There Are Still Good People In This World...

[Oneironaut Zero]

No real point in posting this, I suppose. Just thought I'd share. So I'm not usually one to spend too much time talking about my personal issues, but there is a variable in this one that I just find remarkable. We just found out, a little while ago, that my ex (my baby's mom) has been diagnosed with Castleman's Disease and has a tumor on her heart. There was a time where she was in danger of dying (which she still may be, if she has any complications with her open-heart surgery) and, at 24, she's been going through chemotherapy to try to rid her of the tumor (which isn't exactly working, because chemo is for cancer patients, and her condition is so rare that the only thing they can do is treat her like cancer patient even though Castleman's is "like" cancer, but not exactly.), and has really gone through a lot lately. On top of that, her husband - who was once (or "is" ... I haven't quite figure that out yet) a close friend of mine - is losing his father, who is in a coma after a bad car accident a couple of months ago. Together, they have 2 kids of their own, along with my daughter, who lives with them throughout the week. With everything that has happened, they have been struggling just to keep a roof over their head - between hospital fees and transportation costs to get too and from each respective hospital (for treatments and visitations). Her husband has also just recently lost his job, due to "corporate restructuring," as a result of the economy, so they are in a really bad position right now. I say all of that to give context to this: My best friend knows about their situation, and happens to work with a woman who was telling him about how she often likes to help out families in need. Every now and then, when she can spare it, she just goes around and helps those that she can, with what she can, just out of the kindness of her heart. She refuses to accept acknowledgement, and just likes to do what she does, completely anonymously. Well, my friend happened to get into conversation with her about "this family that he knows" and she basically dropped everything she had planned and asked if she would be prying too much if she offered to do something nice for the family my friend was talking about. She figured that she'd much rather help someone that he knew (being somewhat close to him), than just any random family in an equally stressing situation. He got with me and got info about all of the kids (sizes, ages, etc). He gave the info to her and she basically just brought them all a bunch of stuff, just to help them know that there are people out there looking out for them - to give them hope: Again, she refuses to accept any kind of recognition, so she simply marked all of the presents as "From Santa" and asked us to keep her annonymity, when giving them the gifts. Even I don't know what's in them (except for the teddy bears for the kids, which were already opened), but most of them feel pretty heavy, and seem to be reasonably valuable gifts, even throwing in some gift cards for groceries that should last them a while. I just think that this is absolutely amazing that this woman does this for strangers, asking nothing in return. Seriously. The presents aren't exactly coming to me, but I'm still writing her a letter of thanks. We need more people like this in the world. I know how hard my daughter's mom and step/half family have it right now, and I just love the fact that there are people still willing to go out of their way to bring unselfish support to those who really need it.

[kichu]

I don't even know what to say dude. So touching. Wow. I'm sorry for the tough times your baby's mama is going through though. Wow.

[Oneironaut Zero]

I'm sorry for the tough times your baby's mama is going through though. Wow. Yeah, they've really had the rug pulled out from under them lately. It took a lot of compromise for us all to be on civil grounds, over the past couple of years, but I really feel for them. I can't wait to give them the gifts to take back home with them, when they come and pick up Cierra tomorrow, just because I know how much it will probably affect them - especially since I won't tell them where it all came from. Everyone loves a little mystery now and then. Heh.

[ninja9578]

I like stories like this... except for the tumor part Nice to see that in a world that focuses on the bad, there is still good in it.

[Jeff777]

This is a movie story O. There are hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people that will read this thread and some of them will be moved to do a similar thing as well. There are still good people in this world.

[Man of Steel]

Heartwarming stuff, man. That's just awesome of her to do that, and aye, it's nice to know that there are still people out there who have it in their hearts to do stuff like that. I hope your daughter's mother gets better soon.

[Jeff777]

Same here. I wish your daughter's mother the very best of health.

[cuddleyperson]

hmm this is why i like the NHS and people that knock it annoy me. Maybe Obama will make a USA NHS although i think you guys like low taxes so it probably wouldn't work out.

[Adam]

I want to reply, but really am speachless... Don't know what to put. Just wishing Cierra's Mum a speedy recovery/

[Howie]

That i yaaa. I don't know what to say either.

[Oneironaut Zero]

The whole thing just makes me wonder just how many unsung heroes there are out there, who still do things unselfishly, in such a competitive and self-centered society. I mean, I understand non-profit organizations that help others, and such, but people who aren't officially care-givers and just choose to do this kind of thing for no other reason than that they just feel it's the right thing to do...just awesome. Heartwarming stuff, man. That's just awesome of her to do that, and aye, it's nice to know that there are still people out there who have it in their hearts to do stuff like that. I hope your daughter's mother gets better soon. Same here. I wish your daughter's mother the very best of health. I want to reply, but really am speachless... Don't know what to put. Just wishing Cierra's Mum a speedy recovery/ Thanks, everyone. I don't know what to say either. Nothing needed, Howieman. Cookie monster speaks for you both.

[tommo]

Wow. Maybe she's Robin Hood of the 21st century. lol dunno why that came to my head. But seriously that's inspiring. Really hope things work out for them all. She must be a rich person who always wanted to help people but only suddenly realised it once the power got to her head and she had an epiphany that money was worthless and she should help people who don't have any or just need help. lol, mysteries mysteries. Ok you guys take care. It's inspired me to do something like this but I dunno what yet. Oh and BTW can I ask why they are using Chemo? I'm not a doctor at all but isn't the usual treatment cutting it off? The tumor of course, not the heart.

[drewmandan]

This is why I'm never going to get married.

[kichu]

The whole thing just makes me wonder just how many unsung heroes there are out there... Weird, I was just thinking about this the other day. I bet there are tons of people like this out there. Just imagine if you had a ton of cash and wanted nothing more to just help people. Would you insist on getting credit for every donation? Obviously a lot of people do, but I imagine that I would just keep my mouth shut and just distribute it as needed. Seems easier that way. And I'm sure there are others like that too. Edit, just saw this: This is why I'm never going to get married. What??

[slayer]

Oh wow. If I read that right, she has a rare heart cancer, and she still manages to help others? Freaking amazing hero right there.

[Oneironaut Zero]

Oh and BTW can I ask why they are using Chemo? I'm not a doctor at all but isn't the usual treatment cutting it off? The tumor of course, not the heart. It's because of the size of the tumor and it's position. Her surgeon had originally refused to do the surgery because there was too much of a risk that the surgery would kill her (the tumor is kind of webbed between her heart and lungs, with tendrils wrapping around her windpipe). They were hoping that the chemo would shrink it, but it didn't. However, after a couple of treatments, it actually shifted position by an inch or so. They said that the chemo isn't doing enough to warrant continuing the treatments, though, because it's already been really harsh on her body, so they are just going to go in and try the surgery in January. Weird, I was just thinking about this the other day. I bet there are tons of people like this out there. Just imagine if you had a ton of cash and wanted nothing more to just help people. Would you insist on getting credit for every donation? Obviously a lot of people do, but I imagine that I would just keep my mouth shut and just distribute it as needed. Seems easier that way. And I'm sure there are others like that too. Yeah, that's a good point. Oh wow. If I read that right, she has a rare heart cancer, and she still manages to help others? Freaking amazing hero right there. No no. My baby's mama is the one with the heart condition. My friend's co-worker is the one who does the helping of others. She's the one that sent all the gifts for me to give to my ex and her family.

[Clairity]

Blessings to all involved! .

[Dizko]

Inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

[tommo]

It's because of the size of the tumor and it's position. Her surgeon had originally refused to do the surgery because there was too much of a risk that the surgery would kill her (the tumor is kind of webbed between her heart and lungs, with tendrils wrapping around her windpipe). They were hoping that the chemo would shrink it, but it didn't. However, after a couple of treatments, it actually shifted position by an inch or so. They said that the chemo isn't doing enough to warrant continuing the treatments, though, because it's already been really harsh on her body, so they are just going to go in and try the surgery in January. Ahhhh, ok. That makes sense. Again, wish you all the best of luck, not that that does much. But it's all I can do from here

[Brandon Heat]

Touching story. However it's sad to think I'm not moved by the story (I'm lacking in the emotion department >_>). However I am rather proud to see there are selfless people out there still willing to help those in need that's just awesome.

[Bearsy]

This warmed my heart... to know there are people that do this still. I only know of churches that do that, but I don't count them because they tend to do things like this because they feel obliged to do so; and I don't mean to generalize, but I'd wager most to none of those people would actually do this without prodding from God. But someone on their own, out of the kindness of her heart? Amazing! Best of luck to Cierra's mom, as well.

[Barbizzle]

Aw, I hope your daughter's mom will get well man. Its just so incredible that people give. It makes me feel so happy about humanity when I hear about these things.

[Rozzy]

aaww... man. i hope she gets beter. see i knew that some people out there still cared... sometimes it seems like no one does, but i am happy to see that there are...