Day 11...Breathless Mom Fundraiser

Ask NOT and ye shall RECEIVE...

Last summer when I got sick and realized that a double lung transplant was probably coming sooner rather than later, one of my best friends of 25 years asked how she could help. When my only reply to Jessica was "pray for me," she decided to take matters into her own hands and asked my mom to set up a Medical Fund for me. Jessica and her sister Mique are the founders of Queen Bee Market. They ask the amazing vendors who participate in their market to share part of their proceeds with different local charities (that's how they roll... so generous!) They designated my medical fund to be the local charity for their fall 2010 market. I was simply overwhelmed.

As my journey toward transplant progresses, another dear family friend, Heidi Lee, asked my mom if she could also help. She created the "Breathless Mom" 30 day campaign to raise funds for medical expenses in the future. Just as I was overwhelmed with Mique and Jess's thoughtfulness and generosity in organizing and raising funds for me, I have been completely touched and humbled by all Heidi and her team have done for me. I know they have put in so much work and dedication to put the site together and the video together. My dear friend Lori took all the photos of me and my family and Denise Yamada, who covered Lexi's story in the news and has remained a treasured family friend, narrated the video.


I will go into the details of where I am "at" in terms of my health and transplant in a different post soon but the preparations for transplant have begun. I have felt a lot of guidance and peace during the last year and I am hopeful for a healthy, active future! The funds that have been raised have been such a blessing. It is one less thing that I need to stress and worry about as there will definitely be significant medical costs.

What amazes me is that I did not ask for my friends to do this for me, they just perceived a possible future need and took it upon themselves to help (in a MAJOR way!). I guess true friends usually do know what you need before you even ask for it. Incredible. For all who have supported these fundraising efforts, what can I say but thank you?! I feel so loved and blessed. I truly am surrounded by angels who lift me and give me strength, these campaigns have reaffirmed that to me!


Day 11 of the Healthy Home Challenge: Teflon toxicity!

From The Healthy Home book, "At high temperatures, Teflon is known to release potentially hazardous fumes and particles into the air. ...a nonstick pan at just 680 degrees F on a regular electric stove released at least six toxic gases, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants and a chemical that is known to be lethal to humans."

Wowzers! It also talks about how DuPont recommends that birds be removed from the kitchen before cooking with nonstick pans because they have been poisoned with the fumes and have suffocated after their lungs hemorrhage and fill with fluid. YIKES!

My lungs may not be as delicate as those poor little birds' lungs but I don't want to do ANYTHING to harm the 18% lung function I have left!

Today I bought a "green," PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) free skillet. I bought it at Target and it was about $30. I eventually want to replace all of our nonstick cookware but I use the same small skillet a few times a day, so for now, I just replaced the one I use the most. It's a start!

The book's simple solution for someone who must use a PTFE-lined pan is to keep the stove's burner on medium or lower and to never preheat an empty pan.

I have gotten such great feedback on these tips. Please remember to let me know if you are trying any of the healthy home tips and leave your contact info. either in a comment or in an email to sharlie@larsenglobal.com and I will send you The Healthy Home book as a gift!