Did I mention that I just love The Myriad?

I do. They rock. They (ok, some of the guys) are from my little old town of Redding (although they CLAIM Seattle) and THEY WON the MTV2 Mountain Dew Circuit Breakout (say THAT three times fast) in 2007. They play amazingly great music, and the guys I've met (Jeremy and Randy) are very down-to-earth, great guys.

And, if you've been reading my blog for long, you know that Randy is currently fighting mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. It's cancer, and it sucks. It sucks bad.

He and his wife Krystin have been so amazingly upbeat through his diagnosis, surgery, and chemo. And now she's asking for help. She needs prayers.

If you want to know more about Randy, you can just click on his video to the right of this very post. He's the blonde guy...or he was. Kind of bald now, but it looks good on him.

His lovely wife keeps us all posted on what's going on via her blog. If you're too lazy to click on that link I just gave you, here's what she has to say today:

He had blood work done yesterday that showed his red blood count was low and his white blood cell count was even lower. That's what helps him fight off illness. They haven't been this low until now. Yesterday, he started having all over nerve pain and his bones were aching. Last night, he didn't sleep well at all and his sinuses are killing him. Hopefully it's just allergies, but if he starts getting a cough or more body aches, he will have to to into the hospital to hopefully keep whatever he has from going into pneumonia. This is the first time i have been scared throughout all of this. I'm trying to keep my anxiety from him, but he is so stubborn that i'm afraid he will keep his sickness from me in order to tough it out. Even his Dr. gets frustrated with him.

He has another blood test today, but that won't do much other than say his counts are up or down. He won't run a fever even if he's sick because his WBC is so low. Fever's are GOOD!!! It's our body's natural defense. It means you fighters are fighting. He doesn't have any, maybe 2...
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray he gets healthy!

So....if you're the praying kind, pray. If you're not, pray anyway. It'll do both you and Randy good.

Thankful you're reading this, and thankful for my very healthy family,



Update: According to Krystin, Randy is doing much better now. Thank you!

Can I just feel sorry for myself for a minute?

So, we got a referral to a pediatric neurologist for Emme today. Even though we've been going through tests and evaluations here, I just wasn't expecting they'd actually find anything THAT wrong. He (or maybe she - I can't really tell by the name) is in Sacramento, so at least I'll get a few road trips. But the fact that we need to take her down there is a kick in the gut. As I twittered earlier today, I wish I was a swearing person. I. am. so. scared.

And today is the anniversary of the day my mother died.

But just when I started feeling sorry for myself, someone sent me a clip about a guy with no arms or legs. Then I found out the son of some friends had a seizure last night. Then I remembered Randy's going through chemo. And, of course, my friend Heide just died, leaving her two young daughters.

And now I feel so blessed.

Dagnab it.

And yes, in fact, that's the best I can do.

Randy Miller

So here it is: I'm making this really easy for you.

The Face of Cancer

I've posted earlier about Randy Miller of The Myriad. His sister-in-law and I go way back - back when Jake was a baby. Lorra and her husband were foster parents, and I don't know how many times we encouraged and consoled each other, watched each other's kids, and laughed ourselves silly. And she is an AMAZING cake decorator! She's moved away, and I miss her.

It's an unfortunate circumstance that's brought us back in touch. Ok, that's not even right. It's an horrendous circumstance. Her brother-in-law, Randy, has been diagnosed with mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. Until a week ago, I didn't even know what that was. Now I do.

Thankfully he has some amazingly creative and talented friends. They've made this short video that shows the Randy that's known around Redding. Not the big rock star (though his band DID win the MTV2 Mountain Dew Breakout last year). But the Randy that's a husband, a father, a friend.

Please watch it here: Randy's Mercy Fund, and if you're so moved, kick in a few bucks, ok? They can use it right now.

Note from The Myriad:

Friends and family,

As some of you may have heard, our band mate Randy Miller had a large tumor removed from his left chest/shoulder area which has now been diagnosed as Chondrosarcoma, an extremely rare cancer of the bone. Unfortunately, during the meeting with the specialist at Stanford this week, he was informed that the tumor removed was just the tip of the iceberg. The tumor is much larger than they originally thought and it extends into his shoulder and arm. There is also a tumor in his left pelvic area and thigh and still another large tumor located on his right adrenal gland which is possibly another type of cancer altogether. Due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, Randy should begin chemotherapy immediately but is waiting to hear back from the state as to whether they will insure him. Until then, he cannot begin the treatment process. Please pray that this process is expedited.

There are immediate and ongoing financial needs for the Miller family. These needs can be met by donating to a "Mercy Fund" set up by a non profit organization called The Stirring and currently designated to Randy Miller. There are a few different ways you can send tax deductible donations to this fund.
One is online at www. thestirring. org.
Located to the bottom right of the main page you will see "ONLINE GIVING". If you click on this link you will be directed to a secure page where you can set up an online giving account. Once the account is set up you will see the "MERCY FUND" and be able to send secure donations to the family through this organization.
Tax deductible donations can also be sent in the form of a check to:
The Stirring
RE: Randy Miller
3468 Bechelli Lane Suite E
Redding, CA 96002
Any financial support you can give in order to help the Miller's through this difficult time is appreciated.

Thanks for your prayers,
The Myriad

Thanks, my plate is full.

I was just telling a new friend that writing helps me process life...so here goes. Kind of like a stream of literary vomit.

School starts in 2 1/2 weeks! The kids are sick of day camp. One friend has terminal cancer, and we're just praying she can be cured. She has two wonderful YOUNG children she adopted, and they would be two motherless daughters...as am I, so I know the road that lies ahead. One friend has cancer and is having surgery tomorrow and they'll stage it. Her husband has heart disease and has had several TIAs (precursor to strokes). One friend's daughter took her own life. Sadly, she was an incredibly troubled young woman, and was facing a lifetime in prison. I pray she has found peace. I know that suicide is a sin, but I believe that some people are so ill that it's truly the only way they see - and I know that God understands. My computer is on it's last legs, but I'm getting a new one. I have a great boss, and he's going to buy it and let me make payments. Any recommendations? My daughter is going through great trials right now. She starts group therapy next week. Jake's birth family showing up has thrown HER for a loop. I wasn't expecting that, but I should have. She's so sweet and sensitive. My great neighbors are moving out, and I have no idea who'll move in. I see the pain specialist (shouldn't he be called the anti-pain specialist?) Friday. I'm going to be getting some nerve blocks in my back, and if they work, I'll have radiofrequency ablation done. My doc says it's either that or a fusion. I'm amazed the insomnia hasn't hit until tonight, but I've had a couple painkillers and they're not working.

I'm going camping with my kids and some friends this weekend, and packing for a camping trip is always overwhelming to me. And I always forget things.

Ack. I'll get through, by the grace of God. But tonight, I stress.