the story of Melodys Journey

as promised, i'd like to talk about an experience i had reading about a person whom I've never met...... and the changes in my attitude because of this..... I've known for sometime about a young woman married to a son of a family where i used to go to church years ago. In early December i was told about her battle with Cancer, and told about her web page talking about her journey.... I put it in the back of my mind for about a month. Later i was told that Melody had lost her battle with cancer right after Christmas... So finally on Jan 3rd i decided to pull up her blog entry on Caringbridge.com And that is what i did. there was about a years worth of entries, she posted once or twice a week. ........And i began reading about this amazing woman, young (34) healthy a marathon runner who ended up getting Luekemia. She was so optomistic the whole journey. She was put on Chemo, and Radiation and everything else, She was given a bone marrow transplant. She seemed to spend more time in the hospital than at home for the year. She ended up having severe nausea, hair loss, mucositis ( severe inflamation, burns of the mucal membranes) ie nose throat, and ummm every where else. I remember her talking about walking around the nurses station so many laps which equaled a mile. during her actual transplant time, she spent a LONG time in the hospital, getting more chemo and more radiation...... and she wasn't allowed out of her room.....so she had a stationary bike in there to exercise. Her Goal was to participate in the San Diago marathon to benifit the Luekeimia Society. She never strayed from her goal.. This woman's journal is so funny, so optimistic, and just so unbelievable.... she never lost hope, and even when given bad news ........kept her hopes alive. She learned to knit, and she did her walking to get her body ready for the marathon. she set small goals ... like to get out of the hospital for Thanksgiving, home for her husbands birthday...... and her final mini goal was to make it to her hometown for Christmas. (she lived in my area, but moved to the other side of the state)........ She did make it back to her childhood home for Christmas..... i should mention, she had problems with fluid in her lungs prior to Christmas time. She ended up in a hospital in this area, The luekemia cells were attacking her lungs. So Christmas day she did enjoy with her family....... ended up in the hospital for it though (her husband kept updating her journal for her).... On December 28th she was sent back to her childhood home...........on that day, she died surrounded by friends and family.....
.... needless to say, i was crying........ and i took time to evaluate my life.... I have a healthy body. and i do not take care of it, I waste time, not living it to the fullest..... i wish i could explain the impact that this woman had on me......... i guess the best way is to give you the exert out of my journal beside my bed..................

JANUARY 3, 2007

........Melody, a stranger whom i never met, who's life made such an impact on me, on this day! My sister in Christ, a Warrior for God, and an Angel for mankind. She fought a battle with cancer, and you know what?.......... SHE WON, ..... yes her body lost, but her heart, spirit and soul stands in victory. I am sure she had down days, but she was full of hope and optimisim, she didn't let bitterness, anger and pitty consume her. I never met her, but this is what i got from reading her journal. I sobbed in shame today, here i am down because of a little setback with recent foot surgery. Shame on Me, Melody obviously walked her journey with great poise and dignity. Reading her journal was a life changing moment for me. I am unhealthy, overweight, and have an excuse for everything. I used to hike so much.... My goal is to work back up to a 10 mile hike in honor of this beautiful stranger. Jesus, please give Melody this message from me, and thank her for sharing her journey.........


Well i got a lot of work to do, Curves next week and building up the strength in foot to begin hiking..... it's a slow process,.. but that doesnt mean i can't do my yoga again, and curves... and feed my body right........... that i can do with a bad foot right....... So when you here for Melody in my blog......... you'll understand. I did set a goal many short term, but the long term goal is to have made drastic health changes..... and even that hike before December 28th, the date that Melody officially became an angel

for those who would like the site to melody's journal... please email me at husky170@comcast.net
i don't want to post it for the world to see........ who know's if there are any crazy's out there......reading this.......

tomorrow i will let you know my plans of change, and my short term, and long term goals.
love and blessing to all