Author Archives: mark

Hello Everybody Sorry this isn’t an elegant happy update from Melissa, but just wanted to let everyone know that I took Melissa to the local hospital emergency room last night with a 104 fever.  They then ambulanced her to Froedtert where they admitted her into an isolation room.  She has influenza, unfortunately.  Froedtert doesn’t seem […]

Hi again, everyone!  We just got the initial results of the biopsy, and it is NOT cancer, NOT even a fungus, NOT an active infection of any kind!  Apparently, it was the start of a pneumonia, but the body quickly encapsulated it and it didn’t get anywhere!  Needless to say, we are very happy about […]

Hello Everyone, Melissa’s surgery went well today, although it was a bit more involved than we both thought.  Melissa is in a bit of pain, but they were trying to get on top of that.  Hopefully, she can get out by Saturday.  We won’t have biopsy results for a few days I’m sure.  Thanks for […]

Hi Everyone, Just a quick update.  Melissa’s oncologist conferenced with colleagues and the conclusion is that a biopsy is needed.  With timing being pretty important for the stem cell transplant, they just need to be sure what they are dealing with in those lungs.  We will be headed back to our home-away-from-home tomorrow for the […]

Well, we’re almost glad Melissa went in with chest pains 10 days ago, because they treated her like a cardiac patient and did a CAT scan of her chest.  There are no heart issues, but the CAT scan showed those two spots, one on each lung.  The doctor put her an a ritzy anti-fungal, since […]

Hello Everyone, Last Thursday, Melissa woke up with pain in her chest.  We went to the ER and even though we did not think it was a cardiac issue, she got triaged as a heart patient.  To make a long story short, we believe the pain in her chest was her sternum reacting to the […]

Hello Everyone, Just a quick update for now until Melissa updates you further.  The delay between Round 4 and Round 5 (which included the stem cell harvest) did much for Melissa’s spirits and general strength.  She went into Round 5 feeling relatively good.  However, the stacking effect of all this chemo took its toll pretty […]

Just a quick update.  Melissa was tentatively schedule to start Round 5 today, but her red blood cell levels were not sufficient.  We will go in to Froedtert first thing Wednesday, most likely for another transfusion.  If her labs are OK, they will admit her right from there.  I have to report for military duty […]

Except for being very low on red blood cells, which necessitated another blood transfusion yesterday, Melissa’s labs looked good, so everything is on track for admission tomorrow morning for Round 3.  Lord willing, she will get out Thursday, in time for Wesley’s 8th grade graduation at 8:00 p.m.!  Then, as long as she is feeling […]