Thursday, June 30, 2016

#PrepWithPurpose Day Twenty-Six: Jenna-Leigh Beasley

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.
 
Hey Friends,

Ahhh -- It's show-day-eve!!! As I type this I'm flooded with emotions. Different ones that usual. Sure I have my typical anxiety and nerves .. but I am so much more care free than usual. Maybe it's because I've gotten so used to losing on a National level that I'm numb to the thought of actually winning, haha. No seriously .. I'm just a little more calm than usual and taking advantage of that! I got some great sleep last night. Popped some 1st Phorm OptiCore and only set an alarm because I had to get up and train and get going with my meals so I can get to bed tonight!

I'm enjoying some alone time in my room before my friend Laura arrives this evening. My husband couldn't make the trip this time, but Laura arrives tonight and will be with me the remainder of the trip! I'm so excited to see her!! It's been years!

Today is just kind of a taking it easy day (as best as I can) and getting my "tan" on. Oh ... the dreaded spray tan. Aside from prepping for traveling and traveling itself ... this is the part I hate more than ANYTHING! This show I went with a girl that is only tanning a couple dozen competitors instead of the "tan sponsor" or another big company. This will hopefully make the process quicker and less stressful!

Even though it's show eve .. I'm still lifting this morning. It won't be much. Just a light 20-30 full body circuit. But it's a very important lift because it's the LAST one before I step on stage! Today every rep of this FINAL WORKOUT before stage will be for a young woman who has spent the last year fighting to stay alive. Join me today and lifting up and lifting for .. Jenna.

Prep With Purpose - Day Twenty Six: Jenna-Leigh Beasley

On September 16, 2015 the world stopped spinning and our life turned up-side down. Those are the exact words of a mom who tells me the story of her 26 year old daughter being diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). 

MDS are a group of diverse bone marrow disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells and causes low red and white blood counts and low levels of platelets. Needless to say, it is a little hard to live a normal life without healthy blood. Jenna-Leigh's chance for remission and a full life hinged on receiving a bone marrow transplant.

The search for a bone marrow donor match began almost immediately and multiple bone marrow drives took place. Due to these drives, more than 1,000 people were placed on the National Bone Marrow registry! However, the family was notified in December that a donor match was not found but that donated cord units were available, as well as a clinical trial to expand those cells, giving her the best chance for remission.

So the second part of the “journey” began. Jenna-Leigh started a full body radiation/chemo regimen in April in preparation for a transplant.


Jenna had the transplant on April 13th, 2016. She spent 16 days in Vanderbilt and since then has been in/out of the hospital and had to live in an apartment close to the hospital.

 

Jenna is continuing to get better and stronger each day - but she has a VERY long road ahead of her. At only 26. I simply could not imagine. So today .. on this VERY IMPORTANT FINAL DAY of "prep" before I hit the stage tomorrow .. I will do it all in honor of Jenna. I am strong, I am able, my body is healthy and I will not take that for granted! This ones for you girl!

While Jenna-Leigh does have medical insurance, she will have many expenses that will not be covered. So family has set up a funding page (you can find it via facebook) The family says that any funding that is received and not needed will be used to help others facing what they call a “lurking monster”. As I've said with any "funding" page I've passed along .. I can not vouch for this family. But simply want to share in case you are lead to give!

XoXo,
Stacy


I hope you are joining me on this prayer journey as I prep for #TeamU on July 1st & 2nd! If you are please post/share and use the hashtag #PrepWithPurpose! Let's get a huge prayer chain going and in the process maybe make the sport of bodybuilding less about "me, me, me" and a little more about helping others! Our motivation doesn't have to come from ONLY ourselves!

If you know anyone that needs urgent or ongoing prayer for any physical reason please email me all the information and a picture (or a few) to simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com.

 





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