"May I Pray For You?"

I never talk about my cancer at work. Sometimes patients will say little comments that make me wish I knew them on a personal level so that I could share with them why I am "so" pale, but I know it would be unprofessional. Today, however, something happened that made it impossible for me to keep quiet. Today I heard the words, "I have been battling Stage III Melanoma for the past five years."

I couldn't hold back.

I grabbed his arm, and said, "Oh! I have Stage III melanoma too!"

(What can I say? I meet very few people who truly understand this cancer so I got a little excited.)

There we were, a 24 year old girl & a 60 year old veteran, bonding over cancer in the middle of a busy waiting room. We swapped war stories, he told me how he is glad I did not stay with a local oncologist as he is a patient at Duke, and then he looks up quickly at me and says, "Can I pray for you?"

I assumed that this sweet veteran who has his own battle to fight was going to pray for me on his own time. Oh no, this was not his plan. He wrapped my hands with his own, bowed his head, and began to say a beautiful prayer requesting God's healing and love. When he looked back at me again, we both had tears in our eyes. He kissed my hands, looked directly in my eyes, and said, "Take it from me, I am blessed to be here. Please never give up."

I will never give up.

7 Year Old Stage III Warrior

When I first got diagnosed with Stage III melanoma in January I felt cheated & angry. I felt like my biggest worry should have been the numbers on the scale, finding the perfect job, and simply enjoying my 20's. I have always heard that your 20's are supposed to be the "best years of your life." Instead, my life crashed. Then yesterday I heard a story that made me feel so sad & selfish.

Meet little Serena. She is a 7 year old stage III melanoma. So far in her 7 years she has been through 8 surgeries and months of interferon. Those who are familiar with the melanoma world know how rough interferon is even on the strongest of adults. Imagine a precious 7 year old going to the chemo suite 5 days a week for a month, undergoing 8 surgeries, all while her friends are out on the playground.

But, You know what I believe? Kids are tough. Kids have unusual strength & ability to get through things that crush the strongest adults. Still, little Serena needs all the support she can receive.

I am asking you to visit Serena's page to show your support: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Serenas-Fight/178408288887479 or her other website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/godsangel2010

This family, and especially this beautiful little Serena, need your prayers, your positive juju, and your encouragement. Serena's mother needs your advice, your support, she needs her own set of cheerleaders. She needs to hear that they can get through this latest battle.

Melanoma...it does not just attack adults. It can take away your babies. Protect them.

Prayer Request

Sometimes our friends need our help. This is one of those times.

If you have been in "Hotel Melanoma" (As my buddy Rich calls it!) for a while, you are probably familiar with Tina who writes PALE SKIN IS IN Her blog is actually the first one I came across when I began my journey. She has had quite the battle, but Tina has always kept her positive attitude...even on her hardest days.

Now she needs our help. Her Mom posted last night that she was being moved to ICU. Her heart was only functioning at 15%. Please pray for her strength and healing. Please pray for her family. Please send Tina and her family your thoughts, good juju, and prayers.

They are desperately needed.

One More Prayer...

I know, I know. For someone who claims she is not overly religious, here I am posting something else. I guess I should say I do not follow religion like most people follow religion. I have never said I do not believe.

ANYWAY---my friend Anne, a beautiful mother of 2, also a Melanoma Warrior, sent me this today. It brought me a lot of comfort on this very nerve wrecking day before the most intense surgery of my life thus far.


Dear Lord,
I lift up Chelsea to you as she prepares for surgery
and Lord trust that you will carry her through this time.  Lord I pray
that she will sense Your presence with her every step of the way.
Cover her in perfect peace that comes from you Alone, calm her nerves
and replace her anxiety with hope and trust in your plan and will for
her life.  I ask that you will guide the doctors and nurses that are
caring for her and give them wisdom in the decisions they make. Lord
we ask that her lymphnodes be free of melanoma and that her recovery be swift and complete.
We ask that you would extend Your grace over her body and heal it with your touch.
Give Chelsea's Mom strength, encouraging words, and a calm heart to help
support Chelsea tomorrow and the days that follow.  Thank you Lord for walking with
us every step of the way and that we never have to go through anything alone. Go
before Chelsea tomorrow and create a path of peace, be there with her and
draw her close to you during and after the surgery, follow behind her
and protect her healing process. Thank you in advance Lord for
showering her and her family with love, mercy and peace. Amen



Anne, thank you. It brought me the peace I needed earlier today.