2008-10-11T17:44:16Z http://blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-09-28:289bf0c7-4241-4068-b281-c846e1af9e1f Atlantis 2008-09-28T20:06:28Z 2008-09-28T19:37:00Z Who knew in March 2008 my grandaughter, Savanna, would be fighting for her life against Medullablastoma. That my dear friend would be fighting lung cancer.
That my husband would have a blockage and require angioplasty. All in 5 months. Life storms at times and is a gentle stream at others. I have had my faith tested and then tested again. People amaze you with their kindness and the amount of love they give. There are a few that amaze you in their emptiness but that is for God to judge. The cruel and the kind....many more good souls. Hard times bring out the truth better than any other time. It is a fact. God is truth and He reveals it. The truth is always revealed by God.
Savanna gets very sick when she has the three drug chemo but does fairly well with the one drug chemo. She marches on making bracelets and sticking stickers in books and then when counts are low her doctors and parents battle the cancer and somehow she comes back strong. She was hospitalized last week and is much better, her WBC was 0.900 and normal is 10.000. She is a fighter and a good soul. Her eyes dance with a light only God could have put there in those searching blue eyes. God has been good, He has been there irregardless of the moment for me, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Life is minutely short, please live it. Let your light shine just like Savanna. God will take me through whatever comes He will go with me. He will be there for Savanna and her family, for my friend, for all the downcast in heart and soul. He came for the weak, lost, and suffering. He said "the sick need a doctor". Every word He said he meant. Thank you for all your prayers, card, gifts, kind words, and every random act of kindness. My mother, dear Mother, calls me Job. She can make me laugh and make me see in the darkness. My friend that is so sick was one of my rocks and now she needs me and I will be there with the grace of God.
Blessings
Melly
]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-08-12:3f03bcef-e0ca-472b-b801-987343fcb0e0 Atlantis 2008-08-12T21:20:43Z 2008-08-12T20:45:00Z Chemo starts very soon and some will be in-patient and some will be out-patient. There are two protocols and it will last a year. Please understand that I know I am remiss on some thank you notes, my hair looks like I do not like my hair to look, I am always behind and that is not me, I am stretched and then stretched a little bit more. The reason I am sharing this is for others you may know going through similar circumstances of a long term serious illness. There is not enough time so please understand that for your friends. Savanna goes on the 18th to get an MRI per Dr. Lee to see if any cancer has returned, once again, I ask you to PRAY, and please continue.
There have honestly been too many blessings to count and so many from strangers, I am truly humbled, honored, and touched way down deep...the deepest part of me.
I tell you if there are any dreams in your heart...do them immediately or as soon as you can. Life has one certainty, it is uncertain...grab your dreams and then live them. The important things are not my house or car, my titles or lack of titles, gossip, possessions or any thing of this world, really, they are very small. It would be nice if I could write a check and buy Brittany and Andy a modest home but it would not change the cancer, would it? All that matters is love, doing what is right as best you can, if you do wrong and if you are human you will, immediately make amends before pride lies to your heart, NOT NOT JUDGING others, and above all a relationship where GOD is LORD of your LIFE.
Lord, I said, yes. He is an awesome God who is totally in control anyway, so why not take our hands off the steering wheel. These are my very personal life lessons I am sharing with you from my heart and I hope someone understands that it is good to tell truth and share your burdens and victories. I dearly love my family, my friends, co-workers, my boss, my husband, my dogs but it is through God that I live and move and have my being, He is who has carried me through, he has used many people, good people to help Savanna and I am just very, very, grateful. Finally, pray for Savanna, Gage ( a small boy with Leukemia in my town), Brittany, Andy, Steven, Brian, my secretary, Mary Ann, and her dear husband Ross. All these people are in the fight against cancer indirectly or directly. So many more....and for a very special dog to recover that I love 100% to their fullest potential. I pray for America to wake up and remember what made us strong. GOD
Melly


remember her


Follow your dreams


and know joy and love
Melly




]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-08-06:5d9fad3c-a9b0-482b-bbc6-82ae69d07977 Atlantis 2008-08-06T16:44:05Z 2008-08-06T16:40:00Z www.princess-savanna.com
I had the information wrong so here it is. CORRECT, thanks to my dear frind Ned straightening me out. Hey, SHARON, you are awesome!!!!!!
Melly
]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-08-05:b4732c1e-ace3-4f3c-af57-d637cb2b7729 Atlantis 2008-08-06T21:05:04Z 2008-08-05T21:53:09Z Savanna got a good report with her doctor today; counts were good, she has survived radiation as well as can be expected. She has no brain damage (she is furiously making necklaces), she can walk albeit not as well as before, she talks like a train and she bosses her brothers around very professionally. She is bald but who cares, I certainly do not. She is such a precious soul, she is wise way beyond four years of age.
She is delicious!!! This hat was made by Pat of Bow Wow Ware and Dina helped Pat make it happen for Savanna.
She certainly looks happy attired in all her necklaces !! Now comes Chemotherapy in a couple of weeks. Please pray for her as she enters this phase of her treatment, and for her brothers and parents.

This is her paternal grandmother, Mrs. V. Pughsley getting a hug..the Pughsleys have been very helpful and supportive in this battle and love her dearly. Please pray for them as well.

One of my little dober babies... they keep me sane as they keep me busy...very busy.


They are growing like weeds, 5 weeks old now and such fun and work, too.
I am starting a cancer support group in my local community. I have to do it. It is so important as now I have those shoes on my feet; I realize the roller coaster and the need for an outlet to share and receive understanding. It will be held starting August 14th and is being published in the newspaper.
People as a whole have been amazing. Kindness and support so I want to give back. Please pray that this is a blessing for people in need of a hand of hope and love...just like me.
I have found I am definitely learning to live one day at a time and to lean very heavily on God's grace, mercy, and strength. He remains an awesome God full of love and understanding for me and I could not go one step without Him....not one.
There has been heartache and dissapointment as well but it is not nearly as great as the blessings and love so I think on the good.
Savanna has received posting cards from Cinderella and Snow White while they are on vacation. LOL, how sweet and special to a little girl that is a princess in her heart....

Savanna with me wearing my necklace from her.
I want to say thank you for every kind word and email. Every positive thought..every gift and donation. A smile, a hug-they all are random acts of kindness. Blessings to All, Melly


]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-07-16:63df95ab-ccc1-4b9b-adc3-47fb93bd3a3c Atlantis 2008-07-16T22:50:23Z 2008-07-16T22:35:00Z It has been a wild ride, cancer, it takes and move away and them slams back on the scene. She is eating well right now and not sick@!!!!! They are getting a sofa that can be wiped down from the Lion's Club, AWESOME, They need a small  (low to the ground) child's bed with a new mattress, (bed does not have to be new just the mattress), an air cleaner, a dishwasher and one unspoken big miracle. AND OF COURSE, we pray Savanna will be with us for years to come to grow to be a woman. A friend's mother said we should be praying so much our knees would be black and that is the truth, I need to stay in a mind of continuous prayer for God's will and His mercies....his tender mercies.....a bruised reed God will not crush. Please pray with me in these matters, God can do it!! Also, please pray for Mary Ann and Ross, my secretary and her husband who both have cancer. for Mary's whippet, Rickie who is sick and needs surgery, for Mary for strength, and let us pray one for the other. Blessings to all
Melly


She is joyous in her suffering.....]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-07-05:a08bd036-8482-4cad-8293-4451c1b976f8 Atlantis 2008-07-05T18:34:08Z 2008-07-05T18:19:00Z






Well, here she is opening her quilt from Mary of TAW, one of the list I am on about whippets. She takes some pretty strong medicines and it does take a tremendous toll but see that sweet smile....it is there and she is there. She has lost her hair but not her spirit. I was thinking today, how are we going to do this, how are we going to get there and then I remembered who is in charge, God, the most giving and faithful father of them all. She told me she did not have her hair and I said you are beautiful and she was just that, beautiful. Her stomach hurts and she has vomited so much but perhaps, this will pass and she will have a reprieve. Please continue to pray for them and if you have not please take a look at ther website. www.princess-savanna.com
Ned donated HIS time to make this website for Savanna when actually, it is a rather difficult time for Ned at present. Thank you so much Ned and Sharon. God is an awesome God and here a man I have never had the pleasure of meeting who put together this most sweet, professional, and lovely website for Savanna. Mary and Sharon, Ned so many, Ann with her photography....just the best friend a girl could have in any time of their lives...but especially this time.
I think of how much we have been blessed and I trust He will take us through this storm onto dry land. He does always show up just in time, never late.
Best
Melly
]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-06-28:1f99fc3c-a28f-4d21-8463-a09a59b2799b Atlantis 2008-06-28T11:44:57Z 2008-06-28T09:58:00Z Savanna has her own website now, www.Princess-Savanna.com
 pray NOW, pass the word and the website all over the world. Please, my heart is breaking, a broken and contrite heart God will not cast down, I am broken and I am contrite and I am humble. She was admitted to the hospital in Augusta last night, vomiting, her hair is falling out, dehydrated. swelling in her little brain from the radiation, Please please pray. I am empty. I want you to please pray. Pray for the parents. Lift her up to the heavens, please. I know others are suffering and I know God is not a respecter of persons.  I want the victory, the healing, but I submit all that I am to the Father. It is His plan, I am praying for mercy but please know mercy comes in different forms. He does have a plan. I am praying for strength, He does give us that.  I am desperate for the Father's touch. I prayed with Brittany earlier and I felt the Lord. Yeah thought I walk though the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me. He is with us. He is the great I am.
Melly]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-06-19:4631d6a1-94b0-4d3d-833b-4bfff8899c36 Atlantis 2008-06-19T21:22:52Z 2008-06-19T21:05:00Z Cancer seems ever where,my secretary, her husband and my grand baby, just like a looming dark cloud. There are more examples, out of 12 women that work together it is touching 4 lives either directly or indirectly. Savanna is starting to have the side effects, vomiting, skin looks sunburned, loss of appetite and not feeling very well. Week two with four to go and then Chemotherapy. Cancer will touch you directly or indirectly in your lifetime or you are unique, I am not unique. It is crushing to see your daughter of 28 bear this heavy load and her young husband. It is like a war and each week is a battle. It is the roller coaster of a life time. It is draining and it is moments on the mountain top of faith. It is crazy. It is doubt and it is knowing God is there.
It is real.
You have too jump from the mountain into God's arms or it is too much to carry. You have to leap, not seeing where you are falling. Trust in the Lord or fall flat on your face, quite simple the choice. You may fall either way but God will go with you. He is with me in the valley and on the mountain. Every step, every where you turn, He is there. I will close by saying cancer is evil. It is not fair for this little girl to be battling for her life but life is not fair. Miracles happen and only God knows if Savanna is going to get one. They must home school the boys this fall to keep them from bringing home germs as Savanna will have a weakened immune system. They need to get the carpet out of their house and get either vinyl or leather or some sort of furniture without fabric. They need rest. They need a break. They need hope. They need Savanna to be OK but thousands need the same thing every single day. It is immense the pain from this creature called cancer. Melly]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-06-09:71541f1c-c7c2-4da0-a387-6b5c5f040793 Atlantis 2008-06-09T21:36:02Z 2008-06-09T20:34:00Z It might seem there is no correlation but, ahh, I got you! There is a thread if you will follow it with me. Savannah has been diagnosed with Medullablastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer...starting a year of wretching treatment including six weeks of radiation and then the remainder of the year, Chemotherapy. They sound ominous enough for me, but then there is Strawberry, Melly, and the big wonderful GOD!!!
Plus, Jonathan plays a pretty major role in this story. I went to a show and there were these soulful gentle greyhounds about 6 months ago and I stepped into the pen with them and talked to the workers, well, Melly melted, just like butter, and I only had about 60.00 dollars left but they got more of it than Melly. I talked and none seemed just right for my pack so I would mention it on the best dog list ever that I wanted to adopt a senior grey and I could never get on with Jonathan, the whippet AKA general dog whisperer. One day I finally got his email and I said I would like Strawberry. She had been a racer and then brood bitch, bred and bred and bred and since she was used up, they could put her down which ever way they choose so Jonathan saved her life literally. The time was coming close for Melly to give back and get her delicious Strawberry, the email came. Melly, she has had a stroke and can't walk and I fear she may not survive this and if she does I will most likely need to keep her. Well, I was stunned and devastated, that was to be my dog, was I off spiritually, I was so sure and so excited, Strawberry is no ordinary dog, she is Strawberry in a hat!


Now, you thought I was kidding but I do not kid about such luscious pearls as Ms. S
and she got better over time and one day Jonathan posted she was walking and I thought what is he doing with my dog. He better give me my Strawbery and I contacted Jonathan and she came to Atlantis. Tonight this very night, she played with a ball and last night a rat ( not a real rat) It was a toy, she looked like she had been injected with drugs she was so happy to see Jonathan last week when he came for a visit so the point is HOPE, Hope is a living thing, please give Savannah hope with your hearts and prayers. It might be the way out of this dark night into a princess's rainbow. Join me in prayer that the radiation will be minimal or zilch from the treatment. God is an awesome God, I stand on that. Melly


That little face gives me hope in a GOD that is all I need for our dear Savannah.]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-06-05:cda01dc4-18e1-41da-8843-1dae798698ac Atlantis 2008-06-05T19:56:12Z 2008-06-05T19:50:00Z








Melly Thanks you Ann Jowers for these photos and all your hard efforts]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-06-05:56cb9478-4326-4640-b386-4f6ef7d6bd57 Atlantis 2008-06-06T16:08:27Z 2008-06-05T19:01:00Z There are always heros in every story and I have several. They know who there are and they know why. One particular red headed woman has stood by me through it all, all of it, thick, thin, fat, loss, gain, fear, joy, there she is standing with me and in the dawn of this cancer there she is like a glorious butterfly. She is the essence of color and light in a dark day. She comes and she heals wounds with her words. Her love is deep and it flows, her love flows, she never does not love. It flows like a river whether I am up or down on this roller coaster and there is so much story to tell yet but I am unable to tell it. I will, I pray, it is worth the telling for the wisdom and life lessons contained within the story, to help others. She knows, she stands anyway. She knows every mosaic in the story, she is named encouragement. That is what I shall call her. She is not a taker, she does not know how to be selfish. She is the joy of my heart, yes, she is. Blessed friendship in the storm.
Melly]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-06-02:346f3d5b-d277-43fe-965d-6c6469265c1f Atlantis 2008-06-02T21:24:48Z 2008-06-02T21:11:00Z Tonight I want to share the love I have received, so much, enough to fill an ocean. I am so grateful for the support I have been blessed to have rain down on me. It is immense and unending. Strangers have, I imagine become life long friends. I am so very fortunate to know each of you and the prayers, have lifted me from the depths of despair and shock to a place of peace that I TREASURE! Truly, I have no idea why, I guess mercy and love in people's hearts. I feel supported on every side and I talk to Savannah about the angels and Jesus and she nods and grins.
She walked with assistance last night, no balance but she did kick a ball while holding on to the sofa. Steven had fun playing with the three pups I have here this weekend, he took a real interest in everything I was doing from nails to leash breaking the puppies. Brian got a cool haircut and so did Steven. Kathleen will be picking up her puppy and Steven said, we need to keep all three and I said we are keeping the one named Savannah and he said they did not want to leave....LOL. The eyes of a child...so honest and pure. Savannah begins radiation on June 9th, please continue to pray, it is the reason she got out of the ICU after 10 days, no doubt, none, zero, you did it friends, you and God for we are His hands and feet. Just thank you from the bottom of my soul and heart.
Melly

]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-05-31:fc763a0e-2bc0-4fca-a3ce-8421c0cf8ab0 Atlantis 2008-05-31T22:32:29Z 2008-05-31T22:28:00Z

I think those are soulful wise eyes, they know much
Melly

]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-05-31:1fa6bb71-ecf1-46da-af19-33307966fb52 Atlantis 2008-05-31T22:23:58Z 2008-05-31T22:10:00Z She has to go back Monday, that keeps playing in my head to get a mold made for radiation treatment...a mold of her little head. Radiation starts June 9th. Here we go..ready or not...here it comes. They have moved the date up 3 weeks. God is so present...like a butterfly flitting in and out but always hovering. I feel Him. I know He is here but His thoughts are His own. His plan is His. I so want Him to share it but that is not God, He is the great I am. I have had the boys and they so need attention and kindness, her brothers, Steven and Brian but I can tell they are angry and unsure. They are scared, they are after all little boys. I AM INADEQUATE, I am unable to be and do all I need to do. I am empty and yet so full of the passion to make a way. I am on a roller coaster but God is riding with me. When I submit ALL to HIM is the only peace I know. I feel so sad for children, all of them with Cancer, with defects, with impairments mentally and physically...with pain. Please see them all and pray and touch the heart of God. Children that know poverty and abuse. Cry out for them as we all must. Stand, Be still and Know He is God, how hard a thing for a doer but that is my instruction. Please join in prayer with me and our voices will be heard...Melly]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-05-31:96f8ed44-0b2f-47af-9b65-2c8acda66075 Atlantis 2008-05-31T22:09:43Z 2008-05-31T22:06:00Z ]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-05-30:3c4fd397-929c-408d-a41a-98fe4182ef4f Atlantis 2008-05-30T21:03:50Z 2008-05-30T20:42:00Z Savannah got presents form Jen, Mary Ann, Leslie ( my sister), and a check from dear Mary. I went and we opened each present and she loved the pictures...she got an angel bear, we are praying and we know God can do it but the answer is not aways yes, Friends, He has a plan and it is HIS plan. We must believe but can you move the wind, set the stars, no, only God, She cannot use her left hand or sit in a stable manner, she can't walk and she talks very little but she does smile. My son in law got very depressed yesterday and why not, I pulled into the drive with the gifts and my daughter had her cell phone in her hand to call me to come now. His heart rate was 145, fear is a real demon, my friends. Andy my son in law melted down, we all will have our moments. That was God, I did not know why I felt such an urge to go now, right in that moment, God sent me to pray for them and be the one to share my life with my son in law, overcoming and I felt God there. God is in it, over it, below it, on top of it. He is here. I am starting a foundation for Savannah and then another child and then another and on and on. I am standing on the ROCK but I cannot tell the ROCK what He must do but I do have hope and ask for mercy. Instead of a four week reprieve she must go back Monday for the mold to be made for her Radiation and then on June 9th, the radiation starts. I am noticing people are drawn in or out of this type of pain depending on their level of heart, there ability to stand the pain of watching and hoping and there own burdens. I am blessed with so much love around me and believe me it helps, it helps alot. Melly]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-05-27:c09551f9-8293-4dbb-a391-6069db8af2ba Atlantis 2008-05-27T22:19:28Z 2008-05-27T19:33:00Z This is a cruel spring, it might be the spring of loss or of miracles, the infinite loss of innocent beauty and hope or the healing by a mighty powerful God.  You see, my four year old grand daughter, Savannah has an aggressive form of brain cancer, Medullablastoma. It sounds like a bad character in a horror movie and it is a big dark demon monster in my Savannah's body. The call came from my daughter Brittany, "Savannah has a tumor and we are being transferred to MCG Children's Hospital now." Surgery, seizures, fever, pain, shunts, palsy, feeding tubes, fear in a babies eyes so real you could taste it on your lips. Nine days in the intensive care unit.  She came home today, in four weeks she will begin a YEAR of chemotherapy and radiation. She has a month reprieve from the demons I pray, a month to heal, and a month to perhaps learn to walk again. I pray that God will work a beautiful miracle but know it is in the Father's hands. Love your family and dogs with all your might, you only really have this day and spring can turn cruel in a sunrise. People have been so kind and people have been so cruel, the kindness of strangers I have learned and the let down of those you know but God has raised up many prayers for this little angel and I have grown from a willow to an oak. Relationships restored because all that really matters in the end you all know is love.  I have felt God in this and through this but do not know HIS divine plan. He is here,  please pray for Brittany, Andy, and Savanah. Blessings, Melly]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-05-02:bbaf0d6e-535b-4389-8d6c-be206e04c686 Atlantis 2008-05-02T20:38:47Z 2008-05-02T20:36:00Z Bella finshed her championship in Perry with two majors. Monday went BOS in puppy Sweeps. Blossom got her first major. Ace, owned by Amy Davis went RWD two days that were majors from the puppy classes. Hard work pays off...slowly. What a great show it was for Atlantis. Melly]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-05-02:f6f283e8-2c14-40b5-ab51-8c60670a9229 Atlantis 2008-05-02T20:33:27Z 2008-05-02T20:28:00Z Puppies are doing great and growing like weeds. We keep looking and watching them for development and personality. They are all outgoing and full of zest for life. Don't you just love that about puppies, there enthusiasm is only over cast by their clumsiness. I am trying to decide if I should keep the fawn girl. The boy with white head is very nice and the black irish marked most photogenic by far. He loves the camera and it loves him. The black and white girl with two black ears has presence. The freckle eared girl is a hoot, she is very persistent.
Each one is their own....full of hold ME!!!
Melly]]> tag:blog.atlantiswhippetsanddobermans.com,2008-03-15:66091b8d-b7de-4753-8acd-6ba2ffb06216 Atlantis 2008-05-02T20:28:07Z 2008-03-15T14:45:00Z Joker (can be seen at www.niteskywhippets.com) and Coco had the most beautiful babies last week, born on March 5th. We have 3 girls and 2 boys and they are black and white and one fawn. Coco being a full litter sister to my beloved Phoebe; one will be staying at Atlantis unless I am way off base. Those black and whites are just special! Period! Coco is so dramatic; what a hoot she is to watch. Coco alias DRAMA QUEEN. I am so happy with these babies and can't wait to watch them grow!
What a blessing!
Melly]]>