On 10/5/2013 9:57 AM, Swingman wrote:
On 4/1/2013 6:14 PM, Swingman wrote:
On 3/1/2013 7:38 AM, Swingman wrote:
On 2/28/2013 10:20 PM, jtpr wrote:

You all touched me very deeply with your donations. But I cannot tell
you the effect this will have on Mel's wife.

You just got to the very heart of the matter with that last above, Jim.

From what I can tell, and having just been given the opportunity to
observe the effect of a gift/donation on the recipient, it has made me
understand that the monetary element, regardless of the size and while
of necessary importance, turns out to be about half the benefit.

These folks are sick, or tired, or both, and their energy levels and
ability to carry on are being taxed to the utmost.

When seeing folks, sometimes complete strangers, willing to help _them_,
you observe in the recipient the other half of that gift of kindness and
generosity: a renewed energy to carry on.

Gives that old saying, "The milk of human kindness.", a new meaning and
understanding, eh?

Reason for some very cautious optimism today with regard to my youngest
daughter. Too early to be jumping for joy, but after a month of
Interferon treatment, an MRI yesterday (yep, on Easter Sunday) indicated
that tumors appear to be slowly regressing, and that bone growth is
progressing.

Once again, thanks to all of you here who donated on her behalf, can't
tell you how much that means to all of us.

To the many of you here on the wRec who helped to make this possible,
thought I would share this.

MRI's this week show a significant reduction in tumors, and the bone
replacement shots, though extremely painful, are visibly working; the
doctors have gone from cautious optimism, to full blown optimism, to the
point of reducing the number of further treatments, and are now saying
that surgery may not be needed.

Michelle texted this from the hospital last night, just before the 49th
treatment:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1113554...63444507445314


(in typical female fashion, that unicorn has been through every one of
the 49 treatments with her and, instead of a long face and a 'woe is me'
attitude, she has dressed as if going to a birthday party for most of
them ... the young lady has as much fortitude and bravery has any Navy
SEAL).

Thanks again guys ... you know who you are.

That's good news, I hope more good news to come.. Good luck.

--
Jeff