Tordoff Tournament for Cancer - June 9th

It seemed surreal that a golf tournament was even being planned for us.  Someone, Mychelle Vaughn, whom I met a few years earlier in a Women's Sunday School class found out I had cancer and felt led to do this huge undertaking.  We were both new at Kiokee 3 years ago.   She said I wrote her an encouraging note that she keeps in her Bible still.  To be honest, I have no memory of it.  I do remember praying with and for her.  Never underestimate the power of kindness and how the Lord may use it to bless you!

I had chemo the Monday before the tournament and felt great that day.   Tuesday came and I honestly thought "yes, no side effects for me this time."   Then Wednesday came.   Let me just say that being that sick and having an ostomy bag should be an illegal combination.  Thursday the sickness continues.   We were wondering if I would be able to make it and asked for prayer.   Friday I was slightly nauseated but WORLDS better than before.   I could finally touch and drink cold items which I could not due to the side effects of one of my "poisons".  I had enough energy to "move".   My mom's good friend Sally said it right when she said there is no good way to explain the kind of tired that chemo gives you but all poured out and empty comes close .  The bone pain from the shot to build my white blood cell count began this day mostly in my right femur.   We were happy to wake up Saturday not ill.  We had to get up early to meet at Bojangles.  When we arrived there were motorcycles and a Fox 54 news reporter.   My mother, my daughter Cindy's family, and my brother-in-law Wendell also met us.  We ate breakfast and then were told that we were being escorted to the event.   Besides Wendell, I didn't know but one other person that showed up that morning to spend their hard earned money to ride their own bike to our golf tournament.   We thanked a lot of strangers for showing up.  My children were pretty excited and Emily, 7, loved the sparkly helmet and the bedazzled motorcycle.

We took a 30 minute ride out to the golf course and were shocked to see how many people were already there. 

We walked up and were greeted by Mychelle who introduced us to some of the many people who helped her.   One of the groups she worked with was "The Sons of Thunder".   They seemed genuinely excited to meet us and to be able to do this for us.   Their love for the Jesus and others was apparent immediately.  After introducing me surrounded by my family, Bernard Martin shared scriptures and then they surrounded me and prayed.   The Holy Spirit showed up.

Then they told me that I was to begin the tournament and then the golfers were off.   My mother, daughter and her two children, my eldest son (who worked all night the night before) and his girlfriend, and my 4 youngest children hung around the club house. I needed to stay out of the sun and my bone pain was spreading.   Rusty, Nicholas, and Timothy played on a team with a friend.  Brandon, my son-in-law, his father and two other friends were on another team.  Many of Rusty's friends and coworkers from Richmond county showed up this day to support us.  All the children had a blast!   It was such a beautiful spring day, blue skies, white puffy clouds, and a wonderful breeze.

The golfers finished around one and lunch was served.   My good friend Frankie and her family showed up a bit before this time along with my son-in-law's mother and sister. Afterwards, they handed out the trophies and prizes. It was a lot of fun.  Then they auctioned off a lot of donated things and we couldn't believe the generosity of so many.   We were beyond touched. 

We got home around 3:30 or 4 and rested until 5.  We then left to Crazy Turks for dinner. This restaurant offered to give us 10% of proceeds that day for folks who put their receipts in the donation box.  We had delicious food and lots of great laughs.

They did the rest of the raffle here.  They also sold t-shirts and hero cards which they are continuing to sell for us!

I know I've forgotten many details and don't even know where to begin thanking so many people.   Forgive me.  But we are so very grateful to everyone involved making this day a fantastic memory for our family.   We won't ever forget how special everyone made us feel.   After the tournament, they decided the Tordoff Tournament Against Cancer would be an annual event and next year we'd get to help another family.  I can't wait to bless somebody else the way we've been blessed.

To hear the entire interview you may need speakers.   Below it is the version that made t.v.