Dear friends,
Big day today -- another milestone. Three years ago today was the morning Travis woke up screaming with pain in his legs. Three years ago today was the afternoon we heard his diagnosis -- "He has cancer". And today, we can hardly believe our miraculous good fortune -- as I type, Travis and Spencer are outside playing basketball -- having a wonderful time together! Both boys are thriving and have moved "beyond cancer" to lead kids' lives. They have genuine compassion for others after our journey, and at the same time, they thoroughly enjoy doing fun kid things -- as it should be. Travis' progress these past few months included more good checkups with the medical staff at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (where T had his transplant), the retina specialist and the endocrinologist. "Thumbs up checkups" -- each of them. And the "icing" to all of this was a letter we recently received from Travis' school, stating that he's qualified for the gifted and talented special class next year, having scored at the 99th percentile in the nation! Whew! After all he's been through, this was an amazing irony -- and accomplishment. We are SO blessed.

It was fitting that this weekend we were guests at the new Miller Park in Milwaukee at the Ronald McDonald House's "Field of Dreams" black tie event, to raise money for a "secret garden" on the RMH house grounds. It was almost surreal, celebrating and laughing and dancing at this event -- all four of us. When an RMH promo video came on the jumbo-tron, Travis said "That's me! That's me!". Of course, Spencer watched eagerly for his own face, which also was featured on the tape. SCORE! BOTH boys were so proud. My heart was in my throat the first time I'd seen this -- it's a beautiful video. During the evening, many people commented on our boys' good behavior, and how handsome they looked all dressed up (there were only a few other children there -- all "RMH kids"). Each time, we made sure to thank them for supporting such an important cause, the RMH, explaining how the house was a haven for the boys (and our whole family) during our ordeal. It was a beautiful evening, capped off by our staying at the RMH that night. Oh man, did that bring out memories for me. Both difficult and painful, as well as warm and loving memories. I ran the gamut of emotions today. The boys were beside themselves with excitement (and woke up at 6:45 am begging to go into the game room!), with only positive memories from our stay there. It was truly like being welcomed "home".

When we came into the RMH, one of the first people we met was Judy, Grandmother of Catherine, whom we'd met several months ago (and I wrote about back then). She was the woman who was a surprising perfect (8/8) match for her granddaughter and went through with the marrow transplant. Immediately, I knew that this time, there was bad news. Judy greeted us with shiny eyes, and hopeful and scared voice -- little Catherine has relapsed. But they're keeping as positive as possible -- and Judy is going through with donating stem cells this week -- again to try to save her grandaughter's life. And if Judy can't produce enough stem cells, then they'll harvest marrow from the hip. Another horrible reminder that our family is only this lucky by just the slimmest margin. That anyone can be in these shoes. Our prayers are with this family, as they keep fighting for Catherine's life. I think Catherine is 7 years old.

On a wonderfully positive note, a few weeks ago I received word from my childhood best friend from Duluth that her husband Terry (who had entered into the National Marrow Donor Program registry during the marrow drive to match Travis) has just been officially notified by the NMDP that he's a perfect match for a woman needing a transplant! I'm in awe at the number of people who came out to try to help Travis that have now been found to match another -- and who are so immediately willing to go ahead with the transplant. What a gift. And, from what I understand after talking with Marge (Travis' donor) and other donors, what an honor. Terry is ready to go -- as soon as this woman is ready for transplant. She's not ready yet, apparently, so he's "on deck". Terry, you're a hero already.

OK, last quick notes on recent goings-on… I don't know if I've written before about my involvement with the National Marrow Donor Program. Last November, I was appointed as a Director on the national board, and this has been an incredibly stimulating and fulfilling organization for me to support with my time and energy. This is an amazing organization. And don't I know it -- they save lives. Now, I can help them as much as possible, to do so even more.

Many of you have asked me about Marge, Travis' donor. We have developed a wonderful friendship, and speak every so often by phone. We're hoping to meet up again one of these days in person, but in the meantime, we trade updates about our families and lives. She's doing well -- and though she won't readily accept this accolade -- she's still "our hero".

So, friends, we're damn lucky. Every day we keep that in front of our minds. Joe is back in the workforce full time (selling Gateway computers) and loving it. I've made a big change as well. I'd left my company intending to start my own consulting firm, but instead, accepted an great opportunity with an organization I'd worked for 13 years ago -- Carlson Marketing Group (more on that in a separate communication sometime!). I'm having a ball with this decision. And I'm still running, believe it or not! Spencer is excelling at karate, school and life in general. And sweet Travis is loving basketball, Scrabble and climbing trees. I can't imagine a much better report than that. If you're still hanging in there with this update, feel free to read on -- I'd started an update on some happenings (below) about 2 months ago, but never finished…
And if you're done reading at this point, please do know how much we appreciate all your love, your continued inquiries and your prayers. We could never have seen this day without you all.
Love,
Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer -- www.keeptrying.com
(more below, if you want some "fill in the blank")

March 2001 -- This morning, yes, 2 1/2 years after Travis' diagnosis with cancer, I found myself in the bathroom with a bag of Travis' old prescription bottles -- finally ready to flush them all away. It's not that we'd saved them until now, but I do remember after our return home from the hospital, these pill bottles were first upstairs "in case Travis needs them". Then, they were moved downstairs and stacked on top of the other medical care implements -- sterile gloves, syringes, "puke" buckets, etc. And today, in a rare clean-up frenzy, Joe and I came across them and decided for sure, it's time to ditch the stuff -- for good. So there I was, at the toilet, calling out the medicine names to Joe as if they were the 10 plaques we call out at Passover time. Except this time, as I poured out the pills, I called out, Zofran, Prednisone, Ranitidine, Magnesium Oxide, Visteral, Norvasc… WHEW! They're gone.

Now this took place just about an hour after a wonderful conversation I had with Travis and Spencer this morning. I came in from a very forced morning run and told the boys I couldn't wait until the day they start running with me. We then talked about how some people even run while in their 80's -- so we laughingly talked about the day we'll run while I'm in my 80's, and they'll be in their 50's and we'll run with their grandchildren -- all together. Suddenly, it struck me. We are truly in a different conversation now -- one that I couldn't even BEGIN to conceive of back in 1998 and 1999. I remember back then, Joe and I would tear up at just the mention of Travis going into 1st grade, or seeing his Bar Mitzvah, or getting married. We knew it was almost a crapshoot whether or not he'd see these days. We visualized them a lot, to help ourselves feel strong and positive about the future. But we always had a gripping feeling inside, reminding us that it was very touch and go -- to focus on each day first… and get through that.

In February, we again went up to Milwaukee for the 4th Annual Garrett Game -- a benefit soccer game championed by Mia Hamm in memory of her brother who died post-transplant several years ago. Mia, her women's championship teammates, the collegiate all-star players, the Milwaukee Wave pro team and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin put on another afternoon that deeply touched the hearts of many people. In fact, over 14,000 people attended this event -- and the effort raised over $100,000 to benefit children who need marrow transplants to have a chance at life. Three things in particular are lasting memories for me. As the boys and I were bouncing up and down the stairs of the stadium, we met up with our wonderful hospital staff support professionals. As we talked, I came to learn that another of our closest "neighbors" from the Ronald McDonald House suffered a terrible loss. Their son, Tyler, who had his 2nd transplant at about the same time as Travis, died just a month ago. We have pictures of Travis and Tyler at the hospital schoolroom, where they both celebrated Thanksgiving, in full pilgrim and Native American costumes -- with sterile masks and IV poles connected to their central lines, as well, standing proudly in front of a homemade teepee. We have pictures of Spencer and Apollo and Chris -- Tyler's brothers -- lounging at the RMH together, as they did during many of the endless days both our families lived there.

This tragic wake-up call, as well as another terrible loss, brought our gratitude once again to the forefront of our minds. Another vivid memory for me from the game was when little Nina Travato took the field during an intermission, and announced the first ever Nina Travato Super Sibling award. Nina had accompanied her brother, Tony, to the same game last year. Tony died several months ago, from Aplastic Anemia. We were so very pleased that Nina and her family took up the cause of recognizing the special challenges faced by siblings of children with cancer or going through bone marrow transplant. And the very first award winner is an incredibly deserving recipient -- Mia Hamm. When Nina announced Mia's name, we could feel Mia's emotional response and surprise all the way up in our seats. Truly, it was a milestone in opening up the world of sibling issues and support -- and recognition -- for these unsung heroes. (Spencer and I have a sibling honor idea that we're hoping to launch sometime this year. Stay tuned.) Travis and Spencer were among other children who got to honor Mia and the other players on the field with roses and a "victory lap" hand in hand. It was such a meaningful event. And for us, again wonderful to see "our" doctors and nurses -- and give thanks.

Here's where I'd ended this update… Each day is truly amazing.
Again, our love and gratitude to you all. We love you, Marge. And good luck, Terry!
Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer