A Dreaded Phone Call

Thursday evening I received a phone call from my sister-in-law, Judy. It appears that after having been in remission since 2004, my niece Michelle's leukemia has returned.

Michelle and her husband, Jason Tang, live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, both working for Sandia Labs.

Family and friends may remember my visit to be with Michelle late in 2004 when she was first diagnosed. Ken and I went back in 2006 for Jason and Michelle's wedding.




This was a picture of Michelle and I from that happy occasion. I know---never know we were relatives would you!

After that visit and the exploring we did in the area, Ken and I are sure that one of our early adventures, once full-timing, will be back to see Jason and Michelle and the beautiful part of the country they call home.

Jason and Michelle were at our house the weekend after Christmas this year and it was wonderful at the time to see how healthy and happy Michelle was looking. They were spending lots of time on their shared passion of skiing. This makes us feel even more positive that she will be in a healthier state to approach chemotherapy this time.

We were very glad to hear back from Judy last night that Jason will be travelling back to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with Michelle and that Sandia will be allowing him to work from there. This is one good thing about working with computers today. You can do it from just about anywhere anymore. I did it myself from Barnes-Jewish the last time Ken had surgery there.

Because Michelle's sister Jane, and her husband Joe, are, like us, empty-nester's now, with all 3 of their boys off to college and a big house left behind, they have lots of room to take in Michelle and Jason between her hospital stays and even room from my brother Bobby and Judy to come down for frequent visits to check on their baby girl.

Michelle did an incredible job of taking charge of getting the best information and treatment plans possible back in 2004 and approached the challenge then with an amazing positive spirit and intent on victory. It's these attributes that will pull her through again to remission so that her brother, Bruce, can be donor to a stem cell transplant.

Family and Friends can follow Michelle's progress on the website she has for this purpose, Michelle's Journal. I've put the link on our favorite's here as well for regular visitors who wish to check in now and then.

Ken and I both believe strongly in the proven power of positive thinking and the impact it has on our own wellbeing and that of those around us. We hope that you will be sending positive thoughts and energy in her direction as Michelle faces this challenge.

Hugs, C