Hello dear friends and family -
Many have asked for an update on Mel's status -
we held off because of some challenges, and to wait until after a couple
of crucial doctor appointments before updating
you so we had something useful to report.
As previously reported, Melody came home from
the hospital on Friday - the days since have ranged from challenging to
(at times) brutal. She's been struggling with nausea and fatigue, and
wasn't able to get up and move around, or eat and drink as much as we
wanted her to and as she needs. On the positive side, her digestive
stuff is working properly again (she's pooping!), and her nausea, though
still intermittent, seems to be lessening as time goes on.
She enjoyed a home visit from the wonderful Dr Michelle Charfen-Horvath
a couple of nights ago when we were concerned she might be dehydrated.
For those of you who don't know her, Michelle is an ER doctor at Little
Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, and a former member of one of
Melody's women's groups. Michelle helped
reassure her that she was actually doing really well, despite the
challenges. Her color was good, and she wasn't displaying any concerning
symptoms, just post-surgical discomfort and nausea.
Let me pause for a moment to sing the praises of Melody's
former sister-in-law and sister-in-spirit Chris, who descended upon us
like the angel she is and rescued both of us in the process. Chris is a
recent cancer survivor herself, and has been incredible in every
possible way - tending to Mel's meds and meals, making sure she drinks
enough, asking all of the questions we would never think to ask of the
doctors and nurses, taking copious notes, and taking considerable weight
off of me as I peer like a deer in the headlights of this very weird
circumstance. Honestly, I don't know how we would have made it through
this last week without her. God bless Chris in every and all abundance!
Yesterday, we had a phone consult with the oncologist/hematologist who
will be in charge of chemo, and we got a lot of information about that
process, and then today, Chris took her to meet with the surgeon - I
wasn't able to take her because I had a chiropractic appointment I
desperately needed, but I was able to listen in by phone. Dr Penner
confirmed that Mel is doing great, all things considered. She removed
Melody's 35 staples and updated
us about pathology results, which confirm stage 3 ovarian cancer. Not
the news we hoped for, but not unexpected either. The doctor remains
optimistic about Melody's prospects, confirming
again that she was able to remove everything she could see or feel, and
that the chemo will address any microscopic cells that evaded surgery.
Chemo is scheduled to start on 12/22, unless the doctor can get her in
sooner, but they want her to sufficiently heal from surgery and get
strong before starting. The surgeon would like her to start the week of
12/13 if possible. If she can stay cancer-free for a year after the last
cycle of chemo, that would lead to a great prognosis, but if not, she's
still confident they can stay ahead of it for some time.
I previously reported erroneously about her chemo schedule. The actual
schedule will involve 6 courses of 2 different types of chemo, once
every 3 weeks, in 4-6 hours sessions each. We can anticipate nausea and
vomiting over the first week after each session, fatigue the 2nd week
and then starting to feel better before the cycle repeats until the end.
The first and last are reported to be the hardest sessions, first
because it's new to the body, and last because of the cumulative effect
of the course of treatment. Mel says she's up for it - "we gotta do what
we gotta do". We hope to enlist the aid of our old friend THC to assist.
Melody will lose her scalp hair within a couple
of weeks after the first dose of chemo. She says she "doesn't give a
rat's ass" about that, and in order to make the transition easier for
Emma and Gavin, Anna will have a haircut party where they can help cut
her hair before the chemo, so they can adjust. She told them to call her
"Baldy Bubbe".
To keep her mind busy, she's been watching 10 years' worth of Friends,
now for the 2nd time in a row. We watched the last few episodes together
a couple of days ago, and now she's started over on her iPad. Cousins
Andrea and Peter sent a Friends Care Package, and
Melody wore her new (and very soft and comfortable) Central Perk
sweatshirt to the doctor's office today. Mel used to have I Love Lucy as
her go-to, feel-good therapy, but Friends has, at least for now,
replaced Ms Arnaz in that regard.
Anna is the best daughter in the world, caring not only for her
rambunctious family, but also for Mel and me. Their mother-daughter
relationship is the strongest I have ever seen - they are in constant
contact. When our washing machine died last week, Anna immediately came
by to grab our copious laundry and somehow found the time to do it at
home for us. She's made food for me and has been incredibly supportive
to us both. I am one lucky guy to have married into this incredible (and
incredibly LOUD!) family!
Mel wants me to tell you that she thanks you very much for your well
wishes, and asks that, should you feel called to do so, to light a
candle for her and send out healing thoughts, prayers or whatever suits
you. She loves each and every one of you, and for those of you who have
reached out to me or her, wants you to know that she has read
everything, and will respond as she is able to anything sent directly to
her.
She says she "experiences a deep connection to the universe, God, Spirit
and miracles" and we are counting on that to help us through this life
challenge.
I will send further updates as there are
developments.
Here's to normal poops! Here's to increasing strength and successful
chemotherapy! Here's to you and yours!
Glen