WWMJD....what would MJ do?

What Would MJ Do??

The first class at the Heinz Negotiation Academy for Women (HNAW) had a hundred wristbands made, just like this one. So it seems fitting that we start right here...with a little post to bring you up to date.

MJ was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer back in the late summer of 2010.  After surgery to remove most of the tumor, she underwent chemotherapy until the early spring of 2011. On Valentine's Day of 2011, she went into remission. We had a splendid two year remission, during which time MJ built the HNAW. Since then, she's had two relapses, the second of which occurred this past September; a PET scan showed a recurrence of the tumor in multiple locations. She's been in and out of the hospital several times since then.

At present, she is at home. Unfortunately, she is not able to take anything by mouth. She is getting all of her nutritional and fluid requirement intravenously, given by her two lovely attendants Sam and Jonathan. She spends about 15 hours per day hooked up to one IV or another, mostly at night while she sleeps - freeing her up during the day for short walks and limited visits from friends.

It's been rough physically and emotionally for all involved, but we are hopeful that a new round of chemotherapy will work. When it does, she'll be able to eat and drink again. In the mean time, we are making a bucket list of her favorite foods. The academy has been postponed until September, and MJ won't be teaching at CMU this spring. We are hoping she will teach in France and Switzerland later in the spring.

Sam has elected to take a leave of absence from his freshman year at Tulane University. We are very grateful to have him at home. Thanks to the generosity of Dean Krishnan at the Heinz College, Sam will be taking a couple classes in the school of Social and Decision Science at CMU.

What can you do for us? So many of you have been asking. Most importantly, we want to thank you for all the kind thoughts and wishes. MJ loves to read the cards and emails that you've sent. 

Also, if you are inclined to do so, we would encourage you to send gift cards for the following restaurants. We find this more helpful than food or flowers dropped by the house.

Park Brugge: http://pointbrugge.com/

Ginza Japanese: http://www.ginzapa.com/contact.html

E Squared: http://e2pgh.com/

Or any other restaurants in the East End. Gift cards may be obtained by calling the restaurants.

We are hopeful for the future, and will do our best to keep this blog up to date. Thank you for your interest!