure it may be nothing, and that's great - it cost you a doctor visit, but you benefited from peace of mind. On the other hand, NOT getting help promptly can lead to long term scarring and permanent damage - why risk that! IBD can be very managable for people, but it takes some discipline and being smart, rather than tough!!!
Have a beautiful weekend and if you can, visit my site and make a donation!!
https://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
jd
Now, I also have to say thanks to Dana Klopp who hooked me up with the Chronicle for an interview. It's not that I wanted fame or anything...it's actually a little difficult to go out on the line about something that is so personal, but this is WAY bigger than me....AWARENESS is a huge part of this journey and I'm able to tell my story to a much bigger audience because of her. It was scary to do the interview, but I honestly feel that it is God's will for me to talk about this and to be as much an advocate for others who are suffering as I can be. I don't know what tomorrow holds for me in terms of my Crohn's disease, but I know I have today...and I'm so grateful. If there is someone out there recently diagnosed, who gains some strength from my story, it is WORTH it! If you are that someone, PLEASE call me. 406.209.0277, mailto:jodiedelay@hotmail.com) I will listen ANYTIME. I'll be there for you. The bigger our team of IBD fighters, the better. If you don't have IBD, but have a loved one who does, I'm here for you, too. Let's stick together and one day at a time, one dollar at a time, make lives better.
Being diagnosed with IBD is scary and the challenges can be really significant, but there are a lot of good times too... sometimes it takes awhile to get in remission, some people only have one or two major phases, others have a really long, hard road....but with love and friendship, guidance from a good medical team, discipline and some guts (ha ha, i intended that pun).... life with IBD can be very fulfilling. I know!!!
We have achieved the minimum fundraising goal for this race. It was a challenge for sure, but WOW people came out of the woodwork to help. THANK YOU a million times over....I am forever indebted.
Let me explain a little how this works. In order for the CCFA to be sure that they make a MINIMUM of 83% of their revenue go directly toward finding a cure and improving the lives of people with IBD, they determine a minimum amount that participants have to raise in order for the expenses of the race to account for no more than 17%. If everyone participating in this Team Challenge event raises the minimum, then 83% at least is used for this purpose. If I hadn't raised this minimum, I would be obligated to cover the difference, I had to guarantee at least that much. (This is why the CCFA was one of only 4 organizations out of more than 60 that received an A report card!!)
Now, here is where the fun comes in! Since we've made the minimum, nearly ALL of what we bring in from here on out will go to IBD research and support! How cool is that! We are reducing the overhead percentage with every single dime.
My original goal was $5,000... and I think we can do it..I think we can beat it! What do you think!The prizes for the drawing (1 ticket for every $5.00 donated) to be held on July 17th (basedon donations made by the 16th), so far are:
A beautiful handmade quilt
A cool sculpture of a wildcat
A $25.00 gift certificate for Stampin Up products from Nicole Flournoy (http://www.nicole.stampinup.net/)
A front-end alignment
A bottle of wine from NAPA, California!
Let me know if you are interested in donating another prize!
Finally, look for the feature in the Chronicle in the next week. I want to thank Tim Dumas for his time and just remind you all to be aware of some of the symptoms of IBD. Check out http://www.ccfa.org/ if you have extended fatigue, cold sores in your mouth, pain when eating...even arthritis type pain, etc. Don't WAIT to get digestive issues looked at... sure it may be nothing, and that's great - it cost you a doctor visit, but you benefited from peace of mind. On the other hand, NOT getting help promptly can lead to long term scarring and permanent damage - why risk that! IBD can be very managable for people, but it takes some discipline and being smart, rather than tough!!!
Have a beautiful weekend and if you can, visit my site and make a donation!!
https://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
jd
THANK YOU's - long, but important!
People are really and truly amazing. What a gift it has been to see people shine like I have as they've helped me achieve this goal. I have to mention a couple...
My kids - Jackie and Dylan. They just plain rock the house. They support me every day - when i'm happy, when i'm sad, when i'm sore, when i feel like running and when I don't. They make life worthwhile and I'm SO proud of them and so happy that they will get to join me at the finish line.
My mom. I realized that I missed the opportunity on Mother's Day to brag about her. She is truly amazing. She is glue. She quietly goes about keeping our family functioning - holding it together. She does what needs to be done. She has been such a rock to all of us kids...everything that has happened in our lives she has been there to wipe the tears and share the joy. She has some health things of her own, yet she carries her burdens quietly without a complaint, ever. She gives and gives and gives and I am so incredibly lucky to have her in my life and to have had her as a mentor and a friend. SHE will be at the finish line too, and I'll probably be bawling with emotion and joy as she gives me that hug, the one that only mom's can give.
I've talked about my brother before. He's my inspiration. When I think about how long he was sick before he was diagnosed, and how much he suffered even as a kid...it breaks my heart. He is such a fine, strong, wonderful man and I pray that he can find the peace that i have with this disease. I am infinitely proud of him. His daily journey is so hard...especially now when the surgery is past enough that people start wondering why he isn't back to normal. It's not that easy, I know. It's SO hard... Kody, hang in there...literally one step at a time and before you know it, you'll be looking at the finish line of a half marathon. YOU. You will beat this thing!!! And it's because of you, that I am very confident that even if Dylan DOES have Crohn's, he won't have to be as sick, because we've learned so much from your experience. He won't have 25 years of scarring to contend with, and he'll learn a lot more about taking care of himself early than he would have otherwise. It isn't fair, but if you need something to hang on too, hang on to that... because of you, Dylan is getting help really, really early. He is learning how to be healthy, learning things that are good for everyone, but especially someone with a genetic make-up that is disposed to IBD. With everything in me, I believe that you have saved him from a lot of emotional and physical pain. I'm just so, so sorry for all that you have gone through.
My sisters...i hate to lump them together because they are distinctly different people, with unique and special gifts, but this post is already getting really long! Suzanne and Julianne have BOTH been there for me through the darkest times and the best of times. I wish they could be at the finish line, too...but there will be more opportunities, I'm not stopping here!!
I already talked about my dad on father's day, but it bears repeating that he is THE best dad in the world!!! His birthday is Saturday, July 12th and I hope it is a great day. He really knows the right things to say to me...to support me and push me at the same time.
I won't go into every single other person, but there are many, and some day I WILL go into all of them, just so that I'm sure to never forget.
I want to just thank one more person right now and that is Brennan Schram. He's my daughter's friend, and my friend. One day he made signs to post along the route I run just so I know how far I've been and far I have to go. He did this on his own and it mattered so much. He's ridden his bike with me and Jackie while I run. He always has a kind word of encouragement and yesterday for my birthday, he donated some of his OWN money to my cause. He's a pretty special kid and deserves recognition. THANK YOU, Brennan.
My kids - Jackie and Dylan. They just plain rock the house. They support me every day - when i'm happy, when i'm sad, when i'm sore, when i feel like running and when I don't. They make life worthwhile and I'm SO proud of them and so happy that they will get to join me at the finish line.
My mom. I realized that I missed the opportunity on Mother's Day to brag about her. She is truly amazing. She is glue. She quietly goes about keeping our family functioning - holding it together. She does what needs to be done. She has been such a rock to all of us kids...everything that has happened in our lives she has been there to wipe the tears and share the joy. She has some health things of her own, yet she carries her burdens quietly without a complaint, ever. She gives and gives and gives and I am so incredibly lucky to have her in my life and to have had her as a mentor and a friend. SHE will be at the finish line too, and I'll probably be bawling with emotion and joy as she gives me that hug, the one that only mom's can give.
I've talked about my brother before. He's my inspiration. When I think about how long he was sick before he was diagnosed, and how much he suffered even as a kid...it breaks my heart. He is such a fine, strong, wonderful man and I pray that he can find the peace that i have with this disease. I am infinitely proud of him. His daily journey is so hard...especially now when the surgery is past enough that people start wondering why he isn't back to normal. It's not that easy, I know. It's SO hard... Kody, hang in there...literally one step at a time and before you know it, you'll be looking at the finish line of a half marathon. YOU. You will beat this thing!!! And it's because of you, that I am very confident that even if Dylan DOES have Crohn's, he won't have to be as sick, because we've learned so much from your experience. He won't have 25 years of scarring to contend with, and he'll learn a lot more about taking care of himself early than he would have otherwise. It isn't fair, but if you need something to hang on too, hang on to that... because of you, Dylan is getting help really, really early. He is learning how to be healthy, learning things that are good for everyone, but especially someone with a genetic make-up that is disposed to IBD. With everything in me, I believe that you have saved him from a lot of emotional and physical pain. I'm just so, so sorry for all that you have gone through.
My sisters...i hate to lump them together because they are distinctly different people, with unique and special gifts, but this post is already getting really long! Suzanne and Julianne have BOTH been there for me through the darkest times and the best of times. I wish they could be at the finish line, too...but there will be more opportunities, I'm not stopping here!!
I already talked about my dad on father's day, but it bears repeating that he is THE best dad in the world!!! His birthday is Saturday, July 12th and I hope it is a great day. He really knows the right things to say to me...to support me and push me at the same time.
I won't go into every single other person, but there are many, and some day I WILL go into all of them, just so that I'm sure to never forget.
I want to just thank one more person right now and that is Brennan Schram. He's my daughter's friend, and my friend. One day he made signs to post along the route I run just so I know how far I've been and far I have to go. He did this on his own and it mattered so much. He's ridden his bike with me and Jackie while I run. He always has a kind word of encouragement and yesterday for my birthday, he donated some of his OWN money to my cause. He's a pretty special kid and deserves recognition. THANK YOU, Brennan.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Getting Oh, SO CLOSE!
The journey is nearly complete and I can clearly see the finish line. I have learned so much over the last 15 weeks or so. Things about myself and my family and friends and coworkers....about the world we live in. When I was in college I remember writing a paper about whether I thought people were inherently good or bad. I said then that I thought they were good, and now I know its true. People are good - people are great.
Sunday was the last "long" run of our training program and I made it 13.4 miles...the distance plus. I did it! It is such an amazing feeling to know that I am truly ready for this race. I wouldn't have thought it was possible even just a few months ago, but I'm going to run a half marathon through beautiful vineyards with 100's of other people who have raised thousands and thousands of dollars for a cause that is so extremely important to me. At this point all the Team Challenge folks around the country have raised nearly $1.5 MILLION! This is enough to make a difference, a real difference!!!
I still need your help to hit my financial goal. I've sent many, many letters and you all have helped me to raise $3,400 so far. But I still need about $1,600 to reach my goal of $5,000. I am offering 1 raffle ticket per $5 recieved online by Wed. July 16th. The raffle prizes include a beautiful homemade quilt and a sculpture of a wildcat. Other prizes may be added. Every dollar will help!
Online is the easiest and best way to donate, it only takes a few minutes. Visit my website at: http://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
OR mail a check made payable to CCFA to: Jodie DeLay, 706 Home Run Drive, Belgrade, MT 59714
Believe me, I wouldn't ask for money if I didn't believe completely that it will make a difference. The CCFA is one of THE best charity organizations in the world giving over .83 cents on the dollar directly to the cause of improving the lives of people with Crohns and Colitis. Every penny is tax deductible, so heck, why not make a business donation, too!
Thank you all for everything. I will owe you and gladly roll up my sleeves and help however I can with your projects in the future. You're the best. Let's rally and make it to $5,000. Together anything is possible because people are GOOD!!!
jd
Sunday was the last "long" run of our training program and I made it 13.4 miles...the distance plus. I did it! It is such an amazing feeling to know that I am truly ready for this race. I wouldn't have thought it was possible even just a few months ago, but I'm going to run a half marathon through beautiful vineyards with 100's of other people who have raised thousands and thousands of dollars for a cause that is so extremely important to me. At this point all the Team Challenge folks around the country have raised nearly $1.5 MILLION! This is enough to make a difference, a real difference!!!
I still need your help to hit my financial goal. I've sent many, many letters and you all have helped me to raise $3,400 so far. But I still need about $1,600 to reach my goal of $5,000. I am offering 1 raffle ticket per $5 recieved online by Wed. July 16th. The raffle prizes include a beautiful homemade quilt and a sculpture of a wildcat. Other prizes may be added. Every dollar will help!
Online is the easiest and best way to donate, it only takes a few minutes. Visit my website at: http://www.active.com/donate/napa08national/JDeLay1
OR mail a check made payable to CCFA to: Jodie DeLay, 706 Home Run Drive, Belgrade, MT 59714
Believe me, I wouldn't ask for money if I didn't believe completely that it will make a difference. The CCFA is one of THE best charity organizations in the world giving over .83 cents on the dollar directly to the cause of improving the lives of people with Crohns and Colitis. Every penny is tax deductible, so heck, why not make a business donation, too!
Thank you all for everything. I will owe you and gladly roll up my sleeves and help however I can with your projects in the future. You're the best. Let's rally and make it to $5,000. Together anything is possible because people are GOOD!!!
jd
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Independence
In honor of independence day, I'm going to take a few minutes to share how my life changed when I was diagnosed with Crohn's and became dependent in many ways on all of those around me...and how research and the concerted efforts of my healthcare team - Dr. Johnson and his nurse (then Stacy and now Kim) and all of the staff at the Bozeman GI Clinic - helped me to get my freedom back.
Crohns and Colitis are painful, debilitating diseases. After the birth of my daughter in 1994, I began having abdominal pain which intensified over a period of about a year until it was severe enough that it literally brought me to my knees. I would have these waves of agony after eating that would start high in my center and then roll down into my back. It would release for a minute, and then start over. Each time I felt sure that an alien was going to burst out of me, or that I would literally explode from the pressure. It got where I was afraid to eat. I lost a ton of weight and all my energy. I had a lot of blood in my stool...but I did NOT have the telltale diarrhea that accompanies most people who have IBD. This created a puzzle for physicians and it took nearly a year before the general practioner sent me to the GI clinic for a colonoscopy.
This period of time was extremely frustrating as I was told over and over again that it was depression. I kept saying, but I'm not depressed! I love my baby with my whole heart and enjoy her so much. She gave my life meaning on such a profound level that I was positive that my best days were in front of me. I couldn't wait to grow with her and enjoy all the gifts of being a mom. I had a really good job and was doing well with my career. I was positively not depressed! I was in real, physical agony!
I fell into a pattern where all I could do was go to work, come home and nurse my daughter and hold her and sleep. I was a slave to my pain. I tried really hard to get enough nutrition that I could give Jackie what she needed but that was all I could manage. After the colonoscopy and getting diagnosed, I was put on a ton of medicine and finally was able to get my life back a little bit. I still had fairly regular obstructions and NG tubes, and hospitalizations and absesses. And it was a life dependent on about 40 pills a day, lots of rest, and thinking constantly about what to do to not get sick again. When I was finally able to go about a year without any major setbacks, we decided to have another baby. I suffered a miscarriage and heartbreak, but we tried again.
When I got pregnant with my son in 1998 about 4 months after my miscarriage, I was so HAPPY! But my Crohn's came back with a vengeance and I was sick through his entire gestation. He was born a little prematurely and had some stomach issues of his own. I had to quit work to keep him safe. I was lucky enough to find a job on the internet that allowed my family to survive financially. It was a God-send also for my psyche as I felt like I could contribute something. Still, for that first year I barely could get out of bed. I nursed, Dylan threw up, I nursed again, he threw up... when he slept I lay in bed with the laptop and tried my best to get in as many hours as I could and then I'd sleep and nurse and clean up vomit. I was so weak and sore. WHen Dylan was 11 months old, I had a major bout again and ended up in the hospital. Fortunately, Dylan came around about the same time and at least I was able to stop worrying so much about him.
After about a year of hospitalizations and obstructions and complications things hit bottom when my bowel perforated and I ended up in emergency surgery. My doctors did a fabulous job...believe me before I got to the hospital, I honestly didn't think I was going to survive. That may sound dramatic and outrageous, but it's not exagerated...the pain was unbelievable. I was incredibly weak. I was barely even conscious I hurt so much. WHen the docs said they needed to do surgery, and I may need a colostomy, all I could mutter was I don't care if you have to cut of my arm...make it better. Even after surgery (I did not need a colostomy but had two resecctions done at the same time), it was a solid year before I had any real freedom...before i could go places and do things that normal people do.
A trip to Seattle and specialists at the University of WA confirmed that my doctor had done everything right on. I visited with a naturopathic doctor at the Bastyr clinic there and got some additional hints at how to really get overall better. My OBGYN helped me with some medication for depression, because by this time I was depressed. I was so tired of being so sick for so long. I was tired of not being able to run and play with my kids. I was tired of working in my house and never seeing people. I was tired of having my dreams on hold. I felt like I was living in a prison, sentenced to a life of feeling crappy and not being able to be the mom, or the wife, or the employee or the citizen that I always believed I would be.
ALL the of the people who helped me climb out of this place will always be angels to me. With the help for my depression, I finally saw the light. I commited myself to exercising and getting outside and importantly, REMICADE came along. It was a turning point. It was the difference in moving out of sickness and into wellness. After about a year I got off the depression meds and prednisone and the like and was able to go to infusions every 8 weeks, and prevacid and 6mp. I was able to run the SweetPea 5K, something I 've vowed to do EVERY single year as a reminder to me that EVERY day is a gift and that there is NO guarantee that there won't come a day when I can't run or play again; when I will lose my freedom again to this disease...just like my brother has the last couple of years. Just like my son has the last two years when he couldn't wrestle because it hurt to eat and he was so tired and fatigued.
THis is why I appreciate all of you have donated to this cause. WE need a cure. WE need to free everyone who suffers and give them their lives back. Thank you for helping me and everyone with this effort. IF you can, stop by my page and pledge another $1 per mile... It will go to a good cause. It will make a difference!!! You can make a difference. Happy Independence Day!!!
(Oh, and don't worry, I am well aware that this holiday is really to celebrate our veterans who have made America so great. I am absolutely honored to be American and grateful to the very core of my being for the sacrifices made by generations of soldiers and their families, and by civilians who go about their business every day - making life better for people around the world and making our country one that stands for values and integrity and liberty and justice for all. Thank God for America and God Bless us all!)
Thank you!!
jd
Crohns and Colitis are painful, debilitating diseases. After the birth of my daughter in 1994, I began having abdominal pain which intensified over a period of about a year until it was severe enough that it literally brought me to my knees. I would have these waves of agony after eating that would start high in my center and then roll down into my back. It would release for a minute, and then start over. Each time I felt sure that an alien was going to burst out of me, or that I would literally explode from the pressure. It got where I was afraid to eat. I lost a ton of weight and all my energy. I had a lot of blood in my stool...but I did NOT have the telltale diarrhea that accompanies most people who have IBD. This created a puzzle for physicians and it took nearly a year before the general practioner sent me to the GI clinic for a colonoscopy.
This period of time was extremely frustrating as I was told over and over again that it was depression. I kept saying, but I'm not depressed! I love my baby with my whole heart and enjoy her so much. She gave my life meaning on such a profound level that I was positive that my best days were in front of me. I couldn't wait to grow with her and enjoy all the gifts of being a mom. I had a really good job and was doing well with my career. I was positively not depressed! I was in real, physical agony!
I fell into a pattern where all I could do was go to work, come home and nurse my daughter and hold her and sleep. I was a slave to my pain. I tried really hard to get enough nutrition that I could give Jackie what she needed but that was all I could manage. After the colonoscopy and getting diagnosed, I was put on a ton of medicine and finally was able to get my life back a little bit. I still had fairly regular obstructions and NG tubes, and hospitalizations and absesses. And it was a life dependent on about 40 pills a day, lots of rest, and thinking constantly about what to do to not get sick again. When I was finally able to go about a year without any major setbacks, we decided to have another baby. I suffered a miscarriage and heartbreak, but we tried again.
When I got pregnant with my son in 1998 about 4 months after my miscarriage, I was so HAPPY! But my Crohn's came back with a vengeance and I was sick through his entire gestation. He was born a little prematurely and had some stomach issues of his own. I had to quit work to keep him safe. I was lucky enough to find a job on the internet that allowed my family to survive financially. It was a God-send also for my psyche as I felt like I could contribute something. Still, for that first year I barely could get out of bed. I nursed, Dylan threw up, I nursed again, he threw up... when he slept I lay in bed with the laptop and tried my best to get in as many hours as I could and then I'd sleep and nurse and clean up vomit. I was so weak and sore. WHen Dylan was 11 months old, I had a major bout again and ended up in the hospital. Fortunately, Dylan came around about the same time and at least I was able to stop worrying so much about him.
After about a year of hospitalizations and obstructions and complications things hit bottom when my bowel perforated and I ended up in emergency surgery. My doctors did a fabulous job...believe me before I got to the hospital, I honestly didn't think I was going to survive. That may sound dramatic and outrageous, but it's not exagerated...the pain was unbelievable. I was incredibly weak. I was barely even conscious I hurt so much. WHen the docs said they needed to do surgery, and I may need a colostomy, all I could mutter was I don't care if you have to cut of my arm...make it better. Even after surgery (I did not need a colostomy but had two resecctions done at the same time), it was a solid year before I had any real freedom...before i could go places and do things that normal people do.
A trip to Seattle and specialists at the University of WA confirmed that my doctor had done everything right on. I visited with a naturopathic doctor at the Bastyr clinic there and got some additional hints at how to really get overall better. My OBGYN helped me with some medication for depression, because by this time I was depressed. I was so tired of being so sick for so long. I was tired of not being able to run and play with my kids. I was tired of working in my house and never seeing people. I was tired of having my dreams on hold. I felt like I was living in a prison, sentenced to a life of feeling crappy and not being able to be the mom, or the wife, or the employee or the citizen that I always believed I would be.
ALL the of the people who helped me climb out of this place will always be angels to me. With the help for my depression, I finally saw the light. I commited myself to exercising and getting outside and importantly, REMICADE came along. It was a turning point. It was the difference in moving out of sickness and into wellness. After about a year I got off the depression meds and prednisone and the like and was able to go to infusions every 8 weeks, and prevacid and 6mp. I was able to run the SweetPea 5K, something I 've vowed to do EVERY single year as a reminder to me that EVERY day is a gift and that there is NO guarantee that there won't come a day when I can't run or play again; when I will lose my freedom again to this disease...just like my brother has the last couple of years. Just like my son has the last two years when he couldn't wrestle because it hurt to eat and he was so tired and fatigued.
THis is why I appreciate all of you have donated to this cause. WE need a cure. WE need to free everyone who suffers and give them their lives back. Thank you for helping me and everyone with this effort. IF you can, stop by my page and pledge another $1 per mile... It will go to a good cause. It will make a difference!!! You can make a difference. Happy Independence Day!!!
(Oh, and don't worry, I am well aware that this holiday is really to celebrate our veterans who have made America so great. I am absolutely honored to be American and grateful to the very core of my being for the sacrifices made by generations of soldiers and their families, and by civilians who go about their business every day - making life better for people around the world and making our country one that stands for values and integrity and liberty and justice for all. Thank God for America and God Bless us all!)
Thank you!!
jd
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