Joshua

I have a friend, Joshua Ragsdale, who is battling leukemia. Joshua was given very few options to save his life, basically he was told he needed a bone marrow transplant or there was very little hope. Unfortunately none of his family members were a match for him, so he was referred to BE THE MATCH, which is the bone marrow registry and the desperate search began. His family, his friends, people who don’t even know Joshua became involved by submitting kits to register to be a donor.

I have, along with several of Joshua’s friends, worked for years to raise money for Relay For Life. We have a team and have a wonderful time each spring raising money and participating in this very worthwhile cause. We chose this year to make BE THE MATCH our focus for Relay. So, we contacted them and they supplied us with training and all the supplies we need to administer the kits and register people through BE THE MATCH. We have worked very hard to get the word out and sign people up all the while hoping not just to find a match for Joshua but matches for people like Joshua, who were frantically searching for a match.

Miraculously, a match was found through the registry. A one in 12 million chance, according to Joshua’s doctors. The process was started to prepare for the transplant. Joshua has been at NIH in Maryland for months enduring the treatments to prepare him to receive the transplant. On Monday Joshua was told by his doctors that the donor had backed out of the transplant. He is devastated, we are devastated for him. We are back to square one, again trying to get the word out, trying to change the donor’s heart, trying to find another. Joshua’s doctors tell him they can keep the cells from blasting for about 1 month…odds are not on his side.

Joshua Ragsdale is an amazing person. He is a successful songwriter and an incredible spirit. His words through the darkest of moments are a light to those of us dealing with nothing compared to his struggle.

I am attaching links to BE THE MATCH and to several facebook pages to give you a flavor of this story.
http://www.marrow.org/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=143381280558&ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=143381280558&ref=ts#!/joshua.ragsdale?ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/beth.w.garrett?ref=profile

Please go to the site and register. Please pray for healing, pray for comfort, pray for understanding, pray for a cure. Pray for Joshua.

Moments

I think a lot about living in "the moment", about experiencing life while I am in it. I feel like moments are a bit overwhelming at the moment!

I was definitely in "the moment" when my son woke me in the middle of the night and I opened my eyes to my baby, covered head to toe in blood, saying "Mama, I did something bad and we are hurt." I was in the moment for many hours after that for helicopter rides and ambulances and doctors and emergency rooms, for lots of desperate prayers and for the comfort of great friends and family.

I was in the moment when I had both children's birthdays fall in the same week when I was too broke to buy presents or have parties (see above!).

I was in the moment constantly over these last two weeks as my knee blew up and became the focus of my life, much to my dismay, with no easy option for healing in sight.

I was in the moment on Saturday when I spent a wonderful day on the air and enjoying a great local fundraiser with some of my favorite people in the world, while my sweet Annie was at dance competition with great friends who took care of her while I couldn't. I was definitely in the moment when Annie called to say that she and McKenna had won 1st place for their duo and won a special judges award to boot!

I was in the moment when I spent a few hours on Saturday night relaxing and laughing with Scotty.

And I was in the moment when I woke up worrying once again at 3:00 a.m. worrying about how to make it all work this week, how to pay for everything that needs paying for, be where I'm supposed to be and not let anybody down.

And then I was in the moment when I read my friend Joshua's post on facebook. Joshua is battleing luekemia. His hope for survival is a bone marrow transplant, but there was no match. Miraculously, a match was found, one in 12 million chances, thru Be The Match. Joshua has been thru hell and back to get ready for the transplant and traveled back to NIH yesterday to get ready for the transplant. He got the news today that his donor has backed out and his transplant has been cancelled. Right now I am living in his moment. I can't imagine how he is feeling. I am devastated for him.

I don't really have any eloquent words to express about that moment. I don't understand, there is no one to explain. I don't really know even how to end my post. The moments will continue, time marches on, another moment will come on the heels of every other moment. I pray for Joshua's next moment to be so much better.

Saturday is a BIG Day!

Well, of course, Saturday is always a big day. First, it's the weekend...nuf said. Second, we have our show. The three of us always go to breakfast and go over notes for the show, laugh a lot, then go to the studio and get on the air. It is wonderful stress relieving therapy!

This Saturday, though, we will be on the air all day. We are hosting a BBQ Cook-off and Concert to benefit The Fallen Officer's Association and The Child Advocacy Center. It is going to be a fun day with lots of great food and lots of great music. All of the WDKN radio personalities will be there introducing acts and helping entertain.

We have some really great music lined up and great sponsors too...The Roxy, Hiscall, Leadership Dickson County Class of 2010.

I am hoping for a beautiful day, I have put in my request with the "Lawd" as Kenneth says. I have faith that it is gonna happen.