Mélaine had some trouble with bleeding last night. Here Esophagus was sore and she was bringing up some blood. They seem to have it under some control now. They have taken her off of all oral meds, they are too hard to swallow. The Cytoxan Chemo that they were giving her is now stopped. It was not a curative type of chemo but a palliative one. I have had some really great, meaningful conversations with Mélaine today. I asked her how she felt and she said confused and I asked her if she was worried and she said yes and I asked what about and she said so many things. I then asked her if she understood what was happening to her and if the doctors had explained it to her. She said no, so I told her what was going on. I feel it is really important for her to know what is happening. We both decided that it was crap…
So many of you have asked how you can help. I finally realized how. There are so many of you watching what is happening. There is great power in numbers. We should use this strength to our advantage. Please get involved in helping others. One way is to help the local Hope Lodge in Cleveland. It is an amazing place that was founded by Jeanette Silber. She is celebrating her 105th birhtday this year. We have stayed there for months free of charge. It has been a huge blessing. Here is the link to the site. Click on “I Want to help” on the left.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/COM/content/div_OH/COM_6_1x_Hope_Lodge.asp
They are sponsering a 300 mile ride you can check this out at the following site
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/COM/content/div_OH/COM_5_1x_Pan_Ohio_Hope_Ride.asp
My company, Sweetwater had a blood drive on site. They had close to 60 people donate. This is amazing. I know you hear this all the time but Please give Blood. Please give blood. Please give blood. Mélaine has had hundreds of units of Platelets and Blood. It has literally meant the difference between life and death.
American boy in Indiana 
Hi Keith,
Thanks, it is nice to actually have something positive to do.
In the midst of packing up, sorting out and marshalling Isabella, I am CONSTANTLY thinking of you all. I so hope that the doctors are able to keep Melu comfortable.
You’re both right, it is crap.
Lots of love to you, Melu and Jay, but also please send all my love to Peter and Annie and let them know that I waking up thinking of them at 3am too!
xxxxxxxxxxx
You’re both right. It is crap! This whole rollercoaster we’ve been put on reminds me every day that EVERY sunrise IS a blessing as Jay reminded us in your next post. Another thought I can’t get out of my head is that if you’ve got your health, you have everything. If you don’t have your health, but you have the love and support of family and friends, you have a great deal!!! Many people you’ve never met are holding you up in thoughts of support and prayer. I hope you can feel all of it flowing through the universe right in to your very hearts and souls. All my love. Wen
It’s the ultimate in crap. Crapissimo. Crapissimissimo.
I have sent an email to the blood donor people asking if they will accept my filthy, South American blood. If all goes to plan, I will do what I can in spite of my vile fear of needles. If Melaine can manage the hand she has been dealt, I am sure I can muster up the courage to have a few minutes of needle and blood-letting. This has been a fantastic learning experience for my own kids, telling them why Mummy wants to donate etc… I hope the message will filter down the generations.
I am thinking of you all constantly. Sending you all the love and courage I can muster. xxxxxxxx