Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
Something happened today that tickled my soul and made my jaw drop to the floor. This happening arrived in the form of an email…
I love hearing from people. I am a People Person. Well, today I received an email out of the clear blue Universe from someone very special who shall remain anonymous at this time.
This special person told me that she does not even know what she was Googling, but she came across my book. This person was diagnosed ten years ago, at the age of twelve, with Hodgkin lymphoma. She has suffered ever since with a depression and a terrible eating disorder. She has danced since the age of three.
Does any of this sound like someone you know??????????????????????
One of the things she told me that (thankfully!) is not familiar, is that what troubled her most during treatment was that her doctor would not let her dance during chemotherapy treatment.
This would have killed me…. not the chemo, but the Huge “NO DANCING” Roadblock sign!
Thanks Dr. Dan for seeing this in me– and for not constructing Roadblocks to restrict this body of mine that needed to dance—even though my best dancing at that time looked like “a hippo giving birth.”
What Special Person has shared with me has made my thoughts spin around. I sure would love to see children who have finished cancer treatments monitored more closely for all of the possible late effects. I would love to have more awareness of the potentially deadly and devastating “Minefield” that awaits survivors. I understand why the giant focus is on treatment, but also important is what price are patients paying for their survival?
Special Person has been battling and suffering for ten years.
What a price.
Today, I ask for your prayers for the incredibly joyful Lyssie Righter…
Lyssie Righter Teaching us Joy
Thank you Carina Corral and KSBY 6 for your continued support for raising awareness for childhood cancer!
http://www.ksby.com/news/nipomo-teen-s-memoir-on-cancer-journey-up-for-award/
Thank you also to the Adobe Press and Santa Maria Times:
http://www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/546e4996-5904-11e0-b607-001cc4c03286.html
Melinda Marchiano 
Comments on: "Beware: Minefield Ahead" (7)
As always, I love hearing your stories! Lovin’ you Melinda.
Love hearing from you… always make me smile:)
Hi Melinda, my name is Shelly Cone I’m a reporter with the Sun newspaper in Santa Maria. I’d love to interview you if you’re available. Please send me an email at scone@santamariasun.com or give me a call at 347-1968
Thanks!
Shelly
Hi Melinda,
I was given your book by a friend of your mom whose son attends the school my daughter Emma Kait goes to. (Judy Steele Morgan). Emma was diagnosed with Stage 3 Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma on February 16, 2011. I have been carrying your book with me to all of our many appointments, scans, waiting, waiting, waiting room time and I am identifying with SO many aspects of your story. Emma is a dancer. Emma is an artist. Emma lives in Northern CA. Emma has 2 brothers. Emma has Lymphoma. But most importantly….Emma has faith. Thank you for sharing your words. She is only 10 1/2 years old and has trouble articulating some of the effects of chemo and the other drugs she is taking and your explanation of how they made you feel….helps me as her mom. Thank you Melinda. Your story gives me hope. Blessings to you.
-Rebecca Stanphill
rebecca3kids@hotmail.com
emmakait.com
Rebecca,
Emma:):):) “Emma has faith.” Dear sweet mom Rebecca… you have taught Emma what she needs most to fight cancer. Your message gives me hope that my words can help more children and more parents. Judy has always been incredibly supportive of my mission, and I cannot even explain to you what it means to be able to help families in any way.
Keep the hope… and I will keep praying for Emma’s complete recovery.
Please give her this HUG!
Melinda
Thank you Melinda for your words, but especially your prayers.
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phillipians 4:13
….my life verse
-Rebecca
Rebecca… my “Life Verse” too. My mom has taught me, by her example, what it means to be a person of faith. God has taught me He is good, His mercy really is everlasting, and I know, without a speck of doubt, “His truth endures to all generations.”
Love and hugs for you and Emma,
Melinda