Saturday, September 30, 2006 7:03 PM CDT

hey everyone!!


i am enjoying the weekend right now. I hope you are too. yesterday i got my blood taken and the results came back and there all perfect my white blood cell count and everything. Thankyou everyone soooooo much for keeping Me in your prayers and as well praying for Jared. I am doing fine and just got over a little cold. My bones are Achey because of the acutane i am taking but other than that im doing great. I continue to thank God everyday for the miracle he has given me and my family. Please keep praying for me and also Jared.


Love,
Leigha

Monday, September 11, 2006 10:43 AM CDT

hey whats up everyone? well right now i am in class and doing work but i am doing great i still have that little thing on my femer. Please keep praying for me and thankyou all so much for doing that already. I am getting scans sometime soon.... but i dont know when. I am soon going to start back on acutane. Well continue praying and thankyou all!


♥Leigha

Monday, June 19, 2006 9:15 PM CDT

hey!!
This is Leigha. I no i have not updated in a long time im sorry and please forgive me! I am doing Great my tests results came in. I just got a recent scan which was on the june 12th I got my M.I.B.G. scan full body. It said it was the same SO PRAISE THE LORD!! I still have a tiny spot on my right Femer that they have been looking at but it hasnt been changing!!! so LETS PRAY FOR THAT ONE! im so happy for being able to live! i praise God everyday for what he has done. Im taking 1 pill to help prevent it from getting bigger but were holding off the pill untill after the summer because i cant be in the sun with it! ( i bet there just making that up to keep me from going somewhere all the time haha! )haha im just kidding! well KEEP UP THE PRAYERS!! and please pray for my friend Jared he is at duke now and he is not talking like he used to and he needs prayers just like me so please pray for im also!
thankyou for everything I love you all and God Bless YOU! thankyou!


♥Leigha!

Friday, February 24, 2006 12:21 AM CST

hey
its Leigha we have not updated in a while but recently i have goten braces i have spelt a lot of stuff wrong but oh well! im at school right now and there letting us have free time so yea. Please keep my family and I in your thoughts and prayers. I have been doing great lately and im going to do a bunch of testing in March. So ill tell you the results after i do it and all. Well i have to go keep praying thankyou Bi!




- Leigha ( goofy person )

Thursday, December 29, 2005 6:16 PM CST

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I HOPE ALL OF YOU HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND GLORIOUSLY CELEBRATED THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.
WE HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS. LEIGHA WAS FEELING WONDERFUL (PRAISE GOD)!! TANNER GOT THE X-BOX 360 THAT WILL SET US BACK FOR A BIT, AND LEIGHA AND DUSTIN GOT AN I-POD AND MANY OTHER THINGS. MY FAMILY CAME OVER AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. MY HEART WENT OUT TO THE MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT COULD NOT BE TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS. BOY ARE WE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEM. MY HEART ALSO WENT OUT TO OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR OWN CHILDREN AND LOVED ONES THIS PAST YEAR. I COULD NOT BEGIN TO COMPREHEND THEIR PAIN AND LOSS. GOD BLESS THOSE FAMILIES.

LEIGHA DID HAVE HER SCAN. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE NEWS. THE DOCTORS DID SAY THE SPOT IN HER LEG WAS HARDER TO DETECT THIS TIME. THAT ALONE IS WONDERFUL NEWS. THAT IS ALL WE KNOW RIGHT NOW.

TO REPEAT MYSELF.... IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU MY DAUGHTER WAS HERE THIS CHRISTMAS. YOUR PRAYERS TO THE ALMIGHTY HEALER IS THE REASON. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU, AND PLEASE KEEP LEIGHA IN YOUR PRAYERS.

LOVE, DENISE AND FAMILY

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 10:46 AM CST

JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WHERE WE STAND.
LEIGHA IS FEELING GREAT. (PRAISE GOD!!)
SHE IS PLAYING BASKETBALL AT THE YMCA ON SATURDAYS.
SHE PRACTICES HER DANCE MOVES EVERY NIGHT.
SHE JUST WANTS TO GO,GO GO. SHE LOVES TO GO OUT TO EAT.
SHE HAS EXPENSIVE TASTE. (CAN'T IMAGINE WHERE SHE GOT THAT FROM).

LEIGHA GETS HER SCAN THIS THURSDAY, DEC. 15TH. PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY FOR HER. WE PRAY THAT THE SPOT IN HER RIGHT FEMUR HAS NOT GROWN ANY.... OR..... MIRACULOUSLY DISAPPEARED. AS SOON AS WE GET THE RESULTS BACK, I PROMISE I WILL LET YOU KNOW.

I HOPE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TAKES TIME TO APPRECIATE ONE ANOTHER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AS WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

LOVE, DENISE

Monday, November 28, 2005 6:00 PM CST

its Leigha coming up on Dec.14th I am getting injected then the scan is on Dec, 15th. So keep on praying! and I wanted to say forgive me since i havent updated in a long time well really none of us have but yeah. I have had a busy month! my brother came to visit. It was THANKSGIVING!! I literaly stuffed myself like a FAT pig haha well you no we all did! but I hope that yaw all had a good one too. Remember its not all about stuffing yourself we have to put some thanks in there somewhere haha!! well i have to go. have a wonderful rest of the day,night whenever you read this!

Monday, November 28, 2005 6:00 PM CST

hey hey hey!
its Leigha coming up on Dec.14th I am getting injected then the scan is on Dec, 15th. So keep on praying! and I wanted to say forgive me since i havent updated in a long time well really none of us have but yeah. I have had a busy month! my brother came to visit. It was THANKSGIVING!! I literaly stuffed myself like a FAT pig haha well you no we all did! but I hope that yaw all had a good one too. Remember its not all about stuffing yourself we have to put some thanks in there somewhere haha!! well i have to go. have a wonderful rest of the day,night whenever you read this!

Monday, November 28, 2005 5:37 PM CST

Hey hey hey !


its Leigha coming up as you no in about 3 or 4 days im getting injected then the scan so keep on praying! and I wanted to say forgive me since i havent updated in a long time well really none of us have but yea. I have had a busy month! my brother came to visit It was THANKSGIVING!! wich i literly stuffed myself like a FAT pig haha well you no we all did! but I hope that yaw all had a good one to. Remember its not all about stuffing yourself we have to put some thanks in there somewhere haha im just kiddin! well i have to go have a wonderful rest of the day night when ever you read this!

Friday, November 11, 2005 4:02 PM CST

HELLO DEAR FRIENDS, I'M SORRY IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE MY LAST ENTRY. I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE DOWN ABOUT OUR SITUATION.
LEIGHAS LAST MIBG SCAN CONTINUED TO SHOW POSITIVE FOR SOMETHING. THE DOCTORS ARE CONVINCED IT IS CANCER. THE ONLY GOOD NEWS IS THAT IT HASN'T GROWN ANY SINCE WE FIRST FOUND IT IN THE LAST SCAN. HER WHOLE BODY WAS FULL OF DISEASE BEFORE AND WE PRAYED IT AWAY. I KNOW WE CAN PRAY THIS AWAY ALSO. I CONTINUE TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP.

SINCE I LAST WROTE YOU A COUPLE OF EVENTS HAVE HAPPENED. STEVE AND I WERE INVITED TO GO TO THE BAHAMAS FOR A FEW DAYS WITH OUR FRIENDS MIKE & DAWN. WE GOT TO THE RALEIGH AIRPORT & I REALIZED I HAD THE INCORRECT COPY OF MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE. STEVE & I LEFT THE AIRPORT, RUSHED TO DOWNTOWN RALEIGH, GOT A CORRECT COPY OF MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE, SPED BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND MISSED THE FLIGHT BY 5 MINUTES.
WE HAD ALREADY TOLD MIKE & DAWN TO TAKE OUR LUGGAGE & BOARD THE PLANE NO MATTER WHAT. THERE WERE NO MORE FLIGHTS OUT THAT DAY. AFTER 30-40 MINUTES OF THE US AIR REP. TRYING TO FIGURE OUT AN ALTERNATIVE, WE REALIZED THEY HAD A CONNECTING FLIGHT OUT OF CHARLOTTE. WE HOPPED IN OUR CAR, SPED TO CHARLOTTE AIRPORT WHERE AGAIN WE MISSED THE FLIGHT BY JUST MINUTES. HOWEVER, WHEN TRYING TO MAKE THIS FLIGHT, I FAILED TO MENTION THAT I TOOK OFF MY FLIP FLOPS THAT WERE SLOWING ME DOWN AND SPRINTED BAREFOOTED ON THE CEMENT WITH COLD MUSCLES. IT WAS THEN THAT MY CALF POPPED AND I PULLED A HAMSTRING. I COULD NOT WALK AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE FINALLY GAVE UP! THIS WAS IT!!! IT WAS NOT MEANT FOR US TO BOARD THAT PLANE. WE ACCEPTED OUR DEFEAT AND WENT HOME WHERE I ICED MY LEG AND STEVE WENT TO PLAY CARDS WITH THE BOYS. IT WASN’T ALL BAD. I HAD TWO WONDERFUL NURSES. MY WONDERFUL MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. I ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF THEIR LOVE AND ATTENTION.

THE TRIP WAS NICE. I MISSED LEIGHA VERY MUCH. I KNOW I COULD NEVER LEAVE HER FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF NIGHTS.

STEVE HAD HIS SURGERY ON TUESDAY. IT TOOK ABOUT 5 HOURS. IT WAS MORE THAT WE WERE EXPECTING BUT HE DID WELL AND
HIS RECOVERY IS COMING ALONG. THEY SENT THE TUMOR OFF AND WE SHOULD HEAR SOMETHING SOON. WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.

WELL, I HOPE YOU FIND THIS ENTRY ENTERTAINING REGARDING OUR TRIP. STEVE & I SAID WE WOULD LOOK BACK AT THE EVENTS AND LAUGH ON DAY. THAT DAY HAS NOT YET COME.

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR LEIGHA. SHE NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS. WE NEED YOU. WE LOVE YOU, AND WE THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT LEIGHA. SHE IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
SHE MADE ALL A'S AND 1 B ON HER REPORT CARD. TO HAVE MISSED TWO AND A HALF YEARS OF SCHOOL I'D SAY THAT'S "NOT TOO SHABBY".

LOVE TO ALL,
DENISE
**LEIGHA'S NEXT SCAN IS THE FIRST OF DECEMBER.***

Sunday, October 9, 2005 6:43 PM CDT

HELLO DEAR PRAYER WARRIORS, IT HAS BEEN A WHILE, THANK GOD!!!!! IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO NOT HAVE MUCH NEWS TO REPORT. IT SEEMS WE HAVE LIVED THRU A WORLD WIND OF EVENTS LATELY. STEVE IS GOING TO HAVE HIS TUMOR REMOVED THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER. TANNER FINALLY GOT HIS CAST OFF, AND LEIGHA WILL HAVE HER NEXT SCAN ON OCT. 20TH.
LEIGHA GOT HER FIRST PROGRESS REPORT FROM SCHOOL. SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ONE OF THOSE IN ALMOST 3 YEARS? SHE GOT ALL A'S AND B'S. NOT THAT IT HOLDS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR ME REGARDING HER LIFE RIGHT NOW, BUT WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HER. SHE TRIES EXTRA HARD TO MAINTAIN SINCE SHE MISSED SO MUCH SCHOOL.
LEIGHA WAS PART OF A WEDDING THIS WEEKEND (TIFFANY, ONE OF HER ANGELIC NURSES AT DUKE). THE WEDDING WAS AT GLEN HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH IN BURLINGTON. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. I THINK 90 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED THE WEDDING APPROACHED ME TO MEET LEIGHA AND TO TELL US HOW MUCH THEY HAVE PRAYED FOR HER. WHAT WONDERFUL, CARING PEOPLE!!!!
THEY ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU, THAT READ THIS WEBSITE AND PRAY.
AS I SAID BEFORE, I COULD NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS. YOU AND GOD HAVE HEALED MY DAUGHTER. EVERYDAY I HAVE WITH HER IS BECAUSE OF YOU.
I LOVE ALL OF YOU,
DENISE MARTINELLI

Tuesday, September 20, 2005 10:30 PM CDT

HELLO MY FELLOW PRAYER WARRIORS!!!
YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN. WE HAD A PET SCAN RAN LAST FRIDAY.
THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CALL ME WITH THE RESULTS ON MONDAY.
ON FRIDAY LATE AFTERNOON DOCTOR D. CALLED ME FROM DUKE AND ASKED ME IF I WERE SITTING DOWN. I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS.
HE TOLD ME B/4 HE LEFT FOR THE WEEKEND HE WANTED TO SEE IF ANY RESULTS WERE BACK FROM THE READING OF THE SCAN.
HE PROCEEDED TO INFORM ME THAT LEIGHA'S SCAN HAD BEEN OFFICIALLY READ AND ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM AT DUKE. THE SCAN WAS NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!
HE TOLD ME HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT. I TOLD HIM I DID.
I TOLD HIM TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE PRAYED AND GOD HAS HEARD US. THRU HIS MIRACULOUS POWERS, HE HEALED LEIGHA THE FIRST TIME AND MY FAITH AND YOURS HAS CONTINUED TO STAY STRONG!!!!
ONCE AGAIN, I CANNOT SAY THE WORDS "THANK YOU" FOR BEING THERE FOR US AND FOR PRAYING. JUST KNOW THAT THRU YOUR PRAYERS MY DAUGHTER IS ALIVE. IF YOU EVER SEE HER OUT ANYWHERE, WATCH HER, NO ONE ENJOYS LIFE MORE THAN SHE DOES! YOU HAVE HELPED TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE!

WE LOVE YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.
WE ARE SCHEDULED TO GET ANOTHER MIBG SCAN ON OCT. 20TH.

LOVE, DENISE

Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:56 PM CDT

HELLO DEAR FRIENDS, JUST WANTED TO UPDATE YOU. WE STILL DO NOT HAVE THE RESULTS FROM NEW YORK, SLOANE KETTERING OF LEIGHA'S BONE MARROW ASPIRATIONS. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO FIND OUT LAST WEEK BUT THEN THEY TOLD US IT WOULD BE THIS WEEK.
TOMORROW WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A RADIOLOGIST AT DUKE SOUTH. THEY WANT TO RADIATE THE SITE THAT LOOKS LIKE DESEASE. I AM GOING TO MEET WITH THE RADIOLOGIST FOR A CONSULTATION BUT I AM NOT GOING TO ALLOW ANY RADIATION UNTIL THE TESTS COME BACK FROM NEW YORK. I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS THERE AND WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH BECAUSE RADIATION IS A DANGEROUS TREATMENT AND CAN CAUSE MANY OTHER TYPES OF CANCERS. LEIGHA HAS HAD A GREAT DEAL OF RADIATION ALREADY.

ON A GOOD NOTE.. STEVE'S TUMOR WAS NOT CANCER. HE DOES HAVE TO HAVE IT REMOVED BECAUSE IT COULD GROW IN TO SOMETHING. HE HAS PUT IT OFF FOR NOW UNTIL WE FIND OUT ABOUT LEIGHA.

TANNER'S ARM FEELS MUCH BETTER. THEY STILL HAVE NOT TAKEN HIS PINS OUT. I THINK HE HAS ANOTHER WEEK AND A HALF.

I'M STILL HANGING IN THERE. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT LEIGHA'S CANCER IS BACK!

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR US AND FOR ALL THE VICTIMS OF THE HURRICANE AND FLOODING. THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE WEBSITE. I HOPE GOD BLESSES ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR COMPASSION AND CARE.

Monday, August 29, 2005 9:21 PM CDT

HELLO FRINEDS, JUST WANTED TO UPDATE YOU ON THE DIFFICULT LIFE WE HAVE BEEN LIVING. WE ARE STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM LEIGHA'S BONE MARROW ASPIRATIONS. WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR GOOD NEWS.

TANNER MADE THE TURRENTINE FOOTBALL TEAM AND BROKE HIS ARM AT THE FIRST OFFICIAL PRACTICE. HE AND LEIGHA BOTH WENT UNDER FOR SURGERY ON THE SAME DAY. ONE IN THE AM AND ONE IN THE PM. THAT WAS A VERY, VERY TOUGH DAY. HE HAD TO HAVE PINS PUT IN HIS WRIST. HE HAS A CAST ON NOW AND IS DOING A LITTLE BETTER.

STEVE HAS A TUMOR IN HIS NECK. HE WENT TO A SPECIALIST IN CHAPEL HILL. THEY DID A BIOPSY. WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK THUS FAR. EITHER WAY IT HAS TO BE REMOVED. IT HAS FACIAL NERVES GOING THRU IT.

I TRY NOT TO QUESTION ANY OF THIS BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF US.

(ALSO, MY COUSIN BILLY PASSED AWAY RECENTLY OF CANCER. MAY GOD BLESS THE CURASI FAMILY AND COMFORT THEM IN THIS TIME OF LOSS. MY HEART AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.)

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORTIVE MESSAGES YOU HAVE LEFT ON LEIGHA'S WEBSITE. WE COULD NOT MAKE IT THRU THIS WITHOUT KNOWING YOU WERE THERE FOR US.

LOVE, THE MARTINELLI'S

Sunday, August 21, 2005 7:58 PM CDT

DEAR FRIENDS, I REGRET DEEPLY HAVING TO WRITE THIS ENTRY.
WE FOUND OUT TWO DAYS AGO THAT LEIGHA'S LAST MIBG SCAN THAT WAS DONE ON THURSDAY SHOWED SOMETHING. WE ARE NOT SURE IF IT IS A TUMOR OR THE CANCER HAS GONE BACK INTO HER BONE MARROW. WE NEED PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!! WE NEED YOU!!!!!!!!!!
WE PRAY THAT THE SCANS ARE WRONG OR THAT IT IS SIMPLY SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NOT CANCER. BUT HER DOCTOR THINKS THAT COULD NOT BE A POSSIBILITY. THRU YOU, GOD HAS WORKED A MIRACLE BEFORE, WE KNOW HE CAN DO IT AGAIN.

WE TOOK DUSTIN TO COLLEGE ON THURSDAY. I DROVE MY CAR ALONE FOR FOUR HOURS TO THE MOUNTAINS. AS SOON AS I REACHED BREVARD COLLEGE THE PHONE RANG. IT WAS LEIGHA'S DOCTOR FROM DUKE. HE HAD JUST READ THE REPORT. I SAT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR TWO HOURS TALKING AND PLEADING WITH GOD. I ALSO CALLED A FEW PRAYER WARRIORS THAT I KNOW, IN ORDER TO START A PRAYER CHAIN. WE HOPE YOU WILL BE PART OF THAT CHAIN.

DUSTIN AND STEVE ARRIVED AT COLLEGE TWO HOURS AFTER I DID.
I DID NOT TELL THEM THE NEWS UNTIL THEY ARRIVED FOR FEAR OF STEVE TRYING TO DRIVE UPSET. DUSTIN'S FIRST RESPONSE WAS TO COME BACK HOME AND BE WITH HIS SISTER BUT STEVE AND I WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT. LEIGHA LOOKS UP TO DUSTIN SO MUCH. WE STRESSED HOW SHE WILL BE PROUD OF HIM FOR GOING TO COLLEGE.

WE ASK THAT YOU PRAY FOR STRENGTH FOR DUSTIN, TANNER, LEIGHA, STEVE, MYSELF AND ALL OF OUR EXTENDED FAMILY.
MOST OF ALL WE ASK FOR GOD'S HEALING HAND ON OUR DAUGHTER.

Friday, July 22, 2005 10:41 PM CDT

HELLO FRIENDS, SORRY IT HAS BEEN A WHILE BUT WE HAVE BEEN BUSY SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS, PARASAILING, TUBING, BANANA BOATING, ENJOYING THE HAWAIIAN BEACHES, AND MORE. MAN, A PERSON COULD GET USED TO THIS LIFE!!!! THE REAL BLESSING WAS BEING ABLE TO SHARE ALL THIS WITH LEIGHA. PRAISE GOD FOR THAT!!!
LEIGHA IS DOING WELL. OUR NEXT SCAN IS IN SEPTEMBER. WE PRAY THAT HER BLOOD COUNTS WILL BE GOOD AND HER SCANS WILL BE CLEAR. WE WANT TO THANK YOU OVER AND OVER FOR PRAYING SO MUCH FOR LEIGHA AND OUR FAMILY. WE KNOW THAT THRU YOU AND GOD HIMSELF, OUR DAUGHTER WAS HEALED OF HER CANCER.
LEIGHA WILL BE GETTING SOME MORE TUTORING IN AUGUST. SHE IS PLANNING ON ATTENDING TURRENTINE MIDDLE SCHOOL THIS FALL TO ENTER THE 6TH GRADE. I'M GOING TO TRY MY BEST TO GET IN THE SAME CLASS AS HER. (HA HA) I WOULD IF I COULD.
TANNER WILL ALSO BE AT TURRENTINE IN THE 8TH GRADE.
DUSTIN IS HEADING OFF TO COLLEGE. HE WILL BE ATTENDING "BERVARD UNIVERSITY". IT IS LOCATED IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR ASHVILLE. THEY ARE STARTING A NEW FOOTBALL TEAM NEXT YEAR. HE WILL START TRAINING THIS YEAR AND PLAN ON PLAYING FOOTBALL NEXT SEASON.
PLEASE KEEP LEIGHA IN YOUR PRAYERS.
LOVE, DENISE & FAMILY

Sunday, June 5, 2005 9:02 PM CDT

Hey every one again This is Leigha,

My tests came back good THANK THE LORD!! Thankyou everyone for praying for me. Please keep praying though! They saw somthing in my lungs but there not sure what it is. He thinks its a virus but im feeling great!
As some of you may know my friend Jay passed away a couple of days ago. He was in NY when i met him. Jay and Amanda (wich passed also) went to the prom together. Please keep there family's in your prayer's also. All my softball games are over. We are going to Hawii very soon to swim with the dolphins that is my make a wish. Even though i am excited about my trip i am giving up a chance to ride horses in colorado with Kevin costner. I want to go but its the week I go to Hawii :( Thankyou all for everything you have done.


With all my Love
Leigha

Sunday, May 22, 2005 0:36 AM CDT

Dear family and friends

this is Leigha again im really tired so im going to make this quick. I have been doing great we won are first softball game i have a game this tuesday 24th in graham bill cook park i think im not so sure so give us a call if you want to come. im going to go to bed now its like 2 in the morning. I bet you guys are saying right now well she sure is back to her old self again. HAHAHAHA!!!! well love you all KEEP PRAYING!


Love
Leigha
Martinelli

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 8:18 PM CDT

Hey
This is Leigha Speaking I just got done with my Softball game Im so Happy im actually playing a sport. Thank the Lord for Hoop Dreamsalso, It makes me so happy to have something to do in sports. We lost our Softball game but that's okay It's all bout fun anyway right? Well I'm doing Great I had to go to duke today. I got my shots today two in each arm!!! but im okay I will be getting my 1 year testing starting June 6th. Well I was in the Times News today,(thursday , May 12th,2005). So was our friend Mason Lindley (MIRACLE CHILD)at Duke Hospital. Mason went to Elon Elem. On wednesday he went to live with Jesus. He was one of the bravest kids I ever met.Please pray for his family to have peace and strength. Thank you guy's for all you have done
Please continue to Pray for us. Thankyou!!

Love
Leigha
Martinelli

Sunday, March 20, 2005 6:27 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS, JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO WRITE YOU MYSELF. IT IS SO WONDERFUL FOR LEIGHA TO BE ABLE TO WRITE HERSELF. GUESS WHAT????????????? LEIGHA'S BONE MARROW ASPIRATION TESTS AND BIOPSIES CAME BACK. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF DISEASE. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE ANY OF THIS.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT "CBS SPORTS" IN
NEW YORK. THEY CAME DOWN TO DURHAM TO DO A SPECIAL ON
"DUKE HOOP DREAMS". THEY SINGLED OUT THREE CHILDREN TO
FOCUS ON. LEIGHA BEING ONE OF THE THREE. THEY INTERVIEWED HER AT CAMREON STADIUM AND THEN CAME TO OUR HOUSE AND INTERVIEWD STEVE & MYSELF. I AM SO EXCITED TO PROMOTE "HOOP DREAMS" BUT I DREAD SEEING MYSELF ON T.V.
NO MATTER HOW ARTICULATE YOU TRY TO SOUND, MARY ELLEN WALTON WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL. IT IS SUPPOSED TO AIR ON THE PREGAME SHOW OF THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. I THINK IT IS SAT., APRIL 2ND.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING UP WITH THE WEBSITE AND SUPPORTING LEIGHA.

LOVE, DENISE & FAMILY

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 12:54 AM CST

Hey guy's
This Is Leigha guess what ! My scans Are All CLEAR NO SIGHNS OF CANCER YEEPPPPIEEE!!!!! IM SO HAPPY! you magical prayers worked and helped but you know what you both made it happen you guys and Great God ! Thankyou Lord so much I just got home from bone marrow asperations and a biopsy as well but I'm feeling GREAT ! so keep Praying for those to be no sighn of cancer also the results wont come back untill Friday so keep in touch we have new photos keep checking up Thankyou so much Keep praying !

*~Love~*
*~Leigha~*
*~Martinelli~*

Sunday, March 6, 2005 10:06 PM CST

hey!
Resently I just went to the elonthon it was so much fun im a lot better now i am not sick anymore and feeling great just have a cough now but im on my way to getting completley better.I just got interviewed from new york cbs for hoop dreams we don't now exactly when it is on but we will sure tell you guys! Thankyou guys so much for what all you guys have done god bless you and all your family's Don't worry jered you will do great will be playing ball with each other in no time !!!!! The weather has been kinda warm lately don't yaw think so Thankyou guy's all for keeping up with me thankyou very much!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!! my BIG SCANS are coming up soon I hope and pray there clean please keep praying never stop !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love ,
Leigha
Martinelli

Sunday, March 6, 2005 10:06 PM CST

hey!
Resently I just went to the elonthon it was so much fun im a lot better now i am not sick anymore and feeling great just have a cough now but im on my way to getting completley better.I just got interviewed from new york cbs for hoop dreams we don't now exactly when it is on but we will sure tell you guys! Thankyou guys so much for what all you guys have done god bless you and all your family's Don't worry jered you will do great will be playing ball with each other in no time !!!!! The weather has been kinda warm lately don't yaw think so Thankyou guy's all for keeping up with me thankyou very much!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!! my BIG SCANS are coming up soon I hope and pray there clean please keep praying never stop !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love ,
Leigha
Martinelli

Thursday, February 17, 2005 11:49 PM CST

Yo! Yo! Yo!

It's Leigha
I have been really lazy lately and feeling bad also. Now I am feeling a lot better than I did a Couple of day's ago. I am so thankful to have such wonderful friends and family . You all are saying im so brave But you know what makes me brave is all of you guys praying for me and supporting me and my family yall are so great to us Thankyou guy's so much . I would have never made it this far if you werent here ! thankyou guys's again so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so much God Bless You All !!!!!! Hope everyone had a awesome valentines day ! Right now i am feeling great so God has answerd all my prayers ! THANKYOU LORD!!!!!!!! When I was little I remember I didnt really know all about praying like when I was 3 or 4. I would always pray for a rabbit or a dog but then I realized there is more in life then getting and wanting it's Helping other's and giving . Having this cancer taught me a very valuable leson ! Not that it was good to have cancer but to teach me a lesson that is HALF WAY THERE GO ALL THE WAY AND MIRACLES HAPPEN !

Love
Leigha !

Thursday, February 10, 2005 9:32 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS, JUST WANTED TO UPDATE YOU. THINGS ARE GOING GREAT FOR LEIGHA. LIFE ALMOST FEELS "NORMAL".
(SUCH A WONDERFUL WORD, THAT IS SO OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED)
LEIGHA WILL HAVE ALL HER 9 MONTH TESTS IN MARCH. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN 9 MONTHS SINCE HER TRANSPLANT? WOW.
WE DID ANOTHER BLOOD TEST FOR N.Y. AND LEIGHA REMAINS TO BE POSITIVE FOR A "HAMMA" WHICH MEANS SHE CANNOT RECEIVE THE ANTIBODIES TREATMENT IN N.Y. THE DOCTORS DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW SHE CAN TEST POSITIVE WITH DUSTIN'S BLOOD BUT I DON'T QUESTION IT AT ALL. I LEFT IT ALL IN GOD'S HANDS. ONLY HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR LEIGHA. I PRAYED THAT IF IT WASNT MEANT FOR US TO RETURN TO N.Y., THAT THE BLOOD TEST RESULTS WOULD GIVE US THE ANSWER. AND IT HAS.
WE HAVE RECEIVED SO MUCH BAD NEWS CONCERNING ALL THE KIDS WE WENT THRU TRANSPLANT WITH AT DUKE. ONLY A FEW HAVE DONE AS WELL AS LEIGHA HAS. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY GOD AND WE PRAY SO MUCH FOR THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE LOST THEIR CHILDREN. I FEEL THEIR PAIN. I CRY FOR THEM. I THINK OF THEM ALL THE TIME.
LEIGHA WOULD NOT BE THIS WELL IF IT WERE NOT FOR YOU. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT HAVE BEEN MORE THAN WE COULD HAVE EVER ASKED FOR AND WE KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT YOUR PRAYERS HAVE HEALED OUR DAUGHTER.

WE LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR CARING FOR US. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL KEEP THE CANCER AWAY FROM LEIGHAS BODY AND THAT SHE HAVE CLEAN SCANS IN MARCH.

LOVE, THE MARTINELLI'S

Monday, January 10, 2005 2:07 PM CST

Hey this is Leigha
I am Doing great. My scans are awesome. I am so happy. Soon I will be able to go places. I can't wait!!!! PLEASE KEEP PRAYING! for me and my family ! We are so thankful to have great doctors and wonderful friends. Thank you all. I got a new dog named "Homie". He is a malteese . I think that is how you spell it . Every day I ask God if there is anything I can do for him because anything I do would not be anough for what he has done for me but I would still love to do for him . Now after I get better I am going to help others at duke to help them get through this mean nasty cancer . Thank you for all you have done !


Love Leigha
Martinelli

Monday, December 6, 2004 3:47 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS, SORRY IT HAS BEEN SO LONG. WE HAVE JUST BEEN ENJOYING LIFE!!!! IT FEELS GREAT!!
LEIGHA IS DOING VERY WELL AT THIS TIME.
HER NAME IS MENTIONED IN THIS WEEK'S PEOPLE MAGAZINE. IT HAS
JULIA ROBERTS ON THE FRONT COVER. THERE IS A STORY ABOUT "HOOP DREAMS", THE DUKE BASKETBALL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN THAT ARE ILL. I WAS ALSO INTERVIEWED TODAY BY
RALEIGH NEWS AND OBSERVER. THAT ARTICLE IS GOING TO BE OUT TOMORROW. SHE IS JUST REGULAR "HOT STUFF".

STARTING NEXT WEEK, WE WILL BEGIN LEIGHA'S SIXTH MONTH STUDIES. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN THAT LONG SINCE TRANSPLANT? THOSE TEST SHOULD SHOW US MORE OF WHERE WE STAND.

LEIGHA IS STILL NOT ALLOWED TO GO OUT IN THE PUBLIC. THAT IS VERY HARD FOR HER WITH ALL THE CHRISTMAS HUSTLE AND BUSTLE. BUT AT LEAST SHE IS FEELING WELL.

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR LEIGHA. I WILL LET YOU KNOW SOMETHING WHEN I KNOW SOMETHING.

LOVE TO ALL,
THE MARTINELLI'S

Monday, November 1, 2004 6:46 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS,
IT HAS BEEN A WHILE. WE HAVE BEEN SO BUSY W/OUR BUSINESS.
LEIGHA HAD A GREAT TIME AT THE GOLF BENEFIT. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE.

LEIGHA IS DOING WELL. HER COUNTS ARE LOOKING BETTER EVERY DAY. SINCE THE LAST BONE MARROW ASPIRATIONS WE HAVE RECEIVED 2 OUT OF THE 3 TEST RESULTS. THEY WERE ALL NEGATIVE FOR THE CANCER. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE ARE STILL WAITING ON THE BIG TEST THAT COMES FROM CALIFORNIA. THAT IS THE TEST THAT SHOWED SOME DISEASE THE LAST TIME.

DUSTIN'S CELLS HAVE BEEN REMARKABLE FOR LEIGHA. WE PRAY THAT THIS LAST TEST WILL SHOW NEGATIVE.
WE WILL BE DOING ANOTHER HAMMA TEST SOON TO SEE IF LEIGHA CAN BE TREATED IN NEW YORK AGAIN. I'M SURE GOD WILL GUIDE US ON OUR NEXT STEP. HE HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB SO FAR.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS.WE KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU ARE BLESSINGS FOR LEIGHA AND OUR FAMILY. DON'T EVER THINK A DAY GOES BY THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW BLESSED WE ARE TO HAVE ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS. YOU, ALL OF YOU, ARE A PART OF GOD'S MIRACLE!!!!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY
FOR LEIGHA AND OUR FAMILY.
LOVE THE MARTINELLI'S

Sunday, October 10, 2004 5:36 PM CDT

Leigha Martinelli Golf Benefit
Saturday, October 16th, 2004 @ Southwick Golf Course
Shotgun start @ 1:00 p.m.
Entry Fee - $75/person or $300/team (includes lunch)
Sponsorships also available $500/gold(includes team), $250/silver and $100/bronze
Please contact Kevin and Kelly May (449-9686) or
Mike and Dawn Bowman (228-0001) or Jeff Batts (524-8609) or Kelly and Deborah Webb (227-4604) or James and Sandra Mitchell (585-1432)
Volunteers are also needed!!
Thank you for your support!!

Sandra Mitchell


A NOTE FROM DENISE...
HEY GUYS TRY TO COME OUT. LEIGHA WILL BE THERE. I'M SURE SHE WOULD LOVE TO RUN OVER YOU ON THE GOLF CART.
WE ALSO COULD USE SOME MORE GOLFERS SO IF YOU KNOW ANYONE THAT GOLFS, LET THEM KNOW.
LOVE YA! DENSIE

Sunday, September 26, 2004 5:53 PM CDT

HELLO FRIENDS,

NOT TOO MUCH TO REPORT. LEIGHA HAD A ROUGH TIME IN BETWEEN MY LAST UPDATE. SHE SPENT SEVERAL DAYS THROWING UP BLOOD.
IN THE PAST THREE DAYS SHE HAS STARTED EATING A LITTLE AND HAS CEASED THROWING UP THE BLOOD. (PRAISE GOD!)

AS OF TODAY, WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT OUR NEXT PROTOCAL WILL BE. IF IT WILL BE IN PENNSYLVANIA, TEXAS, OR SOMETHING AT DUKE. I DONT THINK IT WILL BE AT DUKE.

SHE HAS NOT HAD ANY MORE TESTS RAN LATELY SO WE ARE NOT SURE
EXACTLY WHERE WE STAND WITH THE DESEASE AT THIS POINT.
WE ARE TAKING ONE DAY AT A TIME AND HOPING THAT EACH DAY BRINGS A LITTLE MORE SPIRIT AND STRENGTH TO LEIGHA.

I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UPCOMING PROTOCAL.

LOTS OF LOVE,

THE MARTINELLI'S

Tuesday, September 7, 2004 5:27 PM CDT

HELLO FRIENDS,

NOT TOO MUCH TO REPORT. THINGS ARE ABOUT THE SAME.
WE ARE BACK HOME NOW. LEIGHA CONTINUES TO BE SICK TO HER STOMACH, IS STILL HOOKED UP 24 HRS., AND STILL NOT EATING.
WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO KEEP HER ISOLATED.

WE DID ANOTHER BLOOD TEST AT DUKE LAST WEEK AND SENT IT TO N.Y.THE DOCTOR'S AT DUKE (AS WELL AS STEVE AND I) JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE LEIGHA DEVELOPED A HAMMA AGAINST THE ANTIBODIES TREATMENT IN N.Y. SHE DIDNT HAVE A HAMMA WHEN SHE LAST LEFT N.Y. AND CERTAINLY DUSTIN SHOULDN'T HAVE ONE.

BUT GUESS WHAT? THE SECOND BLOOD TEST CAME BACK TODAY AND CONTINUED TO SHOW THE SAME. POSITIVE FOR THE HAMMA. THAT MEANS SHE CANNOT RECEIVE THE ANTIBODIES TREATMENT IN N.Y.

GUESS WHAT ELSE? KNOW WHAT I THINK? I THINK GOD HAS LED US SO FAR AND I THINK HE IS DOING SO NOW. I FEEL IT IS NOT MEANT FOR US TO TAKE HER BACK THERE RIGHT NOW. I FEEL GOD HAS ANOTHER TREATMENT FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN HIS PLAN.
THEREFORE I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE BLOOD TEST. IT WAS UNUSUAL FOR US TO HAVE A PERFECT SIBLING MATCH AND IT IS UNUSUAL FOR HER TO HAVE DEVELOPED THIS HAMMA.

I AM GOING TO LISTEN AND NOT QUESTION. I AM SURE WE ARE BEING GUIDED BY THE MASTER.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR LEIGHA'S RECOVERY.

Friday, August 27, 2004 5:34 PM CDT

DEAR FRIENDS, SORRY IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE THE UPDATE.
LEIGHA HAS CONSTANTLY BEEN SICK ON HER STOMACH. WE HAVE HAD EVERY TEST THERE IS TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG BUT WE HAVE HAD NO LUCK. SHE IS NOW ON TPN 12 HOURS A NIGHT, AND A 24 HR. FEEDING TUBE. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE MEDS SHE TAKES. WE ARE HOPING THAT THINGS WILL IMPROVE SOON. TODAY WAS ONE OF HER BETTER DAYS.

WE GOT SOME GOOD NEWS AND SOME NOT SO GOOD NEWS TODAY.
THE BONE MARROW BIOP THEY DID IN N.Y. SHOWED NO SIGNS OF CANCER, HOWEVER, THEY ARE SENDING THAT OFF FOR AN OFFICIAL READING AND WE SHOULD KNOW THOSE RESULTS SOON.
THE BAD NEWS IS, SOMEHOW LEIGHA HAS DEVELOPED A HAMMA AGAINST THE 3-F8 ANTIBODIES TREATMENT THAT N.Y. HAS TO OFFER. THE ONE THAT KEEPS THE CANCER FROM COMING BACK.
OUR DR. AT DUKE IS TRYING TO GET ANOTHER KIND OF MEDICINE FOR NOW. WE ARE HOPING SHE WILL LOSE THE HAMMA SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TREATMENT IN N.Y.

WE CONTINUE TO PRAISE GOD FOR TAKING THE CANCER FROM LEIGHA'S BODY. OUR PRAYER NOW IS THAT HE KEEPS IT AWAY AND THAT HE HELPS LEIGHA TO START EATING ON HER OWN.

MAYBE IT IS NOT MEANT FOR US TO GO BACK TO N.Y. I JUST DON'T KNOW. MAYBE THERE IS A BETTER TREATMENT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR HER. PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL LEAD US TO DO WHAT IS HIS WILL.

THANK YOU FOR LOVING OUR DAUGHTER.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
THE MARTINELLI'S

Tuesday, August 10, 2004 11:32 PM CDT

DEAR FRIENDS, JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE.
I AM WRITTING THIS FROM THE BONE MARROW UNIT AT DUKE. WE HAD TO BRING LEIGHA BACK HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE OF HER CONSTANT THROWING UP. SHE HAS BEEN THROWING UP ABOUT EVERY 15-20 MIN. FOR THE LAST 2 1/2 DAYS. WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO CLINIC EVERYDAY BUT WE STILL CANNOT GET HER REGULATED. ONCE AGAIN, SHE IS NOT EATING, HAS A TUBE THRU HER NOSE TO HER STOMACH TO GET THE MEDS DOWN, AND IS HOOKED UP TO TPN AND LIPIDS FOR 12 HRS A NIGHT. THIS IS A VERY LONG, LONG, PROCESS. I HAVE NOT SLEPT IN WHAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER. EVERY TIME I START WONDERING HOW I'M GOING TO MAKE IT THRU ANOTHER DAY, I THINK ABOUT HER AND KNOW IF SHE CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT. SINCE SCHOOL HAS STARTED IT IS ALOT HARDER ON US AS A FAMILY. DUSTIN & TANNER HAVE TO HAVE MORE STRUCTURE IN THEIR LIFE, AND STEVE IS VERY BUSY DOING KICK OFFS FOR THE SCHOOLS. (THANK GOD FOR THE BUSINESS).
IT IS JUST HARDER FOR LEIGHA AND MYSELF. WE SPEND AT LEAST 6-8 HRS A DAY AT CLINIC. SHE CANNOT GO OUT IN PUBLIC DUE TO HER LOW IMMUNE SYSTEM SO IF WE NEED ANYTHING WE HAVE TO GO TO A DRIVE THRU.
LEIGHA IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE TESTS DONE IN NEW YORK ON THE 19TH AND 20TH OF THIS MONTH. WE HAVE TO WAIT TO MAKE SURE SHE IS ABLE TO MAKE THE TRIP. SHE WILL NEED TO DO ALOT OF IMPROVING BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.
I'M GLAD I GOT A CHANCE TO WRITE. PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR LEIGHA, THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO TOUCH HER BODY AND SURROUND HER WITH HEALING ANGELS.
WE LOVE YOU,
DENISE AND THE MARTINELLI FAMILY

P.S. I CONTINUE TO PRAISE GOD FOR THE PROMISING SCANS WE RECEIVED. GOD IS GOOD!

Thursday, July 29, 2004 9:19 PM CDT

HAVE YOU HEARD THAT SONG "HOW FAR IS HEAVEN?"
WELL, I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT BUT I CAN TELL
YOU ONE THING.... GOD IS NOT FAR AWAY AT ALL
AS A MATTER OF FACT HE IS WITHIN HEARING DISTANCE BECAUSE HE HAS HEARD YOUR PRAYERS AND OURS...

WE GOT OUR FIRST SCANS DONE THIS MORNING AND...

LEIGHA MARTINELLI IS IN REMISSION!!!!!!!!!

THE SCAN SHOWS NO SIGNS OF DISEASE IN LEIGHA'S BODY. HER
TUMORS WERE GONE!!! PRAISE GOD IN HEAVEN, THANK YOU JESUS,
AND HAIL TO MOTHER MARY!!!

WE ARE STILL NOT OUT OF THE WOODS, WE WILL STILL NEED TO
RECEIVE ANTIBODIES (PROBABLY IN N.Y.), AND SHE STILL HAS
SOME COMPLICATIONS TO DEAL WITH BUT...

WE ARE TRULY WITNESSING A MIRACLE!!!!

I AM SO EXCITED AND NERVOUS I CAN'T EVEN TYPE IN THIS UPDATE, BUT I HAD TO LET YOU KNOW.

KEEP PRAYING FOR GOOD NEWS, BUT FIRST, THANK GOD FOR THE BLESSING HE HAS GIVEN ALL OF US.
I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED...
LOVE TO ALL OF YOU,
THE MARTINELLI'S

Sunday, July 25, 2004 7:48 PM CDT

HELLO FRIENDS,
JUST WANTED TO UPDATE YOU. WE ARE STILL ON THE BONE MARROW UNIT AT DUKE. THE SPOTS THEY FOUND ON LEIGHA'S LUNGS WERE NOT CANCER. (THANK GOD). THEY BELIEVE IT IS SOME KIND OF INFECTION OR JUST SIDE EFFECTS FROM ALL THE RADIATION. WHEN WE FIRST GOT ON THE BONE MARROW UNIT THER WAS ABOUT TEN KIDS TOTAL. THREE OF THOSE TEN HAVE LOST THEIR BATTLE. IT IS JUST HEARTBREAKING. YOU GET TO KNOW THEIR FAMILIES AND YOU JUST CAN'T IMAGINE THE PAIN THEY MUST FEEL.
LEIGHA IS STILL ON TONS OF MEDICATION AND SHE STILL IS NOT EATING. SHE HAS LOST ALOT OF HER SPIRIT BUT WE ARE HOPING THAT SHE WILL REGAIN THAT SOON.
I DON'T KNOW WHEN WE WILL GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL BUT I'M SURE SHE WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE SOME CARDS. SHE DOES NOT RECEIVE THEM LIKE SHE USED TO AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL PRAYING FOR HER AND THINKING OF HER.
YOU CAN SEND THEM TO OUR HOME ADDRESS AND I WILL MAKE SURE SHE RECEIVES THEM:

LEIGHA MARTINELLI
2341 GRAND OAKS BLVD.
BURLINGTON, NC 27215

ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT WE ARE ALL STILL BATTLING,
ESPECIALLY LEIGHA!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR LEIGHA AND OUR FAMILY.

LOVE, THE MARTINELLI'S

Saturday, July 17, 2004 4:18 PM CDT

dear friends, sorry it has been a while since we have written. things did not go exactly as we expected. we only got to go home for one night. leigha got worse. we had to come right back to the hospital. when we were scanning for her stomach problems, they found granules on her lungs. they did an immediate operation to biopsey one of the spots. we are still waiting on the results.
also, since the operation, leigha has gotten fluid in her lungs. she is having a very very hard time. she is on so much morphine now that she is out of it.
please pray for her recovery and for good results.
thank you for caring about us.
love, denise
and family

Monday, July 5, 2004 7:10 AM CDT

HELLO FRIENDS,
TODAY IS MONDAY. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LEAVE ON TUESDAY TO GO TO THE APARTMENT. LEIGHA'S COUNTS ARE LOOKING VERY GOOD. SHE IS FINALLY EATING. OF COURSE, WE THINK THAT HER NEW DRUG "MERINAL", (THAT CONSIST OF WHAT IS SOUNDS LIKE) IS HELPING. IT SEEMS SHE HAS GOTTEN THE MUNCHIES. HEY, THAT'S O.K. WHATEVER WORKS FOR NOW.
OVERALL, THE TRANSPLANT ITSELF WENT FANTASTIC. BETTER THAN WE ALL EXPECTED.
I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG WE HAVE TO LIVE AT THE APARTMENT. IT WILL DEPEND ON HOW WELL SHE DOES, HOW OFTEN SHE NEEDS BLOOD AND PLATLETS, AND HER COUNTS.
IN ABOUT 25-30 DAYS THEY WILL SCAN LEIGHA AND DO TESTS THAT WILL DETERMINE IF SHE STILL HAS CANCER OR IF SHE IS IN REMISSION. PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF HER CANCER TO BE GONE. I KNOW GOD CAN RID HER OF HER CANCER.

WE ARE HAVING ANOTHER GOLF TOURNAMENT ON AUGUST 28TH. PASS THE WORD. LEIGHA IS SO EXCITED ABOUT DRIVING THE CART.
I'LL LET YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT IT LATER BUT WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO COME OUT, EVEN IF YOU DON'T PLAY GOLF.

I'LL KEEP IN TOUCH!
LOVE, DENISE

Friday, June 25, 2004 4:58 PM CDT

Hey Its Steve,




Leigha is battling hard to fight the nausea .she can't wait to get out and do some [normal things]. The doctor said they were pleased with the transplant and her cells were growing.dustin was so brave and humble.we should be going to the apartment next week . We are praying that all the cancer is gone . Tests will be done in a couple of weeks . She wants to do another golf tournament . She loves to drive the cart and leave me behind . Keep the faith.


P.S. This is Leigha speaking I have not felt good at
all lately and this is the first time my dad has
used a computer so i taught him how to do it and he wrote all that up there!!!!! make sure you be proud of him lol just pickin well have a nice day love you !


Love
Leigha
And
Steve!

Thursday, June 10, 2004 2:47 PM CDT

Hey everyone this is Leigha I just got my head shaved yesterday Into a mohawk . The next morning my other nurse shaved it all off noww all I have are little fuzzyz . It's day 8 for me now im waiting for my cells to grow so I can get outta here!!!! please keep praying for me and my family Thankyou all for helping us out and I know some of you feel like you havent done anough but you actully have because are hearts are filled with your love and care and my heart is over flowing . Thankyou all very much I have been doing good just trying to get Through this thick stuff . I love you all Thankyou guys very much you have helped out in every single way Thankyou!


Love
Leigha
Martinelli

Saturday, June 5, 2004 7:19 AM CDT

WOW!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MESSAGES OF HOPE. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE WROTE TO US.
FOR AN UPDATE... THE TRANSPLANT WENT VERY WELL. DUSTIN HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH BONE MARROW FOR LEIGHA. THEY LET HIM GO STRAIGHT UP TO SEE LEIGHA AFTER LEAVING RECOVERY. I WISH YOU COULD HAVE SEEN THE TWO OF THEM LOOK AT EACH OTHER WHEN THEIR EYES FIRST MET. IT WAS PRICELESS!!!
THEY SHARE A BOND BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING. I WAS SO VERY PROUD TO BE THEIR MOTHER.

LEIGHA HAS HAD A HARD TIME. SHE CANNOT EAT OR TALK VERY MUCH. SHE HAS SEVERE MOUTH SORES IN HER MOUTH, THROAT, AND DOWN TO HER STOMACH BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DOSE OF CHEMO SHE WAS GIVEN. SHE IS SICK ON HER STOMACH MOST OF THE TIME BUT HER SPIRITS REMAIN STRONG.
SHE JUST WANTS "RONIE" HER BEAGLE AND TO GO SWIMMING IN A POOL. (AND WITH THE DOLPHINS, OF COURSE.)

AS FOR ME, SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS. UP UNTIL YESTERDAY, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN PRETTY ROUGH. LEIGHA HAD A BETTER DAY YESTERDAY SO THAT ALLOWS ME TO HAVE ONE.
IN ONE OF MY LAST CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD, I WAS GIVEN A
PEACE AND HOPE THAT I HAVE NOT FELT BEFORE NOW. I AM FEELING MORE POSITIVE AND HOPEFUL BECAUSE OF THIS.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG AND DANGEROUS ROAD AHEAD. MY PRAYER NOW IS THAT GOD STANDS BY LEIGHA AS THIS EVIL DESEASE IS LIFTED FROM HER BODY BY HIS ALMIGHTY HAND.

THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT US. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR US. THANK YOU FOR SEEING US THROUGH THIS. YOU GIVE US MORE STRENGTH THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.

LOVE, DENISE

Monday, May 31, 2004 7:47 PM CDT

DEAR FRIENDS, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! STEVE & I ARE AT DUKE. WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE. LEIGHA HAS FINISHED ALL OF HER RADIATION AND CHEMO. (THANK GOD). SO FAR, SHE HAS HANDLED IT EXTREMELY WELL. THE BAD SIDE EFFECTS ARE JUST NOW STARTING. THE VOMITING, SEVERE MOUTH SORES, ETC.
STEVE AND I GOT AN APARTMENT HERE IN DURHAM THAT IS WITHIN 5-10 MIN. OF THE HOSPITAL. WE HAVE THE BOYS W/US HERE FOR NOW. DUSTIN WILL BE GIVING HIS BONE MARROW ON WED.
THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY GIVE IT TO LEIGHA.
THE DOCTORS HAVE INFORMED US THAT THIS WILL BE A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT. WE ARE VERY NERVOUS.
THE TIMES NEWS DID A GREAT ARTICLE ON DUSTIN AND LEIGHA. I HOPE YOU ALL HAD THE CHANCE TO READ IT. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE. I HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY ALL OF YOUR MESSAGES ON THE WEB PAGE. IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO KNOW SO MANY PEOPLE ARE PRAYING FOR LEIGHA, DUSTIN AND OUR FAMILY.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT THIS TRANSPLANT WILL BE A CURE FOR LEIGHA. WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS!!!
WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE YOU. GOD BLESS!
LOVE, STEVE, DENISE, TANNER, DUSTIN & LITTLE LEIGHA

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 6:47 PM CDT

DEAR FRIENDS, SORRY IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE I HAVE UPDATED YOU. WE HAVE BEEN THRU A DIFFICULT TIME LATELY.
AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, THE ANTIBODIES TREATMENT IN N.Y. WAS NOT GOING TO CURE LEIGHA OF HER CANCER. THE ONLY OPTION WE REALLY HAVE LEFT IS TO TAKE HER TO TRANSPLANT USING DUSTIN AS HER BONE MARROW DONOR. I AM AT DUKE NOW W/LEIGHA. SHE IS STARTING HIGH DOSE RADIATION IN THE MORNING. SHE WILL BE IN A LEAD ROOM BY HERSELF FOR 3 DAYS.
WE CAN ONLY VISIT HER FOR 5 MIN. EVERY HOUR. WE WILL GO HOME FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN WE WILL COME BACK TO START TRANSPLANT. AT THAT TIME SHE WILL RECEIVE MORE RADIATION, HIGH-DOSE CHEMO AND THEN DUSTIN'S BONE MARROW. DUSTIN WILL DONATE JUNE 1ST. THEY WILL WHEEL DUSTIN UP TO LEIGHA'S FLOOR AND LET HIM GIVE HER HIS BLOOD. IT WILL BE A 2ND BIRTHDAY FOR BOTH OF MY KIDS. WE ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR TWO MONTHS. WE WILL THEN MOVE INTO AN APARTMENT WITHIN 5 MIN. OF THE HOSPITAL FOR ANOTHER 50-100 DAYS.
THERE ARE SO MANY RISKS INVOLVED IN THESE PROCEDURES. I AM
ASKING EACH OF YOU TO PRAY HARDER THAN YOU EVER HAVE FOR LEIGHA. PLEASE ASK EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO PRAY ALSO.
PLEASE PRAY FOR DUSTIN, OUR FAMILY, BUT MOST OF ALL FOR
GOD TO TOUCH LEIGHA'S BODY DURING THIS TRANSPLANT. HE IS THE ALMIGHTY HEALER AND WE ALL KNOW HE CAN HEAL HER.

I PROMISE I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED BETTER WHILE WE ARE IN THE HOSPITAL.

THANK YOU FOR CARING,
LOVE DENISE

Friday, April 16, 2004 3:17 PM CDT

HELLO FRIENDS, WE HAVE MADE IT THROUGH ANOTHER WEEK OF
TREATMENT. WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE TO GO. LEIGHA DID WELL DURING THIS ONE. AFTER NEXT WEEK IT IS THE END OF OUR PROTOCOL. WE WILL HOPEFULLY STAY THE NEXT MONDAY-WED. TO GET ALL OF HER SCANS AND BONE MARROW ASP.
WE ARE PRAYING SOOOO HARD FOR GOOD NEWS. AFTER THE DOCTORS REVIEW HER SCANS THEY WILL LET US KNOW WHAT IS NEXT. IT WILL DEPEND ON THE AMOUNT OF CANCER REMAINING.
PLEASE PRAY THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER TREATMENT THEY WILL OFFER US.
THE BOYS AND MY MOM ARE HERE WITH US THIS WEEK. SIX PEOPLE
IN ONE RONALD MCDONALD ROOM. YOU CAN IMAGINE.
THE BOYS HAVE BEEN TO A RED SOX GAME AND A METS GAME.
WE ARE GOING TO TIME SQUARE TOMORROW AND WILL SEE ANOTHER
BROADWAY PLAY. MAYBE "HAIRSPRAY" THIS TIME.
LIKE I ASKED EARLIER, PLEASE PRAY FOR GOOD RESULTS FOR LEIGHA AND FOR N.Y. TO CONTINUE TO TREAT HER.
WE LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR CARING ENOUGH TO READ THIS WEBSITE.
LOVE, DENISE

Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:18 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS, WE ARE BACK AT HOME, THANK GOD. WE WILL BE HERE UNTIL APRIL 10TH. WE ARE TAKING THE BOYS AND MY MOM BACK WITH US TO N.Y. SINCE IT IS SPRING BREAK. THEY WILL FLY HOME AFTER THE FIRST WEEK AND STEVE AND I WILL BE THERE ANOTHER WEEK. LEIGHA IS FEELING WELL. IT HAS BEEN TOUGH.
REMEMBER THE LITTLE GIRL (ROBIN) THAT I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT? SHE HAS THE SAME CANCER HAS LEIGHA. SHE IS FROM ENGLAND. SHE PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK WHILE WE WERE THERE.
IT WAS SO VERY HARD. I HAVE GOTTEN PRETTY CLOSE TO HER FAMILY. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY SERVICES, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH SUCH SORROW AND REALITY IN MY LIFE.
SOMETIMES LATELY I FEEL LIKE I CAN'T GO ON. IT IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER. OUR LIFE IS SUCH HELL FOR OUR WHOLE FAMILY.
PLEASE COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS EVERY DAY AND NEVER, NEVER TAKE YOUR CHILDREN, OR YOUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED.

Tuesday, March 16, 2004 4:49 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS,
TODAY IS TUESDAY. WE GOT BACK TO N.Y. ON FRIDAY AT 8:00 A.M. LEIGHA GOT INJECTED ON FRIDAY AND HAD M.I.B.G. SCANS ON SATURDAY. SHE STARTED HER ANTIBODIES TREATEMENT ON MONDAY. WE TALKED TO THE DOCTOR ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. HE SAID LEIGHA'S LAST SCANS SHOWED A "SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT".
HEY.... WE'LL TAKE THAT AS "IT HAS TO BE WORKING "
WE ARE TRYING TO BE OPTOMISTIC.

WE ARE TRYING TO BRACE OURSELF FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS IN NEW YORK. WE HAVE BEEN WARNED THAT IT WILL BE CRAZY AROUND HERE. THE PARADE WILL GO DOWN 5TH AVE.
THAT IS JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM US. WE ARE PLANNING ON GOING. IT IS SNOWING LIKE CRAZY HERE!!!! IT HAS BEEN SINCE WE WOKE UP AT 9:00. WE WILL BE HERE UNTIL A WEEK FROM FRIDAY. I THINK IT'S AROUND THE 26TH? WELL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND A CARD OR NOTE HERE IS THE ADDRESS.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IN NEW YORK
405 EAST 73RD ST.
NEW YORK, NY 10021
ATTN: THE MARTINELLI'S

ANYTIME WE ARE HERE, IT WILL ALWAYS BE THIS ADDRESS. JUST ALWAYS INCLUDE YOUR RETURN ADDRESS JUST INCASE.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US AS WELL AS THE OTHER FAMILIES THAT NEED GOD'S STRENGTH. ALSO PLEASE PRAY FOR
LEIGHA & ALL THE OTHER SICK CHILDREN SEEKING GOD'S HEALING.

THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT US. GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!!!
THE MARTINELLIS

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 4:00 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS, SORRY IT HAS TAKEN A WHILE B/4 I COULD WRITE. WE HAVE BEEN IN N.Y. FOR TWO WEEKS NOW. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO HOME ON SATURDAY FOR ABOUT 12 DAYS. LEIGHA IS DOING O.K. TOLERATING THE ANTIBODIES TREATMENT. WHILE THE OTHER KIDS SHE GOES THRU IT WITH HAVE SHOWN IMPROVEMENT, LEIGHA HAS YET TO SHOW ANY. WE ARE HOPING AND PRAYING THIS WILL CHANGE. THE TREATMENT ITSELF REMAINS PAINFUL BUT OUR SCANS SO FAR HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGING.
FOR ALL OF YOU THAT SENT CARDS TO LEIGHA ON HER BIRTHDAY/VALENTINES, THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! SHE WAS OVERWHELMED AT THE LOVE AND SUPPORT SHE RECEIVED. SHE ENDED UP RECEIVING ABOUT 400 CARDS! IS THAT NOT AMAZING?
SHE READ EVERY CARD, COVER TO COVER. IT GIVES HER HOPE AND STRENGTH KNOWING THAT ALL THOSE PEOPLE ARE PRAYING FOR HER.
THE RONDALD MCDONALD HOUSE HERE IS FANTASTIC! IT IS LIKE HAVING A WHOLE OTHER FAMILY IN N.Y. ALTHOUGH IT IS VERY HEARTBREAKING TO BE AROUND ALL THE SICK CHILDREN. LAST WEEK TWO KIDS THAT WE KNOW WERE SENT BACK TO THEIR HOME STATE AND HOSPICE WAS CALLED IN FOR THEM. THIS WAS THEIR LAST STOP. I HAD A VERY HARD TIME WITH THAT. MY HEART IS BROKEN FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
WE ASK THAT YOU PRAY FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND OURS. ONLY GOD CAN GIVE THE STRENGTH THAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE THE HELL THAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.
PLEASE PRAY THAT LEIGHA WILL FIND HER CURE. MORE THAN ANYTHING PLEASE KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU WHO TAKE THE TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO KEEP UP W/LEIGHA AND OUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!!!
THE MARTINELLI'S

Saturday, February 7, 2004 4:29 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS, IT IS GOOD TO BE HOME. WE GOT HOME LATE THURDAY NIGHT. WE ARE HOME FOR ABOUT 4 MORE DAYS, THEN WE GO BACK TO NEW YORK FOR ANOTHER 2 1/2 WEEKS. WE GET OUR FIRST TESTING DONE THIS COMING FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IN N.Y. THIS IS THE FIRST TEST WE HAVE HAD SINCE WE STARTED THE ANTIBODIES TREATMENT. WE HOPE AND PRAY THAT THERE IS LESS CANCER NOW. LEIGHA WILL BE IN N.Y. FOR HER BIRTHDAY...
FEBRUARY 14TH. SHE WILL BE A BIG 10 YEARS OLD!!!!
SHE WAS DIANOSED THREE WEEKS B/4 HER BIRTHDAY LAST YEAR.
SHE SPENT HER LAST BIRTHDAY AT DUKE.
I KNOW THAT SHE WOULD LOVE TO GET BIRTHDAY CARDS IN NEW YORK. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND HER A CARD.... HERE IS THE ADDRESS:

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF NEW YORK
405 EAST 73RD STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10021
ATTN: MARTINELLI'S ROOM 509

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR READING LEIGHA'S UPDATES.
WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU. I WILL DO MY BEST TO
UPDATE YOU SOON AFTER WE FIND OUT ABOUT HER TEST RESULTS.
PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR US.

LOVE, DENISE AND FAMILY

Saturday, January 31, 2004 0:45 AM CST

just an update for leigha.
we have been in new york for almost 2 weeks. the first week leigha did the anitbodies treatment was scary enough. the pain from the treatment is incredible for the children. it takes alot of getting used to. (not that you ever do)but somehow the kids learn to cope with the pain and go back day after day for more treatment. it is really amazing the strength and courage that they demonstrate.
the second week comes and there is a problem. the doctors could not treat her any more after tuesday because her counts dropped too low. if it is the treatment itself that
is causing this to happen, we cannot continue.
the doctors in n.y. are thinking maybe we started so soon
after the last chemo that perhaps that could be causing it.
they sent us home for a few days for her counts to recover.
we are flying back out on sunday & starting the treatment
again on monday. we pray that her counts stay up for the treatment and that it was just the last chemo that caused the problem. p.s. when we got home late Thurs.night, Leigha found out Pepper had been killed by a car.

Saturday, January 17, 2004 5:38 PM CST

DEAR FRIENDS,
PRAISE GOD!!!! INCASE YOU HAVE NOT HEARD, LEIGHA WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE ANTIBODIES TREATMENT AT SLOAN-KETTERING IN NEW YORK. WE WERE THERE ALL LAST WEEK DOING MORE TESTS. RIGHT B/4 WE WENT TO THE AIRPORT THE PHONE RANG IN OUR ROOM. IT WAS THE DOCTOR. HE ASKED US TO DELAY OUR FLIGHT SO HE COULD TALK TO US ABOUT UPCOMING ANTIBODIES TREATMENT FOR LEIGHA. STEVE STARTED DANCING AROUND AND HUGGING LEIGHA. ALL I SAID WAS TWO WORDS."PRAISE GOD!"
THIS IS A BIG STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF NEW HOPE FOR US.
OUR PRAYER NOW IS THAT LEIGHA DOES NOT REJECT THESE ANTIBODIES AND THAT HER CANCER RESPONDS TO IT. I HAVE ALWAYS HATED MICE BUT I AM STARTING TO LOOK AT THEM IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT.(HA HA)WE ARE LEAVING IN THE MORNING FOR NEW YORK. WE WILL BE THERE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS. IF ALL GOES WELL, WE WILL DO THIS SAME SCHEDULE FOR AT LEAST FOUR TREATEMENTS, THEN WE WILL LOOK AT OTHER POSSIBILIES. WE DID GET TWO DAYS AT HOME W/THE FAMILY. THAT WAS GREAT. MY MOM & SHEANA WILL BE STAYING W/THE BOYS. THANK GOD FOR THEM ALSO.THIS TREATMENT IS VERY PAINFUL FOR LEIGHA PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HER. LOVE, DENISE

Monday, January 5, 2004 1:03 AM CST

hey its leigha
Are plans have changed for newyork and were not going in until jan.11th. I am at home right now having fun.Playing with my puppie and peppers

hey it's denise,
we found out friday that we do not go to NY until the 11th.
we will only be there for four days for testing. we will come home after that. the doctor will call us after he has viewed all the tests results and then we will find out if Leigha is indeed a candidate for the antibodies treatment.
this whole time, we were under the impression that she was already a candidate so please pray that Leigha will qualify for the this treatment.
her counts are slowly coming up. hopefully she will have
a full week at home of normalcy.

we will keep in touch. thank you all for caring.
love, denise

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 10:14 PM CST

Hey its leigha i hope everybody has a good new years eve.I have been doing good and the doctors said I can go home because I have had no fever and because they dont want me to miss new years either.I still dont have a white count so i cant be around a lot of other people but at least I can be at my home.We are planing to be in New York in jan. 5th to jan.24th.Please keep praying for me and my family and Thankyou so much for doing that but please continue:}.


Love,leigha martinelli

Thursday, December 25, 2003 6:22 PM CST

hey its leigha. its Christmas day and i am at duke hospital.Merry Christmas everybody.I am sorta feeling good but my appetite is not so good.I got a fever on Christmas eve and i had to go to duke emergency room.I hope i will be getting out in a couple of days.Me,my mom and dad are scheduled to be in New York by January,12. Many of you already know,my dog had 6 puppies 'the're so cute' we have sold all except one.We're keeping the one and she is a girl her name is Ronie. Please keep praying for me to get better.

Here is a note from my mommy and daddy.

hello friends, i hope you enjoyed Leigha's note. Can you believe she has to be here at Christmas? Oh well.
I just wanted to say thank you to the Burlington Shrine Club, Lin Cobb, Jim Covington, Tami Koury, the John Boy and Billy Show, and all the other people that helped raise so much money for Leigha.

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!
love, the martinelli's

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 11:06 PM CST

DEAR CARING FRIENDS, IT'S ABOUT 12:10 A.M. ON THURSDAY MORNING. WE ARE AT DUKE NOW GETTING CHEMO. IT STARTED ON MONDAY AND WILL END IN THE WEE HOURS ON SAT. MORNING. LEIGHA IS DOING AS WELL AS TO BE EXPECTED. I STILL CANT BELIEVE THIS MAY BE THE LAST CHEMO FOR A WHILE. AS USUAL HER COUNTS SHOULD DROP, SHE WILL GET A FEVER, AND NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED ON THE 10TH DAY AFTER THE CHEMO STARTED. GUESS WHAT DAY THAT IS? YES, DEC. 25TH. WE ARE PRAYING SHE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS AT HOME FIRST. DUKE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW IS VERY DIFFERENT. THE FLU IS SO BAD THAT ALL THE FLOORS HALLS ARE SHUT DOWN. THEY PUT US ON THE BONE MARROW UNIT SO LEIGHA WOULD NOT BE EXPOSED. THE NURSES HERE ARE AWESOME TOO, JUST LIKE ON FLOOR 5100.
WE WILL NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT DAY WE ARE LEAVING FOR NEW YORK. IT WILL DEPEND ON LEIGHA'S COUNTS.
OUR PRAYER IS THAT THESE LAST CHEMOS WILL LESSEN THE AMOUNT CANCER IN LEIGHA'S BODY, AND FOR THE NEW YORK ANTI-BODIES
TREATMENT TO PUT LEIGHA IN REMISSION. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR LEIGHA.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON,
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!!!!

Wednesday, December 3, 2003 12:51 AM CST

DEAR FRIENDS, LEIGHA IS AT HOME NOW. SHE HAS A BAD COLD.
HER LAST CHEMO WAS ON NOV. 6TH. IT WAS A VERY STRONG DOSE.
SHE ENDED UP BACK IN THE HOSPITAL DUE TO NO WHITE COUNT, FEVER & INFECTION. SHE JUST GOT HER WHITE CELLS BACK ON NOV. 28TH. DR. KUSHNER IN N.Y. STILL WANTS HER TO HAVE THE OTHER CHEMO B/4 COMING THERE. SHE IS DUE TO START THAT AROUND DEC. 11TH. OUR HOPE IS THAT WE WILL BE HOME AT C'MAS.
ANOTHER NOTE: THE JOHNBOY & BILLIE RADIO SHOW IS PROMOTING AN EVENT FOR LEIGHA & LINKING THIS SITE FOR INFO. SO THE INFORMATION IS AS FOLLOWS:
THE SHRINE CLUB OF BURLINGTON IS HAVING A LEIGHA MARTINELLI
BENEFIT ON DEC. 20, 2003 WITH A MEAL & AN $8,500.00 CASH GIVEAWAY!
1ST TICKET DRAWN WINS $250.00 25TH TICKET WINS $500.00
50TH TICKET WINS $750.00 100 & 150TH TICKET WINS $1000.00 EA. AND THE 200TH TICKET DRAWN WINS $5000.00!

TICKETS ARE $100.00 EACH. FOR MORE INFO OR TO PURCHASE A TICKET YOU MAY CONTACT JIM'S HOTDOG & HAMBURGERS AT
509 W. ELM STREET, GRAHAM TELE #336-228-8916

Monday, November 3, 2003 7:03 PM CST

DEAR FRIENDS, ON FRIDAY OCT. 24TH. STEVE AND I WERE INFORMED THAT DUKE CANNOT DO ANYMORE TO CURE LEIGHA OF HER CANCER. THEY CANNOT GET HER IN REMISSION FOR THE BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT THAT SHE NEEDS. ON MONDAY, OCT. 27TH. WE TOOK LEIGHA TO SLOANE KETTERING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN NEW YORK. WE TOOK HER TO THE DOCTOR THAT IS DOING EXPERIMENTAL ANTIBODY TREATMENTS. THIS TREATMENT WILL HOPEFULLY CLEAN LEIGHA'S BONE MARROW. THEY DID MANY TESTS AND PUT US ON THEIR WAITING LIST. WE ARE SCHEDULED TO START TREATMENT JANUARY 6TH IN NEW YORK. IN THE MEANTIME, LEIGHA WILL HAVE TO GET TWO MORE CHEMO'S AT DUKE TO KEEP THE CANCER FROM SPREADING WHILE WE WAIT FOR NEW YORK. I CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW HARD IT IS FOR STEVE & I RIGHT NOW. WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP POSITIVE AND STRONG BUT OUR HEARTS ARE BREAKING FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL CHILD. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR LEIGHA & OUR FAMILY.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE, LEIGHA IS STILL AS STRONG AS EVER. SHE
HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY WITH COACH K. IT WAS GREAT!
SHE DESIGNED A C'MAS CARD FOR THE DUKE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. IT WILL BE ON SALE AT BARNES & NOBLE AND HARRIS TEETERS IN OUR AREA. TONIGHT SHE IS BEING FILMED IN DURHAM FOR A CHILDREN'S CARTOON PROGRAM. SHE LOVED NEW YORK!

Monday, September 29, 2003 10:38 PM CDT

we just got thru with an aspiration at duke from leighas front hip area.this was the area that came back positive last time.we are expected to have another round of chemo starting on thursday.the results of the tests should be in the day before.leigha has a great positive attitude and agreat belief in God.she is ready to play soccer and basketball this spring.sheana has got leigha dribbling two balls at one time.dustin and tanner are being great big brothers.denise and i are trying to hold down the fort till things get back to normal.we expect bone marrow transplant to be after the recovery of this next chemo.we are getting closer to the big battle.thank you for checking in on leigha god bless you keep praying.there is a good song my neighbor has about a miracle .i will tell you the name of it next time.

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 1:04 AM CDT

DEAR CARING FRIENDS, JUST WANTED TO UPDATE YOU ON LEIGHA.
SHE HAD HER OPERATION ON THE 14TH. GUESS WHAT? THE SURGEON TOLD US THAT HE GOT ALL THE TUMOR THAT HE COULD SEE!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!! WE WERE SO GLAD TO GET THAT NEWS. WHILE LEIGHA WAS IN THE OPERATION, THEY DID BONE MARROW ASPIRATIONS ON FOUR SITES. TWO IN THE BACK AND ONE IN EACH HIP. WE WILL BE GETTING THE RESULTS FROM THOSE ANY DAY NOW. WE ARE HOPING AND PRAYING FOR GOOD NEWS. OUR GOAL IS TO GET LEIGHA IN REMISSION FOR TRANSPLANT.
OUR NEXT STEP IS ANOTHER CHEMO WITH DIFFERENT MEDICINES.
IT WILL BE TOUGH FOR HER BUT WE ARE HOPING IT WILL BE WORTH IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CARING AND PRAYING FOR LEIGHA. IT IS STILL VERY HARD FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILY. EVERY DAY IS A STRUGGLE. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US AS I WILL CONTINUE TO THANK GOD FOR YOU.
LOVE, DENISE

Saturday, August 9, 2003 9:41 PM CDT

DEAR CARING FRIENDS, LEIGHA AND I ARE SENDING THIS NOTE FROM PENNSYLVANIA. WE ARE WITH SHEANA VISTING HER FAMILY.
LEIGHA IS HAVING A BALL! WE FLEW IN TODAY AND WE WILL BE HERE UNTIL TUESDAY. LEIGHA'S LAST CHEMO WENT O.K. SHE WILL BE GETTNG OPERATED ON AUGUST 14TH. THEY ARE PLANNING ANOTHER CHEMO, USING DIFFERENT MEDICINES, A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE OPERATION. OUR GOAL NOW IS TO GET LEIGHA INTO REMISSION FOR THE TRANSPLANT. OUR PRAYER REQUEST NOW IS FOR LEIGHA'S CANCER TO GO INTO REMISSION. THIS WOULD GIVE HER A MUCH BETTER CHANCE IN THE BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT. PLEASE PRAY FOR HER AND OUR FAMILY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND CONCERN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
THE MARTINELLI'S

"AND THE PRAYER OFFERED IN FAITH WILL MAKE THE SICK PERSON WELL" james 5:15

Tuesday, July 22, 2003 11:43 AM CDT

DEAR CARING FRIENDS,

WE HAVE THE RESULTS FROM LEIGHA'S LAST BONE SCANS. WE WERE HOPING THAT SHE WOULD BE IN REMISSION BEFORE HER UPCOMING OPERATION. HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL NEUROBLASTOMA IN HER TUMORS. THE DOCTORS HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE HER ANOTHER ROUND OF CHEMO STARTING ON THURSDAY, JULY 24TH. THEY ARE HOPING THAT THIS CHEMO WILL HELP TO RID HER OF THE REMAINING CANCER CELLS IN HER TUMORS. AFTER THAT THEY WILL OPERATE TO REMOVE THE TUMORS. THE PLAN IS TO HAVE LEIGHA IN BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT AROUND SEPTEMBER 15TH. THIS WAS NOT GOOD NEWS FOR US TO RECEIVE, HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE. WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR LEIGHA AND HER PHYSICIANS. AT THIS TIME LEIGHA IS DOING WELL AND IS PAIN FREE. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU PRAY FOR DUSTIN, BECAUSE AT THIS TIME HE HAS A HEAVY BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY ON HIS HEART. WE WILL TRY TO KEEP YOU UPDATED ON THE UPCOMING TREATMENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERN.

LOVE, THE MARTINELLI'S

Thursday, June 26, 2003 5:31 PM CDT

HEY THIS IS LEIGHA SPEAKING I HAVE BEEN DOING REALLY GOOD I MIGHT GO HOME ON FRIDAY TOM. BUT I MISS ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS SHEANA MOCSH SHE IS IN PENNSYLVANIA I MISS HER A LOT . I GOT TO PAINT THE WINDOW TODAY AT THE HOSPITAL .IT WAS REALLY FUN BECAUSE MY DAD GOT PAINT ALL OVERHIS HANDS AND SO DID I IT WAS REALLY FUN EVEN THOUGH WE WERE MESSY. IT WAS FUN RIDING THE MOTOR CYCLE AT THE CHARLIE RILEY DAY .YAW PLEASE KEEP UP THE PRAYERS AND THE SWEET THOUGHTS .THANKYOU FOR ALL THE THINGS YAW ALL HAVE DONE IT HELPED ME HET THROUGH THIS A LOT.PRAY FOR AGOOD X RAY TOO HELP WITH MY OPERATION TOO REMOVE THE TUMOR AMEN LETS GET RID OF THAT THING LOL.WELL I AM EATING LIKE CRAZY AND DOING REAL GOOD BUT STILL KEEP UP THE PRAYERS. WELL G2G WRITE TOO YAW GUYS LATA LOL BYE.

LOVE,LEIGHA MARTINELLI

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 8:20 PM CDT

HEY YOU GUYS THIS IS HEATHER BROWN, ONE OF LEIGHA'S FAVORITE NURSES. STEVE ASKED ME TO HELP HIM DO THIS BECAUSE HE IS A LITTLE CHALLENGED ON THE COMPUTER. LEIGHA IS CURRENTLY HERE AT DUKE FOR HER CHEMO. THE DOSE HAS BEEN REDUCED BY 50% BECAUSE IT WAS TAKING HER TOO LONG TO RECOVER AFTER HER TREATMENTS. AFTER THIS ROUND OF CHEMO, WE WILL TAKE A XRAY TO SEE WHERE TO GO FROM HERE AND THE STATUS OF THE TUMOR. SAY A PRAYER THAT THIS CHEMO GOES WELL AND WE HAVE GOOD RESULTS FROM THE XRAY.

ON A HAPPY NOTE, LEIGHA GOT TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE AT THE CHARLIE pRIDE bIKE rALLY BENFIT FOR HER AND ANOTHER LITTLE ONE HERE AT DUKE.

LEIGHA SENDSYOU ALL HER LOVE BUT SHE IS TIED UP EATING SPAGHETTI. HER PRE-CHEMO MEAL!!!!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!

HEATHER, LEIGHA, AND DADDY MARTINELLI
LEIGHA MARTINELLI
BURLINGTON, NC USA - Monday, June 23, 2003 5:01 PM CDT

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 3:20 PM CDT

What's up ya'll? This is Sheana Mosch reporting in for the Martinelli's. I've spent so much time with the family lately, I can tell you everything you need to know :)
Leigha is faaaaantastic! She's been feeling great and has been running around all over the place. Last week we went to her favorite place in the whole world THE BEACH and spent an awesome day out in the sun. Leigha was basically covered up except for her feet, and of course after only 2 hours outside, her little feet were 5 shades darker than any part of my body. It's ok--i'm not bitter.
We've also gone to the movies a few times, and Leigha loves "Finding Nemo". Besides that, she's been viciously beating up her dad and brothers in video games, and has been fixing the settings on her new cell phone. That's right--she's got her own celly.
oh yeah, and leigha, her mom, and I visited some friends of mine who own a farm--and Leigha got the biggest kick out of the baby goats. They are soooo cute!!!!
Thursday is the expected day for more chemo, so please keep up the prayers, for "when 2 of you on earth agree about aything in prayer, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven" (mt 18:19)
Love you all!
sheana

Saturday, May 31, 2003 8:10 AM CDT

we r waiting for her white blood cells to come up so she can come home.thank u for praying.she is fighting every day.sometimes its hard to tell you how she is doing.we feel lucky to have family,friends,and god.leigha is scheduled to have chemo,operation to remove tumor from spine ,chemo again,heavier chemo,then transplant.after transplant we have 40 days in isolation and 60 days 5 minutes away.each chemo takes about amonth.dustin and tanner are ready to help.thanks again for the prayers and support.leigha really wants to go swimming.having her lines does not allow her to.leigha still looks beautiful as ever.leigha battles every day.the nurses and staff are so kind.we like to pick to keep sane.pray everyday.

shhh
daddy
- Friday, May 30, 2003 3:11 PM CDT

Friday, May 2, 2003 11:27 PM CDT

DEAR CARING FRIENDS, SORRY IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE WE HAVE WRITTEN BUT LEIGHA HAS BEEN WELL LATELY AND WE HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THIS TIME. WE HAVE BEEN TO MANY MOVIES AND SHE HAS SPENT TIME WITH MANY OF HER FRIENDS. THIS WEEKEND SHE HAD A FEW FRIENDS SPEND THE NIGHT TO MAKE UP FOR THE BIRTHDAY PARTY SHE NEVER HAD. WE GO BACK MONDAY, IF HER COUNTS ARE RIGHT, SHE WILL GET HER STEM CELLS COLLECTED AGAIN. ON TUESDAY SHE WILL HAVE ANOTHER BONE MARROW ASPIRATION THAT WILL TELL US THE DIFFERENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF CANCER CELLS FROM THE HER FIRST DIAGNOSIS. WE PRAY THAT THE RESULTS WILL BE AS UPLIFTING AS THE AMOUNT OF SHRINKAGE SHE HAD IN HER PRIMARY TUMOR. WHICH WAS 75%. (PRAISE GOD!). IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE RESULTS OF THE BONE MARROW OPERATION, BUT STEVE AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW AFTER WE FIND THIS OUT. WITH THE WARM WEATHER COMING IN LEIGHA'S SPIRITS HAVE DROPPED A LITTLE BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO ENJOY DOING THE NORMAL, FUN THINGS SHE ALWAYS DID. AS ALWAYS, WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR LEIGHA'S HEALTH AND THE STRENGH OF OUR FAMILY.
LOVE TO ALL, STEVE AND DENISE

Wednesday, April 9, 2003 1:36 PM CDT

DEAR CARING FRIENDS, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE GOLF TOURNAMENT!!
YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE WONDERFUL TIME LEIGHA HAD. SHE
SAID SHE WAS GOING TO RUN OVER A FEW PEOPLE ON THE GOLF CART, WELL SHE DID!!! SHE DROVE THAT CART THE ENTIRE TIME.
THANKS TO JIMMY AND CHRIS SMITH THAT DONATED THE ENTIRE COURSE FOR LEIGHA. ALSO,, RYDER SMITH AND HER FRIENDS THAT SET UP A LEMONADE AND COOKIE STAND WHERE THEY MADE $130.OO AND THEN GAVE IT TO LEIGHA. WHAT WONDERFUL HEARTS THESE CHILDREN HAVE. TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PLAYED IN THE TOURNAMENT AND TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WORKED THAT DAY OR JUST CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE CAUSE.... WE SAY "THANK YOU" SO MUCH. ALL OF YOU ARE MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SEEK THE BEST TREATMENT FOR LEIGHA.
WE GO BACK IN FOR CHEMO THURSDAY MORNING. BOY, I DREAD THAT SO MUCH. I WILL KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOU. IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR LEIGHA AND OUR TROOPS.
LOVE, DENISE

Tuesday, April 1, 2003 9:48 PM CST

HEY THIS IS LEIGHA I HAVE BEEN DOING GOOD.WE JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY BROTHER DUSTIN MATCHES ME PERFECT FOR A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT. THE DOCTERS SAID THAT THAT WAS GREAT SO WERE REALLY HAPPY.I AM EATING AND DRINKING BUT I WILL HAVE CHEMO ON THE DAYS OF THE GOLF TOURNMENT. I FELT REALLY BAD BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO RIDE THE GOLF CART BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLY FUN. THE BAD THING IS IS THAT I DON'T GET TO RUN OVER PEOPLE JUST KIDDING.THANK YALL FOR GIVING US DINNERS, PRAYING,AND HELPING OUT BY TAKING MY BROTHERS TO SCHOOL.YALL HAVE BEEN A BIG BLESSING FOR MY FAMILY NOW ALL I WANT YALL TO DO IS TO KEEP PRAYING FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.OH YES AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THE CARDS.



LOVE,LEIGHA

Thursday, March 27, 2003 6:36 PM CST

dear friends, today is Thurs. March 27th. we just got home from the hospital this afternoon. On Sunday we had to take leigha to the Duke Emergency Room because of a fever. Not long after we got her there her fever had reach 106. Her blood pressure had dropped to 82/32. We were scared. She was one point away of convulsions. She was sent to the I.C.U. On Monday they were able to get her fever down and her blood pressure back up. We were back out on the floor until today. Her white count if finally coming back up from her last chemo. The next step for leigha is to harvest her stem cells. They will do that next week. If they can't get enough next week they will try again but it would be wonderful for them to get what they need soon.
i had a very bad weekend last week. i knew she was very sick and i was scared to be home with her the way she was. It has been very depressing lately. People have been so good to us. I don't feel worthy of all the kindness shown. But, I gratefully accept everything for the sake of my beautiful daughter. please continue to pray for our strength and for Leigha's harvest. LOVE YOU SO MUCH! DENISE

Wednesday, March 19, 2003 7:34 PM CST

dear caring friends, sorry it has taken a while to write. things get tough when you get home. taking care of leigha and everyday life is full time. it is great to be home with the boys. i got to pick tanner up two days in row after school. that felt so great. IT FELT SO NORMAL. leigha is at home but not feeling very well. she has been sick alot. she is very very weak. she is not eating again as of yet. she gets a check up at the children's clinic tomorrow. i hope she doesn't have to go back on t.p.n. (food) but if it is for the best i will understand. the next big step for leigha is to harvest her stem cells so that they can try to clean them up, get rid of ALL THE CANCER CELLS, and then give them back to her at the end of all her treatment. Our prayer request now is that God will continue to watch over her and pray that we can get a clean harvest of stem cells and that NO CANCER cells will remain. Once again thank you for everything all of you have been doing for our family.
Love, Denise

Friday, March 14, 2003 11:04 PM CST

Dear friends, we are back at duke for our second chemo.
leigha started eating about three days ago. she has not stopped yet. she eats all the time. her favorite food is from La Fiesta. she ate a whole meal from there that Steve brought to the hospital. her operation on Wed. went well.
she now has her line in that will harvest her blood cells. we will do that in a couple of weeks. her courage and strength is still remarkable. even though she knew the chemo was going to make her sick again, she could not wait till the nurses hung it. we continue to get strength from her. i guess you know that the duke womens basketball team won the acc tournament. YEAH! Leigha was so excited watching it. That wasnt good enough for Steve.well, you know steve? He jumped in the car and had her at the game by halftime. They let her go down on the court & gave her a piece of the net. We love you Sheana Mosch #3, Vicki Krapohl #12, Lindsey Harding #10, and all the rest of the team that have visited Leigha.
Thanks so much for all the people working on the golf tournament. We love you all.

Thursday, March 13, 2003 7:59 AM CST

There will be a golf tournament to benefit Leigha and her family. All proceeds will be used for the extensive and growing medical costs. The tournament is Saturday, April 5th at Southwick Golf Course; 8:00 am and 1:00 pm shotgun start. Entry fee is $50 per golfer, $200 per team (includes greens fee, cart, lunch gift bag & t-shirt). Sponsorships are also available ($500 Gold, $250 Silver and $100 Bronze). Please contact James & Sandra Mitchell at 585-1432 or Mike & Dawn Bowman at 228-0001 for more information. Donations may be made for the "Leigha Martinelli Charity" and sent to 507 Maclean Drive, Gibsonville, NC 27249. Thank you!

Monday, March 10, 2003 1:37 PM CST

DEAR FRIENDS, SORRY IT HAS TAKEN ME SO LONG TO UPDATE. LEIGHA DEVELOPED AN ULCER THAT IS DEADLY FOR CANCER PATIENTS. THE ONLY CURE IS A VERY STRONG MEDICINE TAKEN BY MOUTH SO IT CAN GO STRAIGHT TO THE STOMACH. HOWEVER, LEIGHA COULD NOT HOLD IT DOWN. THEY HAD TO PUT A FEEDING TUBE IN HER. WE FINALLY GOT TO COME HOME FRIDAY. WE WERE HERE 3 HOURS AND LEIGHA GOT SICK. WHEN SHE DID, THE FEEDING TUBE CAME OUT SO OFF WE GO BACK TO DUKE. WE HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT & GET ANOTHER TUBE PUT DOWN. WE CAME HOME SATURDAY NIGHT. WE GO BACK WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR AN OPERATION FOR ANOTHER LINE PUT IN HER CHEST. THE CEMO WILL START ON THURSDAY. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE ALL THE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED TO DO FOR LEIGHA. I HOOK UP ALL HER FOOD LINES EVERY NIGHT. I ADMINISTER ALL HER MEDICINES 3x A DAY THRU HER FEEDING TUBE, I DRAW BLOOD FOR HER COUNTS, I CHANGE HER DRESSINGS, I FLUSH ALL HER LINES, AND I GIVE THE SHOTS.
I MAY NOT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A WHOLE LOT IN MY LIFE BEFORE BUT BOY I HAVE NOW. I GIVE GOD THE GLORY FOR THE KNOWLEDGE AND STRENGTH I HAVE BEEN GIVEN. PLEASE PRAY THAT THIS NEXT ROUND OF CEMO WILL BE ALOT EASIER FOR LEIGHA.

Monday, March 3, 2003 10:30 PM CST

HELLO FRIENDS, WOW, YOUR E'MAILS ARE AMAZING. WELL, TODAY WAS NOT SUCH A GREAT DAY. LEIGHA WAS VERY SICK ON HER STOMACH TODAY AND LOST A LITTLE MORE BLOOD. THEY GAVE HER MORE PLATLETS AND THAT STOPPED THE BLEEDING. SHE STILL CANNOT EAT. IT'S BEEN ABOUT 25 DAYS. SHE IS SO WEAK. SHE HARDLY EVER GETS OUT OF BED. SHE CAN'T WALK VERY WELL.
I PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE HER PHYSICAL STRENGTH AS WELL AS MENTAL. WE MAY STILL GET TO LEAVE ON WED. BUT SHE WILL GO HOME WITH T.P.N. (FOOD THRU HER CENTRAL LINE). WE HAVE TO BE BACK TO DUKE NEXT WED. FOR ANOTHER OPERATION AND MORE CHEMO. I PRAY THINGS WILL NOT BE AS BAD FOR HER THIS NEXT TREATMENT. I DON'T SEE HOW ANY OF US COULD TAKE IT.
THANKS TO THE DUKE WOMENS BASKETBALL PLAYERS #3 AND #12. THEIR GAME WAS ON T.V. SUNDAY NIGHT. THEY BOTH GAVE LEIGHA SECRET SIGNS DURING THE GAME WHEN THEY KNEW THEY WERE ON CAMERA. WE WATCHED IT ALONG WITH SEVERAL NURSES. IT WAS GREAT! WHAT GOOD HEARTS THESE GIRLS HAVE!!!!!!!!!

I BETTER SIGN OFF. WE LOVE YOU ALL,
KEEP PRAYING FOR LEIGHA!!!

Friday, February 28, 2003 4:54 PM CST

DEAR CARING FRIENDS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR E'MAILS. today is friday. On wed. leigha had a turn for the worse. she lost so much blood it scared us to death.
she was put in intensive care until today. she is now in the bone marrow unit. it is a step down from i.c.u. she can get more care here than in a regular room. the best news is, as of today, her white blood cells are climbling.
PRAISE GOD! that is what all the parents of cancer children pray for. I have made up cheers for white blood cells! Leigha still hasn't eaten in about 22 days. if she starts eating now, we may get to come home on monday. if she doesnt, she will have to come home with i.v. food. that means maybe we can come home on wed. we will have almost a week at home, then we will be back for the next cemo.
There are so many things i would like to say but i run out of time and room. OUR FAITH AND YOU ARE WHAT IS KEEPING US GOING!!! All those people bringing food to my house, e'mails, cards, uplifting gifts for leigha,phone calls, visits, and PRAYERS! You will never know how much all that has helped us out. BETTER GO FOR NOW, LOVE, DENISE

Tuesday, February 25, 2003 11:38 PM CST

i ran out of room on my last entry. this is all new to me. i may not even be doing this right. most of the time, i dont even know what day it is. i have learned so much while i have been here. i am now giving leigha all her shots. i never thought i could do that but i prayed one night in the hospital that God would give me the strength, and guess what? HE DID! she has a double central line that was put in her thru surgery. it will remain there until all of her treatment is over. 9 mths or longer?
i have learned how to flush those lines too. i am very proud of myself for these things. today we were able to move to a bigger room. steve is sleeping on a pull out bed. he has been in a chair this whole time. i sleep with Leigha because she makes me. she pretty much has the say so around here. I MISS MY BOYS! this has been very hard on them. i hope we can go home for a little while before the next treatment. they miss us and their sissy.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT E'MAILED. WE HAVE HAD AN UNREAL
AMOUNT OF SUPPORT AND LOVE FROM SO MANY PEOPLE. WE THANK GOD FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!! YOUR CONCERN AND PRAYERS GET US THRU EACH DAY! WE LOVE YOU!
I promise to keep you informed.
love, denise

Tuesday, February 25, 2003 11:16 PM CST

dear caring friends, sorry it has taken me so long to update you on leigha's condition. it has been a long 18 days. we are still at duke waiting on leigha's white blood count to go up so that we may go home before the next cemo treatment. there are no words that can describe the PURE HELL that steve and i have been thru. much less what leigha herself has been thru. i cannot describe what i feel.
i feel like i shouldnt even write at this time because i am so depressed about every part of it. no child and no parent should have to go thru anything like this. it is an ugly desease with even more ugly side effects from the cemo.
leigha is such a trooper thru it all. she has lost all her hair now and is still beautiful! i think its those eyes (like her daddy's) that keep her so lovely.
the national champion duke womens basketball team visited her on her birthday at the hospital. they have since comeback several times, called our cell phones, brought gifts, posters, clothes, and more. they told her as soon as she could make it to one of their games, they would hang out with her after the game. she thinks she is hot stuff!
i will continue to add more. denise martinelli

Saturday, February 22, 2003 6:17 PM CST

We are starting this webpage for the friends and families of Leigha Martinelli to monitor her progress in the fight against Neuroblastoma. We will update you as often as possible. Feel free to check this site daily. Steve, Denise and Leigha will be able to read your supportive messages either from home or from Duke, using their laptop computer.

Saturday, February 22, 2003 3:09 PM CST

This page has just been created. Please check back for additional updates.

Click here to go back to the main page.

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