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Introduction
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On May 16, 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and spent eight months fighting it with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. All was well until I got sick with a cough in May. My oncologist had me get it checked out in June. The cancer is back, it is aggressive...it has spread to my brain, lung, lymph nodes, etc. It may take my life in the next year. I have a wonderful support system of family, friends, medical staff, and more. It helps me keep a positive attitude. All thoughts, prayers, wishes, hopes, dreams for the rest of my life to be the best it can be are welcomed and greatly appreciated! Because I may not be able to personally contact everyone, I will be sharing all of my updates and more here on this site. |
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Casandra's Blog
Casandra's Blog
Posted on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 00:00 am
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Nashville Memorial Service for Casandra Davis
Memorial Services have been set for Casandra on January 9th, at the Looby Center at 2301 Rosa L Parks Blvd.
You can start Arriving at 5:30pm
Service will start at 6:00pm
We must be out of building by 7:30pm
In Lieu of Flowers Please make Donations to: Sherry's Run.
Donation can be made at any Wilson Bank & Trust, just mention Sherry's Run. By mail to:
Sherry's Run
PO Box 8
Lebanon TN, 37087 Any Questions you can contact Tamara Lampsa at 615-975-1081.
Directions
From Lebanon
Take I-40W to I-24W
Left on Exit 46B, I-65S Memphis/Huntsville
Take Exit 85, Rosa L Parks Blvd, turn to the Right. Go approx 1 mile that will be 10th Ave. Turn Right, The Looby Center/Library.
From Cool Springs/Brentwood
Take I-65N, go left on Exit 82A Memphis/Louisville
Take Exit 208 Lousiville/Clarksville
Exit 85, Rosa L Parks Blvd. Turn to the Left, go approx 1 mile that will be 10th Ave. Turn Right, The Looby Center/Library.
Antioch/Murfreesboro
Take I-24W to Nashville
Left on Exit 46B, I-65S Memphis/Huntsville
Take Exit 85, Rosa L Parks Blvd, turn to the Right. Go approx 1 mile that will be 10th Ave. Turn Right, The Looby Center/Library.
Posted on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 10:00 am
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Memorial Arrangements
Memorial Service is set for Saturday January 5, 2008.
Receiving of Family and Friends from 5 - 8 pm Eastern Time.
Memorial Service from 8 - 9 pm Eastern Time.
In Lieu of Flowers Please make Donations to: Sherry's Run.
Donation can be made at any Wilson Bank & Trust, just mention Sherry's Run. By mail to:
Sherry's Run
PO Box 8
Lebanon TN, 37087 Any Questions you can contact Tamara Lampsa at 615-975-1081.
The Services will be held at: Kyker Funeral Home
350 W Race St
Kingston TN 37763
From Nashville Take 40 East to exit 352, stay right to HWY 70, Rite Aid on your right. Turn Right, up on the right about a half a mile.
From Knoxville, Take 40 West to exit 352, Stay to the right go to HWY 70, Rite Aid on the right, Turn right,up on the right about a half a mile.
Memorial Services have not yet been set for Nashville area, but we are planning one for the following week.
Posted on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 12:00 pm
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Number 17 In Your Program Number 1 In Our Hearts
On January 2, 2008 at 11:15am Casandra passed peacefully to the other side.
She May Be Gone But Never Forgotten!
Posted on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 11:45 am
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Happy New Year
December 31, 2007, 11:45pm.
We turned on Dick Clark's Rockin New Years, so that Casandra could atleast hear the ball drop. We seen about a minute and then it was time for commercials. Now most of you know that Casandra just hates commercials, so her dad told her if we had the tivo we could just fast forward thru it, then the of all the commercials, in all the world, on all the channels, it came on. LOST Now Casandra is a huge LOST fan, and that is one thing written in her book for January is to watch Lost on Jan. 31, if she does not make it to the premiere, atleast she got this season's trailer.
We watched 2008 come in, kisses all around, and took comfort in the fact that she got to see 2008.
Posted on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 08:00 am
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December 31, 2007
Casandra has spent the day resting as she has for the past few days. She is developing some swelling, which they say is water retention, from all the fluids that she has been given over the past days. We are continuing to talk to her, tell her how much we all love her, and relaying any and all messages that come her way.
Over the past few days, we have had such an outpouring of Love and Support coming her way it is unbelievable. I know that she has meant so much to so many people that she has met either thru school, work, softball, poker, and whatever other outlets that she has had. So I would ask everyone to continue with there Prayers and Well Wishes. We will continue to read any and all messages that come her way, and we hope that if she touched your life in anyway you would send her a message, even if you have not spoken in years.
Over the past few days the family and I have spent a lot of time just talking and telling different stories about her life, things that we remember, and will always remember. Well this afternoon we went thru her planner looking at the different things that she has done this year. As you know Casandra is very detail orientated, it it was planned, it was in her planner, from major business meetings, to watching Lost and 24 on television with me over dinner. I thought since the New Year is fast approaching, i would recap some of the things that cd did for fun and excitement this year.
One of her favorite activities was scrapbooking, and she had all her scrapbooking dates in there, whether it be with her Best Friend Marci, my daughter Ashley, or her Mamaw, it always made her happy.
The Casino!! Everyone knows the girl loves the casino and the poker rooms. She made a few trips to Tunica, with Family and Friends. If it wasn't Tunica, it was Ceasar's in Indiana. She made that trip with her friend Linda, and it quickly became her favorite, she could not quit talking about the beds.
Many weekends you could find her sitting around a table with friends, and a few foes, playing at various locations, making more friends. She has made some very close friends over the last couple of years plalying poker, actually to many to name.
We made a trip to Gatlinburg for my birthday and just made a weekend out of it, including a visit to her Mamaw, and her God-Parents Reese and Polly for Casandra's favorite Lasagna. They gave us tickets to Dollywood that we used with them and her family the day before Thanksgiving. Casandra even rode roller coasters with her mom and brother.
That really is about all i can remember of the things that cd loved to do, every now and then she would dabble in a little Sofball. If there was ever anything that could make her happy it was around February when things were getting fired up again. You all know that Softball was her passion. The night of her last game this summer we was having a snack, Shoney's Hot Fudge Cake", and she cried, because it was the end of her career. She played a couple of games this fall, and got a chance to play at Disney with Fusion, they even named her MVP. Everyone that she has played with or against, should know that she will not forget you, you have all impacted her in some way just as she has you.
The year also seen friends having babies, Angie, Lisa, Shannon, and Marci, brought us Josie, Zoie, Eisley and Kerrigan. Four Beautiful Baby girls that brought a smile to her face.
Of course, who could forget the trip to New York to see "Grease". I know that is 3 hours that she did not think anything about the cancer.She also took the Seinfeld Tour while we were there and she enjoyed it as well.
The Hockey game that we attended with Acuff and Associates, Casandra got to sit between the 2 teams on Center Ice, it was another outstanding evening.
I know that there is probably many more things i forgot, dinners with family, various game nights, and just hanging with her friends. I just wanted to share some Joy that she had this year and ensure everyone that her year was not all bad.
From all of us here, we wish all of you a Very Happy New Year!
Posted on Monday, December 31, 2007 at 5:00 pm
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December 30, 2007
I apologize for not getting this on earlier, but we had some computer difficulties, and passing the computer around so everyone could check and send some e-mails out today.
Casandra's condition really made no change over the past day. The Hospice nurse has been coming in and making sure that Casandra is staying comfortable. She was given a bath yesterday, got on some clean clothes, and was put on an air mattress, which is supposed to help with bed sores.
The family have been sitting around just telling stories from Casandra's childhood and such, and pretty much celebrating her life.
This morning, they came in and brushed her teeth, and she wasn't overly happy about it. She has been having some terrible bouts with dry mouth over the past few weeks from medication, and since she has been here, we have been swabbing her mouth to try and keep it moist. With them cleaning her mouth today, they said it would help her relax as well. She has continued her breating treatment, to help keep some moisture in her mouth and throat. She really seemed to be resting better today than she has since we have been here.
She was visited by her Aunt Martha and Cousin Missy today from Knoxville. On Christmas Eve they made plans to get together today and look at scrapbooks and do some scrapbooking, since that could not be done, they drove up and visited with her and the family, and they also shared some stories.
I will report more to everyone tomorrow afternoon.
Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 11:00 am
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*****DECEMBER 29 UPDATE******
This is kind of a Good News/Bad News type thing. Apparently she is fighting the infection and winning. Her latest blood work shows her white blood cells are increasing. They are saying that this new development will possibly extend her life for upto a month. Good News/Bad News.....You be the Judge.
Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 10:00 am
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Dedember 29, 2007
Good Morning to all.
First off, she has fought on to a new day. I am going to share a couple of things with everyone today that has not yet been shared and try and bring everyone up to speed. I didnt put them on previously because some of it i did not completely understand.
We have all enjoyed the emails that have come in and there has been plenty. We have been reading them to her, a few got her a little emotional and we would stop for a while, but they are greatly appreciated.
Casandra did wake up at one point yesterday for atleast 30 minutes or so, and she was alert and carrying on a couple of small conversations. When I talked to her I let her know that the website has been updated, and that everyone was sending her their Love. I asked her if she loves everyone and she said "I Love Everyone". I wanted to pass that on.
Last thing for now is I will try to fill you in on her condition. Casandra has Pnemonia, and has develped a Staph Infection. They are giving her Antibotics to help, but her blood counts just to low. But she isnt going without a fight.
Hospice has been brought in to help with her medication, they will make suggestions to the Dr's if they feel she is to much pain or not getting enough releif from what they are giving her. They will also provide the family with someone to talk to if we just need to talk as well.
Again, as things change, i will update. I know We are in your Thoughts and Prayers, and it is greatly appreciated.
Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 08:30 am
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December 28, 2007
Well we have some how made it thru another night. Last night was a very emotional night for all. I will not go into all the details, but we were told the end is near.
So we all gathered at her bedside to help her, and ourselves, thru this this anyway we possible could. We made it thru the night, and will prepare to battle the day now.
As everyone knows Casandra has been a fighter thru out this entire battle, and she is fighting right up to the end.
I ask that everyone keep Casandra and her Family in their thoughts and Prayers as you go thru the day.
I will report again later today.
Posted on Friday, December 28, 2007 at 05:30 am
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Fund Raising
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Softball Tournaments/Community
This money has paid insurance premiums and deductibles for 2007.
Getting details together...
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Performance Fueling Specialist/Kroger
$1,000 + To Be Determined from Ticket Sales
An owner of Performance Fueling Specialist has been following my story through her sister, a manager in my mother's Kroger store. A challenge was made that Performance would make a contribution if Kroger matched it. The result is $1,000 already donated and a raffle in progress for a TV and DVD player at the Midtown Kroger store where my father works and the store where my mother works. The raffle tickets are $5 each and are being collected now through December 20th when I will come draw tickets to determine the winner!
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Bowen Construction
$653
My brother and a group of his coworkers went to eat near the Midtown Kroger store where they discovered and discussed my story. I am not sure of the details, but the group bought raffle tickets during/for lunch. Later the operations manager added me to another effort helping 2 other families in need and presented a donation to my brother on Friday, December 14. We have already put this to use building a stairway with rails from my driveway up to my porch. I have gotten weak enough where I cannot climb stairs very well. The ones that were there were fragile. The ones I have now are sturdy and very simple to go up or down. Great work brother, father and all their little helpers!
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Fun
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| I've always been something like 80% work and 20% play. I'm working on 80% play and 20% work now! Here's what I'm into... |
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