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Melissa, How are you doing????
Mark Horvath <marcusjulius@msn.com>
Libertyville, il usa - Friday, July 20, 2012 8:27 PM CDT

i wish you all the best

amela <amelica_@hotmail.com>
tukwila, w us - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 6:37 PM CDT

I have just been diagnosed with a high grade glioma and it is great to hear that Melissa is doing so well. I am so grateful for all those who offer support, my prayers and positive thoughts are with you and your family Melissa,
Anne Nevile <nevpit@bigpond.net.au>
Melbourne, Vic. Australia - Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:30 AM CST

melissa

Im so happy to hear your doing well. i know what you went through sort of. When i was 13 i had a benign pilocytic astrocytoma removed from my cerebellum and it affected my fine motor skills in my left arm. But now im 18 and strong still in for yearly MRI's but it looks good, i guess where just a few survivor's:)
Ryan
- Friday, November 24, 2006 3:38 PM CST

Melissa,
I'm so glad you are doing wonderful. Give me and Dov a call some time, you know you are ALWAYS welcome to visit us in Jacksonville Beach whenever you want. Please send our love to the fam.
Cousin Ben
Ben Ribnick <benribnick@hotmail.com>
Jacksonville Beach, FL USA - Monday, April 10, 2006 3:44 PM CDT

Dear Melissa, We will be praying for you! We are fighting a brain tumor in our family, too, a GBM stage IV cancer. We keep repeating, "The One Who made us, knows how to heal us." and "We walk by faith, not by sight."
Many blessings be yours, Janette and Greg from Braintmr.com
Janette Manderson <jmandies@yahoo.com>
Fountain Valley, CA USA - Saturday, July 9, 2005 7:59 PM CDT

Melissa---you are lovely. What a beautiful family! I hope that you continue to do well. Let me know if I can be of any help when you want to go back to school. I am an attorney and I help families of children with disabilities. I can explain to you what your rights are at the college level.
Best regards,
Beth Davis-Wellington, Esq., M.P.H. (53) 14 month GBM survivor as of Nov. 14, 2004. Small tumor, full resection, aggressive treatment.
Beth Davis-Wellington <kidslaw@bellsouth.net>
Miami, FL US - Monday, November 22, 2004 6:33 PM CST

Your daughter is so beautiful. My heart breaks for you all.
Mary Ann m/o Eric Buss age 29 GBM IV
Mary Ann Cleaves <maryann@amcmort.com>
Godfrey, IL USA - Monday, November 22, 2004 11:33 AM CST

Melissa, I am one of you fathers cousins in SC.I have been keeping up with you through my mom and dad ( Mitzi and Budd). I want you to know we are praying for you. May you feel the presence of Jesus with you always. Take care of yourself and we look forward to hearing of continued progress from you hip surgery. Love to all your family.
Kay Matthews Weatherly <kayckitchens@aol,com>
Lexington, SC USA - Tuesday, August 26, 2003 10:21 AM CDT

Hi there. You don't know me but I stumbled upon your site (I can't remember how). I am a patient at Duke also and am actually treated by Dr. Friedman's wife--Dr. Kurtzberg. She is head of the pediatric bone marrow transplant program at Duke. She's been my doctor for about 17 years now. Anyways, I'm glad to hear that things were going well for you as of your last update. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and check your page from time to time. Blessings!
Khalita My Caringbridge Site Duke Peds BMT Aplastic Anemia <khalita@hecaresonline.org>
Lexington, NC - Friday, August 22, 2003 5:07 PM CDT

Hello Melissa

My son Matthew is now 21 - he has had two surgeries for an atypical pilocytic astrocytoma of the thalamus. Both were successful third ventricular endocopies by Dr Teo in Sydney Australia. His first operation was in 2000 and his second operation was on 2 June - to relieve severe hydrocephalus - he has remnant tumour that is not growing. The Dr removed all the tumour they could but some is in the area of the fornices and he needs those so they have to stay in. He is at university in Canberra studying science. This week he has three exams - Science, Chemistry and Statistics. Next week he goes on holidays in Queensland for some sun and relaxation. We both send you our best wishes. Matt's advice is to eat plenty of fish and vegetables to get your immune system strong - broccoli, brussel spouts and tuna!
Good luck with the new hip
Susan Pitt
Susan Pitt <susan.pitt@netspeed.com.au>
Canberra, ACT Australia - Sunday, June 22, 2003 8:45 PM CDT

Melissa, I'm pleased to read of your progress with walking. Sorry to hear about the rehab folks not being so "nice". We physical therapists have a notorious reputation of actually being physical terrorists. I hope yours is a good one. Please follow her/his advice and don't take risks. The last thing you need is to injure your hips during rehab. I think of you often and look forward to hearing of your continued progress. Keep taking good care of yourself. Hello to Bebe, Emily, and Laura. Love, Jody
Jody Brown <gawpjjk@cs.com>
Weaverville, NC USA - Wednesday, May 28, 2003 9:45 PM CDT

Hi! In case anyone doubts Melissa's courage and tenacity, you should have seen her as I was lucky to only 8 days after her surgery. She was walking!! Melissa, your Cape Cod relatives love you and think of you often, sending all good wishes your way. I'm so glad we got to visit while you were in the Rehab. Be careful with that Bingo, it can become a habit! Lots of love, Candace
Candace Perry <candace@gis.net>
Wellfleet, MA USA - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 12:04 AM CDT

Hi Bebe and Melissa, I pray your surgery went well at Duke and am praying for you. Let me know how everything went. Bebe, e-mail me. Sorry, I haven't written in a while.

Love, Cyndee
Cyndee Taylor
- Monday, May 12, 2003 7:42 PM CDT

Just stopped by to say hello...You are in our thoughts and prayers!!

Click here to visit Davin's World

God Bless!!
The Rucker Family
Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey <r.rucker@attbi.com>
Garland, TX USA - Monday, May 12, 2003 11:57 AM CDT

Hi Melissa,
My son was diagnosed at the age of 8 with a Pontine Glioma high grade. It is inoperable. He is 9 now coming up on his 1yr anniversary June 9th. I just wanted you to know you are a beautiful young lady and I wish you the best and that I believe in the power of prayer so continue to pray for your healing. We will keep you and your family in our prayers as well. My son has a page at caring bridge also: www.caringbridge.org/nm/zach
Best wishes!

Misti Herrera <dmherrera@pvtnetworks.net>
Artesia, NM USA - Monday, May 12, 2003 10:32 AM CDT

Dear Melissa,
I wish you the best of luck with your brain tumor treatment and the hip replacement surgery.My brother is also treated at Duke for his brain tumor. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Blanca Baldoceda <bbaldoc@hotmail.com>
Arcadia, CA USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2003 7:38 PM CDT

Hi, Melissa. My daughter Quinn was diagnosed with a JPA in the hypothalamic region in December of 2001. She will be 11 in a few weeks. She had a craniotomy this past September and is now on Temodar and doing well--tumor is stabilized. She's in bed now, but I'm going to bookmark this site...she will probably want to send you a message herself! We will hope and pray for the best for you. Maybe we'll cross paths at Duke someday!

Katie
Katie Scarvey <ckscarvey@cs.com>
Salisbury, NC - Monday, April 21, 2003 9:26 PM CDT

Hi Melissa. I am your Dad's cousin on your Grandaddy's side. Just want you to know how much you are in my thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery. Hang in there. You can get through this. Love from your cousin, Patti Bonturi Carter
Patti Carter <pcarter@colacoll.edu>
Lexington, SC USA - Monday, April 21, 2003 10:41 AM CDT

Hi Melissa, We are your grandparents neighbors at the lake. We added you back to our prayer list in our church bulletin for urgent prayer. We pray for you as a group on Sun and Wed evening services. Just keep God number one in your life and He will always be there for you. Lots of Love, Marilyn and Alex Lord
Marilyn Lord <mlord@sabinenet.com>
Hemphill, Tx USA - Sunday, April 20, 2003 9:53 AM CDT

Good luck and may God bless as you encounter another "road to recovery", which is the way we prefer to look at certain challenges, in addition to the brain cancer. My husband is also a patient at Duke, with Dr. Henry Friedman as his primary physician there. We also return in April-the 28th. They are the "best", as I'm sure you know.

Mary Alice Sweet <alsweet@charter.net>
Cookeville, TN 38501, - Wednesday, April 16, 2003 11:21 PM CDT

Melissa- You are a very strong girl. I know EXACTLY what you are going through. Don't give up hope. I never will.
Alisia, 25, dx: Pilocytic Astrocytoma
hypothalamus region with Optic Nerves grown into it)
ON MY WAY TO DUKE!
Alisia <bean@greybean.com>
East Haven, CT USA - Tuesday, April 8, 2003 9:36 PM CDT

Hey Melissa, I ran into your Grandmaw Matthews in Walmart and she gave me this address. So happy to be able to send you warm greetings via this great website. Tell everyone hello. We hope to see you soon. Hang tough, my baby. Just know we love you.
Sherry Perkins <sewp18@hotmail.com>
Pineville, La USA - Monday, April 7, 2003 4:53 PM CDT

Melissa --

I hold you in my heart and will vision a strong and positive path for you.
Colleen McGraw
Jessup, MD USA - Saturday, April 5, 2003 3:07 AM CST

Hi Melissa - Happy birthday for the 27th!! Actually, down here in Australia it is almost the end of the 26th now - only two hours to a new day, so let me be one of the first people in the world to wish you a happy birthday!
Denis Strangman <string@hotkey.net.au>
Canberra, A.C.T. Australia - Wednesday, March 26, 2003 5:31 AM CST

Dear Melissa,

My name is Renee' Dych. I am your granny's (Florence Matthews) hairdresser and FRIEND. She has become like family to me and I love her dearly and look so forward to visiting with her over coffee and hairspray. (haha)! I have never had the pleasure of meeting you but I feel as though I do know you through Florence. You are a beautiful person and so strong and I have had you in my prayers and will always keep you there and hopefully some day soon I may have the pleasure of meeting you. Hang in there and GOD BLESS YOU!
Renee' Dych <hearts2x1@cox-internet.com>
Pineville, LA - Friday, March 21, 2003 5:13 PM CST

Hi Melissa, What a beautiful person you are. Your website is beautiful and your mother is to be commended for her work. I am one of your daddy's cousins in Columbia, SC. I think about you often and find out how you are doing through Aunt Dot. Always know that our prayers are with you.
Rae Rayfield <RaeR@aol.com>
Columbia, SC United States - Thursday, March 20, 2003 8:53 PM CST

Dear Melissa,
Your grandmother, Florence Matthews, is a dear friend. When we moved to Pineville about 25 years ago she took me under her wing and helped me adjust to this new community. Since that time we have been as close as sister. Frorence keeps us posted on your status and we want you to know you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Love and prayers, Margie Hampshire
Margie Hampshire
Pineville, La. Rapides - Sunday, March 16, 2003 11:34 AM CST

Melissa, I always say, if I am going to make a 'boo-boo'
it might as well be a big one!! That's what I did late last
night. I was so delighted that I getting the results that
I wanted from this computer, that I actually wrote to Grand
mapat and didn't change websites! So this can be your laugh
of the day. When I realized what I had done, the computer
wouldn't give it back to me. So, I plan to send Grandmapat
a note.
In the meantime, today is Sunday and what a beautiful day it
is. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. No fog
like we have had everymorning recently.
I hope that you can plan to come see us soon. We can sit
on the deck and have lemonade or something. Grandaddy and
I love you very much. Granny
.
Florence Matthews <flo_cannon@mindspring.com>
Pineville, La. USA - Sunday, March 16, 2003 11:16 AM CST

Grandmapat- this is from another Grandma - I am Melissa Matthews grandmother - what a wonderful thing it is to be
a grandparent- one of the highlights of my life!! We are
so glad to communicate with you and will certainly have you
in our prayers. Good luck to you and keep the faith!!
Florence Matthews <flo_cannon@mindspring.com>
Pineville, La. USA - Saturday, March 15, 2003 10:38 PM CST

I just wanted you to know that your cousin in Ridgeway,South Carolina is thinking about you and praying for your speedy recovery. I am your Dad's first cousin on your Grandmother Matthews side of the family. My wife Dianne and I will keep you in our prayers. Hope to see you some day.
Best of luck and keep the faith.
Jim Sanders <James.E.Sanders-2@usa.dupont.com>
Ridgeway, S.C. USA - Friday, March 14, 2003 7:56 AM CST

My mother was dx with a glioblastoma on 1/11/01. She is also seen at Duke by Dr. Friedman. (small world?) We also maintain a website thru caringbridge. www.caringbridge.org/nc/grandmapat. Please feel free to visit. I will continue to monitor your progress and will put you on our prayer list.

Maybe we will see you at Duke someday.

Wanda
Wanda Long <wandalong3@aol.com>
Raleigh, NC USA!!!! - Thursday, March 13, 2003 9:02 PM CST

Hello Melissa,
You are certainly a beautiful young lady. I am your Dad's first cousin on your Grandmama Matthews side. E-mail is great and I get to contact you this way. We have been praying for you here in Columbia. I know this has been a rough time for you but wanted to let you know your cousins in SC are keeping you in our prayers and thoughts. May you know that you are loved dearly.

Bobbie McCabe Humphries <bebo1251@aol.com>
Columbia, SC USA - Thursday, March 13, 2003 5:58 PM CST

Melissa
We love you more than you know and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayer. Maybe you should show the world that the beautiful young woman that you have become, started out as a very cute little girl, blazing the trail for the nine grandchildren that would follow (and yes, they were all cute too!). I very much enjoyed the pictures that your Dad sent of you and Dr. F at Duke but wonder who the silly looking fellow is in the orange baseball hat! Reading the comments on the web must give you a warm feeling that people all over the world are pulling for you. Keep the faith and never hesitate to give us a call if there is anything that we can ever do for you. Never forget how much you are really loved. I fully expect you to be hanging around making fun of your Dad as he looses the rest of his hearing like your Dad and I have made fun of Granddaddy. Much love.
Uncle George

George M Matthews <pyrofly4@hotmail.com>
Spring, TX USA - Tuesday, March 11, 2003 4:45 PM CST

Melissa: We are praying for you daily and we are so glad you are going to Duke for consultation/treatment. Stay in there and fight.

With Love, Kermit and Betty Cummings
Kermit and Betty Cummings <kcc71360@aol.com>
Pineville, LA USA - Monday, March 10, 2003 10:34 PM CST

Melissa, what a wonderful website!! Thanks to Bebe for doing
it so that all of your family and friends (new and old) can
keep up with you. Grandaddy and I love you so much and are
wishing for all good things to come your way. Will be keep-
ing in touch, in the meantime we think of you constantly!!
Granny
Granny and Granddaddy Matthews <flo_cannon@mindspring.com>
Pineville, La. USA - Monday, March 10, 2003 1:08 PM CST

Hi Melissa!!!

Greetings from Ann, Bob, and Kyle Burry, neighbors down the street from Granny in Pineville. Good luck to you....the pictures you sent to Pineville were great.....
Bob Burry <BBurry@aol.com>
Pineville, LA USA - Monday, March 10, 2003 12:57 AM CST

Melissa, What a wonderful site. We pray for your continued progress. Thank you for sharing your story with the world. I love you so much, Uncle Al
Al Matthews <almelmatt@aol.com>
Houston, TX USA - Monday, March 10, 2003 8:03 AM CST

Melissa,
Thoughts and best wishes coming to you from Australia. You share a birthday with my mother, a 34 year survivor of a brain tumour. She's just 67 years older than you! Keep up the fight.
Judi Prowse <le_jp@unite.com.au>
Box Hill, Vic Australia - Monday, March 10, 2003 5:04 AM CST

I will pray for your daughter, my mother also had a brain tumor and I know what you are going through. I pray for a total healing of daughter in Jesus's name.
Peg Rice
St. Louis, Mo USA - Sunday, March 9, 2003 7:46 AM CST

Melissa, God Bless you. Keep fighting the fight. Your website is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Lois w/o Mike gbm4 6/01/46 to 3/03/03 <Jade28@comcast.net>
Levittown, PA USA - Friday, March 7, 2003 10:31 PM CST

Melissa,
What a courageous and beautiful woman you are. May God keep you strong and help you to beat this tumor. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. My son Kevin always said this quote from the Shawshank Redemption when he was fighting his tumor,"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and good things never die." Never give up hope for a cure..it will come someday.
Peace and love,
Cecelia
Cecelia Mullin <cmullin@columbus.rr.com>
Lancaster, OH USA - Friday, March 7, 2003 9:46 PM CST

Dear Melissa,
You look like a very spirited, energetic young lady! I know that your family must be very proud of you. I wish you all of the best in your healing, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Keep smiling!
Sincerely,
Linda Kocieniewski <HeyLin@aol.com>
New York, NY - Friday, March 7, 2003 9:25 PM CST

Melissa, you are beautiful!!! and an amazing trooper!!!
Love and Joy to You Always!!!
Ginger Millet
Birmingham, AL USA - Friday, March 7, 2003 11:43 AM CST

Dear Melissa and Family,
You have such a beautiful family and are blessed in many ways. My older sister has a GBM brain tumor and is treated by Duke, also.She is a 16 month survivor and going strong! You are in the best hands humanly possible with Dr. Friedman! My prayers for HOPE and healing are with you all. Fondly, another Melissa
Melissa Bevilaqua <bevily@aol.com>
Concord, Oh USA - Friday, March 7, 2003 9:04 AM CST

Melissa,
Thank you (and your mom!)for sharing your story and pictures of you and your family. May you have a full recovery! We wish you the best from the heart of Texas.
The Thompsons - Caroline, Ronnie and children
Caroline Thompson <ronnie.e.thompson@gte.net>
Keller, TX USA - Friday, March 7, 2003 8:48 AM CST

Hi Melissa -

Greetings, prayers, wishes, love and hope from Boston. You and your sisters are beautiful. May God grant you healing, a zest for life and love of family.
Cynthia Baumann-Retalic [mom of kevin] <cbk92@attbi.com>
Boston, MA USA - Friday, March 7, 2003 8:47 AM CST

Hi Melissa and family.

Best wishes from Australia where Autumn has just commenced.
Denis Strangman <string@hotkey.net.au>
Canberra, ACT Australia - Friday, March 7, 2003 6:29 AM CST

I love the web page, Melissa, Emily and Laura are my nieces whom I love with all of my heart. My wish is to visit soon, but don't tell anyone because it's a secret:)
Stephen Bennett <ragamull@pacbell.net>
South El Monte, CA USA - Thursday, March 6, 2003 7:45 PM CST

Thank you to everyone who came to this website! I honestly do appreciate it!!
Melissa Matthews
Baton Rouge, La - Thursday, March 6, 2003 7:40 PM CST

I was diagnosed with a tumor in the fourth ventricle of the brain. I was 24 years old with two very young children. The tumor was completely resected and benign, allowing me to have our wonderful miracle third child!! I will pray for your long life! Being young gives you that extra fighting chance. Believe that!
Sharon Mason
Roanoke , va 24018 - Thursday, March 6, 2003 5:21 PM CST

Barbara,
You have BEAUTIFUL daughters! It is nice to put a face with a name ( a pretty face it is:)
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

Dena <ddeanbeans@cs.com>
Fishers, IN USA - Thursday, March 6, 2003 5:14 PM CST

Hi Melissa,
It's cousin Ben up in Cape Cod. I just want you to know that you will be in my thoughts and in my heart. I had such a great time when you came up to visit last summer, and I can't wait until your next visit. Also, all my friends who met you wanted me to say hello to you for them. I'll be thinking of you.
Love,
Ben Perry Ribnick
Ben Ribnick <benribnick@hotmail.com>
South Wellfleet, MA USA - Thursday, March 6, 2003 4:48 PM CST

We love Melissa (and the rest of her family)! Last summer she came to Cape Cod with Granny Dool and we all had a great time. Not sure if Melissa liked shopping in Provincetown or hanging out with the surfers on the beaches of Wellfleet the most! Thanks for this web page. Love, Candace and Charles
Candace Perry <candace@gis.net>
Wellfleet, MA USA - Thursday, March 6, 2003 2:54 PM CST

Barbara,
Melissa is a beautiful young woman (along with her sisters:)

This will be a great way for you to keep family and friends up-to-date on what is going on.

Melissa is in my prayers.

Love,
Andrea Passarella and family
www.passarella.com/matthew.htm
Andrea Passarella <Andrea@passarella.com>
Swedesboro, NJ - Thursday, March 6, 2003 1:54 PM CST

It is great that you have the web-site to share your experiences. Hang in there!!!
Amy
- Thursday, March 6, 2003 1:15 PM CST

Very nice page you made. My thoughts are with you and all three of your girls. Love from your step-dad.
Andy Perry <aperry6@lsu.edu>
Baton Rouge, LA USA - Thursday, March 6, 2003 1:10 PM CST

What a beautiful girl. I thought I was the youngest one on the MIT mailing list. Please keep everyone informed on what happens. I am in the process of getting a second opinion from Dr. Friedman at Duke as well. I have an AA3, dx 11/14/2003; done radiation - six weeks. Start chemo in six weeks--maybe, dependent on what the Drs at Duke say.

I'll see you on the list.
Brian Dietrich <brdietrich@austin.rr.com>
Austin, TX USA - Thursday, March 6, 2003 12:04 AM CST

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