11.09.2010 - Good News!!! A week and a half ago, we were told that the doctors feared that Judy’s cancer had returned - but it looks like her tests came back negative! Here is a message from Judy! "Hello everyone, had a great day today! I found out that the cancer has not returned after all and the symptoms I am having are most likely from the weekly rounds of chemo. Although I feel numbness, pain, nausea and fatigue at least it isn’t from cancer and as Martha Stewart says... That’s a good thing. Love you all!" Judy is scheduled to get her bone marrow transplant Dec. 6th!!!

Judy Baker currently resides in Woodstown, NJ with her daughter, Emily. Judy was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in August 2009 and received 5 rounds of chemotherapy treatments thru April 2010. Her remission lasted 3 months until the cancer returned more aggressively. The doctors determined that she would need to repeat the chemotherapy treatments and would require a bone marrow transparent.

Judy was hospitalized again in August of 2010 where she is once again battling the cancer. She is hoping to begin the transplant process this month. This process will require between 3 to 6 months of additional hospitalization.

This past year, and for possibly the next year, Judy has basically been unable to work due to her illness. Many of Judy’s friends and family are beginning to look for ways to help her in her time of need, both financially and spiritually. If you would like to give a donation to Judy, it would be most welcome.

We would like to encourage our readers to write "Letters to Judy" - you can email them to us to be forwarded to Judy by clicking here, or you can mail letters or cards of encouragement to us and we will make sure Judy gets them by sending them to:

Websketching
Attn: "Letters to Judy"
PO Box 226
Woodstown, NJ 08098

The Women of Salem County would like to encourage our readers to help Judy with cash donations as well. Thank you to all who participated in last month’s "Shake Your Booty for Judy" ZUMBA benefit sponsored by Lady Fitness Health Spa! A great big thank you to owner Debbie Pettit for all of her hard work putting this together and making this event a huge success!!!

"Shake Your Booty for Judy" ZUMBATHON October 2010
(left to right back: Janice Ruge-Johnson, Colleen Elbon, Donna Gardiner, Laura, Weber)
(left to right front: Christine DeGraff, Judy Baker, Debbie Pettit)

Click a thumbnail below to see a slideshow of the event!

Donations can be sent to the address above or by clicking on the donation button below. Please make checks payable to Judy Baker.

Fireworks Tailgate Party - July 3rd, 2010
From left to right: Donna, Christine, Janice, Colleen, Laura, Judy (1st remission)

Dear Judy,

As I sit here thinking of you and our Coffee Club friends, I can’t help but laugh and wonder…"How on earth did we all get together?" We are such a disparate group of workaholics, daydreamers, civic-minded, opinionated, pink-haired partiers - I don’t think match.com would have ever hooked us up to be the close friends that we are! Yet, we complement each other so well and have so much fun when we’re together! We share the darkest secrets and the best gossip. We celebrate each other’s successes and band together during times of dilemma or distress. We’re also not afraid to call each other on our crap, which is what best friends should do. We are truly blessed having each other’s unconditional love, support and understanding.

You and I met when Emily joined my Girl Scout troop in 2nd grade. It wasn’t until a few years later that we began to really get to know each other. I remember being surprised by how very smart and funny you are, and how much I enjoyed spending time with you. You’re definitely the funniest one in our group, and even before you had to deal with leukemia, you were my most admired for strength and class.

We’ve shared a lot on parenting our teens. I’ve watched the struggles you’ve been through being a divorced parent and am frankly amazed at your strength. No matter what happens, you remain a steadfast rock for Emily. Your love is strong and constant, and she will grow up okay thanks to your guidance.

What an absolute shock it was to discover that you have AML. Of all people, why you? You have so much to offer, and Emily needs you. Yet you’ve been so very brave, still smiling and joking. You’ve achieved celebrity status on Cooper’s 9th floor. I remember last Christmas when you baked all kinds of delectable treats for the staff. They absolutely adore you - not because they love your goodies but because they see what a wonderful person you are. 

I know you’ve just had another setback since we had the "Shake Your Booty For Judy", which has pushed the bone marrow transplant back. It breaks my heart to see you go through this, and to feel helpless to do anything about it. My choice would be to cure you. The best I can do is to give you my unwavering support. As your friend, I will always be there for you.

Love and Friendship Always,
Donna Gardiner

Dear Judy,

I would like to start this letter out by telling you how much I value our friendship. I met you at a time in my life that was all about building bonds, and I think in one way or another, we were all looking for that. 

It has been such a blessing to have my "girlfriends" in my life. We are all very different, but we all support each other, even if we don’t necessarily agree. 

I don’t know if anyone watching our group when we go out would pick you out as the "funny" one, but you are! Your matter-of-fact sense of humor can make us all laugh like nobody else. And your e-mails are Carrie worthy! I’m so glad to be on your e-mail list.

I can’t believe you have had to go through this again. You handled your illness so bravely. I’ll never forget how proud you were of your newly shaved head during your first chemo. And now this round... just when you finally colored your hair, you didn’t get to enjoy it for long! Through it all, you have been so unbelievably strong. Your main job these past few months have been to follow doctor’s orders and hang out in your hospital room, but you are still a wonderful mom, and I know how hard it must be for you to not be home with Emily. 

Keep your positive attitude. We’re always available for coffee (or Cosmos) whichever you are up for. I know you will be able to beat this once and for all. 

Looking forward to celebrating many more "specially decorated" birthday cakes with you!

Love,
Colleen

Dear Judy,

I’ve known you since Emily was about 3 or 4 when you enrolled her in my dance and gymnastic center some 13 or more years ago. Even though I’m not a close friend like the other girls are to you, you are someone I’ve known for a long time just from living in the same town. Over the past two years I’ve gotten to know you a little better through Christine, Janice, Laura, Donna and Colleen and you were gracious enough to help out with the Bachelor Auction this past Spring in helping to raise money for The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and The Marlton Park in the memory of my daughter April. I can’t even begin to imagine what you are going through as you battle the journey that God has given you to endure. I do know from experience that God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle but what I don’t understand and never will is why does he make good people go through bad things? My heart goes out to you and Emily, you are a hero, you are the epitome of courage and strength! There are a lot of people praying for you and here to help and support you through this hard time, including me. It is going to be my pleasure to help raise money for you in your time of need so that you can focus on getting better and coming home! There is a whole community behind you Judy that loves and cares about you, now your job is to stay positive, have faith and think about what the first thing is that you’re going to do when you come home! Did I read somewhere about having a cup of real coffee??? 

Love Your Friend,
Debbie

Dear Judy,

I don’t even remember when I met you, but we just have always "clicked". You have always been so funny, so easy to be with - you just make me laugh. You are easy to talk to and you are a good friend. Our group is not the same when you aren’t there. We miss you.

You are the bravest woman I know - the day you decided to shave your head I thought you had really lost your mind - but instead of crying about it like I would, you smile and you decide to do it yourself rather than let it fall out on its own.

I know you will get through this because you are strong and you have the spirit and the determination to do it. You have a lot of people pulling for you. We love you and want you back in Woodstown where you belong. Get better Judy.

Love,
Christine

Dear Friends,

A little over 10 years ago, a friend gave me Judy’s name to sew curtains for my newly-painted kitchen. After that, Judy and I ran into each again and again at school, PTA, girl scouts, and through mutual friends. A few years ago, a group of us friends began meeting regularly at Beans for coffee. Soon the six of us were planning girl’s nights, movie outings, dinner dates, and fundraisers.

Judy is the artist in our group; sewing is just one of her many talents. She should have majored in interior design in college. With her sewing, painting, and artistic eye, she can make any house a home. On a whim and a shoestring, she regularly transforms her home, season by season, endowing it with love.

Judy is also a professional pastry chef. Take the word of a health-conscience forty-something woman – Judy’s treats are worth the calories. She’s very generous with her talent and with every hospital admission, took boxes of treats to give to the staff. The chemo clinic, admissions, floors nurses, doctors, and social workers all shared in the bounty.

Each Christmas, Judy creates a gingerbread village in her dining room, an activity she enjoys with her daughter and young nieces. This year, she allowed my coworkers to come on a moment’s notice to get ideas for entering a contest at the hospital where we work. She was generous not just with inspiration – she freely shared supplies with us as well and our village won second place in the contest! This is just one of many examples where Judy has demonstrated a generosity of spirit, both with ideas and material possessions, even when she herself is experiencing leaner financial times.

Judy has achieved near celebrity status in the hospital where she has spent so many months. She is greeted warmly by everyone from cleaning staff to specialists. Her warmth is undeniable and people are simply drawn to her.

It’s inconceivable that someone like Judy, who has so much to give, has had to endure so much. Not only has she suffered through the physical impact of the disease, but losing her ability to work and not having insurance has created a financial hardship as well.

We hope by holding this fundraiser for Judy, we can at least alleviate some of the financial strain. This would free her up to concentrate on getting better and getting back to living her generous life and spending time with her daughter. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Janice Ruge Johnson

Woodstown Parade - July 3, 2010
Christine, Colleen, Judy (1st remission), Laura, Janice, Donna

Dear Judy,

I often wonder why God seems to choose the nicest people to endure the most arduous trials. Why is it that people who persevere through a terrible situation with poise and grace are only asked to do so again and again? What purpose does it serve to be knocked down by life’s waves repeatedly?

You have certainly had your share of challenges, but each time, you have risen up and responded with unbelievable dignity and courage. What an inspiration you are to all the lives you touch, from your family and friends, to fellow parents, neighbors, and the hospital staff who have grown to love you. The example you have set raises the bar for each of us to face life’s challenges with optimism rather than self pity, hopefulness instead of doubt.

It amazes me that in the grand scheme of things, you are one of my “newer” friends. But 15 months is more than enough time to recognize the qualities that set a true friend apart from the many people who flow in and out of our lives for a reason or a season. In some ways I’ve known you longer too, through hearing stories of you from our common friend and getting to know your beautiful daughter Emily, even before meeting you. You have the makings of a true blue, and I knew it early on.

Although too much of our friendship’s lifespan has seen you holed up on the 9th floor, I look forward to adding to the many fun memories we have made “on the outside.”  I can’t wait to be invited to another of your fabulous dinner parties, where even the brussel sprouts are delicious and the desserts are better than sex (and the conversation ends up there anyway!). I refuse to be on a diet when you are cooking. Here’s to more shopping excursions and adventures in the city (although trust me, I will write down the address of our parking garage from now on!). I can’t wait to watch True Blood with you and look forward to dissecting the men in our lives, having ladies’ nights and beach trips, and organizing fundraisers together. If I win the lottery or discover oil in the backyard, we are definitely going to Paris – can’t imagine anyone I’d rather explore it with.

We met at one of the lower points in my life and from the beginning I have felt nothing but love and acceptance from you. Thank you for being a real friend to me when I needed it most.

If there is any purpose to the hell you have endured, it is the inspiration you have given others to keep the faith, remain positive, and live life fully. As you embark on this next stage of your journey, please remember you have a virtual ocean of love and support coming at you from the many, many people whose lives you have touched.

Be well, Judy. We need more Key Lime Pie.

Love,
Laura