Surrounded by love~

The What about Bob? Movie & Raffle is Saturday! The raffle is going to be amazing so bring some extra money to purchase tickets. If you don't have cash, we will have a debit/credit card machine available. I appreciate everyone that has purchased tickets and for those planning to attend, this means the world to me to have so many supporting me, in the same space.Tomorrow is going to be a forever memory for sure!

$5 = 6 Tickets

$10 = 15 Tickets

$20 = 30 Tickets

If you are not able to make the event, you can still donate to Team Christina either online or by mail. 

Online:  https://www.youcaring.com/Team.Christina 

By Mail: PO Box 192 Philomath, OR 97370

We are only about $8500 away from meeting our goal to pay for travel and treatment expenses. Many thanks to everyone that continues to support Team Christina and my treatment fundraising efforts. 

Today, I am hopeful~

30-40 tickets left

I am grateful to everyone who has purchased tickets to Saturday's What about Bob? Movie & Raffle fundraiser. I just learned that there are about 30-40 tickets that have not been sold yet. PLEASE help me sell all 300 tickets for Saturdays event. Even if you cannot attend, consider making a donation: https://www.youcaring.com/Team.Christina

This event is bigger than the $10 ticket you are purchasing. To me, this is a heart 2 heart event for me, the people showing-up on Saturday will be wrapping me in love & support. If you do not have tickets, please consider coming to the event and having an amazing time. Good people. Incredible Raffle- items listed on the right side of the blog. Hilarious movie. Surrounded by love. PM/text me and I will save you a ticket and meet you at the box office entrance with your tickets on Saturday. The movie will begin at 12:00 at the Star Cinema in Stayton Saturday the 23rd.

Looking ahead, we only have about $10,000 left to raise to reach our goal so I can travel to Germany & get last chance cancer treatment. Please continue to share your generosity. Curtis and I leave February 18 and will be there through March 20. We can't do this without the continued generosity and  support of everyone. We are so close. Don't give up on me. I want to live.

The best thing that happened this week, I had a remarkable meet-up with four amazing 6th graders who, along with their class at school, write me letters. Lot's of fun stories exchanged from pleas for parental approval to access Netflix, confirming flip-phones still exist, being chased by cows, to adding extra caramel to your frappuccino for ultimate deliciousness! Thank you girls for making some incredible memories with me.


                     Today, I am hopeful~

Pre-Germany Treatment Choices Made

I started the New Year off hiking with two of my good friends along the Oregon Coast on the cliffs of Cape Kiwanda. It was magical! The weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky although it was cold and windy. Being that this was the second annual traditional get together, we were properly prepared for the cold weather with hats, scarfs, gloves, and coats. Prior to New Year’s Day, I decided to write down all the things that no longer served me that I wanted to release. Equally, I wrote about my hopes for the future. At the urging of my friend Karri, we each wrote down a word to describe 2016. The word I chose was Gratitude; my friends chose Self-Care, and Acceptance. We placed our pieces of paper – with our word written on it, into the jar. We then talked for a while and when the time was right, I threw the corked glass bottle into the sea.

All the tests are in, the PET/CT scan and several weeks of bloodwork have been considered and a treatment choice has been made. In some regard, the decision was quite simple, I mean really, who wants to endure chemotherapy and the path of destruction it leaves? Although cancer cell activity continues to increase, another infusion of chemotherapy, prior to departing for Germany seems counterintuitive. The PET/CT scan was received with concurrent good and bad news; it indicated a reduction in the size of multiple tumors however; there has been an increase in lymphnode involvement that is described as “accelerated” activity. Moreover, the chemotherapy did not slow the growth within the lymphatic system; rather it appears to have fueled activity. The fact is that chemotherapy failed to halt cancer cell activity in the lymphatic system. I too am not convinced that my body could tolerate and recover from another chemical poisoning. So after weighing all my pre Germany Clinic treatment options, I have decided to forgo subjecting my body to further doses of chemotherapy. This decision was not made lightly, this is my body and my life that I am fighting for.

I am so ready to get to Germany for treatment and remain hopeful that this will be the missing piece to regaining my health. My passport arrived this weekend, so I am all set to be an international traveler! There has been much discussion in my home as to travel plans specifically, when Curtis would travel over to meet me in Germany. At the urging of the treatment clinic, my current health struggles, and the current diagnosis, Curtis and I have decided that we will travel together and he will beside me for the entirety of my treatment. I have decided to reframe this month long adventure as the honeymoon that Curtis & never had. So Germany it is – tickets have been purchased and travel arrangements made. I encourage everyone to continue donating to the treatment fund especially due to travel expenses being more costly than anticipated.

A delightful group of 6th grade students has been corresponding with me over the past several months. During the holiday break, I received an envelope filled with precious letters. I too received a special bear with a handmade tag on its ear. Look closely at the photo – this bear was from a sweet student. I really enjoy receiving letters from not only the 6^th grade class but from those that continue to exchange letters with me along this journey. I have developed some very special relationships through writing.

I want to encourage everyone that is reading this blog to consider making a monetary donation to my treatment fund. We are incredibly close to raising all the money needed for my treatment and travel expenses. Remember, I have one child left in the home, he does not graduate until 2017  - I am going to that graduation! Many thanks to all that are rooting and supporting my efforts to leave this cancer behind me and find health. I am truly blessed by all those that are in my corner, you are my biggest cheerleaders.

Donate Please

Donate Online: https://www.youcaring.com/Team.Christina

Preferred way to Donate by Mail:

Christina Garrett

PO Box 192

Philomath, Oregon 97370

Selco Credit Union Direct Deposit: "Team Christina"

Today, I am hopeful~

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What about Bob? Fundraiser & Raffle

Saturday January 23, 2016 12:00pm

Star Cinema in Stayton, Oregon will be hosting a showing of the movie “What about Bob?” (Rated PG) January 23, 2016 @ 12:00. Tickets are being PRE-SOLD for only $10 each. This is a FAMILY friendly movie! 100% of ticket sales go directly toward the Team Christina treatment fund. Tickets are available for purchase at the link below or by a local ticket seller!

To purchase directly from the cinema - http://www.starcinema.net/

There will be a raffle the day of the showing. In addition, raffle tickets will be presold and sold at the door as well. Raffle items are listed on Christina's Blog: christinasrealtalk.blogspot.com

All funds raised will go directly toward breast cancer treatment for Christina in Frankfurt, Germany. Christina begins treatment February 22, 2016. Please contact christinasrealtalk@gmail.com to purchase PRE SELL tickets and someone selling tickets in your area will connect with you. There are only 300 seats!

Please help support this event, I am so close to raising the money needed to get treatment in Germany. Other ways to support are:

Donate Please

Donate Online: https://www.youcaring.com/Team.Christina

Preferred way to Donate by Mail: 

Christina Garrett

PO Box 192

Philomath, Oregon 97370

Selco Credit Union Direct Deposit:

"Team Christina"

Today I am hopeful~

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