mbachini

Oh my goodness!!! What an amazing conference! I was so in awe of all the brilliant minds in one room, I felt smarter for just being near them!! What HOPE!! It gave me so much hope for the future to see the enthusiasm and momentum created at this conference….to know that these brilliant minds are willing to put forth the effort to make a difference in research and treatment for all Cholangiocarcinoma patients!!

I was so happy to finally get to meet in person Marion, Stacie, Rick, and Donna. Thank you guys for all you do for all of us!! …..and of course all the volunteers that I didn’t even know were behind the scenes of this group…..Rob, Laurie, Meg, Marie, Karen, Heidi, Barbara, Linda, Lauren….I know there are so many more I am forgetting to name…..you are all so awesome!

The part that was very special to me was getting to know three people who were there searching for answers for someone they love…..a husband for his wife, a mother for her son, and a wife for her husband. Their stories, like all of ours, are so full of love, emotion and fight. I also was so humbled of the stories of the family members who have lost a loved one. Pretty much every volunteer there had lost someone they love to this disease. They are now wanting to carry on the memory, legacy and love for their lost loved one, by helping others. So selfless, caring and kind!! I was so honored to be able to hear their stories and get to know each of them.

It was a blessing to be able to tell my personal cc story at the conference. As scared as I was, and as much as I dislike public speaking, I would do it again in a heartbeat in order to bring hope to others and awareness to the public. It was extremely important to me to put a face and a family to the statistics and numbers. It is my hope that I represented all of the patients of Cholangiocarcinoma….I did my best to lay it all out there, the good, the bad and the ugly!!

I was also able to meet Helen from AMMF, wonderful lady!

Love and prayers to all,
Melinda

Nancy,
Congratulations on such a great milestone! I love the hope you bring to others and I agree wholeheartedly with all you say!! Keep up the good work and keep posting the great news!
Melinda

Sending you hugs and strength. Thank you for sharing this post with us and continuing to help others in this position….you are one amazing daughter!
Melinda

Dear Sammie,
Thank you for sharing the beautiful story of your father and the love you have for him. I truly felt it coming through your words as I read this thread from start to finish….blessings to you! You are an amazing daughter…..thank you so much for sharing.
Melinda

Anne-Marie,
I also want to welcome you and thank you for sharing your incredible story! I will be keeping you in my prayers for good results. I hope you have had the chance to slow down and catch your breath with a second resection and a wedding all going on! I am a 46 year old 5 year survivor….never lose hope! Stay in touch and keep us posted…..take care!
Melinda

Carrie,
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Sending prayers for you and your mother for strength, peace and comfort…..lots of hugs.
Melinda

Bea,
I am so glad you are on top of it and paying attention and seeking answers. I would guess that I have the same hearing loss as you describe……my kids laugh at me because we have this thermometer that beeps when it is done taking your temperature and I can’t hear it at all!! But, in the big scheme of things, this is definitely something that I can live with. As Marion mentioned this is the response of the cisplatin and other platin drugs. My biggest complaint is still the neuropathy in my feet….but once again, I can live with it!! Take care and please keep us posted! Hugs to you!
Melinda