Geraldine and Vivi
Geraldine is currently undergoing her third ICE chemotherapy treatment session – which lasts three days and is administered in a hospital – and is definitely feeling run down already. She’ll be out after Thursday, and probably out of touch for a bit after that as she recovers from it. I’ll be posting a separate update for everyone once she gets home and begins getting her strength back.
I want to thank everyone for their comments. These all mean so much to her, they keep her going when she feels alone. Please continue to leave comments whenever you can, even if you can’t donate.
Speaking of donations – wow – you guys have really blown everyone’s expectations away. Thank you for your generous contributions. All donations, no matter how small or large, are very much appreciated. At this point, we’ve raised over $4k, and still going strong.
Someone from this site will be posting more details about how the money will be spent, but I wanted everyone to know a few things about their donations. The first is that we’re trying to hire a lawyer or CPA to help us set up a non-profit organization. At this point, none of the money donated has been used for anything, and I believe the reason for this is that Geraldine wishes to make this process completely transparent to her contributors by documenting exactly what the money will be spent on.
Secondly, I’d like for everyone to know that there may be a large cost looming on the horizon for the clinical trial she is undertaking in the near future (the double autologous transplant). Part of this transplant may not be covered by the insurance company, leaving her with an approximate $50,000.00 bill. When I have more info on this, I will let everyone know, and we will set a clear fundraising goal for this procedure.
Lastly, we’ve all decided on what will happen after she’s free and clear of cancer. Geraldine and her friends will attempt to form an official non-profit charity to help others in their time of need. One idea that has been tossed about has been to help others that face these types of extreme illnesses. Another idea is to release the code for the donation and tracker widgets as free, open source modules so that others can use these tools for their fundraising efforts. These are just concepts at this point but it is in our plan to do something with this site and any money left over once she has won this fight.
When Geraldine can’t update you, one of us will. Please keep checking back, please keep those encouraging comments coming, and please forward this site on to others.
Thank you
FriendsofGeraldine.org
Friends of Geraldine 
I really wish I could donate right now. Between being out of work for close to 3 months and now hurricane Ike hitting us and loosing power for 12 days I just can’t. I will though as soon as we are back on our feet here in Texas.
Hello Geraldine,
Yes, you are in a “chemo coma” as you call it today, but you will soon be back on your feet. You have been through the ICE before, and you know you have a great amount of support from your friends. It is remarkable that thanks to the web, people from all over the world can send their encouragement. That connection offers a powerful therapy of a different kind. We are all with you in one way or another. We look forward to hearing from you when you are well enough again for your fingers to dance on the keyboard.
Say hello to Vivi for me.
Love,
Harvey
Giga,
I had a GREAT time with ya this week! As soon as you are feeling up to it let me know and I will bring the boys to visit you. I am sure you can go for one of Nick’s dramatic stories. 🙂
Love ya!
Mare
Hi Boo –
Love you always and hope you transition home smoothly today. I have been listening to your music. It moves me. I wish I could take your pain away.
Love, Allie
hey there…
i hope that you are feelin ok tonight! i was just thinkin about you cause i was trying to think of how to say something in french and i thought about you and smiled! 🙂 well i hope you get to read here often and are smiling at all these crazy folks thinkin about you! 😛
Hi
I want to donate and I could possibly collect some money for you. Is there any way I could send you a check instead of using my credit card. I really want to help. Please contact me as soon as you fell up to it. My prayers are with you and your family
Becky
Geraldine,
When I saw you in the office last week I thought how beautiful you looked and I wanted you to know that I will always be there for you if you need me. Remember when you were scared to give birth to Vivi and I called you in the hospital to ask you if it hurt. And I said I told you it would. The funny thing is after a couple of years you forget the pain and only remember how much you love your child. No words can explain the love you feel for them. I only wish you good luck and may god bless you. You’re a strong lady.