Come What May and Love It-Part 1

Yesterday, we went to the Burzynski Clinic! My dear husband, Larry and my caring daughter Maria were both with me. We were guided so strongly to come here to Houston, Texas for this treatment. The last few weeks have been filled with so many blessings that I can hardly recount all of them. I want to thank each of you that have prayed for me, donated to my get-well fund, or have helped in any way to make it possible for me to get to the Burzynski clinic. You know who you are.
I will attempt to share my story with you.
Back in February, I discovered a lump under my right arm and to the side of my breast. When at a doctor's appointment for another reason I mentioned the lump to my primary care doctor. She discovered some other lumps in my arm pit and sent me in for an ultra sound. From there a biopsy was done and then on March 18, 2009, the surgeon, Dr. Edgar Hernandez told us that I had B-Cell, mantle cell lymphoma and he set up an appointment for me to see Dr. Chris Kellogg, a Hematologist/Oncologist to discuss treatment.
Previous to this time, my husband had given me a priesthood blessing and said I would need to do a lot of research and studying to get well. One of my sons gave me a blessing saying that I would be here when my youngest son, Thomas returned from his mission. He also commanded me to be well in the blessing. I remembered the blessing that Thomas had received from Pres. Shumway as he set him apart for his mission. He was told that his parents would be blessed while he was gone and that both his mother and his father would be here when he returned. Anyway, I felt strongly that the Lord would heal me but I was beginning to think that I would live a few years and then get healed in the next life.
I prayed to know what the Lord's will was. I really wasn't afraid to die if that was what the Lord wanted to have happen. I didn't seem to get an answer. The next morning, I prayed again. This time I was directed to read my blessing where I was reminded that the Lord would bless me with whatever righteous blessing that I seek through prayer. So, I decided that I wanted to be with my husband and also be here for my kids and grandchildren. I wanted to live. I realized that the Lord wanted me to SEEK for something and not only ask what His will was. After asking, I felt as if He granted that blessing to me. How wonderful!
Then, later that evening, a dear friend, President Huber, who is a Patriarch and a sealer in the temple, came over at our request and gave me another blessing. Again, I was told that I would be healed and that the healing would come through my faith and through the faith of others. It was the most beautiful blessing I have ever heard. I was so grateful again for a kind and loving Heavenly Father who heard my prayers and was willing to extend my life and heal me. Then, I received a wonderful visit from our bishop and his son who gave us wise counsel and encouragement. He said that I was worthy of my trials, that blessings and trials come together and that we would receive many blessings from this experience.
I continued to feel a tremendous outpouring of love. Family and friends called, sent cards, flowers, gifts and most importantly, they prayed with faith for me. I was really touched when my friends came by the house with daisies for me about every half hour. I was wondering why they all had a yellow ribbon and the same kind of a card. After the third person brought them by I started to take the vase of flowers to the back room so as not to embarrass anymore friends that might bring by the same flowers. It was then that I caught on and realized that it was planned and that they were building a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me. It was so sweet!
It was also on this day, which was my 53rd birthday, that I went to the Hematologist/Oncologist named Dr. Chris Kellogg. He told me the severity of my cancer and said that I had an average of 3 years to live. He also told us that I would need to have the strongest chemo-therapy available as well as a bone transplant. Then, after 1 1/2 years I would need to repeat it, as it would return. We were told that there is no medical cure for mantle cell lymphoma.
That evening, Larry and I stopped by my sister Mary Nielson's house to pick up a brochure that they had on cancer and information about the Burzynski Clinic. Surprise! I was overcome when I went into the back yard and discovered a huge reception- like birthday party for me. I was overcome. So many friends and relatives were there. My son Aaron and his wife Andrea as well as Maria and of course the Nielson's had planned it. They had a beautiful table with vegetables, sandwiches, etc. and a gorgeous cake with flowers on it. I was able to give lots of hugs and make a birthday wish and blow out the candles. I was overcome with the outpouring of love. I will write more later but for now, I need to get some rest.

For Regular Updates From Houston...

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DONATIONS UPDATE

We have chosen to set up a 501 C3 Non-Profit tax deductable account under Positive impact. I've changed the "Donate to Margaret's Recovery Button" on the side of the blog to go directly to the Positive Impact site vs. Paypal. Also If you'd prefer to pay by check, Please mail checks for Margaret Manning to :

Positive Impact
PO Box 8048
Chandler Az 85246

(Write check out to Positive Impact with Margaret Manning's name in the memo)

Thank you so much everyone! We are very grateful for all the prayers and support on Margaret's behalf.

Your Questions Answered

Q. Why has Margaret Chosen not to do Chemotherapy and why doesn't insurance cover her treatments?

A. Margaret has an extremely rare form of cancer (Mantle Cell Lymphoma). Unlike many cancers, this particular type is not effectively treated with the standard chemotherapy. Doctors have informed her that if she proceeds with Chemotherapy, she will only live an average of 3 years. There is a treatment available in the U.S. but unfortunately it is in Texas, and being out of state it is not covered by insurance. Our family has great hope that the treatments she will receive in TX will be effective and that she will be healed of her condition. For this reason we are asking for donations at this time! Thanks for all of your prayers and support.

DEAR FAMILY & FRIENDS

Margaret Manning has recently been diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma cancer. With the help of family and friends, we have spent the last few days researching as many options for treatment as possible. After much study, we have come to the decision to pursue the Burzynski Clinic in Houston, TX. For more information about the clinic, please see their website at http://www.burzynskiclinic.com/.

Margaret has a consultation at the clinic scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2009. After the initial consultation, she will be staying in Houston for 2-3 weeks as an outpatient. How long she remains in Houston will depend on the treatment prescribed and how long it takes for her to become stabilized on the medication.

After the initial 2-3 week period, Margaret will return to Mesa and continue her medication and therapy at home under the care of her primary doctor for a period estimated to last 6-12 months. She will return to Houston about every 2 months for the doctors to check on her progress.

At this time, the family is in need of funds to pay for the treatment. We know that this is a hard financial time for everyone right now, but ask that out of the generosity of your heart and your love for Margaret and her family that you would be able to help us to pursue this treatment.

Margaret has done so much for everyone she has come in contact with, and now it is our turn to do something for her. She has so much faith that she will be healed and that she will be here to see her children and grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren grow. With the help of the Lord, we know she will continue to be an influence for good in the lives of those around her for many years to come.

At this point we are hoping to raise enough money to meet the initial treatment costs of $17,000. The long term costs we plan to raise with upcoming fundraisers. We have started this blog in an effort to update everyone with Margaret’s progress and also for the fundraising efforts.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

We really need donations at this time. Cash, Credit Cards, Checks, Flight miles, points for rental cars or hotels, volunteering to be in charge of a fundraiser, etc. will all be very appreciated. We can also use as much help towards fundraising efforts as possible. Please see the “Fundraisers In Planning Stages” post below for specific needs at this time. Future fundraising is greatly appreciated!

CONTACTS: If you are able to contribute in any of these or any other way, please contact Andrea Manning at amanning24@gmail.com or 480-980-2507 (Margaret’s daughter-in-law) or Maria Stradling at onesmartchicken@gmail.com or 480-794-0331 (Margaret’s Daughter)

We have set up a donation account on behalf of Margaret at Wells Fargo Bank. We have also set up a paypal account where debit/credit card payments will be accepted. Please click HERE to donate.

FUNDRAISERS IN PLANNING STAGES

We can still use more – please contact Andrea or Maria to volunteer to plan and run another fundraiser:

Thomas and James Manning Art Sale -
Margaret’s son Thomas, who is currently serving a mission for his church, completed a beautiful painting of the Mesa Temple before he left. The painting will be available as a print or on canvas and in various sizes. - Thomas has also completed 2 other paintings that will be for sale. There is another painting of the Mesa Temple, as well as a beautiful Hot Air Balloon painting. - James has also painted a surfing picture that will be available. - Information on ordering will be available on this blog as it becomes available.

"High Hopes" Benefit Concert–
Headed up by Diane Hale, featuring performers and a silent auction – possibly a bake sale. Planned for April or May. - We are in need of items for the silent auction, as well as a committee to run the auction. - A bake sale before and during intermission may be another way to raise money at this event. If someone is interested in running the bake sale and getting items to sell, that may help as well.

"High Hopes" Spaghetti Dinner and Service Auction-
Planned for end of April or sometime in May. Date will be forthcoming. - We are in need of services for the auction. If you are able to donate a service, please contact Andrea or Maria at the email addresses or phone numbers above.

- Ideas for the service auction include (but are NOT limited to):

Hair Cut/Style Perm Hair Color, Tax Preparation, Computer Trouble Shooting, Make Prom Dress, Spend night/weekend at cabin, Massage, Cater a Dinner, Cinnamon Rolls, Pies, Plant a Garden, Plane Ticket, Build Shelves, Organize Closet, Mow Lawn, Rake Leaves, Cut Wood, Baby Sit, Fix Cars, Change Oil, Sell item-It has to be really good! Rent Equipment-Sound Equipment Garden Equipment (tiller) ATV Trailer or camper, Background music for wedding, Karaoke for party, String Quartet, Cater Wedding, Wedding Photography, Family Photography, Clean Pool, House Sit, Pet Sit, Watch kids for weekend, Tickets to show, AC tune up, House Cleaning, Haul Junk Away, Help with Landscaping, Art or Craft item, Typing, Homemade Salsa, Spanish or other language lessons, Music Lessons, Sewing Lessons, Other lessons, Accompanist, Recording studio time, Voice Lessons, Handyman, Sew Merit Badges, Sew Repairs/Alterations, Upholstery, Tutoring, Ice Cream coupons (Cold Stone), Frozen Yogurt (Golden Spoon), Movies, Piano Tuning, Homemade Rolls, Ride to the Airport, Sew Halloween costume, Clean Bathroom, Make and Decorate Birthday Cake, Family Home Evening kit with lesson all prepared, Handmade Jewelry, Piano Lessons, Machine Embroidery-(Monogram), Car Detailing, Car Washing, Grocery Shopping, Drive Kids to Lessons/Practice/Game, Cool Purse (Like Londa Makes), Weeding, Dental Check-up/Cleaning