Official Website of Author
When Lightning Strikes Twice
My Story
My name is Gina Rubin. My book, When Lightning Strikes Twice, is an inspirational story about when my daughter and I were diagnosed with cancer six weeks apart. The book journals my family's struggles with both mom and daughter sick but explains how with help from family and friends we survived through it.
EXCERPTS
Preface
I can still remember every second, every moment, of that fateful day. I can still remember every sight, every detail, of Fairfax Hospital. I can still remember every thought, every emotion in that small piece of time. The fear when the doctor sat my husband and I down, took a deep breath, and with sorrow in his eyes, said those four words, those six life-changing, earth-shattering syllables: “Your daughter has cancer”. My name is Gina Rubin. My husband’s name is Josh and we have 3 children: Sarah, Ithan and Iliana. On July 22, 2015, we were told that Iliana, my youngest daughter, age six, had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The news shocked our family, our friends, and our community; it was a true lightning strike to our hearts. The storm that arose encapsulated us all, but this was a thunderstorm, and then lightning struck twice. About six weeks after Iliana’s initial diagnoses, I was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, another form of blood cancer. I was shocked that two out of five members of my generally healthy family had been diagnosed with cancer. A mother and daughter diagnosed with blood cancer at the same time is almost unheard of. This is a story that needs to be heard, so here is our story.
More than just the game - 10-22-2015
I have always loved spending my weekends on the football field or baseball field watching Ithan dive for a baseball or Sarah cheering for the Seahawks. Seeing such joy and raw emotion does not only become a wonderful memory but a learning experience. Knowing how to lose or win gracefully is not always a natural reaction but sometimes has to be a learned attitude. This is some of what being a part of a team can teach everyone. Yet there is so much more than just the obvious; we have gained so many valuable friends throughout the years that have enhanced our lives more than I can imagine. What was a place for our kids to have fun and gain some valuable life lessons turned into our community. This past year, these generous families and leagues have taught us and our children an even greater lesson. Being part of a small town sports group is not just about the team and your friends, it is about the whole community, it is not just about the game but it is about what the game means and the knowledge that you are never alone.
This year, our Bengal team proudly wears a patch that has the initials IGR in pink with an orange leukemia ribbon. The boys are wearing orange socks and the girls are wearing beautiful pink and orange bows. As mentioned in an earlier post, our amazing team Mom made Iliana a beautiful banner that the whole team signed. Then some friends from another team duplicated the patches into stickers. These sentiments have brought so much warmth to our family. Every time I see the sticker or the patch, my eyes light up and my heart is warm. But the love and kindness doesn't stop there.
This past Saturday, our new dear friend, Coach Ro (Sarah's cheer coach from the Seahawks) taught the cheerleaders a special cheer to perform for Iliana at halftime. The end of the cheer, the girls made a heart with their Pom Poms and put Iliana in the middle with Sarah. The Seahawk football players and their coaches stood in a line behind the girls. After the cheer was done, the boys walked around the girls and gave Iliana a yellow rose with a blue ribbon tied around it. Head coach, Greg Caccavo (Sarah's science teacher as well:)) gave Sarah some roses. The game and halftime performance were dedicated to Iliana and everyone cheered her on. A few days have passed since this unbelievable display of affection, yet I still tear up and get goosebumps every time I think about it.
But wait there's more!! As though this wasn't enough to fill my heart, our friends went even farther. They are doing a benefit for us at our beloved family sports bar, Coach's Corner on December 5th. Our close friends are working so hard to put this on for us, our friends who we met through our different sports teams. They created a facebook site, Team Iliana and Gina. Then the ULYFL, the football league that we play in, sent out an email supporting the event and showing us overwhelming dedication. I am so overwhelmed and floored by our friends, by our community. It is true that life has given us a tough path, but everyone who travels it should be so lucky to have the people that surround us. To be able to teach their kids the true meaning of being part of a team. That it is more than winning and losing, that it is really the camaraderie that is formed, the everlasting friendships and just the joy of being part of something greater than yourself. I thank you, Upper Loudoun Sports, for showing my children what it means to be part of a community and for filling our hearts with warmth and love. And for making the football field more than just grass and cleats, but cherished, warm memories.
VIDEOS
Cupcakes for Cancer by Sarah Rubin
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ross Elkon
Words cannot express the wonder that is Ross. He spent countless hours and days editing the book. He ensured my grammar was this century's and is wise beyond his young years.
Ezra Elkon
Ezra edited my book and took time away from his precious family to be by Iliana and my side. The saying goes, "I smile because you are my brother and I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!" The saying is so true with our relationship. Thank you for putting up with me and thank you for being my brother.
Tracy Robinson
A cancer survivor herself, Tracy is an awesome person. Owner of TaylorCole Studios in Ashburn, VA, she still finds time to raise money for LLS. Even though she is a top-notch hair dresser, she still does Iliana and my hair. Iliana once told her teacher, "only Ms. Tracy is allowed to do my hair."
Tammy Davis
After my chemotoxicity, I had a very hard time speaking. Tammy, a licensed speech therapist, took time from her precious family (pro bono) to help me find my voice.
Rosie Bundick
Rosie made sure our bellies were full. She set-up a meal program ensuring to incorporate all of our dietary restrictions. Our fridge was so full of all the yummy food that was supplied to us, I didn't have to shop for months. Thank you Rosie for relieving a burden for us and for filling our hearts.
Roger & Toni Hampton
Whether it was a clean house or a broken item, we could always rely on Nona & Pops to help us. If our clothes were dirty, Nona washed them and if something broke, Pops fixed it. We are so lucky to have such wonderful "adopted" grandparents who treat us like their own.
Town of Purcellville
It takes a village, in our case a town! From the fundraiser at Coach's Corner to anticipating all our needs, this sleepy little town really banded together for us. The sport's teams made sure we held up trophies, the restaurants made sure we were full, our friends tended to all our needs and our family made sure we felt loved. Like a cozy blanket, our town cloaked us with warmth.
Danielle Kabban
This gorgeous lady helped us manage financially. She hosted a Sip & Shop to help raise money for us which we desperately needed to pay our bills. Thank you to the Kabbans for giving up time with Danielle so she can assist us.
Tanya Owens
Tanya was sent to us from heaven. She took so much time from her daily routine to help us in every way. Along with Brandy Payne, she hosted a fundraiser for us that raised extremely needed funds.
Brandy Payne
Brandy enhanced our life so much. Along with Tanya Owens, she coordinated a fundraiser for us enabling us to accept much needed help. The fundraiser took so much time out of her busy schedule, yet she found a way to ensure the fundraiser was a huge success.
Chaim Haas
Chaim came into my life when he married my best friend. I am so fortunate that Mechal (my BFF) chose him as he is nothing but wonderful to me. He helped in editing my book and always made the long trip down from NY in order to be there for my kids and me. Always with a genuine smile on his face, Iliana couldn't have gotten a better godfather.
Mechal Haas
I hit the jackpot in the best friend category! 23 years ago, I met Mechal on the steps of my alma mater in NYC. Her contagious laugh made going through the perils of cancer easier. Making the long, arduous trip from NY, she would drop everything to be by my side just to see me happy. Her beautiful smiles fills my heart with so much love. NYC gave me a lot but the best thing I received from NYC is my best friend.
Judy A Tashji
Judy designed my book cover. She spent countless hours on the jacket ensuring that the outside cloaked the inside with love.
Ron & Mindy Rubin
I have the best in-laws! They do things for me and not because I married their son. They would move the world for me, my kids and of course their son. I laugh and cry with them freely without being judged. Josh, my husband, was raised to be generous, kind and family-oriented.
Michael & Joan Elkon
"I hope you dance" by Lee Ann Womack could be my parents' theme song. They are 2 of the most charitable, loving people I know. Giving up everything for me, my parents always delivered. I was never alone in the hospital, my parents were always with me. It didn't matter how crazy my request was, my parents made sure I had it. No matter how little money we had, my brother and I grew up rich smothered with love.
Josh, Sarah, Ithan & Iliana
My family! I don't know how I would have gotten through this without them. Josh's humor gave rise to many nights of laughter. Being a terrific father and husband, he had a full-time job, fixed all the bruises our Sarah or Ithan experienced, coached Ithan's teams, and cared for Iliana and I.
Sarah attacks life with kindness and vigor. Her first thought when she heard about Iliana is what can I do to help. She uses her young life experiences to guide her to fundraise for others. She has raised thousands of dollars for LLS and is a team captain in LLS' student of the year campaign.
With a contagious smile, Ithan caused me to smile. Ithan looked ridiculous just for Iliana and me. All he wanted was for Iliana and me to laugh and forget the horrible journey we had to live.
Fearless Iliana helped us know everything would be okay. Forced to take many pills and experience awful things that no one should endure, she enabled us to view that no matter what lesson we had to learn - love would see us through.
TESTIMONIALS
“A truly inspiring, terrifying, heartbreaking, and heroic story of a family pushed to the extreme. It is a story of support and kindness that needs to be shared. Rubin’s raw account of her daughter’s battle, followed so quickly and parallel to her own, demonstrates how the love of family and friends can push through the darkest hours. It empowers the reader to do better, be better, and fight with everything until there is a cure for cancer.”
Ria Freydberg, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Region of LLS
This is a heart wrenching, can-do-anything story of what no family should go through once, never mind twice. It’s a story of resilience, as well as one of hope and faith in the human experience. The Rubin family story makes the reader want to do a better job of realizing how lucky they are, in an age where too many are focused on “me” and what’s better for only them. With faith, family, perseverance, and most importantly love from friends and family, one realizes how important it is to look out for one another. When you’re done, you will just want to hug your kids, your spouse, your parents, and give thanks for all the non-material things in one’s life.
Medical Oncologist, Virginia Cancer Specialists
