My name is Hattie & I’m raising funds for my daughter, Niamlee T. Melendy, who’s having 4 transplants, & possibly more. I can honestly say she’s saved my life more than once! In her twenties, I had to have 9 1/2 hour brain surgery, & when most bolted, she wouldn’t leave my side. She fought every day to help me get my mind back & fought harder when Drs. wouldn’t listen.
When Drs. would say she was a hypochondriac, she would go to the library to educate herself. Then it turned out she was right; I was having mini-strokes. When I got lung cancer, it was no different. She jumped right in, put all of her medical issues aside, as she helped me through all my chemo, radiation, & when she was too sick to go to an appointment, she’d be on speaker to help me later with my short-term memory.
It’s been so hard as a mother to have watched her suffer so much & for so long. Most would never know what all she battles because she always wants to be a source of hope vs. misery. She has such a big heart that she tries to help other patients that she calls her “Battle Buddies.” They tried for 14 years unsuccessfully to have a family. I still catch her crying sometimes over not being a mom. They used to fill that time with traveling & she loved it, but since she was paralyzed from repeated shingles in her ear 3 years ago, she’s unable yet. Knowing what she’s missing out on breaks my heart, as I see her missing out on experiencing life.
When she’s in the hospital, she makes bracelets to give to hospital staff with the words ABW, saying they are “Appreciated Beyond Words” because she wants everyone to feel that way when they have a bad day. It’s been so hard seeing her vomit for days, or not be able to get out of bed for days, bent over in excruciating pain as she battles Crohn’s (infusions), severe gastroparesis (feeding tube for meds & PICC line for nutrition), MS, Ramsay Hunt, & more.
So PLEASE help me get her to the digestive transplant surgeries with ease of mind & give her, as she says, “A chance to live again vs. just surviving every day.” She is not just my daughter but also one of my best friends. Given 3 times in the last 6 months she was so life-threatening, Drs. wouldn’t let her leave, saying “they didn’t think she would make it to the car.” I really want to do all I can to help her get to transplants to give her a new chance at life, as she deserves it. Thank you for any help, prayers, or donations for her, as all money will go to her medical and travel expenses. God bless you.
