From Marcy's Livejournal Page

[Joe]

I only have a minute, as I'm writing from Phoenix Children's Hospital. Max was admitted on Friday after a routine visit to his pediatrician revealed what we thought was an enlarged liver. Turns out it is a tumor. He is having surgery to have it removed Monday or Tuesday. We don't know yet if it's spread anywhere else. Please keep me poor little guy in your prayers -- if he ever needed them, he does now.

If you are the praying type, now's time. If not, well, then your most positive hopes and best wishes won't hurt. Damn, the innocents always suffer.

Marcy, you have my greatest hopes for a full recovery for Max and positive thoughts for your whole family. If there is anything I can do, PLEASE let me know.

[Darren]

I hate hearing this stuff. I'm not the praying type, but I'm still sending all positive thoughts to you guys.

I'm not huge on charities, except when it comes to children's charities, because like Joe says, I can't stand to see innocents suffer. I don't generally like people, but I always think that kids still have hope before they turn into full people.

[Jeff]

For those of you who wish to follow this, a friend of Alex and Marcy's set up this website:

www.caringbridge.org/visit/maximilianmenez/mystory

[Joe]

Thank you so much for linking that, Jeff.

[Marcy]

Thanks so much, everyone. Unfortunately, the news from the surgery isn't good -- Max has Stage 3 neuroblastoma, a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Though we believe he will be in a risk category with a good prognosis, we are still waiting for some tests to come back. In any event, we will be starting chemo next week. Max is all of four and a half months old.

I'm going to try and see if I can get my husband's laptop for the hospital stay this time around, so I MAY be able to pop in here. I won't know for sure until then, but I'll try to catch up and post once or twice before we leave again. It helps keep my mind off things.

[Darren]

It seems insufficient to say I'm sorry, Marcy, but that's all I've got, unfortunately. My heart goes out to you.

[Ken]

Same here, Marcy. I know that this must be a terrifying time, and we're all sending you and Max as much emotional, moral, and spiritual support as we can.

[Jeff's backup]

I know you have not met me yet, Marcy, but all my sympathy and prayers have been going out to you since I found out what was happening. I truly hope that the results find Max with a good prognosis. Like Darren said, words at a time like this are insufficient, and no one who has not gone through what you are going through can fully understand. I look forward to meeting you during much happier times.

[Jeff]

Marcy, part of me wants to tell you to not worry about coming here, not worry about DE at all. But part of me knows, and understands, how distraction helps. Escapism.

My friends and I got together the very weekend following 9/11 for our weekly game session. We were dispirited, to say the least, and since Marisa and I had both been at our job in the WTC that day and seen a great deal, we still just wanted to be with people and try and have some fun. It actually helped.