During my fun, 6 day weekend over Thanksgiving, I had a chance to hang out with my cousin Melanie. (Melanie, Emily, and Kim are all sisters. Stephanie is their other sister. 10 kids in the family. Lots of cousins to talk about!!!) But here's a Melanie update for you all. You have all been so sweet to pray for her, ask about her, and put her picture on your blogs. (all of these pictures open up big if you click on them.)
Melanie is doing great. She still has problems, but her condition is no longer critical. Her kidneys are functioning at 70% and she will not need a transplant any time in
the near future. Her pancreas is acting up a little and she has to watch her sugar intake, but overall that is better, too. The other problem she has is blood pressure, which she is on medication to regulate. The family is in the midst of a lawsuit against 
the local hospital to re-coup their expenses -- the reason she got so sick is that she had e coli and the hospital mis-diagnosed her and gave her anti-biotics, the combination of which put her kidneys into failure and her other organs in danger. I feel strongly against frivilous lawsuits, but this one is much needed and the hospital was completely at fault for her condition -- she was out of school for 6 weeks and 
she will have medical problems for the rest of her life. But overall, she is in great spirits and good health and happy to be more or less back to normal. She's such a sweet, darling girl -- so loving with the children, so funny to talk to, so big-hearted and sweet. God has truly answered our prayers in restoring her to health.
click here to read about her journey from the beginning
May 4th, 2002 Our wedding
September 14th, 2002. Going home from the hospital with 2 day old baby Jake!
10 days old and we're ALL worn out!
1st Halloween (6 weeks)
1st Christmas (3.5 months)
January 2003 ~ 4 months old
July 2003 ~ 10 months old
December 2003 ~ 15 months old
June 2004 ~ 21 months old 
Lou's 28th birthday. 10-23-2004. 
Easter 2005 ~ 30 months old 
I am so glad Melanie is doing better! Such a relief for her family!
Posted by: Shelly | December 04, 2004 at 02:49 AM
Jen, I am so happy to hear Melanie is progressing so well. It is truly unfortunate learning the manner in which she became sick. My prayers will continue to be with her.
Posted by: Pink Stuff!!!! | December 04, 2004 at 07:26 AM
That is wonderful news, Jen. I'm so glad Melanie is feeling better.
Posted by: Sue | December 05, 2004 at 11:06 PM
That is wonderful hon! When you get a chance can you email me at [email protected] with your mailing address, want to send you a Christmas card this year! THANK YOU!
Love ya!
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | December 06, 2004 at 08:31 AM
I'm so glad to see that she's doing so well!
Posted by: Milenka | December 10, 2004 at 01:25 AM