Melissa Update

So I don't often update the blog with entries about Melissa. But this one will be an exception. A few months ago (July) I submitted a grant proposal to the NIH (National Institute of Health) on my research. They read all the grants and score the best ones. Mine was scored highly and will probably get funded. This means I have job security for the next three years and hopefully a little more money. Plus it's also a very prestigious honor, meaning it will probably boost my resume a little in the future. For 2011, I hope to publish again and see where this line of research takes me. If anyone is interested in what the actual project is, please let me know and I will post a little blurb. As a little teaser, it has to do with regeneration of the heart.

-Melissa

Scan time again

Alright, its been 2 months and 4 treatments so its time for a scan. Shaun will get a CT scan today but probably won't have the results until next Monday when he goes in for his next treatment session. Shaun hates these new drugs and for good reason. Poor guy hasn't had much appetite or ability to keep food in him (sorry, TMI). So lets hope for a different regimen of drugs that are more tolerable yet still effective.

Thanksgiving is this week and despite Shaun's diagnosis, we still have a lot to be thankful for. We are so very thankful for our friends and family for being so supportive and generous with their time, homes, food, and love. We love you!! And of course, we are unbelievably thankful for our beautiful little boy, Bryce. He is growing up to be such an amazing little person; inquisitive, loving, smart, and really funny. He doesn't say "m" very well so he still doesn't call me Mom. Instead, he's adopted "Bomb". I'll take it. I don't mind being the bomb.

Stay tuned for results from Shaun's scan and hopefully an update on a possible move before Christmas!

Picture is of Bryce after his most recent haircut (today, thanks Grandma!)

Happy Halloween!

We had a wonderful Halloween! Bryce dressed up as a gnome and did a great job trick-or-treating. As soon as we put his whole costume on he was really excited and kept the beard and hat on the whole time!! This was quite the feat considering every time we put it on prior, he took it off within 30 seconds. I think it helped that Eliot was dressed up too (as an astronaut!) and he wanted to be in on the fun. Most not quite 2 year olds would quit after a few houses, but not Bryce. He was eager for more candy and liked being able to pick his own from the bowls. He never hesitated when told he could take more than one piece. But he was always polite and said a lot of "thank yous".

Shaun update: today starts session 3 of chemo. He is doing really well and if the theory is correct and the worse the rash, the more effective the chemo; the drugs are really working! I'm impressed at how well he is doing and keeping a positive attitude and a sense of humor about his poor skin.