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Click here to go back to the main page. Wednesday, February 15, 2006 8:45 AM CST Melissa is doing so well, I thank God for every day. She went back to college last semester and is starting a new one now. Her grades are really good and she walks all over campus every day. She and her boyfriend are very happy and life is good. Tuesday, December 14, 2004 9:28 AM CST It's been awhile since I've updated the site and that is because things are going well these days. The last 2 MRI's have come back stable. Melissa is still working part time and seeing her boyfriend. Thursday, July 1, 2004 10:24 AM CDT Melissa is doing great these days. She had to drop out of college. It was just too difficult. Reading is very difficult and tedious with the tumor pressing on her optic nerve. And she was struggling to understand and memorize information. Monday, May 31, 2004 10:38 AM CDT Life seems to be good for now. Melissa has a new boyfriend , Taylor. She is working part time and going to college part time. She is still on chemotherapy, Temodar , but is hoping she may be able to stop soon. She is going to see Dr. Henry Friedman at Duke University on June 9th. Her MRI's have been stable which is always good news. So we continue to be thankful for every good day and try not to worry about tomorrow. I'll be adding new pictures from this year.
Wednesday, October 8, 2003 9:52 AM CDT I have not written in a while. Life is always so busy. Melissa is doing very well. She went to Duke in September and he feels that the Temodar is killing tumor cells. Dr. Friedman thinks there is significant change. So we are all elated and hoping that the chemo continues to work and hopefully "kill the tumor". Melissa is working part time as a receptionist for a graphic design company. Today she is suffering from a head cold. She said she hasn't been sick with a "normal illness" since her cancer diagnosis. She wants to buy a car and has been having alot of fun lately with friends and going to tailgating parties for the L.S.U. tigers. She seems happy. She has some trouble walking since her right side is weak, but has been doing physical therapy to try and strengthen that. But all in all we are feeling good and optimistic about her life. All we need is prayers and lots of love.
Wednesday, June 4, 2003 9:09 AM CDT Melissa is an amazing young lady. So strong and determined. It has been a month since she had total hip replacement and she is walking around like she never had surgery. The only thing she is not allowed to do is lean over and pick up things. So I am awarded the privilege of shaving her legs, putting on moisturizer and painting her toenails. Since she is living at home we get alot of time to bond. The minute I get on the other side of the house I hear "mom" and have to go back to see what she wants. And the minute I take a few steps out of her room it's "mom". But I really don't mind most of the time, but I do get tired. She went to the movies with her friend last night and is going to Houston for the weekend to visit relatives. So life goes on inspite of the tumor. Next doctor visit is June 10 for a checkup. She should be having another MRI this month before heading back to Duke to see Dr. Friedman. What a sweet girl that I couldn't love anymore if I tried! Friday, May 16, 2003 11:19 AM CDT I am happy to report that Melissa did very well with her hip surgery. She was in the hospital for 5 days and then in the rehab for another 6 days. She came home 3 days ago. It was very hard to watch her in so much pain at the beginning and throughout the rest of her stay. She didn't like the rehab hospital, because they weren't as "nice" to her there as the hospital. And also because all the other patients were very elderly. Not to say that she doesn't like elderly people, she just felt out of place and so ready to come home. She did win a few prizes at Bingo. She has a physical therapist who is coming to the house about 3 times a week and then we will have to go to the rehab for therapy. She is "able" to walk without the walker and proceeded to show me this yesterday. Scared me to death. I fussed at her and told her to not do that again until the physical therapist gave her the okay. She reluctantly agreed. She wants to go to 2 graduation parties for her friends this weekend. Her determination is incredible. Thanks for all the kind words of support from all over. People can be so incredible. She started a new round of chemo last night, so far, so good. Tuesday, April 15, 2003 9:17 AM CDT I just wanted to let everyone know that Melissa is going to have to have total hip replacement surgery on May 1st. She developed avascular necrosis because of the steroids she was on for only 2 months. It is not something that everyone will get but she is one of the "lucky" ones. And as she and I have said lately, "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all". So please say some prayers for her as we enter a long, difficult road ahead. She will have an MRI, April 16th and then we will go to Duke on April 23rd. Thanks to all for visiting this site and caring. Thursday, March 6, 2003 11:02 AM CST Melissa Leigh Matthews was born March 27, 1981. She was my first daughter of three. In October of 2001, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor called a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. She was 20 years old. She had been having headaches and prior to that had noticed a change in her vision. An opthomologist examined her eyes and said he couldn't see anything wrong with her vision. When she began to complain of headaches we had a CAT scan done and discovered the brain tumor which is located on her hypothalmus and pressing on her optic nerve. She had a biopsy and a shunt put in. She had three more craniotomies to reduce the fluid, adjust the shunt and try to remove as much tumor as possbile. The tumor was 3cm when it was discovered. Her last surgery was in Dec. 2001 and we waited a month to do another MRI and see what was left of the tumor. But sadly, the tumor was actually 4cm now. Bigger than when first diagnosed. She began the chemotherapy Carboplatin in March and continued with that till November. She is now on Temodar and we travel to Duke University and see Dr. Henry Friedman every 4 months. She is doing remarkably well, except that she develped avascular necrosis of her hips due to the 2 months she was on steroids and has alot of pain from that. She is also having numbness in her right arm and leg. She is a fighter and a survivor and a real sweet heart so loved by so many.
Thursday, March 6, 2003 10:00 AM CST This page has just been created. Please check back for additional updates.
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