Saturday Evening.

This is Saturday evening–we have been HOME for a week–I am truly
sorry it has taken such a very long time to do an update–I will try
to update 1-2 times per week if possible–I only looked at the
computer once since we’ve been home–picture in your mind many bags
and luggage and boxes of medical supplies in corners of various
rooms–
When we got closer to home last Friday, we were met by signs,
balloons, a roadblock, and a yard full of many people–it was so
special to feel so loved and missed and welcomed home again–it did
feel a bit strange to walk into our own home again–I had almost
forgotten what our house looked like inside! The house was clean and
nice smelling–however, we soon had things moved in from the
van–which have still not been put away–mainly because I’m not sure
where to put them!
We travel every weekday up to Christiana for radiation–it takes a
big chunk out of the day, but I am so grateful we can be going from
HOME! Melanie did go to school the first day for a little–then we
left for radiation. She was exhausted and began to realize her wishes
and desires are not always practical–she wants to be able to do all
the things she used to do–she has not been back to school and I
reassured her that was fine. Friday afternoon the girls borrowed a
motorized wheelchair from “Uncle Randy”, and took Melanie out to
Wal-Mart–she really enjoyed the outing–Today, a very hot day, found
the children out picking and shelling lima beans–yes, Melanie again
had her beans! She is not sure if she’ll be going to church
tomorrow–her counts are a little low which leave her very susceptible
to germs–she didn’t make it there last Sunday–she was pretty worn
out–
Last Monday we went for some outpatient therapy–it was a very long
day–Jana went along–she is trying very hard to make sure our whole
family stays together–she often doesn’t want me to leave her
anywhere, but she has been doing OK at school—I think in her little
mind she thinks as long as she is with me, I won’t be gone so
long–like it was the last time–separation anxiety seems to have
affected her—I guess it’s not hard to see why–
We continue to be blessed with much love and kindness through cards,
e-mail, visits, food, phone calls, flowers, monetary gifts, cleaning,
laundry, meals, transportation, and other ways you all have reached
out to us during our time of need–even soft pretzels!–we know we
will never be able to personally thank each of you or repay you for
going way beyond our “needs”–Please continue to pray for the needs
that we have–quick healing for the abdominal incision–a good “count”
on Monday–germ and sickness free, and strength to continue a journey
that isn’t easy to travel–and the faith to keep holding onto the hand
of our Heavenly Father–We love you –Lori for the Miller’s

Melanie Goes to School!

Today was the first day of school for CCS. Melanie insisted that she would come on the first day. Well, here is the evidence…

Sitting at her office..

A few more classmates…

Pace work begins…

Homecoming Pics.

Many thanks to those who were able to be there for Mel and Lori’s homecoming on such short notice. Here are a few pics…

Lining up along the road in front of their house awaiting their arrival..

Macy waits anxiously to re-unite with Mel..

Just out of the van..

Surrounded by friends..

With Macy at last..

Melanie Is Home.

   This is Mel’s uncle Rob.

Melanie came home at around 6:15 on Friday evening. A good number of friends and family were lined up along the road in front of their house as they arrived. It was a memorable moment for sure. She seems to be doing quite well as of this post. We hope to get pictures uploaded on here soon.I was able to do a little interview with Mel recently while she was still in the hospital. Check it out here on…..  click >  “The Roblog”  <

Please continue to keep the family in your prayers as they still have many adjustments. Many trips for treatments are still ahead. We as a church and family remain resolved in the following truth:

Melanie’s lasting recovery is ultimately in the hands of Jesus Christ. He is the Resurrection and the Life. The doctors and nurses have done a great job and deserve recognition.  Many friendships have been established. Most importantly, we hope/pray that the Lord would receive ALL the honor and glory from this experience. He truly is the giver and sustainer of life in a spiritual and physical sense. That gives us all courage to press on.

Rob for the family.

Thursday Night. (More Pics Added!)

This is the evening of Thursday–August 16th–10:20 pm –we are not
yet started with the last dose of chemo because certain levels have to
be just right before it can be started–technically they would keep us
24 hours after the last dose, but they may let us go a little
earlier–if Melanie has anything to do with it, she will talk them
into most anything–don’t worry they won’t compromise her health or
safety–Dr. Walter told her she’s like a “junkyard dog”–they don’t
let go!–she was trying her best to get him to start earlier than 12
hours apart–her determination has it’s place at times–
All of her head is now shaved–I did have to cry to see it all go,
even though a good portion in the front was already gone–she was
grinning from ear to ear–she said it’s a little cold, but fuzzy. She
also picked out a wig that is close to her natural hair color–not
quite sure if I like it better on or off–we’re finding she’s very
adaptable–change comes fairly easy for her–
Well, she’s eating a slushee and has asked for toast–so I will end
this update—
We do again ask that you pray for things go smoothly and that we
could still be home in our own beds tomorrow evening–we ask also for
prayer that she would be able to keep a good body temperature, free of
infections and germs–there is lots more, but I’m being paged for the
toast again–Thanks for caring & praying! Lori for the Miller’s

Somebody brought Mel some fresh pole limas!

It was time for it to come off!

And yes, she is still very cute. Just look at that smile!

Hmmm. Which one shall I choose…

…or this one…

I think I’ll go with this….

And to top it all off with a nice touch…

GOING HOME!

This is Thursday afternoon–I cannot believe I am about to write
this–We have officially been told they are going to try to have us
out of here by 5:00 pm tomorrow evening–I could not believe my
ears–Melanie got such a big grin that did not go away–I think she is
more ready to go home than what she even realizes–we are soooooooo
excited!!!!
We will go to an early radiation appt. on Monday morning then come
back here to A.I. duPont for a dose of Rituximab–that will take
awhile to be infused–then we will head for home and just go back and
forth each day for radiation at Christiana–3-4 weeks later we will
have to come back here as an inpatient for the next series of
chemotherapy–
Melanie keeps telling me in any spare moment that I should be
packing–81/2 weeks is a very long time–not sure I’ll remember how to
even drive! I’m sure my wonderful husband and daddy will chauffeur us
home.
This morning as I was reading, I seemed to come across so much on
patience–I suddenly became overwhelmed with self-pity and despair–I
was tremendously missing “home” and our family–I felt that God was
asking way more than what I could handle–
This is some of what I read –”waiting….keeping yourself faithful
to His leading—this is the secret of strength. Anything that does
not align to obedience to Him is a waste of time and energy. Watch and
wait for His leading.” “Victory is to be won by standing still and
quietly waiting.” Needless to say, I was very convicted in my spirit
as I once again asked God to give more strength, more peace, more
patience, more faith, more trust, and more of His heart–Continue to
pray with us as we journey along this pathway–we still need Him so
much! We love you all–Marty & Lori, Lauren, Joelle, Melanie,
Cameron, & Jana

Wednesday Evening

This is Wednesday evening–not a lot different from
yesterday–although Melanie did bake a chocolate cake today–her
appetite is just as good as ever–she enjoyed a whole pot of homegrown
lima beans tonight for part of her dinner–she did let me have one!
Her cravings seem to be very specific, although she does settle for
what is here–
 We enjoyed visitors again today–she also announced that she will be
in school on Tuesday–First–she plans to be home on Friday to sleep
in her own bed with our dog Macy–Saturday she plans to have a
party–Sunday is church–Monday–she plans on treatment in the morning
then school shopping in the afternoon–***note –these are her plans
she made this evening–I warned her that we may have to stay until
Monday or Tuesday–she said, ” I’m going home!” She also wants to
start her school work now–We only hope that we won’t be disappointed
if we get our hopes up–I realistically think it’ll be the beginning
of next week–we’ll wait to see who is right–
 She just got her fourth dose of chemo this evening–she is doing
well so far–they will monitor her closely over the next few days to
see how she responds to it–she is feeling so good right now that I
think she finds it hard to believe that she will have “yucky” days–
 We are trying to take one step at a time–and still live in complete
faith– allowing God to be God–the prayer of my heart again tonight
would be that we would be able to trust God to lead us in the path He
has chosen for us–without demanding to have our questions answered,
or secretly wishing that we could be rescued from such an uncertain
pathway–we do ask again that you would lift us to the Throne of
Grace–there is where we find rest and peace–  

 Love,

Lori for the Millers

Tuesday Evening. (2 parts)

Part 1
This is Marty writing from the home front:
The children were aching for some semblance of “normalcy”, so I slipped home to connect again
with Lauren, Joelle, Cameron, and Jana. Needless to say we are having
a bittersweet time while I’ve temporarily left two Sweetie Pies at the
hospital. I’m hoping the weekend will find us together in our home.
Lauren and Joelle have been such a great help with the meals,
housework, and laundry. Cameron and Jana do a great job also with
dishes and chores. In spite of all the chaos I am a blessed man. I
went back to trim work today, it’s been a long while and my unused
muscles are in protest. We picked some fresh pole limas from the
garden for a bedtime snack, there’s just nothing that comes close to
fresh limas NOT from a bag out of your grocer’s freezer. Melanie
started her chemo today, I’ll let Lori fill everyone in on those
details later. We appreciate all of you for standing with us through
this journey, and I know some of you are dealing with your own
difficult circumstances that you were not expecting. May we encourage
your hearts with our love and friendship. I have one question in
closing that I have pondered many times, how would you ever know the
depth of your faith if it was never tested? Through this process I’ve
learned a lot about myself, some things I like and some things I
don’t. Pressure is used to test a vessel that will contain useful
things. Hopefully I can be more useful in the Lord’s service through
this process.
Marty

Part 2
This is Lori writing from the hospital:
Today is an 8 week “anniversary”—Marty wanted me to update on
Melanie–we had a rough night last night, but figured it must’ve been
the kidneys–she asked me to pray for her different times during the
night–at one point she said, ” I just started thanking God that I at
least still have my stomach!”–we were both a little concerned about a
blockage, but when she woke up this morning she said all the pain was
gone! PTL
 The chemo got a later start than planned, but she is still on
schedule–just got her second dose now. She will get a total for this
round of 6 doses–1 dose every 12 hours–I think she will get 2 rounds
for the lymphoma while we continue the 6 weeks of radiation–Talin,
one of her great nurses, brought watermelon back here after she got
off work–another nurse, Tracey, brought her grilled potatoes with
rosemary–all was delicious! Do you get the idea that we’re a bit
spoiled?
 The chemotherapy side effects may not hit for a few days–she is
doing well otherwise and seems to be in good spirits –the surgeon let
her sort of change her own dressing–I told him she is probably the
only patient in the hospital that is allowed to tell them how to do
it!
 I was reading a book by Max Lucado today about the wilderness of
life–one part that challenges me–”don’t trust your emotions,
opinions, or even your friends…In the wilderness, heed only the
voice of God.” “Satan attempts to shift our source of confidence away
from God’s promise and toward our performance.” This is where we find
ourselves, in the wilderness– not by choice, but by design–no human
can rescue us or chart the course for us–we simply rely on the mercy
and grace of our Heavenly Father–we need your prayers again for the
days that lie ahead and are most grateful for the days that God has
been our very portion–we desperately need Him– We love & appreciate
you all! Lori for the Miller’s

Monday Evening.

Well, here it is, Monday evening–time for another update–Melanie
had a very good day–seemed to be like the Melanie we used to
know–she was out and about walking around the unit and playing games
for PT–she is working on a stack of books that she loves–this
morning at an early 5:30, I was scrounging for any food I could find
to satisfy an appetite that couldn’t be quenched–we checked 3
different units for Dannon lemon yogurt–there was none to be
found–she settled for pizza & chips–needless to say, there is 1
lemon yogurt, chicken salad,a multitude of snacks, bread & garden
tomatoes on hand–I am well prepared for the night–
They are beginning the first round of chemo tonight, and that will
continue every 12 hours for 6 rounds–this should end about Thursday
morning–they just premedicated her with Benadryl –which she just now
closed her eyes to sleep–they cut the dose in half this time so she
doesn’t get so wacky–it really does a number on her– she apologizes
to the nurses for how she might act before she gets Benadryl–she
knows it makes her behave so differently–she asked Dr. Walter about
coming home–he said they want to see how she handles chemo–she kept
pressing him for a day–he finally said, “7 days”–I am secretly
hoping by the weekend–
She also had her dressing changed this evening which was painful,
but the “VAC” is off and will not be put back on–it is still an open
incision, but is healing nicely.
Her hair has begun to fall out and thin a lot on the top–mainly
from radiation–she was a little sad to see so much of it gone but now
wants to shave it all off–she handles change real well when she
understands what is going on, and does ask nurses, doctors, and etc.
lots of questions–not necessarily pertaining to her, but to them–one
day, she may be a journalist!
Today was a day full of high hopes and expectations–it is easy some
days to see everything as very positive, but then there are those days
that are not so bright–we do again give to God all of our desires,
and trade them for His will, our dreams for His best, and our fears of
the unknown, for His promise to never leave or forsake us–some days
it is easier to write and hope no one can read between the
lines–other days are difficult to even begin to express what feelings
we are going through–yet somehow God continues to carry us along,
which can only be attributed to people like you who have been kind
enough to pray and lift our needs to the Father–again, it really is
our only source of hope–we do ask that you keep bringing us before
Him– Love to all–Lori for the Miller’s

Sunday Evening.

It’s almost 9 o’clock pm Sunday night with an alert Melanie glad for
friends, books, snacks and such. Mel awoke this morning with a
headache and nausea. The doctor seemed to think it could be related to
radiation causing some fluid buildup on the brain, which is expected
to some degree. Her vital signs are all good including her nerve
responses, so they increased the steroid and gave her some nausea meds
today. She is feeling much better. The progress of her abdominal
incision will determine when chemo will begin. They will change the
dressing again tomorrow and are talking about maybe leaving the wound
VAC off–she has some fluid in her ear also, which we’re hoping we can
start drops soon. She just started sounding like she may be getting a
cold–she sounds just a bit congested.
We are again grateful for so many caring people who are tireless in
your encouragement to the tired. We understand the constraints of time
that crowd in on all of you, yet you find the time to write, visit,
call, and pray. We also thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who
gives us the ultimate reason to hope and trust. “He bore our sins in
His own body on the tree”  ”although our outward man perisheth our
inward man is renewed day by day.”–
Marty started this update, but just left with Jana & Cameron–he
plans to try to get back to work this week–it sure was hard again to
see them leave–sometimes it’s really hard to think about life as it
was–almost seems like a dream world that we are in and one day we’ll
wake up  –seems lately again it has been so hard to completely let
go–even when I know God has the very best in store for us, it is a
process that does not happen once and it’s over–it has been a very
conscious effort to let go, but I find myself taking back the very
thing I had just let go of–I guess I learn very slowly, and sometimes
picture God shaking His head in frustration at me because I have to
re-learn again what I had thought I had just learned–One day, we will
know the big picture–until then we do “see through a glass darkly”–
We ask again that you would join us in praying and seeking the heart
of God as we trudge along this pathway that God has placed before
us–we again know and choose to believe that God will never give us
more than we can handle–pray also for strength for Melanie’s muscles
as she moves around, that the incision would continue to heal, that
she would be able to sleep well at night, and that she would not give
in to despair and hopelessness–we are thankful for her determined
spirit–thanks for being a part of our lives–it means so much!
Love–Marty & Lori & family