Happy Sweet 16, Melissa

Dear Friends,

This day in 1992, Melissa was delivered into the world of the Yu family as the second American Born Chinese: Maurice being the first. There is a whole sub-cultural stereo typical thing about ABC's that could be a discussion for another time. Suffice it to say that the kids speak Chinese at home to their parents and English at all other times. Though Mildred understands her parents speaking to her in Chinese and she answers them in English.

Today will not be the usual birthday celebration around the neighborhood pool with friends, families, balloons, presents and the traditional mix of Chinese dumplings, Kentucky chicken, tea, sodas and chips.

Last I wrote, the doctors had let Melissa come out of the coma because she simply refused to keep her eyes closed and her hand down. Well, that didn't work. Melissa spent the next two days with a high fever, having constant seizures and in a great deal of pain. With tears in his eyes, Michael said it was so hard helping the nurses lift her off the bed and onto the CT Scan. The jostling caused her so much pain.

Not finding the source of the pain or the fever, last Thursday the neurologist and neuro-surgeon decided that Melissa simply must be put into a deep coma and a muscle paralyzed state. The blinds on the windows have been closed, and Michael and Marlene have been forbidden from the room so that Melissa have no stimulus for the next few days. Her body and brain are simply too fragile, and need time. Yet, all the vital signs (heart, blood pressure, and even now body temperature) seem to be within a good range.

Though forbidden from her room, Micheal and Marlene are at every doctors consult, and are now intricately versed in things pediatric heart and neuro, reading monitors and spotting drug interactions. The cafeteria cashier offers Marlene a staff discount for her frequency.

Church friends have coordinated evening meals throughout the week, the frig is full, and neighbors deliver sack lunches in the mornings for the kids to take to school.

Most cherished of all are the prayers that each of you continue to offer for Melissa's recovery. Micheal and Marlene hang on every word, squeezing every extra ounce of strength from the replies that you send. With all their heart, and a smile on their face, they will tell you that Melissa will be whole again and return to them full of life as she was before.

Though monitors and tubes replace balloons and picnics today, sweet Melissa stubbornly refuses to give up her sixteen years. Alone in her room, she is fighting a good fight to come back to her family and friends.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Melissa.

David Hosmer