A Promise to Michael

Pinkie Promise
from Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings
©2011McVicker&Hersh, LLC

My girlfriend Michael is dying.  She is under the nurturing care of staff at Shalom Park in Aurora, Colorado.  Diagnosed with ovarian cancer four years ago, Michael has been at death's door more times than anyone I have ever known ... yet, she  has refused to enter each and every time.  She has been quite remarkable in that way - so remarkable, I even made her a  promise...

Yesterday, August 22, 2011, I knelt beside Michael's bed and told her that I would tell  the whole   world what a wonderful job she had done.  So now, I am keeping  that  promise.  I am putting it out into cyberspace that my girlfriend (and friend to so many others), Michael Sears, did indeed do a remarkable job – a remarkable job of letting people into her world as she was dying ... and an even more remarkable job of fighting this insidious disease.

                                                                                                           .... to be continued

It's Not Hard to Say Good Bye

To Taxol that is.  Today is my last Taxol infusion.

I opted for the 4 treatments every two weeks recommended by MSKCC vs. the lower dose once a week for 12 weeks suggested by my oncologist at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center in Delaware.
The thinking is lower doses, less side effects.  Fortunately, aside from some body aches and chills for a couple of days and sleeplessness from the steroids that are given with the drug, it has not been a bad run.  I believe this is large part from the acupuncture treatments I have been receiving regularly (and good luck?)

Nanci at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, July 2011
photo by Kay Healy
Photo session made possible by the Leeway Foundation

On to radiation next.  Are we having fun yet?

Besos de Mariposa

Our book is now available in Spanish! Thanks to Edith Camargo, nothing is lost in translation.  The empowering message of our book is now in paperback for our Spanish speaking families.

Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings: When someone you love has cancer... a hopeful, helpful book for kids

As we work on updating our website with our new edition please contact us directly if you need a Spanish copy of our book in the near future.

ellenmcvicker@butterflykissesbook.com