Beating the “Big C” BGG Style: A Co-op Game-a-thon with Denise

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

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My Family History - Cancer.

It was February 12 2008 when, doing my monthly breast exam, I found a lump in my left breast. It was initially diagnosed as mastitis, and treated with antibiotics. After 2 months of questionable response, my physician referred me to a "Breast Disease Specialist" who sent me for a mammogram and a (first) biopsy which came back as a staph infection. I underwent 8 months of treatment with antibiotics, then a second biopsy which came back as cancer. I knew... Mom had bi-lateral breast cancer, she is a 26yr Survivor - it was only a matter of time before it found me. But I was not prepared for the misdiagnosis, I had put my trust in a "specialist".

With the wasted time of a missed diagnosis, the cancer had the opportunity to spread, so I am now dealing with metatastic breast cancer in my vertebra.

I endured 8 grueling weeks of chemo, only to decide that it was not the path for me. I felt that I needed something "different". Modern medicine HAD to offer some other way!

I found a Dr in the Houston area who offered a "new path" which has shown good results via gene therapy treatments. Unfortunately, it’s also a very expensive path.

This is a tough fight, but I'm gonna do my best at it. I'll admit that I'm about as scared as I've ever been, and at the end of the day, in the dark, I often cry alone. I am blessed though, to have the support of family and dear friends. Gamer Family and Gamer Friends who help me pass the time...
meeple

This is my story - BGG Style...

UPDATE, JULY 21
OMG!
My GeekList is on the Front Page of BGG!!
Can't tell y'all What A Thrill this is for me!!!
Seriously.Seriously.Seriously.A.Thrill!!

I am Truly Honored by the donations to my website since posting this GeekList, both public and private... Especially get a kick out of the "poker" bid donations - Too Flippin Funny!

As mentioned in the GeekList, I don't have health insurance and my monthly medical bills run $4,800+, with an additional $1,500 every 3rd month for a PET/CT Scan. Actually, my meds run about $10,000/month, but I've been fortunate to qualify for grants from the drug companies to help pay for the prescriptions, bringing my cost "down" to about $4,500/month, + misc test expenses.
It's a Tough Fight All Around.

Because I'm asking for help, I'm being very open about the finances and keeping my budget info here:
http://teamdenise.org/budget/expenses/

Again - Thanks for the prayers, the good wishes and the donations, you have No Idea How Much I Appreciate All of Them - Every Little Bit of Support Helps!

Please pass my story and my web site around!

My Story: http://TeamDenise.org/about/denises-story/
My Plea: http://teamdenise.org/about/denises-plea/
My Website: http://TeamDenise.org

denise
Surviving Breast Cancer without health insurance...
http://TeamDenise.org

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Edited Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:46 pm
Posted Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:40 am

1. Board Game: Outside the Scope of BGG [Average Rating:6.75 Overall Rank:1305]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

I know this is OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF BGG, but...

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:52 pm

2. Board Game: Once Upon a Time [Average Rating:6.50 Overall Rank:864]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

ONCE UPON A TIME...

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:52 pm

3. Board Game: Family Business [Average Rating:6.18 Overall Rank:1443]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

I was taking care of BUSINESS...

0 comments

Edited Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:16 pm
Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:53 pm

4. Board Game: It's A Wonderful Life [Average Rating:4.30 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

thinking IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE...

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:53 pm

5. Board Game: Arkham Horror [Average Rating:7.57 Overall Rank:69]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

When to my HORROR

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:54 pm

6. Board Game: A Touch of Evil: Something Wicked [Average Rating:7.82 Unranked] [Average Rating:7.82 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

I felt SOMETHING WICKED

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:54 pm

7. Board Game: Lumps, the Game of Big Rolls and Smart Holds [Average Rating:5.33 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

It was a LUMP

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:56 pm

8. Board Game: What's That? [Average Rating:3.00 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

and I wondered WHAT HAVE WE HERE?

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:56 pm

9. Board Game: Just Wait [Average Rating:5.98 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

This couldn't JUST WAIT

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:57 pm

10. Board Game: Check-up Charlie [Average Rating:7.50 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

for my next CHECK-UP

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:57 pm

11. Board Game: ASAP [Average Rating:5.40 Overall Rank:6266]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

I had to see my doctor ASAP!

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:58 pm

12. Board Game: Message to the Czar [Average Rating:5.76 Overall Rank:4350]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

Soon, they left A MESSAGE

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:59 pm

13. Board Game: Call of Cthulhu: Collectible Card Game [Average Rating:6.98 Overall Rank:890]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

to give them a CALL!

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:02 pm

14. Board Game: The Good News! Bad News! game [Average Rating:2.67 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

Was it GOOD NEWS! BAD NEWS!?

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:04 pm

15. Board Game: Pandemic [Average Rating:7.63 Overall Rank:38]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

Then came the report - it was worse than a PANDEMIC...

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:06 pm

16. Board Game: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Game [Average Rating:2.97 Overall Rank:7734]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

It was THE WORST CASE SCENARIO
It Was Cancer.

0 comments

Edited Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:56 pm
Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:47 pm

17. Board Game: Busen Memo [Average Rating:5.00 Overall Rank:7357]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

BREAST Cancer to be specific.

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:08 pm

Superhawk

(Superhawk2300)

United States
Milwaukee
Wisconsin

Finally, I use for this game!

Posted Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:27 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
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  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
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denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Actually, I've seen this game listed on several Lists. I'm thinking Geeks just like seeing it...

Posted Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:23 pm
- Choose your Dice
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  - Help
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18. Board Game: In a Pickle [Average Rating:4.91 Overall Rank:7642]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

I was IN A PICKLE and

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:08 pm

19. Board Game: Shear Panic [Average Rating:6.48 Overall Rank:860]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

sheer PANIC set in...

0 comments

Edited Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:57 pm
Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:10 pm

20. Board Game: Doctor, Doctor! [Average Rating:4.27 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

DOCTOR, DOCTOR! I cried,

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:11 pm

21. Board Game: Caught-Cha! [Average Rating:5.58 Unranked]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

how did I get CAUGHT

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:52 pm

22. Board Game: Dominion [Average Rating:7.96 Overall Rank:10]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

in this disease's DOMINION?

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:12 pm

23. Board Game: Stronghold [Average Rating:7.46 Overall Rank:194]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

It has me in a STRONGHOLD and

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:13 pm

24. Board Game: Walk the Plank [Average Rating:5.49 Overall Rank:6340]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

I feel like I'm walking the PLANK!

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:14 pm

25. Board Game: Twilight Struggle [Average Rating:8.32 Overall Rank:1]

denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

I knew this would be my greatest STRUGGLE...

0 comments

Posted Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:15 pm

23 comments [Hide]

Post Comment

Matt Davis

(coolpapa)

United States
Upland
California

What's a dame to do? Keep fighting, just like you have been, with your head up and thousands of fellow 'geeks standing with you.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Posted Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:59 am
- Choose your Dice
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Show 18 more comments...

Carol Matar

(Matarc)

United States
Missouri City
Texas

Who would have thought that a story could have been told by games...sort of how the musical "Mamma Mia" was put together so eloquently with Abba songs...bravo Denise!

My prayers are with you during your struggle and know that I am there for you as well.

Posted Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:15 pm
- Choose your Dice
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  - d100
  - Help
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Mac Mcleod

(maxo-texas)

United States
houston
Texas

Very clever Denise!
See you soon!

Posted Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:52 am
- Choose your Dice
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denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

Matarc wrote:

Who would have thought that a story could have been told by games...sort of how the musical "Mamma Mia" was put together so eloquently with Abba songs...bravo Denise!

My prayers are with you during your struggle and know that I am there for you as well.

Thanks, GirlFriend! Again - Thanks to Joseph for the idea and Rob & Christine for getting it started for me!

Shoulda known you'd find a way to through a musical reference in there *LOL*

Posted Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:33 pm
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denise d

(lily_bloomers)

United States
Spring (N. Houston)
Texas

maxo-texas wrote:

Very clever Denise!
See you soon!

Mac Daddy... cool

Thanks for the support!

Edited Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:37 pm
Posted Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:35 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote