What a WONDERFUL WALK

What a beautiful day for a walk! The turnout was amazing! Family, friends, and friends and family of family and friends!! (Yes - I DO think that is a sentence if you read it carefully!) We had just a wonderful time!

This walk is indeed more of a stroll than a walk. That gives for the most amazing opportunity to just be with and visit with those that we know and love.

THANKS - THANKS - THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

To all of you who supported us in so many ways!!! Your thoughts, prayers, support by walking, working on all of the many projects, your generous financial support, - oh my gosh the list is endless in the THANKS that we would like to offer you.

We are already full of ideas and excited about next year!!! YEP! Next year!!!

But first - we are going to take a break for the holidays!

Next year we hope to have a few FUNdraisers - and who better than the Baranowsky's to put the FUN in FUNdraiser?!?!?!

We are looking forward to a STAMP out MS - paper crafting event, a dinner/silent auction, more support from corporate sponsors, and the yard sale!

We will get an update to you on the money we raised as soon as all of it is updated and tallied. People were donating right up to the last minute!

BLESSED WE ARE INDEED!!!!!!

WE GOT A TENT!!!

YEAH US!!!
Our team
Christy's Mission Squad
won a tent for the walk!

We are thrilled about this because it will make our day SO much easier!!!!

THIS SATURDAY IS THE BIG DAY!!!!

Registration Starts at 6:30 AM
Walk begins promptly at 8:00
Please try to be there by 7:15!!!!
That will give us enough time to check in and get a

GROUP PICTURE!!!!

(This is a treasure that Christy did not get last year.
We REALLY want to make sure that we have one for her this year!!!!!!)

If you are walking with us, the start/finish line is located at SRP's headquarter parking lot at:
1600 N. Priest Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85281

Free parking is available across from the start/finish line at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium Parking Lot.

Directions to Phoenix Municipal Stadium Parking Lot:
Loop 202 to Priest Drive; north on Priest to Project Drive (1 block south of Van Buren Street); go west on Project Drive to parking lot.

When you arrive at the parking lot, it will be really easy to see where to go. (It really is simple - a "no brainer" - we were sort of all freaked out about it last year...really - super easy!)

Once you enter the area where the walk is, because we have a TENT, (yeah us!) there will be a special place for our team to check in back by the tents. Our Christy's Mission Squad banner will be on our tent.


If you have any trouble locating us, please just call Deanna at 480-221-8794, or Christy at 480-203-3809. We are usually not a very difficult group of people to find. :)

Be sure to wear your shirt if you already have one. If not, we will be handing them out as soon as you get there. If you did not get a shirt ordered, please try to wear PINK!

We are SO excited to be walking with you this year.

Thanks for joining us!!!

Deanna
Christy's Mission Squad
"Team Mom"

LETS GET A TENT!

Donate Friday, October 24th to Christy's Mission Squad! We are trying DESPERATELY to win a contest with the most donations submitted on Friday to win a tent for our team.

The TENT is the greatest thing! It gives us a place to Meet and Greet before and after the walk, makes registration easier, and even supplies us with much needed SNACKS! :)

To sign up to walk, or to donate, just click on the link on the right hand side of the page - JOIN CHRISTY'S TEAM.

Hope to see you all there!

Stories and UPDATES

Greetings!

This morning I was sending an email to a dear friend who I have not been in contact with for quite some time. As I started to get her caught up on our last couple of years, the email began to read like a book. LIGHT BULB - I will just put Our Stories and the Update on Christy on the Christy's Mission Squad Blog, and she can go there and get all up to speed on this part of our life.

So - below are Our Stories which were posted on the National MS Society website. I decided to include the Update on Christy that I sent out awhile back. People quite often ask about Christy. What a way to keep everyone in the loop - a BLOG! WOW - just gotta LOVE this concept.

Love to you all!!!

Deanna

Update on Chrsity

If you asked Christy “How are you doing?” she would simply answer, ” Pretty good, some days are worse than others. The heat is a killer!”

And for the most part, I would agree that is what I see.

The heat is a HUGE issue here in Arizona where 110-degree days are not uncommon and the summer seems to never end. Some days are worse than others, and those are the days that you will never hear a complaint from Christy unless you can read her face – like only a mother can.

The past year has been a mixture of blessing and concern. We are indeed blessed that Christy has had no major episodes with her MS!!! But the daily grind of the disease is evident. It’s like the hurricane has not come in, but the waves are constantly pounding at and eroding the shore.

We found an AWESOME neurologist this year thanks to our dear friend Mary Ann!! For that, we are so blessed. Our PA – Sabrena, who initially diagnosed this disease, continues to be an ongoing source of answers and support. With MS, you are never quite sure if what is going on with you is the MS or something else. Having her on our “TEAM” is an invaluable gift!

The once weekly shot that Christy takes – Avonex seems to be beginning to take its toll on her. For the last 4 or 5 weeks, the shot process and the “flu like” symptoms have really seemed to escalate. We are working towards a better solution for that.

Christy’s body aches more and more all the time. Right now she is dealing with a lot of pain in one of her feet. Is that the MS? Or is it something else? The aches, the pains, the cognitive issues, the fatigue...they are all just part of MS each and every day.

OK – enough about Christy! What about ME? HA!

I WANT TO FIND A CURE FOR MS!!!! In this year, we have had the opportunity to not only meet, but also really get to know and become friends with many others that have this devastating disease. A real awakening comes every 2 months in our “No Boys Allowed” evening. (Sponsored by the MS Society...I’m telling you...this group is amazing and GREAT!) Here we are in a room with 50 or more ladies all living with MS. Some of them walk unassisted, and a great many others are in wheelchairs. What a double-edged sword this night is for me. I LOVE the women! I LOVE their courage! I LOVE their humor! The camaraderie and the friendship are priceless. I HATE MS. I hate seeing the probable future for my daughter in the hearts, eyes, souls, and wheelchairs of these women.

I am in a race! I am in a race to do everything I can to help MS be cured before it can take my daughter to that point. Research is the key – and there is lots of it going on thanks so much to so many of YOU who donate you time, prayers, and money to the MS Society.

I watched Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain come together last night as they spoke about National Service. What I heard last night was that through sharing, caring, and work, much could be accomplished.

The MS Society is all about that. Their service to us this year has educated and brightened our lives in so many ways. Many others share in this blessing.

Thanks for taking the time to read an update about Christy. Thanks for caring. Thanks to all of you for being there for us!!!

Lots of Love!!!

Bob and Deanna Baranowsky

The MS Society gifted Christy with box seat tickets to the Diamondbacks game that had been donated to them. The gift was a thank you for all of her work and dedication to her team Christy’s Mission Squad and the Walk on the Wildside.

Christy became an Aunt for the first time September 6th, 2008!
That makes Bob and Deanna Grandparents!
Welcome to Anthony Baranowsky
And Congratulations to Eric and Jennifer!

Christy's Story

On May 24th, after a month of testing and uncertainty, our initial fears were confirmed. I was diagnosed with MS. It was then I began a journey that I could have never imagined.

A significant loss of my eyesight - literally overnight, a left hand that just would not do what my brain would tell it to do, and the left side of my face drooping, were greatly improved with an initial IV treatment of steroids administered from my home. Oh my gosh - Is this REAL? Is this going to be my life? Those were some of the thoughts and questions I was dealing with.

I began Avonex treatment which is a once weekly intramuscular injection that leaves me with minor flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and basically takes me away from my life for about 24 hours.

As the Arizona summer heat rose to the 110 degree mark, the effects on my MS were overwhelming. Fatigue simply took over my life. A walk from the car to the grocery store became practically impossible. The doctor provided me forms to receive a handicapped placard for my car, and when I noticed that it was marked “permanent”, another little piece of my reality sunk in.

That seems to be how this journey is. A little piece of reality followed by another. I deal with and learn more about MS each and every day of my life.

Like many people with MS will tell you...some days are just better than others. I didn’t really understand that until I began to live it.

Research into MS promises hope for a CURE!!! Please join me on my MISSION to raise money for a cure.

Your support in walking, donating, or keeping me in your prayers are all valued gifts to me.

Christy Baranowsky
Team Captain
CHRISTY’S Mission Squad

Deanna's Story

Easter Sunday, 2007 was a wonderful day. I would have never imagined that the day would be the end of a “before”…and a beginning of an “after”. Before MS and after MS.

We enjoyed the day like we had so many times before with family. Christy seemed to be struggling a bit with a cold or possibly allergies. It was really no big deal and she enjoyed the day thoroughly.

Two days later, she called me to tell me that she was having trouble with her eyesight. “Mom, I just can’t see.” We went to our doctor, and she got Christy started on some allergy medications. Spring in Arizona can be just horrible on the allergies! “This should clear it up for you Christy. If not, just give us a call back.”

Thursday came with no improvement of her eyes. An examination showed that Christy’s eyesight had changed dramatically. And basically overnight. She was offered no real explanation for it other than “Sometimes that just happens.”

Christy knew then, at some level, that something was just not right. It did not all add up. She told me that she could handle just about anything, but she really did not want to go blind. And then she would giggle the Christy giggle! (To know Christy, is to know the giggle!) It concerned me, but I just figured that she had not been noticing her eyesight changing and that it was indeed just something that “sometimes just happens”.

Monday morning, Christy called me from work. “Mom, I’m losing it physically, mentally, and spiritually.” Those were her exact words and I don’t think I will ever forget them. “What’s up?” I asked. “Mom, now my left hand is going crazy. It just will not do what my brain tells it to do.” “Let’s do LUNCH!” I suggested. I just HAD to get my eyes on my baby!

At lunch I thought I saw the left side of her face drooping. Now I’M losing it! NO it can’t be. No way. That just does not make sense. She could not use her left hand.

“You need to go see the Dr. - NOW!” I “requested”. She claimed she was too busy and would go on Thursday. So - maybe it was all in my head. Her face is ok…right? Oh my gosh!! What is happening? Is my 24-year-old daughter having a stroke or something? Thursday was a long wait.

As she “bounced” (to know Christy is to know her bounce too!) into my house on Thursday, she popped herself in front of my bathroom mirror and said “Mom, LOOK! My face is drooping too!” Tipped back her head and did the Christy giggle! I was glad it was time to go see the Dr.

Sabrena, (our nurse practitioner…AKA “Dr.”) took one look at Christy and said, “Christy, your face is drooping.” With a bit of an examination, she excused herself from the room and went to confer with Dr. Green and do a bit of research.

We are blessed to have a “Sabrena” in our lives. I don’t know how we would have done this without her. She came into the room, sat down and just said it. Christy, I think you have MS. She went on to offer us lots of hope if that did indeed end up being the final diagnosis.

A lot of testing later, the fear that this could be cancer, the unknown of MS, the tears, the anger, the THIS CAN NOT BE HAPPENING TO MY CHRISTY!, and all of the many other things that we experienced the following month all came together when we were greeted with the final diagnosis of MS. We felt some relief that it was not cancer, a bit armed that we had a lot of information on MS, and yet I still deal with the sadness and at times…frankly the anger that my daughter must face so much uncertainty in her life.

As difficult as this is, we actively look for the gifts that we have been given.
Appreciating each healthy day, meeting new people who have walked this walk, being reminded so often of the love of those around us. Our family, our friends and band friend family, our neighbors, and so many others. Without these beautiful people in our lives, I don’t know how we would have walked through this. Their CONSTANT contact, support, and care for us is the true meaning of Love.

Many of you know our story well. Many of you have walked our story with us and will forever be in our hearts and souls. Wanna walk some more??? ☺

On the right hand side of this blog is a link where you can sign up for Christy's Mission Sqauad Team and walk again with us this year in the Walk on the Wild Side. We would LOVE to see you there.

We love you!!!

Deanna, Bob, Christy, Eric, Jennifer, Rae, Anthony, Danny, Andy & Ashley

Yard Sale Success!

OH MY GOSH!

What a great, great success the yard sale was for the Walk on the Wild Side!

We brought in over $1,000.00 between sales and donations! AMAZING!!!!

We are not done yet! We have a few things that did not sell. We are looking for the best way to share those bargains with someone!

There is NO WAY to thank all of the people that helped make this possible. The day before the sale, my house was filled to the rafters with goodies! Thanks to SO MANY that donated the stuff that filled the house.

Thursday, Christy's "Tia" - Sylvia, Shannon, Jennifer, (with Anthony in tote) Christy, JC, and I sorted and priced all day long and well into the night.

Friday night, at 7:00 our dear friends who were coming from out of town to help with the sale called from Payson saying they were running a bit late. They were driving all over Payson from friend to friend’s homes to get stuff for the sale! Amazing or what!!!!

It's their entire fault that I sat up until 1:00 AM Saturday morning enjoying the heck out of them.

5:00 Saturday AM came fast and let me tell you - it was a complete ZOO!!! Oh my gosh! We had droves and droves of people. "If you sell it - they will come" was certainly our motto for the day!

Friends and family worked all day.

Andy, JC, Christy, Donna, Sylvia, Kirsten, Bob, Christi Lee, Byron. Oh my gosh - you have never seen an army of so few do so much!

Another gift we just have to mention here. Our neighbors. They are the BEST. We already knew that - but some of you might not! We here on Downing Circle have one of the neatest little "things" going on. We love all of you!

And then our "Special Guest" HA! If she knew I was going to write this she would KILL ME!

"Our" Sabrena. Our Sabrena came to visit our sale, buy a couple of goodies and make a donation to the MS Society.

Who is "our" Sabrena? Sabrena is the PA that diagnosed Christy. It is a gift when someone is blessed with a Sabrena to deliver news like that. We know that and we are eternally grateful to her. She will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

Bob and I could not help but reflect the next day. We remain in total and complete awe. The constant word that comes from our lips is "BLESSED". We are indeed blessed!

Thank you to EACH AND EVERY one of you that made this possible.

To all of you who donated, helped, shopped, encouraged, or just showed up to see Christy and give her a hug!

We love you all!!!!!

Now for the fun stuff – some pictures to share!

Goodies have come our way!

Thanks so much to our generous friends and family! Goodies are starting to pour in! Angela and Sharon - OH MY GOSH! You guys rock! All of the neat stuff you have donated. Lynn and Lana are bringing treasures and Jamie will be here tonight with stuff. Sylivia is coming tomorrow to bring some goodies and to help us sort and price along with other great friends.

Shannon will be here helping tomorrow - and she has been digging in her closets for stuff!

Kirsten is going to be baking GOODIES and helping tomorrow too. (Kirsten has a very special and unique understanding of Christy's situation. She actually did a study where she allowed them to give her the same drug that Christy takes once a week and VOLUNTARILY took that shot and all of the after effects that come with it. It's people like Kirsten who make a cure for MS possible!!! Kirsten is a very dear person in our lives!)

Jennifer is trying to get together goodies but claims that my perfect brand new grandson is wanting to be held instead of helping her clean out closets. Now imagine that! A 2 week old baby wanting to be held! I think she is going to bring Anthony over tomorrow to help Grandma get this thing off the ground!

Donna is going to be helping Saturday and has even given me her FRONT YARD to spill over onto. Now how is THAT for neighbors?!?!

Christi Lee and Byron are even coming down from Payson to help us on Saturday. WOW! What can we say about the great friends & family we have? Except - they are GREAT!

Aiden and Liam have been over here all day helping Aunt Dee. They are the greatest and we have had a blast. Thanks for nap time so Aunt Dee can hit the computer to get things done.

ANDY is a saint! He has been out picking up stuff and bringing me stuff. He is just the BEST! Thanks Andy!

And then there is Grandpa. The grandpa that never stops! He is donating and rounding up stuff for us to use to pull this thing off. We do indeed have the best Papa ever!

This sale is going to be a BLAST! Come and shop - or still drop off your stuff. We really appreciate all the donations we can get!

If you have no desire to pick through our treasures, stop by and see Christy and the family! We will be serving up the greatest hot dogs ever created. Because JC is the cook!

Hope to see you all here!

Deanna

Yard Sale Update!

OK - We're OFF! This weekend is our official kick off to the Walk on the Wild Side!

This year we are having a yard sale here at our home to benefit MS. All of the proceeds will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society through Christy's Mission Squad!

WE NEED DONATIONS!!!!!

They can be dropped of at the Baranowsky house any time Monday, September 29th - Friday, October 4th.

We are located at 3739 E. Downing Cir. in Mesa, AZ

If we are not home, donations can simply be dropped off out front - or email me at
deanna@whydoiparkhere.com