Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Life is Full of Surprises!

If one thing is certain in life, it's a surprise. By the age of 30 most people have had the opportunity to have a few wonderful surprises....a birthday party, a graduation party, a marriage proposal, or perhaps even the moment when you find out you are having a baby! Those are great surprises, and many more could be added to the list. On the flip side, life can also throw you surprises that do not make you so happy, and perhaps the worst to date for me is finding out my best friend of the last 15 years, Meladee, has Breast Cancer.

Now that's a surprise I can do without for the rest of my life!

Those of you reading this who know Meladee may know her as Meladee Burnham, and others of you know Meladee Kirton. Regardless of her last name, what we all know is that she is radiant, beautiful and has undoubtedly brought a smile to your face or tickled your heart. In 2002 Meladee married the love of her life, Roland, and in January of 2009 they joyfully welcomed the birth of their daughter Naomi. In April of 2010 they were excited to announce the arrival of their son, Seth.

After graduating with her Masters, Meladee quickly developed what I would call her own School of Music. She teaches children music from her home where she is also able to be with her children during the week. Meladee effortlessly devotes herself to her children, and more specifically to her oldest, Naomi. Meladee noticed a speech delay with Naomi at a very young age, and she was able to get an early diagnosis. Naomi has Childhood Apraxia of Speech, but they are fortunate Naomi's case is mild. Meladee's early intervention and tireless hardwork has been able to propel Naomi's delay, and therefore, she will no longer be limited by her diagnosis as she approaches school age.

As any Mom knows, you can quickly spread yourself thin, and in doing so, you put yourself last. Meladee had notice a knot in her breast which she attributed to a clogged milk duct, but had put it aside as she was so busy caring for her young family. Thinking more about it, she then figured it was just an adenoid she had developed while breastfeeding her youngest son. This same thing had happened in her other breast when she nursed her oldest. However, as time went on, she noticed that the "knot" was growing, and it had become more uncomfortable when she would sleep on her belly or hug someone. Finally, she knew she had to get it checked out. The opportunity came the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Meladee had her initial exam in the evening, and after analysis, the doctor had his nurse call to get Meladee into outpatient services at the hospital first thing the next morning. Outpatient services performed an ultrasound, and subsequent biopsy. Unfortunately, Meladee had to wait for the results until after the Holiday weekend. Finally the phone call came in Monday morning, it wasn't good news. Her lump was malignant. The doctor quickly told her the facts: it has been there for a while, so the cancer has probably spread and because of it's size, she is looking at a mastectomy, perhaps bilateral. The next week was full of meeting with cancer specialist, more biopsies, MRI's, and other body scans. The week of December 12th, Meladee, was fortunate to get into the Cleveland Clinic for further evaluation and advice.

Sitting here today, she knows this:
  • Her Breast Cancer is Level 1 (slow growth) which is good, but due to it's size, medical professionals believe it has been there for a while. It is big at 5.2x3x4cm with a bunch of satellite nodules.
  • She is Stage III. Her cancer has spread to some of her lymph-nodes. PET scan shows it is not anywhere else.
  • She has no genetic predisposition for this to have happened to her. The BRCA test was negative (genetic mutation). This is good news for her sisters and more so, her daughter.
  • Her cancer is estrogen positive, progesterone positive, Her2nue* positive.

Because of this, and the size of her tumor (especially in relation to her current breast size), the course of action has been outlined as follows:

First:
Chemotheraphy (approximately 5 months)
Second: Mastectomy (they are still in discussion as to whether or not this will be just her right side or bilateral)
Third: Radiation
Fouth: Reconstruction
Fifth: Anti-Estrogen therapy for five years
*Her2Nue positive also means Meladee will receive Herceptin treatments every 3 weeks for a year.

Meladee's devotion to her family and church offers her strength any one of us could hope and pray for. She is courageous and tenacious, and with the support of family, friends, and all of you, she will fight this battle with all she has! Let Meladee's next surprise be a happy one. Let her hear from you! Leave her a note or word of encouragement on this blog (post a comment). Meladee will be following this blog, and she will look here to help her through this difficult road ahead! If you have more to say than just a comment, please message me as I would be love to post a story you have about Meladee for all to see. She has touched so many lives and made so many people happy! Please share her story and show your support!

Get Well Mel, We Love You!

14 comments:

  1. Mel - It's been years but I still remember your radiant smile and energy (not to mention your sweet dancing-to-Offspring skills) like it was yesterday. I'm incredibly sorry this is happening but know that said energy, along with the love of your family and friends, is going to help you through. Let me know if I can do anything to help - my thoughts are with you and your family. Looking forward to following your recovery! xoxo, Zainab

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  2. Meladee,

    We Love you, think of you and pray for you constantly, our hears ache thinking of you in this condition. You truely have spent your life thinking of and serving others. My God bless you in the dark times and please call on us for anything.

    Love Byron

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  3. Lovely Meladee,

    When sharing this news to others or talking with family, the word I find myself constantly saying is SHE'S AMAZING!!!!!! And you are. Like Martina Mcbride's song says......we will love you through this.
    I love you!!!

    Candice

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  4. Meladee,

    This saddens me to hear this news. I know you are a fighter, you have to be to get through any triathalons! You ARE amazing and spirited and talented and athletic and dedicated and beautiful and enjoyable and determined and and and!!! I am thinking of you and praying for you. Please let me know if you ever need help!

    Lots of love,
    Allison

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  5. Hello Meladee,

    You don't know me, but I know you. I am in your parent's ward in Highland and have gotten to know them over the past few years. They are awesome, but of course, you already know that! I don't think I've ever spoken to you but you have definitely made an impression on me through your singing. I have heard you sing on many occasions, whether it was in the choir or a solo performance. I heard your cancer news from your mom and have kept updated through both your parents over the past month. I was so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I can understand and empathize from personal experience. I was diagonosed with breast cancer 15 years ago at the age of 38. I thought that was young! There is nothing to prepare you for the news that you are now part of the "C" Club. My tumor was 7.2 cm and I truly believed this diagnosis would be the cause of the end of my life on earth. After a mastectomy, chemotherapy, five years of treatment due to my cancer being estrogen positive, and many surgeries and reconstruction, I am still around! I am praying for you and your husband, children, and extended family. You can do this!!! You have to work your tail off and stay strong. It'll be hard, but it will be worth it. Some days you won't want to wake up. Some days you'll wonder what you could possibly have done to deserve this. But you might also think that the Lord has a bigger plan for you and that He trusted you to accept this trial and make it something positive and even good. You won't think that now, but you will later. You will grow in ways you never imagined. You will become better. I'm looking forward to updates and pray that the Lord's blessings will be poured out upon you and your family.

    Sincerely,
    Stacy Brooks

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  6. Meladee, my sweet, strong, determined friend. You are such an example to so many including myself. I hope you feel strengthened through this trial you are going through by the prayers and faith of so many who love and care for you. My children pray for you everyday by name in almost every prayer said. Even though they have never met you, they pray with such sweet sincere faith. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Sincerely,
    Meridith

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  7. Meladee,
    Our love and prayers are with you and your family. The trials we are given are so tailor-made for each of us that I guess Heavenly Father is the only one who knows for sure why we get what we do. I absolutely know that He will sustain you through this and that you will find the strength to leap the hurdles. You have always been an amazing young woman! Never, never, never give up.
    With love,
    Karen Romney

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  8. Hello Meladee -
    I was not sure if to write here or not - maybe just a letter dropped off at your home would be better - but I am here now and wanted to share my admiration of you with others that will read. Our family has watched you with your husband and sweet children (at church or in the neighborhood) and would comment what an adorable family you have. When we learned that "Meladee Kirton" was diagnosed with breast cancer I am embarrassed to say my first thought was Who? and how sad! Then your face and name made a connection in my mind and I sat down and cried for a moment as I thought of YOU. I have not had much interaction with you other than the couple times I attended ward choir practice and of course your sweet smiling face a church. And for a quiet moment I sat down and reflected about that interaction. A few weeks later I was standing in line at the pharmacy waiting on a prescription when you came in with your little ones - dropping of your own prescription that needed to be filled - a drug that had some crazy long obscure name that would be the drug you would take in preparation for your chemo. You had ordered french fries and were trying to calm your little guy Seth - trying to keep him in the shopping cart was no easy task for you - he was not having any of it as he just wanted to be held in the tender arms of his mother. You were so calm and patient with him doing your best to appease but not disrupt the incision that I assumed was the port having already been inserted into your body? I walked over to see if I could assist and introduced myself - not sure that you would remember my name. You were so kind and upbeat and allowed me to try to help and even ask a few questions. You shared with me what your plan of attack was going to be with your hair - if anyone or thing was going to rid you of your pretty locks it would be YOU - you would not let an ugly monster take it - you would be the one to freely give! I remember standing there thinking - THIS GAL IS A FIGHTER!!!! When finishing your conversation with me you simply dropped off your prescription and then said - "well I was going to do some shopping but will save that for another day" - I inquired if I could help and you sweetly said thanks but really did not know what you were looking for and would come back when more convenient and as calmly as you had entered Wal-mart - you departed.

    Meladee - you are amazing - your voice is like an angel! I have enjoyed getting to know you thru the voice of others as they have shared vocally and in written word their love and concern for you. I have listened to and read stories about you and your strength. and all I can say is you are AMAZING! That brief moment with you in a Wal-mart Pharmacy made a huge impact on my heart and my life. Thank you for sharing just a small part of you at that time - I will forever be changed KNOWING we all can do hard things when called upon to do so! Thanks for your shining example and thanks for sharing your private life this way for others to learn and grow from.

    I am grateful for the knowledge that we are God's children and He is aware of each one of us. He knows us by name and hears our cries and prayers to Him. You and your family are in our pleas to Him. Have a wonderful week!

    Love
    Jennie Daly

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  9. Meladee-

    It has been so long since we have been caught up. I am so sorry that this is your latest. I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are an amazing strong talented woman... God has used you for so much good and I know He will continue to do so. You are loved. And you have people that will lift you up when it is hard to lift yourself. Thinking of you!
    Kerri (Williams)

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  10. The pictures of you and Naomi are beyond precious! Did she cut her ponytail too? SO sweet! I am so glad you started this blog.It will help you stay connected to those who love you and want to be there for you in this challenging time. My girls have loved taking voice lessons from you. Emily just had her musical theatre tryout! She did so well. She sang with such confidence and personality. The difference between last year's audition and this year is your influence. Thanks for helping her talent bloom with the skills you taught her. She got many complements. Still waiting to hear results next week. We will let you know when we hear. Take Care and know that we are thinking of you, keeping our germs to ourselves:), and praying for you. Stay strong! You are a wonderful example to so many!
    Love, Debbie

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  11. Thinking of you often! Praying for you all the time! Hope the Birthday party for Naomi went well.

    We love you!

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  12. Meladee,
    I am so sorry to hear about what you're going through! I have wonderful memories of you in high school and I have enjoyed reading about the neat things you are doing now. I was sad to think of how hard your chemotherapy sessions are and what angst this diagnosis has brought to you and your family. Fight hard like you did playing rugby in high school and may your angelic voice (Maybelle!), with the love of your family, friends and God carry you through :)

    Leigh, thanks for your beautiful blog.
    Katrina Hoggatt Ridlon

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  13. I'm so glad that Leigh shared this so I can support an old friend. Meladee I know that you are bringing the same energy and vivaciousness to your battle with cancer that you had every day in soccer and softball back in Taipei. You are blessed with a wonderful family and supportive friends that will sustain you through this fight. Please continue to keep us posted as you are able. Prayers from North Carolina.

    Katy (Taylor) Shaffer

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  14. WOW, You are amazing, I truely admire you! And Thank-you for making people understand what cancer is. I truely miss you and your family, and hope to meet your children soon. I can't even comprehend what you are going through! I would love to hear from you, when you feel up to it!

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