We wanted to update all of Melissa’s friends and extended family of the plans to spread her ashes this summer at Lake Chelan, Washington.  We encourage you all to plan a trip with your friends and family to be there; everyone is welcome.  The day we have chosen to spread her ashes is Saturday July 30, 2011 this summer.  Melissa’s ashes will be spread at the Lake Chelan State Park at 2:00pm in the afternoon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Here are some travel suggestions:

Flights

Fly into Seattle or Spokane, Wa.  (The drive to Lake Chelan is about 3 hours from both these airports)

Chelan, Washington

The hotel we like to stay at in Chelan, WA is the Best Western Lakeside Lodge.   http://www.bestwesternwashington.com/hotels/best-western-lakeside-lodge-and-suites/

Or we would encourage people to be adventurous and camp at the Lake Chelan State Park or the Lake Chelan City Park (both favorite camping areas of Melissa and our family).  If you choose to camp, be sure to book your reservations now since they fill up fast.  They suggest 8-9 months in advance.

State Park:  http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Lake%20Chelan&subject=camping

City Park:  http://www.chelancityparks.com/parks/rv/rv_park.aspx

There are also numerous boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts in town.

Seattle

We also suggest spending some time in Seattle before or after Lake Chelan, if you chose to fly in there.  Melissa loved downtown Seattle, the shopping, great restaurants, great bars, Pike’s place, the ferries to different islands in the Puget Sound, etc.  There are many fantastic hotels to stay in right downtown that have shuttle service to and from the airport.  If you stay downtown, you will not need a rental car since you can walk everywhere downtown.  You should only need a car to get to, from, and around Lake Chelan.

Please contact one of the family members or post a response so we can contact you if you are interested in coming.  We hope you can make it to get to know the amazing beauty and fun of this place.

Please have a happy, safe, and healthy new year!

We want to thank all the friends and family that came from around the country and locally.  She loved you all dearly, and we know she appreciated your celebration of her life.  Your support has been invaluable to Melissa and our family.  Please keep celebrating Melissa everyday because this is how her legacy can and will always live on in all of us.

We will keep you all posted as regularly as we can.  Please keep an eye out for a posting with information concerning the spreading of Melissa’s ashes in Lake Chelan, Washington.  We hope friends and family can once again enjoy another journey with Melissa to one of her beloved childhood places.    We are anticipating this will happen in the early summer and hope you can make it

The following was written by our cousin Julie:
(Thank you Julie for your love and support!)

February 3, 2009 Melissa A. Waller was diagnosed with incurable stage four, Lung Cancer and she passed away November 25, 2010.

Melissa was a person who believed in doing things that scared her. She didn’t let obstacles define her: She reinvented all the rules. She traveled to dream destinations and lived life to the fullest while fighting this disease. While in and out of the hospital she always managed to entertain her many visitors, making them laugh and smile. She inspired, educated and helped others selflessly through her blog. She was the true definition of a Spirited Warrior.

Melissa’s Warrior Quote:
There is a voice inside all of us all, Telling us to fight and to reinvent the rules. This Voice, this Spirit, lets us know the journey will not be easy. Whispering to us, “Become a warrior, and battle those things that scare us most. “Shouting, “This will not define me!” Reminding us to embrace, faith, love, hope.

This summer I was able to help Melissa research a charity that she wanted to leave funds to and she choose LUNGevity, please donate if you can using the link below. Thanks! Love, Julie

To view the fund page for Melissa A. Waller Memorial Fund go to this web address:

http://events.lungevity.org/site/TR/Events/General?pg=fund&fr_id=1030&pxfid=20810

One of Melissa’s final wishes that we are honoring was that she did not want a funeral or memorial service. She was fairly adamant about this. However, Melissa did want others to celebrate her life. She asked us to hold a small life celebration for family and close friends in her honor. We are encouraging others to celebrate her life as well. Melissa was never one for sadness and crying. She believed in making the most of every minute, filling it with happiness, laughter, partying, and celebrating. So in the next few weeks, please find any excuse to celebrate in honor of Melissa. Dress up, go out, throw a party, say a toast to Melissa, and talk about your fond memories of her. We are sure she will be stopping by in spirit to all the celebrations. After all, she loved a busy social schedule

Another of Melissa’s wishes was to be cremated and have her ashes spread at Lake Chelan, Washington. Lake Chelan is a place we hold very dear to our hearts. This is where Melissa spent her summers as a child with her family and childhood friends. This is also the place our mother chose to have her ashes spread after she passed. We will be bringing Melissa to Lake Chelan this summer (her favorite time to go) and will be spreading her ashes in the Lake Chelan State Park right by the water and our mom. We encourage you to plan a trip to Lake Chelan in the future with your family or friends to visit Melissa. www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Lake%20Chelan We are sure you will fall in love with the lake and the small town just as she did.

Thank you all again for your love, support, and caring for Melissa during her battle.

A message from sister Megan:
Melissa,
Wow! What a whirlwind of adventure, emotions, and life experiences we have had! I’m so thankful that we were able to fit in so many fun and crazy moments! You were always such a protective sister and helped raised me after mom’s death. You were in many ways a second mom to me. I remember the 1st Xmas together after Mom’s death. I was only 11 and you were 14. You dragged me around on the public bus (because we were not old enough to drive) going store to store. You took the role of Mom and made sure we had presents under the tree for everyone that year. That only shows what type of person you really are. You taught me so much about life (sometime too much!). Without you I would not be the person I am today. I will always try to live my life in regards to the lessons you have taught me. You have made me a better and stronger person. Thank you for being such a great sister! All my other thoughts will come to you through my prayers, so please be listening for when they come. I love you, always will, and you will never be away from my mind.
I love you!
Your lil’ sis
Meg

A message from sister Kathleen:
Melissa,
Your strength, your sense of adventure, your crazy side, … has always been an inspiration for me. Tell mom it really was me that spit out the peas and hid them in the bathroom trash can. So sorry I let you take the blame for that night. Thank you for dragging me out with you to drag state street and look for boys. Thank you for making me laugh, making me cry, and making me cringe under covered wagons as we stayed up too late in grandpas bed together watching cheesy chick flicks and campy horror movies. Thank you for chasing me around the house with the hot curling iron – someone needed to care about how I looked. And you made me look so beautiful on my wedding day. Toilet papering was also fun. When you were a child you thought you could fly when you wore your wonder women underpants. In heaven, people can fly when they wear wonder women underpants, and they don’t end up in an arm caste – so fly high my sister. I still do not condone stealing moms car when we were underage, but it was fun. Our mom is an amazing person and I know she will take good care of you. Mom traveled half way around the world and back to find you. How lucky I am that she brought home such an amazing sister. I love you. Tell mom I love her.
Kathleen

A message from brother Jason:
Melissa,
I know I’m a man of few words, but over the last 2 years, I have really gotten to know you in a way I never have before. I am glad I was able to be by your side as you passed, and feel the experience has only made me stronger.
You will never be forgotten.
Jason

A message from sister Lisa,
Melissa,
When you came into my life 15 years ago I was 28, and you were 18, and it was at your Dad’s wedding. I remember introducing myself as your new “old” sister, and was humored watching you, Megan, and Kathy get drunk. I immediately recognized your dynamic spirit. Unfortunately, geography kept us apart for many years as we were both on different paths in life (you were graduating high school in Seattle and I was back east). I am grateful for the closeness we shared over the past few years. You have had such an impact on my life…I am sad for the earlier years that I missed out on. Throughout this experience you have made me realize how important my brothers and sisters are to me. You have strengthened the bond between us and I thank you for that gift. I am so glad that we were all with you in the end and I hope you felt the love that you have given us. You were so courageous in you battle with this terrible disease. You will forever be in my heart.
I love you sis.
Lisa

From Adopted sister Tina:
Miieeesssy,
What a joy it has been to know you and be apart of your amazing life. We have many fond memories and have been there for each other in many ways. We have been friends for many years and you always made sure I was a part of your family. We laughed and cried like sisters. I’ll never forget the many camping and hiking adventures, the boy hunts and road trips. You loved to “make me over” and get my nails done. I’ll never forget your loving friendship and you calling me “my tiny Tina”. One of my most favorite memories was when we were driving to Salt Lake from Seattle in the jeep and we watched the sunrise listening to Cheryl Crow. I imagine you now, watching the sunrise on your new life with Mom Mary, very happy, very free. I love you my Missy friend and will always hold you dear to my heart and I look forward to meeting you and mom Mary someday. God be with you till we meet again.
I love you girl!!
Tina

From Brother Steve,
Dear Melissa,
I am sitting here right now feeling a deep sense of sadness and loss. As the oldest sibling , and as a man, I thought that through my life’s lessons, I had a good understanding of what courage and strength were all about. What I witnessed from you over the last two years has enabled me to completely reassess what true courage and strength really are. Even though I am feeling loss, I still feel uplifted that I was able to be a part of what you have been through, and how you chose to face it. I am happy and honored for the time we have spent together, the time I kept you on the phone way too long, and especially for the last two weeks we had together. I miss you at my core, am not sure how to proceed at the moment, but I will follow your example and just get on with it. Thank you for enriching my life, expanding my circle of friends, and getting me to see the world through your eyes at times.
Love always, your brother.

We are planning a remembrance event to get together with family and friends here in Phoenix. We would like to see you all again, swap stories, and above all, have a great time. . . One that will Melissa will enjoy from her front row seat above us. We will be contacting people by phone with further details. Please continue to post your own messages, thoughts, and feelings to Melissa’s blog. We are sure she will continue to read them!

Melissa was in the ICU at St. Joes. It was there that the doctors made the decision to cease all active care because the procedures were too traumatic for her body to go through in her extremely weakened condition. The focus is now palliative care and making sure she is completely comfortable and pain free. Because Melissa was taken off of active care, she had to be moved out of the ICU. As of Sunday afternoon, Melissa has been moved to a satellite facility of St. Joes, and although we appreciate the gesture it is requested that flowers not be sent. Here she has 24 hour multi-nurse care, and they have been amazingly accommodating for us all and especially her. We have been able to bring her many home comforts including visits with her loved cats and other favorite comfort items.

Melissa’s condition has been declining. Since her condition is so fragile, the nurses have asked to make sure she has limited stimulation. But we are asking if any one would like to get a message to her, please post on her blog and we will read them to her. She has enjoyed hearing all the fun memories and times you have all spent with her. Please know that any message you post will be relayed to Melissa.

We will keep the blog as updated as possible, and again thank you for your patience, prayers, and support. We know that all the love being sent her way means the world to her. Thank you for your continued support. Melissa is and always will be a truly spirited warrior.

As far as Melissa’s current physical condition, she is struggling with a high-level of pain. Her shoulder pain makes it difficult for her to lie in bed except on her side. Tonight they did an X-Ray to take a closer look but we have not received any feedback yet. Pain management is currently evaluating to ensure that she is comfortable without causing respiratory distress. At this point, she says all the pain meds in the world couldn’t make her comfortable. Sleep seems to be the best option and I’m told by the nursing staff that although Melissa needs support around her to keep her spirits up, she still requires a lot of rest.

Melissa’s brother-in-law, Steve, is flying in late this evening and will be staying at her condo. Tera, Lara and I will continue to post updates as more information is available. As always, Melissa says how grateful she is for everyone’s support even though she has not been able to respond to all the emails, phone calls, etc.

It’s 10pm so we are calling it a night – she just got her Benadryl (50mg) so she will have a peaceful rest until Steve arrives at the hospital in the morning.

~Ann-Marie

I didn’t get much sleep last night since I was constantly in pain. The most amount of dilaudid IV they would give was 1 mg, totally pathetic. Today, when I went for radiation I couldn’t lay on the table because it hurt my back so bad. I hate this! Geez, at least they could make it comfortable. The doctor said that i would need 4-10 doses of radiation to my lung. I am still coughing up blood all the time. It’s really annoying because I get a flurry stuck in my throat and it just doesn’t want to go away.

My Aunt and Cousin Julie are coming to visit November 11 for a few days. I’m excited to see them since it’s been a little while since I’ve had family visit. Julie is hilarious and always puts a smile on my face. Hopefully, I will be out of here by the time they arrive.

This past week has flown by. I left CTCA awhile ago, but I’ve had this consistent cough with blood for the past few weeks. I’m glad that I am finally able to address this. They are going to do a Broncoscopy. I am hoping they will discharge me after the procedure so I can be home with my kitties (I’m currently at St. Joes).

I just went to reread Ann Marie’s posting, and hadn’t realized that there was another tumor shown in the scan from October. This kind of scares me because I don’t think that I’ve had any major growth in the origination site. Regardless, I am somewhat happy to be nausea free for now. Yesterday I felt like I was drifting in and out of sleep so I know it’s good for me to have someone here to be my second set of ears.

I was cut off of water and food since midnight for this procedure this morning. I am dying for some water, gatorade, anything! I have this horrible bloody taste in my mouth that I can’t get rid of. What I’m really craving right now (besides a soy chai latte) is a slurpee from 7-11. I’ve had a craving for these for the past few days. I think it’s just from the sugar and something cold on my throat.

Anyway, I know I have lots of people that are filled with questions and concern and I am thankful for that. Please don’t get frustrated if I don’t call you back. Just keep trying. There are many times I am sleeping and just don’t hear the phone. Other times, I’m just exhausted and don’t want to tell the same story over and over again (my life isn’t that interesting). I so appreciate the love and support to those that don’t even know me. It’s amazes me what people will do for one another just because we are all brothers and sisters on this planet and no matter who we are, we all have those basic needs of needing shelter, food, clothing, and love!