Mona Melms Mona's Next Chapter

Dearest Family and Friends of Mona,

Many of you have already heard that Mona received some unexpected and scary news last week - a breast self-exam revealed a small lump, and her follow up mammography and biopsy showed invasive ductal carcinoma of her left breast. Not surprisingly, Mona has been open and honest and brave about this news with everyone she's seen and spoken with in the past week. Also not surprisingly, everyone has expressed a wish to help, in any way possible.

Thanks to the warm and encouraging sentiments by all the people whose lives Mona has touched, we decided that we needed to get organized! The last thing we want is for Mona to have to devote precious energy to reply to messages and update everyone who would like to know what she is facing. Caring Bridge is a great resource for that, so we hope to use this space to share her needs, rally her troops and express what we all feel as she begins her next chapter.

Mona plans to write whenever possible, but as her support network we can provide updates here as well. We'll let everyone know her treatment schedule and all she may need as she goes through chemotherapy, surgery and then radiation. The plan is not yet final but it's possible chemo will begin as soon as this week.

For now, let's get this site up and running and make sure everyone who would like to follow Mona's progress (for she will overcome this!) is able to connect. If you know of others who'd like to join, please get in touch and let us know. Or, forward this site on to them.  And, a special request of Mona as we send this out, please "ignore" the Donate buttons on the site - Mona's intent is to use Caring Bridge solely for communicating and sharing messages of encouragement. Thanks.

Here's to Mona, whose strength, openness, and positive energy inspires us all. She will do this!