A Rose for Melinda Read Online Free PDF Page A

hope whatever's wrong with me isn't bad. Please, God, don't let it be bad.

    TO: Ann
Subject: Apology

    I am so sorry you were inadvertently left off our e-mail news list. Please forgive us. Lenny and I have been distraught over Melinda and we're not thinking clearly. The second I heard Jesse's voice on our answering machine, I realized what had happened. Poor kid! He sounded upset. I had forgotten how long he and Melinda have been friends. Of course the news hit him hard. Melinda said she'd asked Bailey to get the word to him.
    Well, you're in the e-mail loop now and just as soon as we know something, we'll send out the word. I hate the worried look on her doctor's face. I know that whatever is wrong, it's seri-ous—much more than a case of severe anemia like they'd first suspected.
    Tell Jesse that Melinda will be in touch, because they have computers here at the hospital and patients can use the Internet and e-mail. We just found this out today.
    Elana

UNIVERSITY PATHOLOGY CONSULTANTS

    121 East 18th Street, Suite 318
Atlanta, GA 30020
Phone: (800) 555-4567 Fax: (800) 555-4568

BONE MARROW PATHOLOGY REPORT

    Referring Physician: Janet Powell, M.D.
Specimen Number: JL01-99437
Hematology Associates Emory University Hospital, Suite 2010
Atlanta, GA 30020
    Date Collected: 7/11
Date Received: 7/11
Date Reported: 7/12

Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

    Gross Description
    The specimen consists of 5 slides and 2 additional aliquots of 3 cc each, labeled “Bone Marrow Aspirate, Melinda Skye.”
    Microscopic Description:
    The bone marrow aspirate demonstrates extensive hypercellularity with normal bone marrow elements essentially replaced by infiltrating lymphoblasts. There are multiple mitotic figures seen. The lymphoblasts demonstrate a high nuclear/cytoplasm ratio and clumped nuclear chromatin. Some nuclei display a folded appearance. Scattered among the abnormal cells are small numbers of erythroid, myeloid, and megakaryocytic cells.
    Flow cytometric immunophenotypic studies demonstrated apopulation of beta lymphocytes, which expressed the CD19 and CD20 antigens, and were weakly positive for CD10 (CALLA) antigens.
    Cytochemistry was positive for TdT, further corroborating a lymphoblastic process and poor prognosis.
    The findings are consistent with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
    Stephen R. Jones, M.D.
Pathologist

    TO: Jesse
Subject: The Final Word

    Hi.… I'm writing this from a hospital computer. My fingers are shaking and I'm crying. Dr. Powell gave us the results of my tests today. She told us what's wrong with me. I have leukemia, Jesse. I have cancer.
    Melinda

    To: My Ballerina Girl, Melinda
Subject: Sad

    Ever since Bailey sent me the e-mail telling me you were in the hospital, my worried imagination has been going crazy. I thought about all the things that could have made you sick—really bad flu, or some weird disease. I never thought it could be cancer. You're too young to get cancer! I know cancer isn't contagious: it can't be “caught” like a cold. But why you, Melinda? It shouldn't happen to someone as wonderful as you!
    Mom says you have a good doctor and that you'll get the best care in the world. PLEASE write me often—every day if you feel like it—and let me know how you're doing. I think of you every minute of every day.
    Jesse
    P.S. I'm sending you something to cheer you upas soon as I get the money together!

    TO: Jesse
Subject: Just to Talk

    I don't know why I got cancer, and don't think I haven't asked! The doctors don't know, Mom and Dad don't know. Maybe it's just bad luck. But whatever it is, I sure do hate it. This doesn't seem real. I keep thinking this is a bad dream and I'll wake up any minute. But I don't wake up. And I have to take chemo treatments, which scare me to death. Gee, did I really mean to write “death”? Oh, Jesse, I wish I could see you. …I wish this wasn't happening to me. …I just want to go home and have everything the way it used to be.
    Melinda

    TO: All