A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Teenage Author’

Nutcracker 2010 Memories

All week-long, the music from The Nutcracker has been playing in my head. After five performances last weekend, it is still with me! I wish that all of you could see how talented the people are who I dance with. Not only are they talented, but I love each of them like they are my sister. It’s an exceptional group of girls who all support one another and never compete with one another. What an amazing environment for growth, and I realize how blessed I am to be surrounded with this kind of support and love.

Rag Doll Oksana and Soldier Melinda

Last year, one of my parts was a Rag Doll, like Oksana here with me in this photo. This year, as part of our soldier dance, we went down on the floor on our rear ends and got back up again. Tricky huh?! I enjoyed being a Soldier:)
 
Next in the performance came my part in Snow. Mom has a tough time making it through Snow ever since three years ago when she sat watching me dance as a Snowflake two days after my biopsy. We had no idea at the time what the Big Blob was inside my chest. I think that song will always make her cry, and watching me dance along with it– well, she is “Toast”! Gotta love moms:) She did tell me that she began dripping tears even before I appeared onstage because Jane and Harmony, the Snow Queens, were dancing from their souls. I loved being a part of Snow– it is always epic with the incredibly beautiful music and of course…
 
 
The Snow!!!!!!!!
 

Nutcracker Snow with Callie and Teagan

 
 
 
 
 
Callie was an incredible Flower Queen and Teagan and I were both Soldiers:) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And one more dance… Ribbon… ahhh yes, the dance that took every ounce of strength and breath I could gather up!
 

Nutcracker Ribbon Dance with Sarah

 
Bye-Bye Nutcracker 2010. It was great fun!

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Golden Mike for KSBY’s Carina Corral Grey

I received great news today from Carina Corral Grey at KSBY– she won a Golden Mike Award! Golden Mikes are awards given by the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California, and the award she will be receiving at the Award Dinner is for:

TV-17- Best Hard News Series Reporting in Division B. The title of the series is called, “A Child’s Resilience,” and guess what story is included in this?

Published author, dancer, cancer survivor: Nipomo teenager being honored this weekend – KSBY-TV-msnbc.com:
http://www.ksby.com/news/published-author-dancer-cancer-survivor-nipomo-teenager-being-honored-this-weekend/

I am very, very happy for Carina and for KSBY, not only for their award, but for their commitment to air news stories that will bring forth awareness and assistance for kids fighting serious childhood illnesses. I am thrilled that the broadcasting industry obviously agrees with the importance of this issue and with the beautiful way Carina and KSBY put together the stories. I hope this will encourage other reporters to reach out to help our very youngest in need.

Thank you Carina. Thank you KSBY. My sincere and warmest of all congratulations on this well-deserved award.

Carina Corral Grey and Melinda

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Google Map Vehicle Sighting

Coming home from school today, I was driving along Tefft Street when my mom noticed a strange-looking vehicle coming toward us in the opposite lane. It was a teeny-tiny car with a huge tripod on top and a bubble-like camera on top of that. We giggled at the way it looks and how funny it must be to be the person who is driving the car. Now, what I want to know is when they get that piece of tape up  and running, are all of you going to see me smiling and waving at you when you look up “Tefft Street” in Nipomo????????????????????

Giggle, giggle, hope so! Actually, all you will see is the silver streak of a Toyota Tundra barreling toward home (I was hungry, okay?!)

I will conclude with a few photos of Google Map Vehicles that look  a bit similar to the one we saw.

Why does this crack me up?

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The People in My Life

Today, I am thinking about the people in my life. Well, not just today, but every day, I am thinking how I am blessed with so much love.  There are Mom and Dad and Nicholas and Dean and I can’t forget Larry and Snowie and Oreo.

Beyond my immediate family, Gramma & Poppy live nearby, and they are always (yes, I mean it, always!) supportive of whatever I am doing. They come to school events, dance events, my speaking events, and they support me in incredible ways for my book project. Poppy loves to joke;  you know who else loves to joke too! And Gram… she is always thinking of others and together she and Poppy have established themselves as the Grand Prize Best Host and Hostess.  

Searching my heart further, I find Uncle Bruce and Gramma M. and Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sharon and Uncle Greg and Aunt Valerie and all of my cousins who I love to pieces!  I am thankful for school friends, dance company friends, Academy of Dance friends, and now this whole new world of people I have met through my book project.

This “New World” of people happen to be passionate about exactly what I am passionate about.

STOP CHILDHOOD cANCER!

Of course we despise all forms of cancer– we are just focused on stopping the suffering of the children first and foremost. We need to raise awareness of the facts, we need to raise money for research, we need clinical trials, we need less toxic treatments, we need a cure. I want to thank my friends who inspire me each day to work hard to see that major change happens– not later– but now.

The Nunn family, Jennifer Powers, John Gavin, Niki Axford, Susan Blake, Dan Cohen, Bob Piniewski, Joann Nawrocki, Ramona Gail Butler Harris, Carly Boucher, Deliece Hofen, Becca Stapleton, Christine Bouchard, Stacey Eva, Renae Barnes Murphy, Deborah Green Fatheree, Kriszan & Jade, Lois Salter, Christine Becker Barbour, Michelle L., and I have just begun to thank all of you.

I know there are more I am missing on my list. Would you like to join?

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A 13-Year-Old’s Journey from Cancer to Grace

A 13-Year-Old’s Journey from Cancer to Grace.

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Diana and The Chevron Station

For those of you who have read Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery, you may remember a story that took place at our local Chevron Station. Mom and I were on our way to the Cancer Center in Santa Barbara, filling up the car for our daily radiation treatment journeys, when a woman came over to our car. Mom was busy scrubbing the windshield when “Diana” approached her and asked if she could  pray for me. At the time, I was completely bald– not even one wisp of hair dangling from my scalp. Diana proceeded to pray one of the most heartfelt, meaningful prayers I have ever heard in my entire life. With tears flowing down our cheeks as our silver Tundra sped down the freeway on ramp, we then noticed something else… 

Giggle, giggle… have to read Grace!

This moment in time is something I will never forget. And now, I have a brilliant memory to add to this one. One of the girls I dance with on the Nipomo High School Dance Company asked me yesterday, “Do you remember the woman who prayed for you at the gas station?”

“Yes… ” I replied.

“Well, she’s my mom,” she announced.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh this is so great, so amazing, so incredible! I believe I am going to have the opportunity to wrap my arms around Diana and thank her for reaching out to me with her loving heart. Wish you could see me smiling now:):):)

I love that there are “Dianas” in this world of ours who teach us to not be afraid to share our love and faith with everyone. I am grateful– so grateful– that Diana gave me the gift of her divine prayer that day.

This appreciation in me will last my lifetime.

 

 

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Barry Eva Chat and Magnificent Make-A-Wish

I enjoyed chatting today on Blog Talk Radio with Barry Eva. I absolutely love his voice and the way he speaks! What a lovely and gracious host he is; I had such a good time! He obviously took time and effort to prepare for the interview so that he was able to ask great questions. I hope that listeners learned something about childhood cancer, and I hope that Barry enjoyed meeting me as much as I enjoyed meeting him. I think I might have to start working on my own radio show so that I can invite Barry to have a chat with me! I would like to ask Barry some questions of my own:)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/across-the-pond/2010/12/02/a-book-and-a-chat-with-melinda-marchiano

 Guess who called yesterday with an update? My amazing Make-A-Wish person, Stefanie, called! I realize that my wish will take awhile to process before I will hear anything, and Stefanie is very thoughtful to let me know that they have not received an answer yet. I truly appreciate the kindness of Make-A-Wish Foundation in helping make this passionate wish of mine come true.

With all of my heart, I know that if my wish is granted, at least one child’s life will be saved.

At least one life. That one life is worth everything I am working for and more.

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Waiting to hear from Make-A-Wish

I haven’t heard a word from Make-A-Wish… not even one word. I have decided I won’t analyze things, or stress about what this means or doesn’t mean. What is meant to happen will happen. Okay, I will admit that I am a teeeeeeeeeensy weeeeeeeensy bit encouraged because I did not receive an immediate, “NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” As each day goes by, I also admit that I imagine myself as a fly on the wall at HARPO Studios as Oprah’s producers scratch their heads and nod at one another in agreement that a show on childhood cancer would be AMAZING!

Okay… imagination is rolling…

After a information-filled Oprah Show that includes CureSearch, Children’s Oncology Group, St. Baldrick’s, and so much more, then Oprah can announce a great big surprise! Oh my gosh, I can see it now– I can really see it!

Oprah announces that her Angel Network is going to build the BIGGEST, BADDEST (yes, BADDEST!) most utterly powerful Childhood Cancer War Machine ever imagined by humankind! She tells her audience how her heart has been moved to make a huge difference in the lives of children with cancer in our country and throughout the world. Oprah goes on to tell all of us how material things are “of this world,” but helping find a cure for childhood cancer is permanent, lasting, and the most worthwhile of all of her missions here on Earth.

It is, in fact, the mission of a true angel. I am still wishing, still hoping, still praying… for Oprah to be the Angel I am seeking.

Oprah Please Do A Show On Childhood Cancer - Our Kids Need Your Help

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I Met Jenna Bush Today!

The exclamation point at the end of my post title tells you how excited I am about meeting Jenna Bush today:) Each time I recall this morning, I smile and my heart feels happy.

My mom noticed an ad in The Tribune earlier this week. It said that Jenna Bush Hager was scheduled for a discussion at the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo (exactly where I will be performing in The Nutcracker in a few weeks:)) on November 8th. I remember her questioning the date, and then she concluded that the paper must have made a mistake on the date and that it had to be today.

We dragged our weary little bottoms out of bed in the deep darkness of morning and prepared to travel north to San Luis Obispo. I brought along a copy of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer And Recovery to give to Jenna (yeah, right… like I would really get the chance to do that!!!) Mom and I joked on the way there about how this whole adventure reminded us of setting out for Solvang to look for Lance Armstrong so he could sign my port jar– like a needle in a haystack, we found him. Not only did we find him, but we somehow managed to accomplish our mission, despite the massive crowds.

As we walked to the entrance of the Performing Arts Center, there, over to the far side of the entrance, was none other than Jenna Bush. She was with a photographer who was taking her photos, one other man, and that was all.  Mom quickly assessed the situation and figured that the man with them was most likely Jenna’s “Security Person.” After walking over to this “Security Person,” we found his name to be Cornell, and he was very friendly. Mom explained that I had a gift to give to Jenna and what it was. Cornell responded with an open heart, kindness, and care, asking us to wait with him until Jenna was finished with her photos.

And then, I met Jenna Bush Hager.

I have to tell you that my excitement is not because I met “Jenna Bush,” but because of the person I learned that she is from my experience talking with her. Her smile is brilliant and when she looks at you, she looks straight into your eyes and soul with genuine care. I am still deeply moved by the way she stopped everything– even though she was scheduled to speak within minutes– to ask me thoughtful questions about my book. She is a lovely, beautiful woman, and I feel blessed to have had our lovely talk.

Just in case you don’t know, Jenna is a contributing correspondent for the Today Show, and she’s chair of UNICEF’s Next Generation whose purpose is reducing preventable childhood deaths worldwide. Jenna’s book is “Ana’s Story,” and I am really looking forward to reading it.

To Jenna’s parents, former President Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush, what a beautiful daughter you have raised! You must have given her lots of love, because she sure does have a lot to share.

I am extremely grateful she chose to share it with me today.

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My Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish is one amazing organization. What they do for children who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses is beyond kind. I love reading stories in the paper, or seeing them on  TV, about children receiving their wishes. I imagine all of the pain, suffering, and despair they have endured and it makes the smiles on their faces mean everything to me– and I am sure it does to them too!

I have been contemplating what I should wish for a very long time. Yesterday, I submitted my wish to Stephanie– my wonderfully thoughtful and warm Make-A-Wish representative. This is what I wished for:

I’ve decided on a wish!  I want Oprah to do a show on childhood cancer. =)  I want it to be very clear that I am not wishing to BE on the show.  I am asking that she grant the wish of the 45,000 + followers of the “Oprah, Please Do a Show On Childhood Cancer” Facebook page.  This would lead to greater awareness and SAVE CHILDREN’S LIVES.  This is my most heartfelt and passionate wish yet!  I hope that you are doing well, Stephanie!   Hugs!

-Melinda

 http://bit.ly/br6Mrg

KSBY 6 TV Childhood Cancer Awareness Oprah Facebook Movement:

http://www.ksby.com/news/local-teen-cancer-survivor-joins-facebook-plea-to-oprah/

If you knew that you had only one wish, and you knew that with that one wish you could save children’s lives and lessen their suffering, wouldn’t you wish the same thing? How can I, knowing what I know about how desperate the need is for awareness, early detection, less toxic treatment, and funding for research, not make this wish? 

I would love  to see the National Cancer Institute make a huge change in their budget– to appropriate much more than the measly 3%  that is currently allocated for all childhood cancers. Seriously people (there I go again, addressing all of humankind:)) this is pitiful. Are children a priority in the United States of America?

How about children who are fighting for their lives against cancer?

I believe I have made my point…

 

 

Pin The Bag of Chemo on the Mass

 

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