Party for Pottebaum - More Thank You's!

Stacy Nelson and Me

Crystal Crowley, Colin Hogan and Megan Misterek
I have known Colin and Megan since elementary school.

Kelly and Jeremy Robson
They just had twin boys in March...
doesn't Kelly look great?!

Kelly Robson and Gretchen Chace
I have known this ladies since Jr. High and we
are still great friends today!

Me, Crystal Crowley and Emily Gardels
Crystal and her husband donated food from their restaurant
HuHot Mongolian Grill and Crystal used her talents decorating the entire place!

One of my best friends Emily Gardels and her boyfriend Nick
flew in from Chicago.  Emily donated A LOT of
the auction items...she works at Macy's in Chicago
so she got some GOOD STUFF!

Gretchen and Jeff Chace...
They just had a baby Boy October 24!
Welcome to the world Jack Andrew =)

Megan Misterek and Mike Livesay

Me and Lori Armiger

 Thank you again for coming out to support us!  We are so fortunate to have such great friends!=)

Chemo #10 / Thank you-Party for Pottebaum Part 3

Today, my good friend Crystal was going to take me to chemotherapy.  Unfortunately she was unable to come, as her mother Vickie passed away unexpectedly a week ago from today.  Vickie was a wonderful person to be around.  I remember going to their house all the time in high school and always feeling welcome.  Vickie always took the time to sit with us to chit chat about life, school and of course boys!  She always had a smile on her face and laughed all the time.  Please keep Crystal and her family in your prayers to get through this difficult time. 

Vickie Lynn Hayden

Age 58, June 20, 1953- Aug 25, 2011

Omaha. Preceded in death by parents, Frank and Mary Cunningham; and brother, Charles "Butch" Cunningham. Survived by children, Michelle Hayden, Crystal (Brendan) Crowley, Nicholas (Janie) Hayden; 5 grandchildren; and friends.

MEMORIAL GATHERING Tuesday, August 30, 6-8pm at Braman Mortuary, 72nd St. Chapel. Private Inurnment. Memorials can be directed to the American Cancer Society . Visit http://www.bramanmortuary.com/ to leave a condolence.

BRAMAN MORTUARY - 72nd St. Chapel
1702 N. 72nd St. 402-391-2171

My mother was so kind to step in and take me instead.  I can't thank my mother enough for all of her love, compassion and help she has given to me through cancer treatment and my life in general.  I talk to her at least once a day because I value her opinion and advice.  I am not sure what I would do without her which is why I am so sad for Crystal and her family.  She was so close to her mother like me and not to have my mother in my life would leave a huge hole in my heart.  My heart aches for all of them as I know they will miss her so much.

Me and my Mom

Thank you for our new necklaces Heather!

I asked my mom to take a picture of me and Lyndsey....

let's just say she needs a little instruction on how to take pictures.

She had the camera facing the wrong way ...this is me making fun of her =)

Love you Momma!

Me and my friend Lyndsey

She stops by when she is out and about during the week day.

I always look forward to seeing her face every Thursday.

God works in mysterious ways and He takes our loved ones unexpectedly on his terms for a reason.  I do believe that Vickie is smiling and laughing from Heaven and will act as a guardian angel for her family until it is time for them to reunite again.

As for my mother she will start her journey next week.  Her surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7th at 8 a.m. in the morning.  Dr. Reilly the general surgeon will perform a double mastectomy while Dr. Montag will do the reconstruction at Methodist Hospital.  The surgery should take 4-5 hours.  Please pray the surgery is successful in removing the cancer forever and for a speedy recovery.

Love you Mom!

Thank you to my Aunt Vicky (who ironically shares the same birthday and name (Vicki Lynn) as Crystal's mother) for the Chicken Soup for the Soul CD's.  I listen to them whenever I am in my car and I am learning more then ever God has his hand in everything we do.

Thank you to my mother and father's friends.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know you and your children.  You have all been so supportive and constant cheerleaders not only for me but for my mother and our entire family.  Thank you for your friendship and love. =)

My mom, Sister Angie, Barb Panzer

My Uncle Terry, Sister Angie and Dad



 
 Joan and John Allen

Jayne and Bill Westering, John Allen, Me, Alex Wolf and Tom Wolf

 

Emily Westering and Me

Tom Wolf and Betty Bode

Molly Hunter with her newest addition Lainey!

Congratulations to you and Mark!

Nancy and Joe Pawlowski

Pam and Terry Penke

Rosy Conrad and Ron Brown

Jan Brown and Nicole Harrington

Nicole and Ben Harrington

I didn't get a picture of Katy Bode and her mom Deanna Wolf

So I took this pic from her facebook page.  Halloween a year ago.

John Bode and Matt Jetter

John and Katy just added to their family!  Welcome to the world Kate Jane Bode!

Betty Bode, Me and Shannon Butler

Sue Peterson, My mom, Betty Bode

Bruce Bode, Alex and Angela Wolf

Bill and Amy Westering

Tom Wolf, Bob Peterson and Bruce Bode

Carol Long and Nancy Pawlowski

John and Lynn Lohse

Not Pictured:

Linde Ringling

Jerry and Mary Anne Grace

Butch and Carol Long

Rosy and Wally Conrad

Mary Jo and Bill Ellis

Barb and Jim O'Brien

Pam Sloan

Butch and Allyn Harper

Matt and Jen Fehringer

 MORE to COME!

Party For Pottebaum - THANK YOU! Part 1

Thank you to the following companies who helped make Party for Pottebaum a success!

Thank you Brad and Jacque Bailey

Thank you to Eric and Nikki Crouch

Thank you to Brendan and Crystal Crowley

Thank you to Brendan and Crystal Crowley



GP Industries





Thank you to Nicki and Neal McMahon
If you would like to order a t-shirt (pictured below)
call 402-933-5551
www.bigfrog.com/omaha

Thank you to all our friends and family who made this night possible!!

(If I forgot to mention someone please let me know so I can add you)

Emily Gardels, Brendan Crowley, Lauren Gardels, Jill Dolnicek, Jason & Chrissy Bailey, Rick & Judy Delperdang, Jane Paulsen, Sean & Carey Keenan, Shine Day Spa, Relax the Back, HM Studio, Salon Nail Experts, Curves, Lifetime Fitness, Tiburon Golf Club, Tara Hills Golf, LA Custom Designs, Lia Sophia, Braasch Dentistry, Haute Bauble, 14Karat, Linda Quist, Chocolate Peacock, Scentsy, Jose Fonseca, GCR Tire, Lyndsey & Jerid Foster, Curtis Foster, Jeremy & Kelly Robson, Tan Image, Lori Armiger, Tammy Braasch, Jeff Bailey, Blue80.com, Lisa McAvoy, Tom Hartlieb, Christy Bargstadt, Bungalow/8, Katie Harrower, Leah Buller, Troy & Andrea Saunders, Tara Ross, Barb Brady, Eileen's Colossal Cookies, Stacy Nelson, Mary Ann Grace, Al Recker, Alex & Angela Wolf, Chad & Leslie McMahon, Nicki McMahon, Katy & John Bode, Tom & Misti Wolf, Tom & Deanna Wolf, Bruce & Betty Bode, Jean Stearman, Joan Allen, Jen Fehringer, Lamars Donuts, Runza, Kelly's Little Signers, Baby Blue Sushi, Kona Grill , Amanda Fish Photography, Megan Miller Collection Nail Polish, Sugar Blossom Photography, LA Custom Designs Teri Adams, Christy Bargstadt, Wild Tree, Jane Stearman, A Tiskett A Taskett, Lisa Nimrick, Megan Gutsgell, Union Pizzeria, Vodoo Lounge and their staff.

Last but certainly not least...Erica McMahon, Jacque Bailey and Crystal Crowley for organizing the event.

Erica, Me and Jacque

Me, Crystal and Emily Gardels



 I wanted to shoot a video for this event but I didn't get any video!  I was so busy talking to everyone who showed up for the party.  If I had shot the video it could be the movie of my life.  Friends and family came from my entire journey here on earth.  Friends from my past, present and new friends I plan to nurture and cherish in the future. It was and will always be extremely touching and now as I reflect it brings tears to my eyes.  You all have touched my soul and shaped me in to the person I am today and I will never know how to repay you for your generosity and kindness.  I do plan on paying it forward when I am finished with treatments and I am healthy again.  I will help another cancer patient by organizing a benefit for them next year or two.

I know it has taken me a while to write this thank you but I want to make sure I include everyone who showed their support.  It may take me three or four posts to recap the entire night.  So if you don't see your name in this post it is being created and will be posted soon.=)

I will say that I did not get home until 2:30 AM!  I haven't stayed up that late in years!  I do apologize because I feel like I tried to speak to everyone but did not have a full conversation with anyone.  I wish I could have spoken to each and everyone of you longer and more in depth.  If I didn't get to you it was not on purpose...I was overwhelmed with the amount of friends and family who came to support us.  But I will try to include each of you over the next week or two with a story of how we met or how you have touched my soul.  All I do know is this has been such a humbling experience and I am so thankful that God put you in my life at this time.  You have helped me, Steve and Olivia in so many ways.  We can focus on my recovery and not have to worry about finances.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The room was decorated in pink with flowers and candles.  Food from HuHot, Stokes, Union Pizzeria and dessert from Eileen's cookies lined an entire wall at the Vodoo Lounge.

I am starting at the beginning with the Kirchner's. Chuck came too but he was talking to someone when I took this picture. We lived in the same neighborhood with the Kirchner's starting from the time I was 3 years old until I was seventeen. Stephanie was my sister's age and our families spent a lot of time together, and took a few trips to the Lake of the Ozarks.  I also remember going to visit them in Colorado when they moved. I was taken back when I saw them for the first time.  It had been years since I have seen them...maybe 15 or 20.  WOW!  Thank you so much for coming it was great to see you! =)

Kathy Kirchner, my mom and Stephanie (Kirchner) Welsh



I did not get all the "Boat People's" picture but the Kirchners, Traynor's, Holm's, Sanford's, Bonella's, Nearman's and Anderson's would travel for ten days to the Ozarks once a year for about 10 years and go boating every Sunday at Fremont Lakes.  I have such fond memories of these people I will never forget the wonderful times we had together at Bass Point, always making a stop at the Ozark BBQ, Troy and Brenda doing all the girls hair and make up before going out, sneaking all of us kids in the "Adult Only" Club House, making human pyramids for photo opps, ski competitions, para sailing, blue banana rides and the famous knee boarding competition between Dave Bonella and Terry Traynor and the many milestones we reached while growing up together.

Thank you to the Holm's, Traynor's, Sanford's and Bonella's who made it out Saturday! 

Chuck, Mike and Ruth Holm
I also spent a lot of time with the Holm's and traveled
with them to University of South Dakota.  Mike went to college there
and they had a huge party and talent show.  Such a fun night!
Ruth and Chuck were also my host couple at my wedding.

Marie Bonella &Wayne

The Traynors!  ( I took this off of Terry's Facebook=)
Keep the Traynor's in your prayers.  They lost their wife/mother/
grandmother, Linda to cancer just a little over a year ago.
Dan and I went to high school and college together. 
He always looked out for me at the Lamda Chi House especially
my freshman year...just make sure I didn't get in to trouble =)
Thanks Dan!

Terry, Tracy & Brenda Sanford
(I took this from Tracy's facebook)
Brenda told me their son Troy got engaged!
Congratulatulations!

THIS IS ONLY PART 1.....MORE TO COME!