Sunday, December 31, 2017

Peace on Earth 2003

(unedited Mike Kelly Xmas letter)

Peace on Earth


                                                                                                December, 2003
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year from the Kellys.

            2003 has been a tough year for the Kellys and the Guptons. Lindy was diagnosed with cancer in July, and has been undergoing extensive treatment at NC Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill ever since.

            In July, Lynn, Robbie, Kate (age 5) and Lindy (age 1) came to visit us in Myersville for a week. We had a great time. Both girls rode McKenzie, our pony. Lindy ate blackberries and blueberries straight off the bushes. Kate helped Barbara groom all the horses. Both girls loved the dogs.

            But when they went home, Lindy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare, virulent type of cancer in children. Lindy immediately had surgery to remove the grapefruit sized tumor. She then began a series of chemotherapy treatments that lasted through the summer and fall. On December 1, she had a second surgery to determine the effect of the chemo and to remove the remaining tumors. This surgery was successful, and she is now continuing the chemo. She will have a stem cell infusion in January and then radiation treatments.

            In September, Barb & I took Kate to the beach for a week with the family. Lynn & Robbie stayed in Chapel Hill and nursed Lindy through one of the chemo treatments. We had a great time with the family and all the little ones. We watched Hurricane Isabel go zipping by, but our thoughts were in Chapel Hill with Lindy. We are looking forward to taking Kate & Lindy to Oak Island next year.

            The horses, dogs and cats are all doing well. I am still working on the Navy Internet project. Courtney still lives in New York City and has been working on an Accenture project at AOL in Dulles, VA this year.

            We are spending a lot of time in North Carolina these days, but if you are in the DC area when we are home, we would love to see you. Our house is located near Hagerstown, about an hour from Washington, DC and from 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. We know Lindy can get through this, and we believe that every prayer helps. Please accept our sincere thanks for all your help and prayers. In the difficult times, a note or a call from a friend has made a huge difference. 2004 will be a better year. 

Peace and love,

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Mike and Barbara Kelly

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