Update 3/11/2011

Dana Celebrating her MOST special Bday

February 2011

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A Word From Dana:
The recovery from my stroke has been long, but continues on the right path. Since the stroke, however, I have been experiencing side effects that are not related to a stroke related brain injury.  I have been getting dizzy and light headed, wake up with awful headaches and migraines constantly, have little to no short term memory, and my vision has progressively gotten worse since Oct.  Last Tues, I fell.  I fell and smacked my forehead on the hardwood.  Vanessa and I were worried so we went to the doctor to figure out...WTH was going on.  My doc took my some blood, and had me do another C.T. scan.  Well, my blood-work came back OK, but my C.T. scan...not so good.
My primary care doctor and I are getting everything together and on Monday I will be going to a new Neurologist to diagnose the issue and to determine what steps to take from here. As far as work is concerned, I am at for the very least for another month, my doctor wants to keep a close eye on me, and when it is determined what is going on, we will know more.  I want to wait until after Monday to post anything about what was found, so that we can be sure.  Thank you guys so much for your continued prayers and concern.  Please continue to keep me and Vanessa in your daily thoughts and prayers...it seems as though when things start go get a bit better, we find ourselves back a handful of steps. 

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From Yani:
Thanks to the help of Family, Friends and Perfect Strangers Dana was able to keep up with her medical care and living expenses while out of work due to the stroke.  She returned to work on Jan 10th only to have the above incident take place, taking her back out of work.  It's been a roller coaster ride for this friend of ours! 
The Neurologist will cost $300-$350 upfront for the first visit.... No telling yet how many visits or tests to follow, but we do know that the stroke has aggravated this brain defect causing the complications mentioned by Dana and keeping her out of work. 
I am once again sharing her story, in hopes that you will find it in your hearts to help her. If you know Vanessa or Dana you know that asking for help isn't something they do well.  Both have a great deal of pride and have done everything they can to make ends meet, but with this new news they are finding themselves in a struggle.  They can not meet the financial needs of medical help Dana is needing.  I think a friend of Dana's put it best when she said "You are down to choosing between your Pride and your Health".  With exactly those thoughts Dana has had to put her pride second to her needs and asked that I put this blog out once again (not an easy decision for her). 
I realize many of you are already reaching deep into your pockets for other charities which are currently fundraising, I know times are tough and gas is high... Could you imagine what it would be like to have your current financial situation and then be thrown a curve ball like this?  To be fighting for your health without the financial means to, without insurance, without being ALLOWED to work?...  Not easy.  Please know that even a donation of $5 adds up to help cover these medical needs.  Whatever you can! And if you can't, please re-post this blog.  Maybe someone else can. :) God Bless!
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Helping a Doo

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Hello!  My name is Yani, and I am one of the many friends Dana has.  I have set up this blog as a way for all of us to help a friend in need.  Dana is a terrific person who has always been there for each of us that have called on her.  Now is our turn to help her out.

As you may know, earlier this month Dana had a stroke that put her in the hospital for nearly a week.  She underwent numerous test to find the cause of the stroke.... blood test, MRI, CT Scans and more.  Finally the doctors decided the stroke was caused by a combination of hypertension and blood clots.  On Oct 11th Dana was sent home but told she could not go back to work until the Physical Therapy doctors gave her the OK.  On October 15th Dana was told at Physical Therapy she would not be able to return to work for at least 6 weeks.  Dana has temporary loss of mobility of her left side and fine motor skills.  This means that something we all take for granted, like picking up the phone, has now become a challenge for her.  Dana is working hard, doing her exercises both at home and at Physical Therapy, to "show them wrong". 

Now for what you may not know.... Dana does not have health insurance.  The hospitalization, doctor bills, exams, physical therapy and medications will have to be paid out of pocket.  Furthermore, while Dana is out of work she is not receiving an income.  Somehow this girl has not let any of this beat her down.  Her spirits are strong and her hopes are high, just look at her FB posting!  She still smiles and laughs every day. 

So here is what I'm asking of you.  Let's help a Doo out!  None of us can afford to pay all of her bills but we can all afford to donate something.  Even if it's $10, even if you think the donation is too small... do it anyways!  No donation is too small.  Your $10 with other peoples $10 will add up quickly.  Donate any amount you can.  Dana is a great friend to all of us, lets show her we can be great friends too.

Please click on the link below to make a donation
Click Here To Donate To Doo

Click Here To Donate To Doo

Thank You To The Following People For Their Donation:

Carrie Camp

Angel Nelson

Christi Williamson

Mike Rambin

Brandy Barnard

Esther GroupVonGraupen

Raul Rodriguez

Jesse Nichols

Aaron Law

Skye Dorsey

Tara Kirby

Anne Marie Carrington

Nancy Higgins

Carla Campbell

Ashlee Jones

Kim Tyler

Megan & Keith Prazack

Amber Cowan

Lauren Cooley

Stephanie Williams

Michelle Stubblefield

Teresa Quist

Tammi Johnson

Gail Airoldi

Richard Woodham

Dana Duckworth

Diane Linkletter

Wilma Duran

Stephanie Flores

Stefanie Stephens

Lori Lansing

BJ Bennett

Yani Hurst

Rhonda Hollis

Christina Salinas

Ellen Williams

Matt, Jenny and Jack Krystinik

Elizabeth Blair

Stephanie Lee

Reshia Stankiewicz

Stacey Hansen

Sue Carson

Nelda Steart

Stacey Barker

Michael Smith

Mike McGee

Faye Moritz

Marcy, Nicki and the RecycledPomeranians.com

Anton Shaw and Tammy Rowley

Don Currie

*************<3**************

The Day Dana Got Out of the Hospital

UPDATES

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October 20, 2010 @ 7:30am from Vanessa:

I just wanted to stop in and thank everyone that has donated. We are overwhelmed by the love and support shown by everyone!

Dana is in physical and occupational therapy 2-3 times a week now and making progress everyday! Her recovery is going well and she is trying VERY hard to get her strength back in her left side. Her left hand and leg were mostly affected. The therapists are working with her on her fine motor skills to regain function. She still has a lot of work ahead of her but remains positive that she will get through this. BUT...she went from a 0 to a 1 in strength in her left hand yesterday! SO PROUD OF HER!

Thank you to EVERYONE for rallying around her and supporting her! Special thanks to Yani for setting this up for her in order to take away some of the stress of worrying. We are both so overwhelmed and grateful! Dana has remained positive and in good spirits because all of you have shown so much love, kindness, and concern.

I will continue to keep everyone posted. Thanks again for the love, support, visits, and prayers! We are so very blessed.

Love,

Vanessa/Monkey :)

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Monkey & Doo

    Tara & Dana

October 21st, 2010 @ 11:52pm from Yani

Hello Everybody,

I meant to get on here yesterday and give a quick update but.... well life happens and sometimes the clock moves faster than anticipated! HA! Anyways... I have great news to share!

Yesterday afternoon, after Vanessa posted the above, I was talking to Dana found out she had an appointment scheduled with a neurologist she had to cancel because of the lack of insurance.  Remember I shared with you all that Dana doesn't have insurance?  Well a visit to the neurologist was going to be $150 up front JUST to be seen!  This doesn't include any tests they may do or anything else.  The neurologist plays an important role in her recovery, specially getting her fine motor skills back!  The GREAT NEWS is that because of all of your donations she was able to call and reschedule that appointment!  Yay!

Here is some more great news.... In her physical therapy Dana went from a ZERO rating in her hand for strength to a ONE.  This is great stride!  She is working really hard at improving. :) Go Dana! ~ Oh wait! I think Vanessa shared that already, OHHH Well! I'm proud of her accomplishment so I'll share it again!

So many of you have stepped up to help.  Digging deep into your pockets, trading in your morning Starbucks to help a friend, and donating what you could.  Believe me when I say every bit helps!  We have had perfect strangers donate, people neither Dana nor Vanessa know, because of the re-postings of this blog.  It is just amazing! 

Those that couldn't help with money have found other ways to help out. For example, one friend is getting Dana a Wii to play video games on.  This is actually a part of her physical therapy because it gets her to use her hand and forces it to exercise!  Another is checking with her work about helping Dana get an orthopedic boot.  Right now Dana is walking with a cane and was told she would need an orthopedic boot, since she doesn't have insurance this could cost her as much as $400! yikes!  But thanks to a friend she might be able to get it free or at a reduced rate. Cool, huh?  Others are raffling off their services to raise money for Dana!  People are really coming together to help!  It's is very awesome!

The emails, texts, calls and visits help her everyday stay in good spirits! Although she complains that the stroke gave her a side effect of waterworks! lol! I'm sure Dana would log in and tell you all this herself but she doesn't have a computer at home, just Internet thru her cell phone.  This is why I thought I would be bold enough to share with you what she has shared with me.  None of this would be possible without the love and friendships of all of you (and a few strangers).

Thanks! ~ Yani

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Dana & Yani

October 22st, 2010 @ 7:30am from Yani

Good Day Peeps! We have an incentive for donations.

For the Largest Donation Received Between today, Oct 22, and Midnight on Oct 24th our Dear Friend Heather has said the following:

... "I would love to help a Doo and challenge some of our dear friends to do the same with a barter system... my culinary skills for the highest donation. An intimate dinner for 2, a family night, or a small party. I'll supply the time, skill, and food... you put the dime on a Doo :)"

Heather is a culinary chef! And she's just amazing!

For the Largest Donation Received Between Oct 25, and Midnight on Oct 29th Vanessa has put up to bake any desert of your choice. And us who are close to the "Monkey Doo" (that's what we call Vanessa and Dana) know what an amazing baker Vanessa is! :)

So there you have it folks 2 incentives for the biggest dime on Doo! However, I would strongly like to remind that no donation is too small... they are all greatly appreciate it and do add up quickly!  So if you can only give $5 don't shy away thinking it's too little. You really need to know it makes a huge difference!  ~ Thanks Yani

Click Here To Donate To Doo

October 25th, 2010 @ 9:30am from Yani

Hey Folks!  Just stopping in to quickly give an update. 

This weekends winner for the Largest Donation Recieved Between today, Oct 22, and Midnight on Oct 24th goes to Gail Airoldi!  Congratulations... I'm sure you will enjoy a wonderful dinner party prepared by Chef Heather!  She's amazing!

Don't forget Vanessa has offered up her delicious baked deserts for this weeks incentive! 

Thank you to all who have donated, and to all who have reposted this blog.  Several of the donations have been from people who do not know Dana, but have seen this blog on someones page and have been motivated to help out a great person in a time of need!  Each donation has made a huge impact! 

I'm beat from a long day's work... so I'm keeping this one short!  More to come later... I have lots things to share but Mr. Sandman wont stop throwing his sleep at me!

Good Night and God Bless!

Yani

November 1, 2010 @ 9:00am from Dana Doo Tyler

Whoo hoooo! Dana got a perspective date to return to work... 2nd week of January!  She is doing great with her physical therapy and neurology appointments.  All this thanks to all of you who donated and re-posted this blog for others to see.  Thanks You!  Many have reached out in many ways... some have offered to cover the cost of medicines because they know pharmacy reps and can get the meds for free, others have offered to get some of the physical therapy equipment at a low cost or no cost (aka... a boot for her leg) and others have brought dinner and shared laughs.  All very moving and very helpful to Dana's recovery.  Please continue to pray for her, she still has a long road ahead of her.

Yani

November 2, 2010 @ 9:30am from Dana Doo Tyler

Dana 'Doo' Tyler Monday morning i woke up to the bottom half of my index finger hurting like a son of a gun...today i can move that bottom knuckle. its only half of a finger...but it is half of a finger more than i had before! :) thank you so much for all of your help and your support!

November 18, 2010 @ 2:30pm from Yani Hurst

Friends ---  I received a text from Dana today.  She is in real need of our help.  She has a neurology appt and will be using the last of the money you all have donated.  There is $150 in her account, and we are not sure how much this visit to the doctor will be.  Thanks to all of the donations, which range from $5 to $400(her dad),  she has been able to keep up with her medical needs, prescriptions and appointments.  The well has dried up and she is in true need of our help.  Please remember even donations of $5 quickly add up and pay bills.  If you can reach deep into your pockets and help out a friend it would greatly be appreciated.  If you can not donate, please share this link.  You never know who would donate.  5 of the donations came from perfect strangers....  Thank You!

From: Dana 'Doo' Tyler November 21 at 10:18pm

Hello, all of you amazing blessings that I get to call my friends and family!...yep, it's really me!!! Just wanted to drop in and personally give you all an update on my recovery status...but first I wanted to thank each and everyone of you from the bottom of my humbled heart for all of your help and kindness. There is no way I could have come this far without you guys and your generousity!!!!

I go to therapy twice a week for about 2 hours a pop. They are workin on strenghtening my left leg and getting back the fine motor skills in my hand and my left foot. Basically learnin to walk and and use my hand all over again. Simple things that used to come easy to me like typing or even tying my shoes are very difficult...but not out of reach. Each day I get a tiny bit closer to gettin better. One of the side effects of the stroke is depression and short term memory loss...so the neurologist has put me on medicine to help with those as well.

This past Friday I had my second neurology appt. Dr. Shah pretty much told us the same stuff...she wants me to shoot for going back to work on Jan. 10th...regardless of how I have progressed by then...just to try it. If I am unable to perform, we will revisit everything and go from there. So, I have a goal date and am workin really hard on trying to get as much back before then as I can.

Thank you again for all of your love and support throughout this whole ordeal. It could have been a nightmare, so much worse than it turned out. I was not supposed to wake up that night...but He apparently had a different plan. Everyday since God's blessings have come in an overwhelming fashion...in the forms of family, friends I have known for years, friends I have only known for a few months, and even in the forms of total strangers. I never would have thought of having a stroke as a blessing...but I cannot tell you how amazing it has been to feel the love from you guys. Thank you thank you thank you so much. Vanessa and I both appreciate all that you guys have done. May God bless each of you with the same love and kindness that you guys have given me.

I love you guys, Dana Doo xoxoxoxoxo