Close Encounters of the MLE Kind

Hello there boardies! I just wanted to give you a quick hello and tell you I am doing fine. I recieved my last chemo treatment (yuk) 3 weeks ago. I am on to radiation and then I will be done with all of this. It has been quite a journey, one which I could not have done without the love and support of my sweet wife Tammy.
Be sure and tune into the Grammys on Feb. 13th (I think that's the date...chemo brain) for a little surprise, but I warn you...I am bald. Yep, all of that fine full dyed blond hair is gone. It will grow back, slowly.
Thank you for all of your well wishes.
See you soon.
Melissa

Camille has been going to the tapings (Universal Studios) of the new show "Committed", featuring Melissa's beautiful wife, Tammy. I really wanted to share this particular portion from Camille's review of the 5 November show taping. If you are interested in the complete reviews, you can read all about the tapings on the MEIN Board.

After it was over, Tammy stayed in the middle of the room for a little bit, and then she started walking to the left side of the room. Me and my other buddies wanted to talk to our buddy Tammy, so we walked up to the front of the audience stands. Tammy spotted us and she gave us a great big huge super duper smile and waved at us vigorously, and I smiled at her and said “Great show tonight, Tammy, that was hilarious!” Then I did lots and lots and lots and lots of wiggle fingers at Tammy. I did lots and lots and lots and lots of wiggle fingers at Tammy, because I had posted on the boards to my boardie buddies that I would do wiggle fingers at Tammy, and that would signify “We love Tammy!”, so it was very important that I do lots and lots and lots and lots of wiggle fingers at Tammy. Mission accomplished! Tammy put her arms up and walked towards us. I squatted down (the audience is in stands above the floor) and took both of her hands in my hands. I repeated “Great show tonight!” And she said “Yeah!”

I was really super super super extra super glad that Tammy had come up to talk to us. There was something very important that I wanted to tell her face to face.

I took her raised left hand in both of my hands and cradled it, and I looked right at her, and she asked “So what’s up?” I was able to deliver the very important message. I said “Tammy, I wanted to tell you . . . people knew I was coming to the taping, and I have gotten PMs from people all around the world, and people have posted on the boards . . . the boardies want you to know we send you tons of positive energy and support and good wishes, seriously, from all around the world!!”

DID YOU HEAR THAT, YOU GUYS?!?

I totally delivered the message!! I got to hold Tammy’s hand and tell her directly that her boardie buddies send her tons of positive energy and support and good wishes from all around the world! WOOHOO! Message delivered! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

That Tammy, that wonderful Tammy, do you know what she said back to me? She said “Awww, thank you.” Then she followed up with, “Do you know what? All of that energy . . . . right back at them!”

DID YOU HEAR THAT, YOU GUYS?!?

Tammy said all of that energy, right back at you! Woohoo! Yeah!!!!

OK Tammy, message delivered!

Deb had a gift for Tammy, so she gave it to her, and told Tammy it was an early birthday present. Tammy thanked Deb for the gift, and made a few comments about her upcoming 30th birthday. Deb said “I hope you get all of your birthday wishes.” And here’s something I love about Tammy. That woman’s head is screwed on straight (so to speak). Tammy, who is very, very wise, said “Margins are clear. What more could I ask for?” And we all agreed with her that clear margins and good health are indeed one of the best wishes a person could wish for. That’s such a very good wish, that in fact, for Christmas, I’m going to wish for good health and happiness for all of my friends and family. Yeah, definitely, that’s what I want most of all - I wish for health and happiness for all my friends and family. Then after that I want an i-Pod.

We talked to Tammy a little bit more, and I, well, I . . . um, yeah – I was holding Tammy’s hand again. I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to hold my buddy’s hand. And I don’t think she minded me holding her hand, because there it was in my hands again. So, I held her hand some more, and I certainly hope it made Tammy feel better. I know for sure it made me feel better. Sometimes in certain situations there isn’t too much a person can do for a buddy, and sometimes the only thing a person can do is hold her buddy’s hand, so that’s what I did, and being able to do that made me feel better. Tabmonster and Hon-eee and DaChef talked to Tammy a little bit too. I’m not sure who asked her, I think it may have been all of us, but we asked her “Are you OK?” And we meant “you” in the plural sense, as is, both of the Mrs. Etheridges. Tammy said “Yeah. It’s gonna be OK. We’re good, we’re good.” And she gave us a smile and a nod.

It was really good to hear Tammy say that. Seriously. It was better than a hairgasm.

AS POSTED BY MELISSA TO HER FANS ON THE MEIN BOARD - 15 OCTOBER 2004 (How can we possibly not love this woman? To consider our concern, our need for information and actually take the time to give us a personal update while in the middle of her current challenge... She continues to WOW me every single time. She's FREAKING AMAZING!)

Hi there, it's Melissa. I am at home recovering from my two surgeries. Wow, I didn't see this coming. But the good news is they took out the tumor and a few lymph nodes, only one of which was positive...the centinal node (for those that know breast cancer speak). After that my margins are clean! I still have both of my breasts and whether I will keep them is a bridge I have to cross later. What an unexpected journey this is.

Now, thank you all for your messages of support and love. Thank you for being the best fans in the world. Thank you for organizing and making those bracelets. I am humbled by your love and caring.

I will be entering the phase of chemotherapy next. Who knows what that will bring. I will be writing songs for the greatest hits album and after...(The Pink album, maybe?) I will be working on the pilot for ABC, and hanging with Tammy and the kids. I imagine you will see me again around the beginning of the year.

Tammy has been the greatest through this, her love is the most healing power I have ever known, and she makes me laugh. Thanks Tam.

So, have a great fall and holiday season, PLEASE vote on Nov. 2nd. and I will be back and rockin' in just a few months!

Be strong, speak true...
with love
Melissa Etheridge

15 October 2004 - MELISSA ETHERIDGE’S PROGNOSIS IS EXCELLENT

Los Angeles, CA -- It was announced today that the prognosis for Melissa Etheridge is excellent after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Melissa underwent a lumpectomy over the weekend after she discovered a lump in her breast as a result of self-examination. Melissa and her doctor are deciding the next course of treatment.

Melissa states, “I’m taking all of this one day at a time and spending time with the ones I love.” Melissa elaborates, “I want to thank everyone for their concern and outpouring of affection.”

Melissa is recuperating at home with her family. She is working on the release of her Greatest Hits album for mid-2005, writing original songs for the DVD release of the film Brother Bear 2 and continuing to develop her ABC sitcom.

Etheridge Optimistic About Cancer Battle - Extra TV
October 8, 2004
The news spread quickly, Friday morning: Melissa Etheridge is battling breast cancer. The 43-year-old singer revealed the shocking news after canceling her upcoming tour so that she can undergo surgery.

The Grammy winner reached out to fans in a statement in which she said, "I am fortunate to be under a wonderful doctor's care and thankful that this was caught early. I am looking forward to a quick and full recovery."

Not long ago, Melissa told "Extra" how committed she was to full disclosure with her fans. "It became more and more evident as my career went on and my music was very personal," she said at the time. "So people would ask me the very personal questions until it came to a point where I felt I needed to tell the complete truth."

Etheridge may now have the same message for fans as Olivia Newton John, who also battled breast cancer. Olivia beat the disease and is urging other women to get regular breast exams. "You will have ninety-five percent more chance of surviving breast cancer if it's found early," John advised.

New York medical oncologist Dr. Mitchell Gayner told us that, ultimately, there's good reason for Etheridge fans to be optimistic, saying, "The cure rate for early breast cancer is very, very high right now, which just underscores the need for proper screening and self-examination by women."

Etheridge recently announced plans to star in and produce her own sitcom for ABC. Today, however, the network is only focused on one thing, saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Melissa and her family. While we continue development of her ABC project, our primary concern is her fast and full recovery."

Melissa says she will recuperate at home in Los Angeles with her wife and children.

8 October 2004 - My heart sank when I read the news. But, thank God it was detected early enough. I know we all will be definitely keeping her in our thoughts and prayers. Get well soon.... we love you Melissa... or is that... we're awfully fond of you? :-)

LOS ANGELES Oct. 8, 2004 — Singer Melissa Etheridge has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has canceled upcoming tour dates to undergo treatment, her publicist said Thursday.

Etheridge, 43, will undergo surgery and a "speedy and complete recovery" is expected by her doctor, publicist Marcel Pariseau said in a statement.

The cancer was detected early and Etheridge has been receiving treatment, Pariseau said.

"I am fortunate to be under a wonderful doctor's care and thankful that this was caught early," Etheridge said in the statement. "I am looking forward to a quick and full recovery."

Etheridge and actress Tammy Lynn Michaels held a commitment ceremony in September 2003. The musician, who lives in Los Angeles, shares custody of a daughter and son with former partner Julie Cypher, who had the children through artificial insemination using a sperm donation from rocker David Crosby.

Etheridge's latest album, "Lucky," was released in February. Refunds for tickets to her upcoming shows will be available where they were bought; the entertainer's Web site says she had been scheduled to play 11 dates in seven cities this month.