donnasharp.org

“This is a copy and paste of the program. Hopefully you can read it better, it just doesn’t look as pretty as it did in print.

In Loving Memory of

Closing Prayer:
James “Ace” Alexander

Donnas’ favorite scripture: Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Donna was a friend to many and had no enemies. She would light up a
room and put a smile on your face. It has always been said since Donna
was a little girl, that she had the “original” smiley face smile! She would
do anything to help anyone even if it meant giving her last penny to help.
She was truly a servant of God and ministered to many. She has left
lasting footprints in the many people’s lives she has touched. All through
her battle with cancer she never displayed anger towards God, but was
always positive no matter what the outcome.

FOOTPRINTS
One night a man had a dream… He was walking along the beach with the
Lord, and across the sky flashed scenes from his life. In each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one made by him, and the other by the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked at the footprints in the sand, and noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the worst times of his life. This bothered him, so he asked the Lord about it. “Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You’d walk with me all the way. But, I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don’t
understand why You left me when I needed You most.” The Lord replied, “My
precious child, I love you and would never leave you… During your times of
trouble where you see only one set of footprints, I was carrying you.”
—Author Unknown

The dance to the song “Footprints in the Sand” had very special memories
for Donna. Donna’s niece, Carlene, was trying to find a song for a dance
competition to raise money for cancer research. The song came to Carlene through a comment on Donna’s website from Blaine Corbitt. He sent a clip of the song to Donna to encourage her. Carlene knew when she heard the song, that God had sent it to her through Blaine. She helped choreograph the song with her Aunt Donna in mind the whole time. She dedicated the dance to Donna and danced her heart out! There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience. She won the competition which made it even more special because she danced for Donna. Donna loved the dance and has shared it with many.

Journal entry from Donna 1-30-08
(One day after her diagnosis)

Donnas’ thoughts on this scripture:
“I believe in the power of prayer and there are so many
prayers being lifted up for me. I know God is holding me in
His loving arms and watching over me and protecting me.
This journey is going to be difficult, but I have God to lean on,
and the support of so many people in my church and family
that love Dusty and me.”

Donna leaves behind her son, Dusty, Red Oak, Texas;
Mother, Ann Martin, Roseville, California;
brothers and sisters,
Ed, California; Linda, Florida; Doreen, Rhode Island;
Jerry, Arkansas; Allan, Arkansas; Tina, California;
and their families;
Ronnie, Red Oak, Texas; and many, many special friends
(including her dogs, Oreo & Scooter)

The Memorial service for Donna will be:

Sunday, November 23rd, 3pm

First Baptist Red Oak Church
320 East Ovilla Rd
Red Oak, TX 75154
www.fbcredoak.org

There will be a book to share thoughts or write messages in. If you cannot make it to the service, but would like a message included, please leave it here in the comment section and I will print it out and include it. Again, if you would like to reach me personally, my address is:

Tina Raibley
5185 Laird Hill Dr
Loomis, CA 95650
my cell is: 916-838-3466
my email is: timtina7@yahoo.com

In lieu of flowers we would like to request that you make a donation to one of two places listed below.
Several people have asked if they could still send flowers. You certainly can, we just wanted to offer options for you and to maybe to contribute to something of importance to Donna. If sending flowers, send to Donna’s home address:
318 Ventura Ct.
Glenn Heights, TX 75154

1)The fund through this website that we currently have set up for Dusty.
go to the donate page on this website to make a donation

2) The cancer society in memory of Donna. Copy & paste the link below:
https://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_1_Donate_Online_Now_Auto_Custom.asp?don_promo=WebMem

Thank you, Tina Raibley

I have dreaded this day since the day I typed my first entry on this webite for Donna. Sadly, Donna’s Journey ended last night after a very long fight to try and beat this cancer that had invaded her body. She was such a courageous soldier in her fight but always with a positive attitude. She loved all of you so much and appreciated everyone being there for her. I can’t tell you enough just how much all the cards, flowers, meals, phone calls, comments on the website and visits have meant to her. They all kept her positive and kept her fighting! But most of all, your prayers meant the world to her. It gave her the strength that she needed to keep fighting and keep going everyday.

Once again, my thanks and love to all, Tina

This is very hard for me to write. Donna is at the hospital and Mom, Ed and I are here with her with many of Donna’s Church friends. Donna said she is finished fighting her battle with her cancer. She said she is ready to be with Jesus. Please continue to pray for her to have a peaceful, comfortable passing. This has happened rather quickly over the last few days and unfortunately I was not able to update you until now.
Thanks for all your love, prayers, and support you have showered on Donna and our family these last ten months. We couldn’t have made it this far without all your support. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough to say. Donna has faught a long hard fight, but she is tired and ready.

I will continue to keep you posted .

Love to all, Tina

Jerry and his family (grandkids included!) had a chance to come see Donna and had a very nice visit with her and Dusty. They all had a great time and Donna enjoyed seeing her great niece and nephew along with LaDonna, Chester and Megan. It was fun sharing old stories and seeing how much everyone had grown!

Just an update on Donna’s condition. The tumors in her liver have gown so large that they are displacing everything in her abdomen. She also has a lot of fluids that have built up in her abdomen and legs. This is from the size of the tumors in the liver that are putting pressure on one of her main arteries that handles blood flow to the lower body. She is having a lot of trouble breathing because of this as well and oxygen is helping. Another change is that she is constantly falling asleep. Part of this is due to the new medications she’s on to help her breathe. If you are calling to talk to her or visiting, you might need to do more of the talking because she gets out of breath easily. She is really enjoying the visits and calls though! Donna wants to hear from you but says to not be offended if she doesn’t take your call or talk long. Sometimes she’s asleep or is having trouble breathing and can’t talk but to keep trying. She also wants me to remind everyone that she is having a difficult time talking about her condition and gets very emotional about it. So, she would rather here about you and what you’re doing.

Well, I’ve been here at Donna’s again this week spending some special time together. I made Donna some banana bread and she loved it and ate so well! So I made more breakfast breads for the freezer for her to have every morning. She loved the smell of breads baking in the kitchen for days. We have also had fun going through photos, reminiscing and putting the photos in scrapbooks.

Donna with her favorite…Banana Pudding!

Donna wants everyone to know how much she appreciates all the calls, cards, flowers and visits. The calls and visits have helped the time pass by. I think she’s settled in with all the home care she’s receiving. The people have been amazing and so helpful and caring. It has taken a load off and allowed us more time with Donna. Our Mom has been here with Donna for two weeks now and will be staying for an indefinite time to help Donna out.

Dusty would like to say hi to everyone and he wants to thank everyone for praying for his Mom.
Love to all, Tina

Hello Everyone!

Just a quick update to keep you posted. The week has been a very busy week for Donna. There’s been a lot of people in and out this week getting things set up for her at home. Schedules are now in place for daily home care, etc. It’s been very tiring getting through the process, but life should run a little smoother around her house now. She would still love to hear from you either by comments on this website or a phone call. Just be patient if you are calling her that she may not always be able to talk right away, but keep trying. Donna has received several calls already and she said she’s really enjoying “catching up” on how everyone’s doing. If you are able to go see Donna, she would love that as well, just call ahead of time to make sure she’s up for the visit or there’s not already a crowd there.

Love to all, Tina

A letter from Donna:

To all my friends:

I am getting lots of calls asking the same questions. Please know that I understand the need for updates. My sister Tina is in close contact with those that have that information and is posting it on the website for you to see.
Now here is what I need. When you call me, let’s talk about life before the cancer. I want to know what is going on with you and your life. I want to laugh with you and not have to talk about the medical stuff. I already do enough of that and it really drains me. As you know, laughter is the best medicine and that is what I need. Please don’t stop calling, but let’s just find a new topic! I love you all!
Donna

Note from Tina:

Hello Everyone,

Donna does want to hear from you and talk with you. Just please remember her wishes. Besides calling her, you can also make comments to her here on this website. They are being read to her daily as they come in. She is not doing a lot of emailing, it’s too tiring for her. If you have any questions, please leave me questions on the website and I will get back to you. I will keep trying as I have been in updating you regarding Donna’s condition as things change.

Donna is back home from the hospital and receiving some needed rest. She will be continuing with some chemo treatments that will be on for a week and then off for a week and see how things go. The doctor has also ordered some in-home nursing care. They will come in and help out a little bit everyday. Donna’s friends from her Church are still taking shifts staying with Donna, bringing food and helping get Dusty where he needs to be. Our Mom arrived yesterday (Thursday) to stay with Donna for awhile. Donna was glad to see her. I will be flying out soon to also spend some time with Donna as well.

I just want to say a HUGE, HUGE thank you from our family to all of Donna’s friends and Ronnie and Dusty for being there to help Donna. It is really hard when all of our family lives so far away from Donna, to be there for her all of the time. It is comforting to know that Donna’s needs are being met when we can’t be there. I also want to thank all of you who have helped out financially by sending in donations!! This has been such a BIG help for Donna. Unfortunately some of Donna’s medical bills have not been covered and she has been using these funds to help pay those off. She couldn’t have done it without your help, so a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you as well!!

Thank you from all of the family, Tina

Good Morning Everyone. I spoke with Donna this morning and it looks like they will be doing an upper GI test today to check for an esophagus tear which may be causing her internal bleeding. She will be in the hospital for at least another day or two. Our Mom is flying out this morning to be with Donna for awhile. Please pray for her safety today as well. I will update later as I know more.

Here’s Donna’s Hospital information:

Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie
1405 W. Jefferson
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Her room is #241
Her phone to her room is 972.935.5736

Donna was admitted to Baylor Hospital in Waxahachie today. She is receiving fluids and having a blood transfusion. Her Oncologist will be seeing her tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon for hopefully more information on what to do next. One of the best ways to reach Donna right now is to leave a comment here on the website and it can be read to her. She has 24 hour care right now. Please keep her in your prayers.

Love to all, Tina