A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

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Jeff Foxworthy, Dr. Wharam, and Cure Childhood Cancer

What an interesting project this book endorsement requesting is!  Being a teenager, and a first-time author, I had no idea that after you write a book, you need to “raise it.”  I am very fortunate to have someone who  has helped me tread through the murky waters of book publication, and I will never forget him telling me, “Now that you have published Grace, you need to raise her!”  What the heck does that mean?  Well, I am finding out.  I was just so deliriously happy at this time to be holding my words in book form, I didn’t really care if anyone ever read it!   It is such a funny process… it’s like when you put some corn kernels in a pot, turn it on, and then things start to crackle and pop. 

Crackle and Pop… I am ready for the popping sounds to reach ear-popping decibals.

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Jeff Foxworthy is a Hero for Kids!

Did you know that Jeff Foxworthy has been a fundraising chariman for Duke Children’s Hospital for fifteen years, and he has worked with Camp Sunshine in Atlanta for over a decade. I have to say that this touches my heart so deeply… that he would commit to help sick children for many years.  He is genuinely concerned for cancer kids, and he shows it by giving his time, and by giving from his heart. 

Can I share with you the latest gift he has shared with a “cancer kid?”

Jeff Foxworthy wrote me a kind, encouraging, supportive, and inspiring email, and guess what?!

 Mr. Jeff Foxworthy wrote a beautiful book endorsement for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey through Cancer and Recovery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can tell by his words that he really does spend time with kids who are battling cancer.  In this world that is becoming more and more devoid of people we can look up to for an example of how to live our lives, Jeff Foxworthy has given me something to reach for.  Integrity is a wonderful thing to share.  Please excuse me while I go cry happy tears.

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Dance!

I am happily dancing six days a week, and each day as I travel to dance, and as I am dancing, I remember when I wanted to dance, but my body wouldn’t let me.  I will never forget.  I will always, always be grateful that my body is willing and able to dance!  Yes… dance!

 From Grace:

“I had danced equivalent to how I danced at age three, and every single step was pretty much a disgrace to the dance world.  But the joy that came from those hideous few steps was a kind of happiness that came only from dancing.”

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Ellen DeGeneres Needs Clones Too!

Okay, it is not just me who needs some clones to help them.  Yes, even though Ellen has her talk show, her American Idol judging, and I can imagine countless other responsibilities, she took the time– through her very kind manager– to respond to my book endorsement request.  I am touched that I even received a response at all.  I mean, Ellen could have rolled her eyes about twenty times and told me to take a long walk off a short pier, but no, she responded with graciousness.  No, the response was not quite, “Yes Melinda, I will stay up all night for a couple of weeks, just to make sure that your book endorsement gets done!”  But the response was so sweet, I must tell you that I feel as if she did say, “Yes!”  Hmmm…. too bad the “feeling” won’t look so good in print on Grace‘s book cover.

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Lance Armstrong, Mia Michaels Dream Endorsements for Grace

Seasoned writers, I would love your advice.  What worked best for you personally when you finally got that “Dream Endorsement” for your book?  I see that there are many companies who will gobble my money to give me “the secret” to getting these, however, I believe that “the secret” could also be disguised in many different author’s stories.  Real life rocks big time! 

I have been busily sending out requests, and I will share with you what works for me (when it actually does work!)  Notice I am keeping very positive.  Yep… it’s gonna work.  If I made it through cancer and an eating disorder, I should be able to make it through book endorsement requests too.  I will admit that I much prefer writing and dancing! 

I look forward to hearing from you.  Yes, you!  Even disaster stories can be educational, and belly laughs are welcome as well.

Miss Book Endorsement Request 2010, Melinda

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Illness and Soul-Cleansing

“Illness washes the windows of your soul, clearing away all of who you wish to change, and leaves behind a crystal-clear view into your true spirit.”

-Melinda Marchiano-

From Grace:

I think it’s strange what people choose to do with their lives.  A person who is healthy, smart, and strong will go sit behind a desk, sipping their coffee and shuffling papers from nine to five.  Then, they will sit in traffic, get home, and pretty much go to bed.  To me, that is sad… pitiful.       

     I would like to ask that person, “Are you happy every day?”

     I can almost guarantee the answer would be, “No.”

     So many of us, lead bland, tasteless, hum-drum lives, with our potential lying lifeless, dusty and cob-web ridden in the corner.  I guess that when you’re severely sick, and know it, and feel it every second, you become determined to make every second count for the rest of your life. 

     Yearning for my bed, I buried my head in my pillow, the seat belt the only thing keeping me vertical.  I knew that nothing would stop me once I was well, healed.  I was so sure that I was going to make something of my life, and celebrate it every day until I die.

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Another Thought for The Day

 “Once we jump the fence of fear, there is a whole new world that is there for the taking.” – Melinda Marchiano-

Like Melinda says in Grace, “You don’t want to be a deep thinker when you have cancer.  Trust me.”

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Melinda’s Thought For The Day

“God put us in bodies so that we may appreciate the freedom of heaven when we get there.”

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Lance Armstrong Endorsement for Grace

Now that Melinda has completed the photo selections and permissions for the new edition of Grace, she is working on obtaining book endorsements.  With all of the “Lance stories” in Grace, not to mention the treasured inspiration he unknowingly blessed  Melinda with during her cancer battle, Melinda would love to have Lance Armstrong endorse her book.  Just wondering if anyone out there in cyberspace might be, say, having dinner with Lance this evening?  How about riding with him tomorrow?  Okay, how about, is there anyone out there who can ask Lance if he will read an amazing book, written by Melinda Marchiano about her journey through cancer and recovery?  If you read this, Lance, thank you again for signing Melinda’s port jar…  it still makes her happy!  Hope the story about you makes you chuckle…

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www.fight2win.org… Did you look?

I am hoping you took the time to look at Alese Coco’s Web site, www.fight2win.org.  It is because of people like Alese that I am able to cherish my good health today. (And also Dr. Dan, Cottage Hospital, and, and, and…!)  What she has begun will help so many other children who suffer from this disease.  My heart is with her parents and her family, hoping they receive enormous comfort knowing that Alese left behind something incredibly good.  Now, it is up to the rest of us to carry on her vision of hope.  Alese, I am sending my gratitude to you by Heaven Express Mail… and I will do all that I can to carry this onward.

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