Radiation Treatment

December 16th, 2010

Just a quick note to say that Mel's radiation began today.  She will have radiation treatment five days a week for six weeks.  After that finishes, the neuro-oncologists will assess the need for chemo.  Thanks for all you've done and please continue to spread the word about Melissa's cause!

Home again, Home again, Jiggity-Jig

December 10th, 2010

In case you haven't been following the CaringBridge, Mel is home and catching up on lots of rest and lots of ice cream.  She will begin radiation and chemo next week.  Thanks for the support and please keep spreading the word as we roll in to the final weeks of fundraising :)

Team Mel

Keep Singing's Success!

December 4th, 2010

Thank you, thank you, thank you for everyone that attended the benefit last night!  The event was a HUGE success!  You all donated $5,940 of your cold hard cash last night!  Wowza!  That is a big chunk of change and will help Melissa so much! 

Thank you also to the hundreds of people that were there in spirit.  We felt your spirit.  That place was alive with spirit...and not just because it's a pub!  So many people came and shared their love for Melissa and SHOWED their loved for Melissa by giving of their time and money.  We are so grateful to each of you.  Melissa sends everyone that gave last night and has given on the website a huge thank you for all you've done. 

I told Mel this morning all the details of the night, that her favorite ICU nurse came and so did another ICU nurse, that her Dad and I performed an accidental comedy routine, and that the music and money were flowing from everywhere.  I tried to pass on each message that you guys gave me to give to her.  Thank you for your kind words.  I also told Mel she would have loved and hated the event.  She would have loved it because so many wonderful people were gathered together listening to beautiful music.  She would have hated it because it was all about her :) 

Thank you Conor Byrne Pub!  Thank you donators of time, money, and products!  Thank you to her family for being there and showing such amazing support throughout the entire night.  Thank you to her amazing group of friends that created the perfect event!  And thank you to Mel for being so awesome that we all want to help her as she walks down this new road....

Speaking of Mel :)  She's in surgery right now getting the shunt put in.  I would imagine we'd be back to the room by noon or 1pm at the latest.  She was feeling much better this morning - must have been all the positive energy generated in Ballard last night :)  I'll keep ya updated on a leave date for us :)    

Keep on Truckin'

November 26th, 2010

Hello All,

As you may know by following Mel's CaringBridge site, she is in surgery today to remove part of the bone in her skull that they believe has become infected.  This piece of bone will remain out for at least a week while she clears the infection.  Then she will go into surgery again to have a synthetic piece of bone put in where the original was.  Additionally, the doctors see another procedure down the road to insert a shunt to help control the fluid in her brain and spinal cord.  We have been in the ICU for almost 2 weeks and will be there quite a bit longer.  After we leave the hospital, an intense course of radiation and chemo will begin.  It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out this is going to cost A LOT OF MONEY.   Currently, she has a $100,000 limit on her insurance; we may be able to get that extended to an additional $100,000 - either way, I can guarantee we will use up that money and much more.  Please spread the word about Melissa's situation and help us raise enough money to at least put a dent in these expenses.  Thanks for your generosity. 

Much love,

Team Mel

Surgery Success

November 16th, 2010

Thanks for all the prayers and good energy each of you has sent out to the universe for Melissa.  Her surgery went great yesterday and she is resting relatively comfortably in ICU right now.  For up-to-date info on her progress and details on her care please click on the CaringBridge link on this website.  You can choose to receive email updates each time I post something new about Melissa on CaringBridge.  Please keep spreading the word about the fundraiser!  We are almost at 70% of our goal.  Let's show Melissa what we are capable of doing together!

Much love,

Team Mel

Prayers, Good Thoughts, Postive Energy

November 12th, 2010

Whatever you may believe, please believe in it on Monday, November 15th when Melissa goes in for her second surgery.  We appreciate all the love and support!  Please keep spreading the word and keep giving.  Thank you for all you do!