Update 8-5-11 - This is your captain speaking...turbulence ahead...

Hi everyone.

We met with Dr. Ashouri on Tuesday and he went over the chemo and what we should expect. He said the sickness generally starts on day 2 and could last up to 10 days after. He did bring up that this next treatment on Thursday 8/18/11 will bring on the hair loss side effect. Melanie is, understandably so, having a hard time with that. There is also the issue with low blood cell counts, red cells - anemia (tired, weakness); white cells - lowered immunity, increased risk of infection.

Melanie asked that I share the following prayer requests:
"Please ask for prayer those things (noted above), that I would look to God for strength, especially with the hair thing. That our family would all stay healthy, especially when the kids go back to school (August 24th). That I would keep my focus on the Lord and draw near to Him in this time. That I would deal with the kids in love especially in this time when I'm feeling stressed and have so much on my mind."
"Also, that I know my hair will grow back and that I know my health is more important, but that doesn't make it any easier in coming to terms with the fact that I'm going to lose it."

I would ask that, knowing that you all love her and just want to help, please be mindful of the emotional pain any woman goes through in accepting the fact of hair loss...and saying "you'll be fine" or "it's ok - it will grow back" comes across as discounting it or writing it off as no big deal... We know it is never meant like that, and that in your heart you are trying to encourage and just love her, but it is a very serious thing and empathy and love are better for Melanie at this stage.

Also to note - we have added items to the calendar (on the Lotsa site) for help needed. We are humbled and extremely grateful for all the support we've already received. THANK YOU!

One more additional prayer - we are still waiting for the BRCA genetic test to come back (testing for the genetic mutation) - please pray that this test comes back "negative" (no gene mutation).

Thank you all again for all your love, prayers, and support.

Love,
Mike