We all hope, pray, cross our fingers etc. that life will go easy on us...that our hardships and challenges will stay at a minimum. The thing is, life is unpredictable. We only have so much control of things. So when life changing, difficult times come, we brace ourselves, try to gather our strength and pull our loved ones close. But sometimes that isn't enough. Sometimes we need to call out for the helpers and expand our tribe.
This is now the case for my cousin Liz and her family. Matt, Liz and Melanie have already had their share of challenges and loss. Matt has Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer that has metastasized. He was recently supposed to switch his treatment to a medical trial but was instead hospitalized for a week with blood clots in his kidney. They are hopeful he will be starting immunotherapy this month instead of chemotherapy.
Matt's sister passed away shortly after Matt and Liz's daughter Melanie was born. Before passing though, she participated in a medical research for EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus). Little did she know at the time that this would eventually help to diagnose her niece with a genetic mutation IRF8. This means that if Melanie ever gets Epstein-Barr Virus (which 90% of the population have), she will get Lymphoma (cancer).
As stressful and scary as this diagnosis was, it has answered so many questions for them. Years of helplessly watching Melanie fight colds, chest infections and so many hospital stays...to no avail. But they now have a chance of giving her a healthier life. As parents and grandparents, if we had an option to possibly intervene before the cancer, wouldn't we all?
So now, while still fighting for Matt to have extra time here with his wife and daughter, the Sallese family begin another huge battle. They need our help...whether you know them personally or not, I'm sure we can all put ourselves in their shoes.
This next, very important step will begin with a stem cell/bone marrow transplant. This will reset Melanie's immune system and hopefully she will never have to be hospitalized for anything regarding this again. It may sound like a simple process but it's anything but easy. Thankfully, Liz has been matched as Melanie's bone marrow donor. This checked off the first step for them!
Melanie was admitted October 13th. She has a central line placed and has just had laparoscopic surgery to preserve an ovary. At 8 years old, her parents are taking the very responsible and loving decision to do this so that she can choose to have children (or not) someday in the future. Unfortunately none of this is covered by insurance. Melanie then heads up to the transplant floor and will start chemotherapy. Retrieving an ovary now is because with having and after chemo, the Dr.'s tell Liz and Matt that Melanie will not be able to have children naturally.
Liz's bone marrow will be harvested on October 25th and given to Melanie. Melanie will then stay inpatient for 6 weeks. After that, she will not be able to attend school or do any activities for 6 months. To an 8 year old, this may prove to be the most challenging part of the journey. The long term result will obviously be so worth it though.
I'm speaking for all of Liz and Matt's immediate and extended family in anticipation of this long, difficult road....If you are able to reach out to them in any form, it would be so appreciated. Ways to help are: Sharing this fundraiser link, donating to this fundraiser or to
Liz's venmo :@Liz-Sallese
If you want to send a gift card for dinners, gas, amazon, grocery cards, get well cards etc., you can send them to the address in the updated post.
Thank you for taking the time to read and share this. Life truly is bigger than all of us..but as scary as it can be, together we sure can make it even more beautiful!
