Melanie’s Journey.

We have used the occasion of Melanie’s illness to begin this blog. We hope this will help keep our friends and extended family updated on Mel’s journey. We continue to covet your prayers.

Here is a summary of Melanie’s illness:

Thursday afternoon. (June 21)

Around June 6, our 13 year old daughter Melanie started with frequent headaches. She has had some not so bad days and then some not so good days. She has lost some blood, vomiting, diarrhea, and again headaches, very pale, weak, and just feeling like her energy has been sapped. Tylenol helped at first but soon failed to provide any relief. After many and various tests, a CT scan revealed what appeared to be a mass on the left frontal portion of the brain. The size of the mass is about 3 cm.
Surgery was scheduled for today and by mid afternoon had been completed. Mel came through the surgery very well. The doctor felt optimistic that he was able to remove all of the tumor.

Here is a pic or Melanie taken right before surgery…

Thursday Eve…

At this writing Lori is trying to rest. Not a lot of sleep was
acquired since the beginning of the week. I was able to get some rest
last night. Melanie is resting comfortably with various and sundry
wires and tubes tethering her to the bed with a sewn surgical incision
across the top of her forehead just back from her hairline. She will
be able to hide most of the scar with her hair. She was a bit
disappointed when she discovered that they were not going to shave all
of her hair off…???. go figure. The first words out of her mouth
after she woke up from surgery were ” I told you I would be
alright”. Can you say morphine??? You should see the outpouring of
love on the walls of this place! The e-cards have sufficiently covered
one big window in her room. You probably don’t fully realize what a
blessing you are to us during this time of uncertainty. We really
appreciate all of you for caring about our situation. An MRI is
scheduled for tomorrow morn. to be sure that as much of the tumor was
removed as possible. They do it so soon in case there needs to be
another surgery before she heals. We will have to wait to find out
what type of tumor it is to determine if she will need ongoing
treatment i.e. radiation or chemo or no treatment. We are confident in
the ability of our Lord to heal her completely, but we are trying to
resolve ourselves to trust Him whatever the outcome. God is not
surprised by our bumps in the road. He knows and cares and builds into
our lives strengths that only adversity can accomplish. So continue to
pray for endurance and hope. Love Marty