A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Teenage Author’

Guts On The Table

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Dear Oprah,

 Hi, it’s Melinda again. When I returned to school after treatment ended, it was rough.

From Grace:

Another event happened at school, although this one was less than fortunate. People were mean. Several run-ins with students began to affect me, scar me. One kid in my Biology class upset me so greatly that I cried the whole way home. From previous inquiries about my absences he knew that I had fought cancer.

 One day, when I returned after missing multiple classes, he questioned me. “Where have you been? Sick?”

 I nodded.

 “Man! I wish I could just go home all the time!

 Those words ignited a fire inside of me. I was furious.

 “No you don’t,” I said, remaining calm despite my anger.

 “Yeah, I do; that must be nice,” he shot back.

 I remained stubborn. “Trust me, you don’t,” I insisted before turning a cold shoulder to him.

 Words screamed in my head.

 “You @#*&! If only you knew how much I suffered, and how much I would love to be able to make it through even one day without feeling like crud! And don’t you think for one second that I use my illness to get out of school! I would kill to be able to come to school! I’m sitting here right now, feeling like %#@*! Maybe if I puke in your face you’ll believe that I am sick! You stay home with a cold! A cold! I had cancer . . . . *#@ cancer! You get to feel good! You get to be healthy! I would give anything, anything, to feel that way for one millisecond. I would pour my guts out on this table right now, just to know what it feels like. I don’t even *&#@ remember what it feels like!”

 Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn’t focus, and my rage blurred every word that Mr. Ritchie spoke. I just wanted people to believe me . . . that’s all. (Copyright Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery)

 “Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean.”    —Maya Angelou

 Please believe me when I say I would pour my guts out on the table before you, if it meant you would shine your light on childhood cancer. Awareness=Funding=Research=Cure!

Melinda

Max Clearly Stating His Feelings About Cancer

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Wow, This Girl Really Means It!

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Dear Oprah,

My name is Melinda Marchiano, and I am 16 years old. I will admit right up front in this message that I am desperate for you to bring attention to a cause– childhood cancer. Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of children, and I discovered– at 13 years old– what it is like to fight cancer. The reason for my desperation is not because I need or want anything for myself, but because I need you to make the choice to give childhood cancer a Voice.

Childhood cancer is overlooked, underfunded, and grossly misunderstood. The NCI and American Cancer Society give little of their time or resources to childhood cancer. The eleven drugs used today to treat children with cancer were all developed before the 1970’s; we absolutely must develop new targeted treatments that cure, yet are far less toxic (for example antineoplastins and oncolytic virotherapy.) With the research tools that are widely available now, enormous strides toward this goal are highly possible—with adequate funding for research.

By now, your producers must be shaking their heads, thinking, “Wow, this girl really means it.” I wonder what the thought is that comes after that. Is it, “What are we going to do about this?” Or, is it, “Wow, is she ever dreaming?”

I have people posting on my Facebook wall, telling me that writing to you is a “Big waste of time.” Even if your answer is no, I do not view writing to you as a waste of time. I truly believe there is goodness in you that will cause you to open your heart to this passionate plea. I have to try. Do you know why?

Children are suffering.

Children are dying.

Here is the thing; it does not have to be this way!

Let’s round up The Giving Pledge with childhood cancer experts to create an everlasting Pledge for a Safe Cure for all Children with Cancer.

We can do this. Let’s do it.

Now.

Not giving up hope,

Melinda

A seven year-old boy named Max Nunn taught me about advocating and raising money for childhood cancer research. Max said, “I mean it!” Thanks Max for still teaching me– all the way from heaven.

Thank you for your lessons, Max!

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Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery 

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Treasures in Heaven

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Dear Oprah,

Thank you for your compassion in reading my daily letters requesting you to do a show on childhood cancer. People keep reminding me that time is running out. Since this is your last season, I know chances are becoming slimmer and slimmer that you will answer positively. Yet, I can’t give up, and I won’t give up.

We, as a society, cannot continue to ignore childhood cancer. There are 40,000 children in the U.S. battling cancer today. We are more interested in the lives of the rich and famous and badly behaved people of the world than in turning our attention to fight for the most vulnerable, our seriously ill children.

This is just wrong.

I love this verse:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19

Imagine the Treasure we could leave here on this Earth. I imagine a large table (like Mr. Trump in The Apprentice,) with childhood cancer experts and members of The Giving Pledge gathered for a Pow-Wow about building the Childhood Cancer War Machine that will decimate childhood cancer. I see their faces: Dr. L. Hartwell, Dr. E. Kleinerman, Dr. Bruzynski, Dr. P. Adamson, Dr. J. Schiffman, Dr. Curran, CureSearch, St. Baldrick’s, PAC2, Kids V Cancer, Members of the Pediatric Cancer Caucus, and interspersed with them, The Giving Pledge members: Mr. and Mrs. Case, Mr. and Mrs. Gates, Mr. Zuckerberg, Mr. Icahn, Mr. Milken, and all others.

At the end of this show, I see a gigantic celebration of the beginning of change… streamers, balloons, and confetti streaming from the sky while tears stream down audience members’ faces. We cannot wait another day to act in a huge way to cure childhood cancer. Children are a treasure here on Earth.

I cannot imagine a greater Treasure for Heaven than ending their suffering.

Grateful for your care,

 Melinda 

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

 

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Persistence in the Mission of Hope

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Dear Oprah,

It is me, Melinda again, writing to ask you to please do a show on childhood cancer. The purpose of my daily letters is not to annoy you, but to engage you in my mission of hope. If you look at the Oprah, Please Do a Show on Childhood Cancer Facebook page today, you will see many stories of children who have fought cancer, along with shocking statistics of how childhood cancer is overlooked and underfunded.

If you look closely at the stories, you will find many common threads. One very startling thread is the common denominator of children with cancer being misdiagnosed. It is appalling that parents take their children to appointment after appointment, doctor after doctor, and still, their child’s cancer is not found until it spreads to the point of no hope for recovery. I do not blame doctors for this. This is a problem in our society. There is so little awareness that children are dying as a result.

Over the past year, I have been blessed, and at the same time saddened, by communications with other children with cancer. They fight so hard. They just want to be normal. Their families are ravaged and devastated. Unfortunately, children do not vote, children do not earn income, and children do not have the same rights as adults. How can children fight for the same “Cancer Rights” that adults have earned?

They can’t.

These children are depending on us. Future children are depending on us. Please gather childhood cancer experts with members of The Giving Pledge for the purpose of creating an enormous Childhood Cancer War Machine.

This spectacular machine would guarantee:

*Earlier detection for childhood cancers

*Less toxic treatments for childhood cancers

*Great follow-up care for children with cancer

I want this with all of my heart. I will persist. Yes, I will keep persisting until I engage you in this mission.

With great hope,

Melinda

16 Year-Old Author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Last Chemo Day at Cottage Hospital

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Like No One Else…

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Dear Oprah,

I absolutely love how you have taught your audience, over the years, how to live their “best lives.” Although I am only sixteen years old, I have emerged from an experience that has clearly illustrated to me how I am to live my “best life.” That experience was battling Hodgkin lymphoma when I was thirteen, and I am living my best life by pouring my heart and soul into helping other children with cancer.

Did you know?

Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killing children.

Every school day, 46 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer– 12,500 children each year.

One out of every five children diagnosed with cancer will die; in some forms of childhood cancer, one out of every five children will live.

The causes of most childhood cancers are unknown and cannot be prevented.

When children are diagnosed with cancer, 80% have advanced stages of the disease, compared with 20% of adults.

One of my favorite words is “gelatinous.”  (Just making sure you are paying attention!)

 There are 40,000 children in the United States battling cancer as I write this.

Will you please, please, Oprah, shine your light on childhood cancer?  If you would open your heart to this request, childhood cancer would suffer a serious blow to its cruel and evil existence. Like no one else, you can bring awareness to childhood cancer. Like no one else, you can help begin the process of driving childhood cancer to extinction.

Like no one else, you can…

Will you?

Please?

Melinda

16 Year-Old Author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Nurse Cyndi, the Blue Chemo Fairy

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Happy New Year, Squeak-Squeak!

Dear Oprah,

I wish Happy New Year to you and your staff. The very first thing I must do in 2011 is to write to you (again—appreciate your patience, letter reader producers.) There are those who wonder why I “waste” my time writing each day to you. Although I know my voice is barely a “Squeak,” I will keep “Squeaking” to help bring awareness and a cure for childhood cancer.

Childhood cancer is devastating beyond what my words here can describe. I understand why it has been overlooked in awareness, funding and research. It is just too hard for people to look. It is too gut-wrenching for people to truly comprehend the suffering of the children and their families. What I have learned is that a cure for childhood cancer is within our reach. CureSearch and Children’s Oncology Group state that with adequate funding, a cure for childhood cancer is within our reach.

Funding.

Lack of money for research is the MONSTER aiding childhood cancer to continue its destruction.

What I am asking, Oprah, is that you please gather experts on childhood cancer together with those philanthropists who have pledged to give away large portions of their fortunes so that we can begin building an enormous Childhood Cancer War Machine.

How is it that our country has the funds to build war machines that kill, but we won’t build one to save the lives of our dearly loved children? Please help me make 2011 the year that we make childhood cancer run for its life.

Me and my “Squeak” will be checking in with you again tomorrow,

With great hope,

Melinda

16 Year-Old Author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery 

 

 

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Some Serious Gratitude

Nicholas, Mom, and I drove to Santa Barbara today and spent the day with Jaynie =) Shopping, beach, Rowan and Maclintock, lunch at Brophy Brothers… some serious gratitude…

So much gratitude, my joy from the day is spilling over into my letter of the day to Oprah.

Dear Oprah,

By the grace of God, I traveled today through Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and over the Cachuma Pass to a sight I will never forget—the crystal clear Pacific Ocean glowing with a light I have never seen before, with all of the Channel Islands lined up in a row. The spectacular sight made me think about how the most important things in life are not things. What I am writing to ask you for is not a thing, but it is certainly spectacular!

Oprah, will you please do a show on childhood cancer?

I am a sixteen year-old, cancer-surviving “soldier” in the Army against childhood cancer. Please know that I am not asking to be on your show. I am asking you to please have a show that will educate your audience that cancer is the #1 disease killing children. 80% of children who are diagnosed with cancer have advanced stages of the disease, compared to 20% in adults. If you would choose to shine your light on childhood cancer, this statistic alone could take a MAJOR tumble!

I think of how many children’s lives you could save with just one show. I think of the magnificent scene I had the blessing of viewing today and I imagine. I imagine all of those children who will never get to see anything like what I just saw today.

My gratitude sets me on fire to change what is and what should not be.

With my appreciation to my producer friends who keep reading my letters,

Melinda

16 year-old author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

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Can’t Stop Imagining…

Dear Oprah,

My name is Melinda Marchiano, and I am sixteen years old. Three years ago this day, I was at Cottage Hospital receiving chemo for Hodgkin lymphoma. You can imagine my gratitude today. Really, unless you have been taken to the brink of death over and over again, you cannot—even with the best imagination—come close to knowing the elation I feel.

The gratitude I feel for my life spills over into deep care for children who are facing their own cancer diagnosis. Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killing children. 80% of children who are diagnosed with cancer have advanced stages of the disease, compared with 20% in adults. We have come far in helping adults become aware, but heart-wrenchingly, we as a society fall horribly behind in education about childhood cancer. The results of this lack of awareness are devastating!

For these reasons, I have joined with 51,000 others to ask you to please do a show on childhood cancer. I imagine what you could do; your voice reaches far. Gosh Oprah, my heart knows how much you can help.

Praying for this miracle… can’t stop imagining,

Melinda

P. S. Hi Producers… hope you are having a nice day– me again:)

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Will the Real “Santa” Please Stand Up?

When people tell me, “I hope you get everything you want for Christmas,” I know they mean well and that their words come from love. What I really, really want is not a thing. And I know all of you who follow my blog know exactly what it is that I want. Could it be the same as my Make-A-Wish?

Today, in Panera, I noticed a collection box for Make-A-Wish, and it was stuffed with bills and coins. It made me smile to think how eager people are to support Make-A-Wish for all of the work they do to help children with life-threatening illnesses. It made me think about how there is no amount of money that people can give to Make-A-Wish that will make my wish come true.

My wish depends upon the answer of one person– Oprah.

What I want more than anything is for Oprah to help educate people about childhood cancer. With one show, she could save many children’s lives… it may just lead to a cure.

My “Santa” looks exactly like Oprah. It’s okay that I don’t know what is in the big bag yet.

I am praying… praying for that Christmas miracle to come true.

Cottage Hospital Gingerbread House

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Dear Cancer,

Dear Cancer,

Three years ago, on December 18, 2007, Dr. Dan called to tell me that my second biopsy revealed your identity– Hodgkin lymphoma. You were so clever in your hiding, so adept in disguising your destruction, that you nearly got away with suffocating me before we even found where you were lurking. I remember a feeling of power over you just learning your name. You became my instant enemy.

You did your very best Cancer, you really did. You fooled my friends, doctors, and most of my family.  You whittled me down to 79 pounds. You brought me to the brink of death time after time and ravaged everything in your path.

What tortures me most is seeing other children suffer and die… and you know that.

But guess what Cancer?

By the Grace of God, I have family, friends, and a medical team who have helped me to rise far above your treacherous grasp. Not only am I out of your grasp, but I am turning around the attack. Yes Cancer, you heard me right. I am out to get you. There is nowhere you can hide.

You know Cancer, every time I share my story, or someone reads Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery, people become more aware of you and the horrors of your existence. The more aware we all become of you, the more money will raise to fund research for your swift demise.  And I haven’t even begun my college education which I plan on dedicating to eradicating you.

Your Glory Days are over Cancer. I advise you to start shopping around for your cemetery plot.

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