Atlantis - Whippets and Dobermans

Surviver

Atlantis — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 01:02:00 GMT

It has been a time of survival and renewal. It is a time of change in perceptions and plans. My career has moved in a new exciting direction. I have enjoyed every step of the journey even when the stones were under my feet as I tread upon the slopes of uncertainty. Savanna remains in remission 19 months after completing her chemotherapy. She is blooming like an exotic flower and learning new things every day. Her true years are approaching 7 but she is forever 4-5 years of age....a little blessing...so full of joy and innocence and it is perfectly wonderful to know God has spared my grand daughter to..live...life.
Puppies are almost all in their families. The one that remains is the smartest one of all. Is that not funny? Paul is my little Einstein. He amazes me as he is way ahead of his litter mates. Perhaps, he is here to teach me a thing or two. He knows my movements and out maneuvers me if a game is what he is up for at the time.
I feel spring in the air and in my heart.
Blessings,
Melly

The Mirror

Atlantis — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:01:00 GMT

The mirror is always there to reflect right back to you who you are and what needs to be changed, embraced, discarded, and picked up along the side of life's road. The mirror will not lie. It will show you truths. It will scare you with its brutal honesty if you are not ready to take a serious inventory and move towards change. The mirror is God's Holy Spirit and it is ever ready to lead and guide us but He is a gentle guide and one must invite the appraisal of self. Do you judge others rather than yourself. I do. I think the more we are in need of change ourselves the more we focus on what is wrong with our brothers and sisters. It allows a man to take his eyes away from the mirror. You cannot look into another man's mirror or see his motives or know his heart, You may only see into your own soul and that is only if you want to look inward and move towards change. Change will be your only option if you wish to see the bare open face of your character. Character is grown through life's victories, defeats, challenges and storms. It will take you all the way home if you can keep your eye in the mirror of your own self and not deflect. Dogs have taught me more about character than myself or any man. They are...as they stand before you bare of any facade. They love for love. They care when the caring should be gone. They are in the moment. They will never leave you or forsake you. Man wavers with the wind. Take a good hard look at your pets and they will teach you more than any book or seminar for self improvement. I asked God to place the mirror in my face and He did. I find there is much work to be the woman I want to be, that God want me to be, that my dogs think I am, and I will stand in the mirror and face myself. God will bring the change as I just stand and submit to his palette and brush. Let the mirror bring us all to a place of inner beauty, kindness, and peace. Melly

The Sweetness

Atlantis — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:41:00 GMT

Brother, did we get a gigormous suprise on May 8th. Natalie whelped 11 puppies and they are adorable. I love supplementing them which may say something weird about me. It is so sweet to watch them nurse, They are such perfect creations from God. I adore the pink itsy bitsy feet. I know Natalie is loaded with demands on her body so she is getting anything and everything she wants to eat. She is a calm laid back mother; she even lets grandma Coco in to supervise as Coco is the supervisor of all canine and humans in this home. Here are a few one week photos posted above. They are going to be lots of work, joy, and can't wait for the antics...the laughter. Melly

Women of GRACE, Hope, and Love

Atlantis — Sun, 16 May 2010 17:51:00 GMT

The first was Ann, she has stood by me through every mountain and every valley of life. She has it! She is kind, gentle, smart, and tells a girl the truth when it needs to be told. She propped me up like a mountain on either side when Savanna was diagnosed with cancer. She used to come to work on her time off for emergencies to help. She loved what she was doing so much and her desire to learn was enormous. She passed her registry in record time and never missed a beat. She met her husband and they had a baby named Hannah...a bit of miracle in itself. She goes about quietly doing the right thing with a clean heart and the persistence of a mama cougar, she does not give up on you and she does not waver from her goal. Ann is probably the only natural blonde I have ever known as an interesting aside. She used to have a nickname of Sunshine and that is Ann, SUNSHINE! I will never forget you.

Next, I will speak of Jennie. It was one of the lowest times of my life...low...rock bottom. I had nowhere to go as my husband would not let me come home since he had a new woman and I had taken a gigantic emotional and spiritual spill. I was busted like an egg on the sidewalk. I was like a fish that only had bones left: that the meat had been picked down to the skeleton. Hope had left my house. Jennie came in and offered me a roof over my head; even more, she offered a home and understanding. It was God. She taught me God is good but He is not always safe. God gave me back all that had been taken and more. He gave me back my job, my children, my faith, my heart, and he gave me hope. He uses people often as His hands and feet and Jennie was His chosen vessel. We did not have TV as far as cable and we did not have a great deal of money but we had GOD. We laughed so much and so often. We truly were meant to be best friends for that season and she was a rock. She is smart, funny, and wise. What the enemy took:;God gave back four fold. I went from hope to a great degree of peace with my God and He re-built me layer upon layer and made me a better person for it all. Jennie will never be forgotten. She is filled with integrity and honesty. She held my feet to the fire and she held my hand.

Linda was not as close a friend but a hero for me. When she had her baby it was not perfect so her husband said goodbye and left her to raise the baby. Linda had seizures so had to have transportation to work. She worked in a clerical position so money was scarce. She sacrificed and then she sacrificed a bit more. Her son received the medical help he needed and she put him through college and she went to that clerical job every day. She was diagnosed with cancer and worked every day until she could not put one foot in front of the other. Her death was swift once she could no longer work. She was sent on a cruise with friends and I am so so thankful there was a bit of time for Linda. She was in a wheerchair on the cruise. I would ask how she was feeling after a round of chemo or blood transfusions and she would say "pretty good, Melanie, thanks for asking". She would come to work many days after a chemo or radiation treatment. She paid a price but I know she is wearing a golden crown now with gorgeous stones for she is a hero... a righteous true hero. She just would not complain or whine. She always would say she was worried for her son after she passed. Selfish, no, she was not. She gave her all for her son. I would try to eat lunch with her because she inspired me. It was never pity. I want to grow up to be as strong as Linda.

Lastly, was Sharon. She impacted my life as quickly as a bullet hitting the center of a target. She came in like a hurricane, picked me up, put her arms around me and NEVER let go when my precious Phoebe was taken way too young.. Sharon was all the planets aligned perfectly; she was the sun and the moon and the stars. She opened my mind to new ideas and we shared so many spiritual concepts. We were different from each other and we were perfect together. We shared to the core with nothing held back. She was my spiritual mentor, my heart, and the best friend I have ever known, or will know. She had boundless energy and then cancer came knocking on her door. It knocked quickly and it took my Sharon and I am mad. I am mad as hell at cancer. I want her back, I sometimes think I would be talking to Sharon right now and then I remember. She would call and say, " Let me get in the bath so I can breath better as I want to talk to you". She could barely breath and she kept reaching out because she loved me and my granddaughter, Savanna. Savanna has battled brain cancer for the last two years. Sharon was a shooting star in my life. I miss her intense light and love every single day but I was honored and blessed to have been her friend. What an honor! She never faltered and she never bent. She was my Sharon.

Savanna Better and a little Better Yet

Atlantis — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:04:00 GMT

Nails and Tails

Atlantis — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:00:00 GMT

A couple of months ago, I had applied a set of SOLAR nails, french manicure, top of the line and over time ( a few weeks) I wanted them gone, off, removed, or ripped off, I could barely open a can with a pop top lid, it effected my ability to type, and doing my dogs nails with the dremel I thought I might perform an unplanned trim on them. That is what artificial is to me and the older I get, the less I like it in myself and I find it most detracting from all I meet. Now I am not speaking of nails per se it is an analogy that underneath the fake, facades, and masks are the real "us". That truly is the best, I would rather see the warts, flaws, and imperfections than a facimile of the person. We struggle to impress and compete and for what? Those that love you always will and well, the rest never did. Embrace who you are, Sharon did, Jennie does, Jimmy did...Linda did...these are a few of my hero's past over and one present. Everyday awesome souls who were real with no pretentions...just real...good. BTW, once the nails were removed, my nails looked like they had been cooked, stomped, and perhaps, I had put up a few gallons of corn in the freezer, they were bruised on the tips albeit I chose not the best way to remove them. Underneath, real is better, cleaner, it goes down better, and it what I learned from a very few and how my heart aches to see them again, when I hit the other side I am running as fast as I can to a dog and a woman, Sharon who believed in me more that I believe in myself! She was the most persistent encouraging loving being of my life's experience and the other is my angel Phoebe. She was my true heart dog and I will reach for her and she will jump into my arms and it will be sweet as cotton candy at the fair when I was six years old. I think forgiveness is vital to our life's journey and we must do it quickly or pride and justification come in like a flood and we will not act...it will simmer and then it will boil and we can convince ourselves that we are in the right when it all comes down to forgiveness, it is freeing, the most freeing act one can live. I really must work on forgiving Melly (me) for my life's sins, mistakes, and when I have chosen the wrong path, when I have snapped at people who love me or perhaps strangers at times, forgive myself for my frailties, failures, and faults, it is then that I am sure great spirtual ground is gained. This will be the next level for Melly, forgiving all including self, and no more fake nails if you get my drift! I choose to forgive and in that forgiving, I forgive Melly.

A Puppy named Snoopy for Savanna

Atlantis — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:11:00 GMT

We have a new temporary member here at Atlantis. It is a doxie puppy for Savanna and his name is Snoopy, he is a mini as Doxie's go.. He is cute as a button and small as a tater. His little tail goes to wagging and that little face looks up at you and you think, ahh, this is a bit of heaven on earth, the way that baby looks at me with such trust and "hey, what are we going to do now?" He is a bit of a unique color, dappled white and black but that is the color we needed for Savanna as she loves white bears, white dogs, white in general. I think there will be tales to tell as these two adventure together in life. I do know his tail is wagging and his heart is pure. Always looks at the eyes and you will see the kind of heart a person or a pet has beating, if it is kind and loving. Savanna is getting her hair back bit by bit. She has a short spike at the moment. She is in school and loves school. She sings and she colors and knows the joy of being in the moment. That is it my friends, the moment, the joy of being fully present in that moment. Leave the past and wait for the future. It will come soon enough. I appreciate my friend Dana at K K Dobermans for allowing me to acquire this little man for Savanna. My pups are growing like weeds and so cute at 6 months now. Ever and Laila are beautiful black and white whippet puppies and with Arno visiting, our hands are full to the rim but hey, it a pleasure to be with God's creatures and love them. My husband, Tom has been diagnosed with macular degeneration and that is not a happy thing but I am taking what life will let me get and I thank Him that Tom is with me. He has loved my children and me for 17 years and he is such a wonderful husband and doggy Dad. I believe Savanna will leave her mark on this world as she is an artist at heart and a free spirit. Her brothers, Steven and Brian are going to start working with me to train the dogs and my hope is that will be fun and functional to mature them and give them the joy the dogs have given me. Have a great day!!

A New Beginning

Atlantis — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:24:00 GMT

Savanna is in remission and will have a MRI Jan 6th and that I hope is another positive for that sweet child of God. I started a new job working with homeless and migrant populations and believe this will be an awesome opportunity to make a difference and use some skills from prior work and learn many new ones. I am humbled and grateful to God....He has carried us through and will be standing right beside me every step of the way. He is the great I am. Hard year but lessons too many to write today. The dogs are waiting to help me wrap presents. I WANT TO SAY A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO NED FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL WEBSITE REFLECTING MY VISION OF ATLANTIS WHIPPETS AND DOBERMANS, HE IS SO COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND HAS PATIENTLY MADE MY WEBSITE DREAM COME TRUE. ADDITIONALLY, NED WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR VOLUNTEERING HIS TIME TO MAKE SAVANNA'S WEBSITE A REALITY AND DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB...HE VOLUNTEERED HIS TIME AND TALENT FOR SAVANNA AND THAT IS A BENEVOLENT ACT OF KINDNESS FOR MY GRAND GIRL. HIS CONTACT INFORMATION IS ON MY SITE IF YOU WANT EXPERIENCE, EXCELLENCE, AND A MAN WITH VISION...PLUS A BIT OF STAR DUST...THANKS SO MUCH, NED. I will be writing on a regular basis again and pray I can give you a bit of encouragement and humor this year fast approaching. Blessings to all, Melly Merry Christmas to all and a special wish for Sharon...

Savanna near the end of chemotherapy

Atlantis — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 11:53:00 GMT

Savanna will have her last round of chemotherapy in August, the effects of the chemotherapy are now effecting both legs. She has fallen and has bruises. She is a blessing from GOD in every single way. She is gentle as a dove and her laughter has never really stopped through the long year. I imagine many of the children with cancer are this way. Incredibly strong and joyful accept when they are in pain. Bear (her teddy bear) has gone through chemo and surgery right along with her every step. He is broken in places, hair coming out, and stained but he has been her comfort. I want to get her a puppy once she is strong to be a special friend to her. She says it must be a white puppy like bear. That is so funny. All creatures get compared to bear. Her brothers are returning to school soon. I pray it will be a good year for Brian and Steven as this has been a tremendous burden on such young shoulders. I have not been able to be there for many of her treatments once she was through the grueling surgery and time in ICU and that makes me sad. Brittany and Andy have been strengthened and are united. They are wonderful people and awesome parents. It is so much for young parents to deal with considering the problems of just living life in this world. I am sure angels have hovered over this family and all the others fighting childhood cancer. We thank God for these angels and his guidance and mercy. What would we have without his mercy? I will tell you what we would have, nothing. It is through his mercy and grace that we are granted peace and salvation and absolutely nothing else. The lesson I seem to be on through all this is "do not judge others"; one just does not know our brothers burdens. I fail every day but we get back up and keep learning. They have been working hard to build a room on to their home for Savanna but that has been so difficult. People say I will help and do not show up. It is indeed, a time not judge. She has had to have platelets many times and transfusions. She has some hearing loss and of course, balance problems. I have another dog show friend fighting breast cancer whom is an awesome lady. Cancer makes me so mad. A co-worker's mother has cancer and that is a new battle for her and her family. Please pray for all the children and adults fighting this monster, cancer. Send out healing prayers, please. Finances are strained to the limit, hearts are heavy at times, joyful other times, and cancer keeps roaring through so many lives like a monster. It took my dearest friend, Sharon right out of this world...gone way too soon. The kindest soul I have ever known..taken. She came in like an angel and never faltered in the love and support for me. She surely showed me about unconditional love. Savanna was her baby in the sense of her support, prayers, and many random acts of kindness all the way to the end she never forgot to care for others. Melly

Time goes By

Atlantis — Sat, 16 May 2009 21:04:00 GMT

I have not written for a few months as I have been rather empty of the words, the inspiration to write. Savanna got a clear MRI from head through spine last week and I was thinking chemo until August and then I realized in a blink that the time is getting shorter, it does not seem like such a rugged mountain, 4-5 months. She has been diagnosed over a year with Medullablastoma and it has been grueling for her and for her family. Her mother, Brittany has become one of my heroes. Ha, my own daughter. Regarding, Sharon, I am quite sure she is watching over Savanna as she did each day of her being on this earth in the body. I am positive she watches now..I know I have felt her presence on several different days. She cried and cried when she found out about Savanna and that was the only time I heard her weep so deeply from her inner being. She encouraged me even as she was wracked with cancer herself, my red headed lady, my friend, it mattered not how I was, she remained steadfast to me in friendship. Tom is recovering more and more from his heart attack. I am thankful to God for that. The dogs are another blessing in my life as they love me unconditionally and thing Tom hung the moon just for them. He treats each one with special loving care. Honestly, they are spoiled but they are ours to spoil for these moments in time. Nothing shows a man what he is and isnot like trouble..nothing. It will all surface and there you are looking at yourself, your flaws, fears, strengths, and your own heart cracked open like an egg. There it is. Now what you choose to do with this knowledge is quite up to the individual. Grow and change for the better even if you may crawl at times and fall down at times, get up, and keep walking, slow at times, and at other times you run in strength and taste the joy of the Lord on your lips even though the storm rages and the rain falls down, you walk on. He is with you each step.When you fall down, he puts an arm around you and says walk on and you really must as He is there to walk with you. When you run on the wind of HIS wings and taste the joy of the lord in the storm, it is like a deer leaping over the snowcapped mountains, it is ecstacy in the spirit world. I pray I have become more compassionate to my patients as they need more than medical treatment, they need us to really see them. I thank God for Savanna turning five next week and I pray she will eat cake with Sharon smiling down and all of us will be celebrating together. That is indeed, my prayer. Best and God Be With You Melly

Sharon Filleti, Savanna, my thoughts

Atlantis — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:12:00 GMT

Sharon Filleti has passed, she is gone. She is a butterfly in the bright sunshine, a breeze that gives you peace, a red bird in all his glory, she was the kindest soul I have personally known. I miss her and I am lost. She loved me unconditionally and is instrumental in Savanna's website, so many things, you see she had a gift for looking at a person and seeing what potential was there and putting her focus on that potoential. She called me early the morning before her death in ICU and we talked for 40 minutes. I thank God that on that day being late for work was OK. It was so right that we talk and I had the opportunity to thank her for all her love, support and you know it was the emotional and spiritual support that I beleive will not be filled. She was like a rock of hope for me. I will never ever have another Sharon...period. She was incredibly brave, oh my, so stalwart and un swavering in her courage. I think so often I was not fit to wipe her shoes. Savanna had a clear MRI on December 23 and chemotherapy will go until August 2009. I am quite quite sure she will watch over Savanna and is with both our dogs that have passed over. Everthing seems so small now that seemed important. Dog shows, all of it, I enjoy it but the importance is greatly in the proportion it should be. People and love are what is the most important thing in this life. I got two 3 point majors this weekend and all I can think is I miss my friend. Keep life in perspective, things are useless, people are precious. I pray Savnna survives Medullablastoma but it is beyond even my most minute control...all of it is in His hands. Sharon called me every day when I had a great loss and at that time I was a stranger but she saw the pain and she reached right out and pulled me up. Would I do that? Would you repond to a stranger's pain and take the chance and sacrifice your time. Would we really? I pray and hope so. Melly

Time marches on and so does Savanna

Atlantis — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:12:00 GMT

Savanna is so excited about Santa Claus and she really is full of belief and wonder. It is inspiring to watch her go down after chemo and get back up. She is so resilient...I do believe more than the rest of us. Her brothers are awesome, sweet precious boys. Brian and Steven, so very brave, I am at a loss at my own inadequacies but believe me I do not think I would be here without God, He does give us strength but often the circumstances remain.My dear friend has inoperable lung cancer but she says she will survive and overcome and I believe her. She reminds me of Savanna...not a quitter. She just stands in her belief and she stands firm. My daughter Brittany and Savanna's father, Andy are troupers because you see this war is long, oh so long, it goes on and on, she will be in chemo until August 2009. She gets a MRI on Dec 23rd and I pray for no metastasis of the cancer. She has a light in her eyes that sparkles and shines in the darkness. Her hair has not grown back. Honestly, there have been health problems with my husband and I and I surely am riding a giant roller coaster. I want to get off and sit for a while and put my feet in the creek and rest. I tell you even a deeper truth, my heart is broken every time I look at her, just broken into a million pieces but I will march on with my family and we will have Christmas, God willing. My sister Leslie has been awesome, AWESOME. some friends go away and some new ones come, I wonder if it hurts too much for some and for others what you are speaks so loudly I can't hear you, not my words but so true. Savanna will have a calender in a few weeks than Ann Jowers was instrumental in putting together. Thank you so much for your prayers and blessings to all. God is still on the throne and that keeps me sane and brings me through. Blessing To All Melly

Savanna and life

Atlantis — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:37:00 GMT

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

Savanna Update before Chemo starts soon

Atlantis — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:45:00 GMT

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

website for Savanna

Atlantis — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:40:00 GMT

Here is the link to Savanna's personal site donated by Ned. If you need a website he is awesome, kind, meticulous, and talented!!!!
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

updates of my life with pups, Savanna, and enduring the road

Atlantis — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:53:09 GMT

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

New Insights

Atlantis — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:35:00 GMT

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.....

Savanna get a gorgeous quilt and continues to fight

Atlantis — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:19:00 GMT

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

Savanna very sick PRAY

Atlantis — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:58:00 GMT

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

Cancer Abounds

Atlantis — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:05:00 GMT

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