Peace on Earth
December, 2004
Merry Christmas and A Happy New
Year from the Kellys.
2004 began full of fear and adversity for
our family, but has ended on a note of thankfulness and hope. As you all know,
our granddaughter Lindy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a virulent childhood
cancer, in August 2003. Since then, she has had 2 major surgeries, several
months of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and radiation. The treatment
has been successful, and she is now on a regimen of periodic scan
monitoring and preventive retinoic acid. We are all grateful for the excellent
treatment she received at NC Children’s Hospital and Duke University Medical
Center.
Since the radiation treatment was completed
in April, Lindy has continued to improve. She is a happy, active two year old,
and is not experiencing any of the major post treatment side effects that we
were warned about. Kate has been a model big sister during this process, and
has been a major factor in maintaining Lindy’s happy outlook. Lynn & Robbie
have been unbelievably strong and competent throughout the treatment; their
dedicated participation has been one of the most significant factors in the
success of the treatment so far. Now we anticipate a wary couple of years as Lindy
is monitored to detect any recurrence of the cancer. Barbara is raising funds
to support a neuroblastoma research project at NC Children’s.
Barbara and I have made
several trips to North Carolina this year. In May, we bought a beach house on
Oak Island with Robbie & Lynn. We have spent several great visits there
with the girls. In July and at Thanksgiving, the Guptons came to Myersville for
a visit. The girls had a great time with the horses and dogs here. In August,
my sister Katy and her husband Dan came for a short visit. We had a chance to
relax and enjoy their company for the first time in quite a while. We promised
to get together again soon.
In September, the Kelly, Gupton, Gnau, Elder
clan got together for a week at Oak Island. We had fine weather in Carolina
while Hurricane Ivan was pounding Florida. It was really fun to have all the
little ones (about 8) together on the beach. We will continue this annual event
as long as we are able.
Courtney lives in New York City and is still
with Accenture on a project at AOL in Dulles, VA. She has visited Myersville
several times this year. We were also able to go to an Ultimate tournament that
her team entered in Virginia. The horses, dogs and cats are all doing well. I
am still working on the Navy Internet Project.
If
you visit the DC area, we would love to see you. Our house is located near
Hagerstown, about an hour from Washington, DC and Baltimore. 11908 Woodland Way
Rd., Myersville, MD 21773. Phone 301-293-4375. Email: barbandmike@webtv.net or michael.w.kelly@eds.com. Barbara and
I are very grateful for the support and prayers we have received from our
friends and family during this trying time.
Peace and love,
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Mike and Barbara Kelly
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