Melanie Ham

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Life Changes In an Instant – I had my kidney removed

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Thank you so much for sharing!

Well, December did not go how I planned. Not in the slightest. It’s crazy how in an instant your whole life can change. We’ve all experienced this to some degree, but it happened to me last month in a way I couldn’t have predicted. I wanted to share a bit about what’s going on, and where I disappeared to these past few weeks.

melanie in the hospital
Of course I brought a quilt from home to cuddle with 😉

whoa.

I will spare you all the little details… but moral of the story is that on December 5th, we discovered a mass on my left kidney. That was a terrifying phone call from my doctor. My husband and I immediately reached out to some close friends and I was able to get an appt with a top urologist here in L.A., less than 48 hours after knowing the diagnosis. After seeing the scans, our surgeon thought it was most likely cancer. Surgery was scheduled for the following week and I had my left kidney, the mass and 2 lymph nodes removed. I thank God everyday for how quickly my surgeon took action on this issue. My overwhelming thought was to just “get it out.” I didn’t want to wait a moment longer. After the surgery, we waited a nerve-wracking 5 days to get the pathology back…the tumor was benign.

melanie and robert in the hospital
The morning after surgery. My husband Robert has been my rock and the best support during this ordeal.

There are still some questions to be answered and doctors to visit because even though it was benign, it was a rare kind of benign.

melanie in the hospital
Breakfast the morning after surgery. I ended up going home later that day.

Grateful

Overall, I will make a full recovery. Well, as much as you can recover from a situation like this. I feel like I dodged a bullet in a sense though, so my outlook on life is going to be a little different I think. To be honest, I’m still processing all that has happened. I’m just grateful. Grateful for how quickly it worked out. Thankful that it was not cancer. Gratitude for our family and friends who have surrounded us with love, flowers and meals over the past month. Amazed that my husband was able to be with me every step of the way. And I’m grateful for all of you. I have the best community who has showered me with kind messages on my social media since I first shared a few details. You have kept coming to my blog and YouTube channel which means that my income has stayed steady even though I have been in bed most of the last few weeks. I appreciate that more than you know.

I’ll be back soon, once my kids head back to school and I get a little more energy back. I am sharing little bits over on my Instagram (melaniekham) if you’d like to keep up with me there. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and have many blessings for 2019!

Love,

Melanie

Comments

  1. So sorry you had to go through this ordea. Prayers for you to have a speedy recovery. God is good!

  2. Reading this flooded me with my ow feelings of this month. January is supposed to be a fresh start, but instead, we had our world turned upside down when we rushed my 2 year old to the ER. She was fine, and then she was screaming in pain and throwing up bile. It took hours for them to finally find that something in her intestines just wasn’t right. They within minutes of finding it on a CT scan they took her back to surgery. Turns out her intestines never formed perfectly. There where spots too narrow, and spots that were twisted. The surgeon is hopeful that he fixed the problem. But our whole month was ER, hospital, surgery, recovery and just turned upside down. It’s crazy that your whole life can change in an instant. I’m so happy you are recovering well and have such a good outcome from your scare. Much love. P.S. I finished my first quilt last week ❤️

  3. GOD bless you & your family. I’m happy to hear you took such quick action. Wishing you a very quick recovery.

  4. so glad every thing is fine ,reading your story bring tears .Hugs,love and prayers to you and your family .. ,you bring joy ,i re watch all your video ,thank you Melanie …

  5. So glad it was benign. My husband just recently went through the same thing only his was cancerous. So we were also fortunate because the docs got it all. But life does take on a whole new meaning and your grateful in a whole new sense. Wishing you and your family the very best.

    xo,
    Rachelle from BC, Canada

  6. Hello Melanie, I’ve been wondering about you since i first saw your video where you revealed your situation. I am glad to hear your tumor was benign. It does take a while to heal from such a surgery, so don’t overdo. I have just finished (tonite!) my first quilt top using your beginner videos and will proceed until it’s finished! I am so excited to have my very own, first (but very tiny) quilt! (i used only 1 charm pack).. I have put off trying this for so long until i found you and your tutorials! I love all that you do to brighten and expand the lives of others.God bless you and your family and thank you for sharing your talents with all of us.

    • Know the feeling was diagnosed rectal cancer in June july. So had to put all my stuff slowed down.

  7. I can pray for you and your family, and something all of your subscribers can do: I will go and watch and “like” as many of your videos as I can. I know this is a small way we can help you. Please take care!

  10. Prayers for a speedy recovery for you, family, and friends. I’m glad your family and friends (IRL and online) are here to support you.

  11. Melanie, you are such an inspiration to me. Your crochet videos pulled me out of such a deep dark depression, I will forever be grateful to you for that. We miss you!! But we are so thankful that you are on the path to recovery and the results were better than expected. God has bigger, better plans for you! You are not done yet! I will keep praying for you and wish you a slow, healthy recovery ( you need rest 😉
    God bless you, Melanie, and your beautiful family. Can’t wait to see you back 💕🙏

  13. Hi Melanie! I’m so very happy to see you! Found you a few months ago and since then I bought my sewing machine made a jelly roll quilt for my granddaughter and also started crocheting! All thanks to your YouTube channel! I will definitely keep watching your videos liking and commenting so that you can get paid! Happy to see you wrapped in a pretty quilt too! Don’t rush the healing. I tried to come back after cancer surgery because I wanted to feel normal but doc said no. Glad I rested! All is well now. Prayers to you! From Anna

  14. New to your videos.
    Saw this and had to comment.
    So glad it was benign.
    I understand surgeries and weird health issues. I have a few chronic health issues, one being endometriosis and had to have a very major surgery for that about 4 years ago.
    Its always tough with recovery but you will feel like yourself again soon.
    Hope you are getting answers as to why it happened.
    Look forward to looking at more of your videos.
    Hope you are recovering well.
    Take care

  18. Melanie, I pray that you take this time to rest and heal. I started working on your floor pouf on Sunday and was fussing that I attached the zipper backwards and had to correct it. I just happen to check my email this morning and read how you were doing. I am finishing the pouf today with gratefulness knowing you are doing well. Take care and i look forward to more crafting with you.

  19. Melanie I hear you but god is with you and your family take care i well keep you in my prayers I know Howe you’re feeling but don’t worry about the world just focus on your heal that’s more important than any thing god bless you and keep you safe we all love you well be praying for you feel better thank to you soo bye for now

  20. I do enjoy watching your YouTube videos on crocheting. I have made several items thanks to you. I hope you get well soon. Looking forward to more projects.

  21. Your an inspiration and have taught me a lot about crocheting. I am so happy that you are doing well and the tumor was benign. Very scary time for you and your family. sending you blessings and hugs for a fast recovery. Take care.

  22. God’s blessings for a truly healthy and healing 2019. Thank you for sharing and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Don’t rush the recovery process. It takes time for the body to heal. When you feel like a nap, take a nap; it all helps.

  24. Dear Melanie – Thanks for sharing your personal hardship. You bring joy and beauty into our lives and I know we collectively wish you a speedy recovery. From your very extended family, V

  25. Melanie, you are in my prayers. Thanks for sharing and thanks God you Will be fully recovered so soon! Send you a big hug!

  26. Melanie, wishing you a fast recovery and may you never again go through a scare like this again. To your husband, Robert thank you for being there as the stone pedestal for Melanie and your kids through this very traumatic false alarm.

  27. So sorry to hear of your illness, but far happier you have gotten it put behind you at this point. Prayers for a speedy & full recovery!

  28. Melanie,

    So glad you dodged this bullet. I wish you a prompt recovery and return to your new normal. These are indeed transformative experiences. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2019. Your videos are awesome. They have taught clumsy me how to crochet (even if for now it’s only basic blankets) and have helped me discover a hobby I never thought I’d enjoyed.

  29. You are a brave, strong woman! Prayers for speedy healing and recovery! God Bless you in 2019 with great health and happinesws1

  30. Praise God for healing. By the stripes of Jesus Christ, you are healed. Praise God…..

  31. Dear Melanie,
    I praise our Heavenly Father for protecting you and keeping you safe during this ordeal!! We know He will totally heal you, too!! We claim victory in Jesus! I’m thankful for you and and all you do! I got back to crocheting with your Baby Blanket tutorial😍 Can’t tell you how many I’ve made and given as gifts!! You’re in my prayers!!🙏🙏🙏

  33. I am so grateful for your health and the support you’ve been getting! Thank goodness for the outcome— I’m so sorry you had to go through it. Here’s to a new year full of reasons to celebrate!
    Hugs and love!

  34. Praying for you.we have been in the hospital with my husband more then I could count. He is a Veteran and had a lot of surgery. My heart goes out to your family. Praying for you all. Love Bostic

  35. Praying for you.we have been in the hospital with my husband more then I could count. He is a Veteran and had a lot of surgery. My hurt goes out to your family. Praying for you all. Love Bostic

  36. Wishing you all the very best. Very happy to hear that you will be okay. Be kind to yourself. Will keep you in my prayers.

  38. So glad to hear that you’re going to be making a full recovery. Don’t be surprised if your body heals faster than your heart and mind. They will recover, but you may find lots of little things you once took for granted take on more or deeper meaning. You’re going to be fine, you must believe that, even if you have a few bad days. You’ve had a tremendous shock, be kind to yourself, allow yourself an adjustment period, but remember, you’re going to be fine. Love & prayers , xxx

  40. My prayers are with you. I hope your feeling better and may you have a fast recovery. Many blessings to you and your family.🙏🏼😊

  41. I really appreciate your sharing this experience with all of us who love you and am so grateful there is no cancer and now you can be on the offense instead of the defense in monitoring your health condition from here on out. It’s going to take a while to process thru all of this but I think your writing about it is one step in helping you to begin to heal. May your faith help sustain you [Psalms 55:22] and may God give you strength to endure thru the upcoming days and each milestone you will have to pass . Wish we could take the pain away but hope that our prayers and thoughts of you and your family will help sustain you all for the days ahead. Cozy up with one of your many many beautiful blankets try not to overdue it! Much love!

    • Hi Melanie,
      Thanks for sharing your personal life challenge. I am glad that you are recovering. Take the time you need for healing. I will certainly be praying for you and your family. I am a beginner in crochet. I have been using your crochet patterns and learned so much from your instructions. Whenever I am stuck at a stitch, I go to your YouTube channel. Thanks for making your instructions beginner friendly. Take care and God Bless!

  45. Thank goodness you kidney and lymph nodes were clear of that horrible cancer. I lost my son age 15. From that dirty disease…..my thoughts are with you and your speedy recovery

  46. Thank the Lord you are gonna be just fine! And thank you for sharing your experience with us all. Praying for a speedy and full recovery for you.

  48. I can’t imagine how scary this whole thing must have been for you. So grateful that you are resting and healing and on the mend! Please lay low until you’re ready to get back in the swing of it. I follow you on Instagram and watch your YouTube videos. I’ve learned a lot about quilting from you and most recently I’ve started to crochet and I love it. I’ve used your tutorials for that also. Prayers for continued healing!
    God bless,
    Gina

  50. Much love and healing to you, Melanie. Thank you for being a light in my life. Happy, Healthy, New Year!
    Christine

  51. Hi!! thank to God was benign!!
    Blessings for you and your family in this new year!!🎈
    From Puerto Rico!!💝
    Carmen ☺

  52. So Thankful to God that your surgery went so smoothly and that your body is cancer free! What an amazing story! I will continue to pray for a speedy recovery and that you get your energy back! Happy new year Melanie 🙂

  54. I am so happy the situation turned out the way that it did. I know that you will need to be monitored, due to only one kidney, but you are alive to see another day. Sending strengthening vibes and healing vibes your way and we all will see you when you’re stronger! Take care of yourself!

  55. I have thought about you often, and was wondering where you went. I am so sorry you had to go through this and really glad you are on the mend. Sending prayers for your speedy recovery.

  56. Hi Melanie! Sending hugs and get well wishes to you from Paraguay in South America. Thanks for sharing this with us.

  57. Melanie- so happy to hear that you are recovering well. Reading your post (I will be honest, I cried) you are so amazing and have become family to your followers. Thank you for all you do and I will continue to pray for you and your family. Continue to heal, no rush, we will be here for when you return. XOXO

  60. I am so sorry you’ve had to endure this! Thank you for sharing with us! I will lift you up in my prayers. God is so good and faithful and it is a blessing that such gratitude came from this. You’ve got this!

  61. I’m so glad you are doing better now. That must have been so scary for you all. So glad you’re on the road to recovery!!

  62. My thoughts and prayers are with you. So glad you on the mend was shocked when read your mail today.Lots of love xxxc

  63. Hi Sweetie,

    We are all thrilled you are doing well, and although we miss you, we want you to take the time you need to and return when you are ready. We will be right here.

    Sending you lots of hugs and support for you and your lovely family.

  65. Dear Melanie,
    I am so sorry that this had to happen to you. I do hope that you are feeling better, and getting stronger every day. I will keep you & your family in my Thoughts & Prayers. 🙏💖🙏

  67. Hi Melanie! I just saw your email. I’m so sorry, I’ve been also dealing with health issues and just got back on watching your tutorials last night. Then, I saw your email. It frightened me. I quickly ignored the rest of the message as soon as I saw the word “cancer”. I lost my mom when I was 10 years old to cancer. (Mom was only 41) I cried and I just didn’t want to read more. I got the courage today and read your message further. I thank God above for the good news. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and for fast healing and to keep you away from that horrible C word. I don’t even wanna say it. Get well, take care of yourself. We will be here praying for you. Have a BLESSED New Year! Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! Lots of ALOHA coming your way!!!!!

  68. Hi

    I just read your email and this website post. So sorry for what you’ve been going through. I wish you and your family a happy healthy 2019.

    Kind Regards

    Melanie

  69. Prayed for you as soon as I saw your earlier post. So glad you’re ok and on the mend. And on a lighter note, how are you so cute even while laid up in a hospital bed?!! 😘

  70. Prayers and blessings as you continue to heal. You are such a sweet soul and we are all here to support you. You will be in my prayers daily.

  71. I am very, very sorry to hear about your condition! I have been out of touch but missing watching your videos. I hope and pray all is getting better for you and home your up and running once again! I always enjoy stopping by your site to see what you come up with. My prayers are with you that you will be up and running once again! Thanks for all the time your share with your followers. I learn from your site. Please take care!!

  72. So sorry to hear about your surgery. Hope you have a speedy recovery. This Xmas I made four afghans of yours with the Bernat yarn. I sure hope everything goes well with you. Take care and lots of love your way.💕

  75. My thoughts and prayers are with you Melanie. I had no idea you have been ill. May God’s healing hands touch you . You are the best crochet teacher ever! I hope you feel better soon. Will look forward to new videos when you feel like it. Take care. Cheryl Lynne Crain Lovell

  76. Dear Melanie,

    So thankful you’re okay. All praise goes to Jesus!

    I will pray for your speedy recovery. Take care and get lots of rest.

  77. I am extremely glad that your ok. Your positive attitude is great. I don’t know your religion ( or need to) but your in my prayers and will hold your hand in my faith.

  78. Melanie,
    Thank you for posting an update.
    You have been in my thoughts since your
    last posting. So glad recovery is going well
    and will continue to pray for your full recovery!
    ❤️

  79. Hi Melanie. I’m so sorry for your scare but so happy for the results! Strangely, my daughter had this awful scare too. She was 5 mos pregnant with first child. Had to wait till baby born for surgery. Turned out to be benign, thankfully. Was an awful time. Hers was weird thing too. Only 13 other cases of this mass/benign type tumor. Then last April (12 years later) another mass was found on her other kidney! She saw top Dr at Penn in Philly. He suspected it malignant this time and scheduled surgery. Meanwhile she had an MRI and more results showed it to be benign again! She didn’t have surgery this time. Opted to monitor yearly with possible surgery if needed later (not for cancer though that’s the biggie). I can tell you that we all felt like we went through the wringer so I’m sure you were the same. So glad you are ok. You rest up and get your happy life back. God bless you.

  80. I am sorry to hear of your big scare and all the trials you been through lately, Melanie. I will keep you in my prayers. Btw, Iam Lord bless you and your family!

  81. Rest well. Take care of yourself, your kids and your family.wishing you a speedy recovery.

  82. Thank God it wasn’t cancer, I do Relay for Life and it’s heart breaking. The team and I are helping a 9 year old little boy and his family cause he has cancer. Well you take care of yourself and feel better soon.
    Will keep you and your family in my prayers.

  84. Thank you Jesus for allowing Melanie to recover from this horrible disease, sending prayers for a full recovery and may Jesus keep you and your family in his arms safe and well… Praise the Lord daily Love Rose xx

  85. I’m so glad your on the mend and that the tumor was benign. That’s so scary to think about or go through. You’re super brave.

    Don’t rush to come back, if you need to take time to heal, psychically, mentally, it’s all good. We’ll all still be here waiting for you and wishing you the best.

  86. I just found out and I’m so sorry to hear this news. God bless you and your family and your positive outlook. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God bless your medical team and their knowledge. Keep smiling. You have such a great smile and attitude. I have enjoyed all your projects and you tube videos. 🤗🙏💕

  87. I’m so sorry to hear this, bilrakse the Lord that it wasn’t cancer. Fervent prayers for healing and answers in the future.

    • Im so glad to hear that all will be well with you. Such a positive outlook it sounds in your blog for the future. Thank you for your great patterns. Praying for a fast and speedy recovery.

  89. So sorry that you and your family had to go through this but very happy that you are ok. Count your blessings that you had family by your side so Hold them, Hug them, and Love them so much more; Life is to short so live your best life. So happy you were given a second chance. God Bless you and your family.

  90. Hi Melanie I am so very happy that you will 100% recover! YAY God! I just started following you last month when I purchased a new sewing and embroidery machine. You are so talented that you are my goto person now for these crafts. Thank you so much! Please rest yourself and I’ll be waiting for your next post! Take care! Love. Annette

  91. So glad Melanie that things are better for you. Please take as long as you need to get your strength back. In the meantime just take it easy and pamper yourself. We all send our Love and Prayers.

  92. Hello Melanie,
    I’m new to your YouTube page so I was unaware of you ur absence.; however I thank God for your recovery.

  93. So sorry you had to experience this. I hope you recover quickly and get back to what you love to do.

  94. Dear Melanie, Very appreciative for all your help through your Blog etc. Happiness and good health to you and your family for the future. Take time to fully recover. Blessings are with you. Best wishes Mau.

  95. Oh wow, I’m so sorry you all had to go through something so scary. I am glad things are going well. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

  97. Melanie, I am so sorry you have had to go through this frightening experience. Thank you for sharing your health struggle. (I had missed your videos and had no idea you were dealing with a medical issue.) Thinking of you and hoping you regain your strength and heal quickly. So glad your tumor was benign and you had such good support. 🧡

  101. Melanie 💕 ,Sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery. Thanks for sharing, thinking of you and will keep you & your family in my prayers xox

  103. Dear Melanie:
    Please take care of yourself. That means rest and be patient with yourself. Your videos and teaching have helped me get back to crocheting. You have a wonderful gift in teaching, writing and design. I needed all this to help me with my chronic pain issues. Whenever I am working with another person’s pattern and have trouble, I grumble to myself, I wish this was Melanie’s work. So happy you have good support.
    May the Lord richly bless you,
    Donna

  104. So glad to hear of the better news. I had been thinking of you this last few days wondering if anyone had updates. Prayers to help you all through this next chapter,

  105. Glad you are getting well. You look as beautiful as ever. Thank you for all you do to teach us. Take time to heal! We love you!!

    • MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE. i AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY . GET WELL SOON. I MISS ALL THAT YOU DO. TAKE CARE AND LOVE YOU TO.

  106. My thoughts and prayers with you and your family. Happy all turned out okay, but mostly happy for those babies of yours! May God keep blessing you all!

  107. God bless ya, Melanie! What an unexpected journey! Praying continued recovery for you!

  108. Thankful you are recovering well! Your are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and friends. I will keep you in my prayers. 🙏. Give yourself plenty of time to rest, we willl be here when you come back.

    I will continue to visit your YouTube. I love your sewing projects. 💕

  109. Wow, thank God that everything went well! My wife is my rock and was by my side when I had two liver transplants ten days apart. Stay strong and God bless you!

  110. So sorry for this and especially at this time of year but thankfully you didn’t waste time. Good luck in the New Year. Chin up! Sherry McFarland

  111. I wish you and your family the best. Make sure you give yourself time to recover both mentally and physically before you jump back into “Life”. Trust me from experience. Give your body and soul that time. Get well soon.

  112. I’m sorry about your surgery but glad to hear it wasn’t cancer. We waltz along in life and then it changes in a minute. I know you feel blessed and I hope your recovery is smooth.
    Prayers for you and your family.

  113. Prayer for you, Melanie! I hope you recover quickly and get back to life as you now know it. So thankful that your tumor was benign. Happy New Year!

    • Im si glad to hear you are recovering and news was better than expected I am a nurse so I can relste to the emotion and scary feelings! Godspeed and God bless your family!

  114. Praying for you, thank you for keeping us updated. Personally I missed you a lot and am grateful for your shared talents! Have a speedy recovery, rest and take your time coming back!

    • Melanie I am so happy your mass was not cancerous, as a cancer survivor of a malignant tumor and after 14 1/2 hours of surgery in 1989, I completely understand how you and your family have gone through a terrible scare. Believe me with fantastic, knowledgeable and very skilled surgeons and with the help from God, miracles do happen. I will continue to pray for your good health and complete recovery.

  115. Oh Melanie! I’m so happy for you that the diagnosis was a benign tumor. Fortunately one dan live with one kidney! How scary, anytime, but right before Christmas. I love you have a quilt with you on your hospital bed!

    Here’s to a speedy recovery, and back to getting your household and life back to normal. Hug those kiddies and hubby!

    Many, many blessings.

  116. Dear Melanie,
    As I started reading I started crying. I’m glad I kept reading. My brother had the same thing with a very different outcome. It’s fantastic that you were able to access a good Dr right away and have surgery as quickly as you did.
    I will keep you and your loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.
    God bless you,
    Dianne Patterson

  117. Hi Melanie,
    I am so sorry to hear what you went through. Happy too the outcome was favourable. I wondered where you were.
    I LOVE your channel. You are an amazing instructor. I look forward to your posts and have made many things you have taught.
    Happy New Year. I wish you only the very best. Your husband sounds delightful, but then so are you.
    Sending you love and prayers for a speedy recovery.

  118. Wishing you all the best, Melanie, so thankful you had good surgeons and family to help get you through this, best wishes and hugs, love and prayers, Joan

  119. Melanie – so sorry to hear but thankful you are going to be ok. I’ll be praying for you!

  120. Melanie,
    Wonderful news and will pray for your speedy recovery. You are the 3rd person I know will a similar surgery and all 3 had benign tumors and all were thought to be cancer. I miss your videos and your perky, outgoing posts! I learned so much from your latest quilting videos and look forward to what you share in 2019. All the best and prayers continue for your successful recovery!!

  121. Oh Melania,
    My heart skipped a beat of joy when I read that the tumor was benige. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  122. Hi Melanie. Thanks for sharing your news. Hugs to you for a speedy recovery. ❤️

  123. God Bless Melanie you and your family are in my prayers. We will all be here waiting for you when you return so don’t worry and take your time to get fully recovered before you return. Hug and loves to you xxxxxxx Dorothy U.K. 😘🙋🏻❤️

  124. Life can change in the blink of an eye. It is how we use the changes that it brings that make us unique. I look forward to seeing more of your unique blogs and am so glad that you are doing better. Prayers for you and your family.

  125. Oh my dear Miss Melanie
    I am thankful that you were able to make this post after all you have been through. I have been a nurse for 39 years and I always hope the people that are closest to me get excellent care that I have given over these many years. I include you in these hopes. I wish you a speedy and safe recovery and look forward to more posts. Love you

  126. God is good! What a relief. Praying for a speedy recovery. God bless you and your family and please rest and take your time coming back. We all have projects we need to catch up on … lol.

  129. I’m so sorry to hear your news, Melanie. I am really pleased to hear you have come out the other side to tell the tale. This same situation happened to me five years ago; my whole life was turned upside down in a matter of days. Thankfully my GP was skilled enough to put me through investigations rapidly. The whole experience has given me a different perspective on things too. Bless your husband and good friends and family for the support they have given you. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Much love x

  131. Hi Melanie
    I am sending prayers and positive thoughts for you and your family, please stay positive. I have seen amazing things when people stay positive
    Thank you and hope to see you soon
    Melissa

  132. Praise The Lord for answered prayers! Get to feeling better
    and don’t overdo. Just rest and let the healing work!
    You are very blessed. Yes, things can change in an instant!
    We must live each day to the fullest and be thankful!
    Hugs, Sandra in wet & cold Mississippi ❤️❤️❤️

  133. Dear Melanie,
    I am a new subscriber to your newsletter and thank you for accepting me. I read your blog and was so sorry to hear about what you have been and is going through. I wish you a quick recovery.
    I am quite new in the quilting business and I have read and seen your excellent instructions, which have helped me a lot. I am looking forward to future inspiring projects.

  134. Prayers for a speedy recovery. Had my bad month in November. Was to have a heart cath and wound up having open heart surgery. I am doing better than the doctors thought I would. So I know prayers help! Keep getting better!!

  135. So glad you shared your story and hopefully you are on the road to recovery. I can’t imagine all you have went threw, 2029 will be great and looking forward to new projects. God bless you and your family.

  138. I appreciate you so much Melanie. Through your crochet and sewing lessons you have taught me those crafts but also encouraged me in ways I can’t put into words…by the way you stay positive and keep everything light-hearted. Although I don’t know you…I feel like I do know you! I’m so happy and relieved that you are on the mend. I’m certain that, that spunky and positive spirit of yours will help mend and carry you far! Thanks for keeping us posted, sweet lady.

  140. You have been in our prayers! You rest and take all the time you need to heal! We love you💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

  142. I am so sorry for your health problems, but thankful your tumor was benign. I know what you and your husband must be going through, as I lost my sister this past summer to Cancer.

    Take care of yourself.

  143. I hope and pray everything will turn out best for you. Your tutorials have been missed. I am a breast cancer survivor I do understand how life change suddenly change and how frightening it can be. Take care of yourself and continue w recover.

  145. I am so glad that they caught this and were able to remove it quickly! It’s definitely life changing. I had a benign tumor on my right adrenal gland (on top of the kidney) removed and it was not an easy recovery, even laproscopically.

    I have been keeping you in my prayers and am wishing you wellness and a Happy 2019!

  146. God bless, you are so very lucky. I wish a speedy recovery and don’t stress About us take care of you

  147. I’m sorry you had to go through this but very thankful you are recovering. God I’d good all the time!

  148. Your mom is in my bee and quilt guild in VA. We have all been praying for you (which you probably already know.) Life can through you a curve ball when you least expect it. Happy to hear you are recovering. Look forward to seeing your mom next week.

  150. Wow, God Bless. Prayers for you. We just went through this with our son just before Thanksgiving. God was good they removed his kidney and all the cancer at the same time. It was his second cancer in less than 4 months the first was colon cancer. We were blessed that was also all removed. So we pray that his family will not have to face it again. I’ll keep you in my prayers with him. Gods Blessing for a great new year .

  151. Melanie please know your in my prayers for a fast recovery . I’m so sad to hear about your surgery as I’m sure it had to be a nervous time for you and the family . Rest and feel better soon.
    Sending Gods healing prayers to you .

    Hugs and love
    Maria

  153. I am so sorry this has happened to you, but you handled it beautifully and sounds like you have had excellent medical care. Stay strong. You are an immensely talented and beautiful person and I have enjoyed all your craft ideas and lessons that you have so generously provided for us, your followers.
    Thank you Melanie, and be well !!

  154. Wishing you a very healthy new year together with your lovely family and friends. God bless you.
    With love,
    Iris

  155. Wow, thank God that everything went well! My wife is my rock and was by my side when I had two liver transplants ten days apart. Stay strong and God bless you!

  157. God bless you. Take whatever you need to heal and recover. For me, it has beem the rough parts of life that have taught me the most in life about myself and how to lean on God for strength

  158. WOW, Melanie! I’m so sorry that this happened but I am inspired by your message of gratefulness throughout this ordeal! God will reward you for keeping gratitude at the forefront! Prayers for a full recovery and onwards and upwards from here! xoxo Claire Steinriede

    • Best wishes for a speedy recovery. How terrifying for you and your family so glad you are on the mend now. love your videos Mary xxx

  161. Your videos have been instrumental in getting me to my first finished quilt, which I just finished today.
    I hope you know how appreciated you are. I wish for you rest and recovery and family and love.
    All the best,
    Susan

  162. I feel as though I know you having watched so many of your tutorials for hats and blanket projects! With all the love in your household from your husband and children and the millions of us out in cyber-land, I know you’ll make a speedy recovery. Wishing you patience to heal, much love from all sources and happy days again. Looking forward to your next project!
    Love,
    Elise in San Diego

  163. God Bless you, Melanie! I hope you’re feeling great soon. I know things like that can be hard to heal from, both physically and emotionally. I wish you and your family all the best!

  165. I’ve been keeping up with you on Instagram. You poor little thing, you’ve really been through it. I will continue to pray for you. Take your time and don’t rush it.

  166. Ohhh, Melanie!!! I have bee praying for you since I first heard of your hospitalization. Thank God you are on the mend, and the mass was benign. May God bless you and keep you in his care. Rest! God bless your husband and family too. With my prayers, Barbara B.🙏

  168. Melanie,
    So sorry to hear of your recent illness. Please stay strong and try not to stress pleasing your fans. I am learning to slow down and take care of you. I am glad you are doing much better. ♥️

  171. I have been praying for you !! God is good and will take care of you and your family !!! Take the time needed to recovery and we will see you and your mama soon on FB! 🙏❤️

  172. Wao!! God Bless you and your family. Thankful everything is ok. Take your time to recovery and have a blessing new year!.

  173. I am truly sorry that you were so sick .. I just now got your email and I hope you are doing better… my prayers are with you and your family and that they find the answers you need ..

  174. What a scary time and I know you will look at life through a different lens. Just remember to take care of yourself and dont push too far. We will be here waiting for you.. Many hugs

  175. I am so glad to hear that it was benign. Take it slow on recovery, it isn’t a race. It’s ok to get tired. I am glad that you are on the mend.

  178. Wow. I was holding my breath through that explantation. I lost my rock, my best friend and Father in 1993 to renal cancer. I’m so happy to read that you are on the mend. I’ve been following your YouTube and blog for about a year now and I always look forward to it so much! Whatever you decide to do from here on is going to be fine. First get well!

  179. Thanks for sharing.
    That’s bad and good news all rolled into one.
    Years ago my neighbor had a kidney suddenly go funky and it was not cancerous but it was jacked up and they removed it.
    He’s been fine every since.

    Glad you are on the mend!

  180. Thank goodness for wonderful hospital staff and that you got this ordeal dealt with quickly.
    Best wishes to you and your family!

  181. Fantastic news and thank you for sharing with us all, who for me you have never met .you have helped me to achieve my very first quilt and inspired me….May you make a speedy recovery and sending love to you and your family.
    Chris Grellier England uk

  182. So sorry to hear this Melanie. Thank God it was benign but you’ve been through so much. Payers out to you and your family. Best wishes for continuing progress and good health in the new year.
    Blessings!

  183. Oh my goodness! So glad you were able to move quickly and that it was benign! Hoping you recover quickly!

  184. Don’t worry my dear. You will be in our prayers. God bless you and your family. Take good care of yourself so you can take care of our skills. Love…😘💝😘

  187. Just wishing you the best, Melanie. I had missed you but was unaware of what was happening. I’m glad this experience is behind you and hope the doctors’ ultimate evaluations are completely positive.

  188. first time to comment but have been following for some time. I was wondering where you went and I’m thankful you’re on the mend. I wish I looked this good in a hospital gown!!

  192. Dear Melanie,
    As you are, I’m so thankful that wasn’t cancer. I am very glad you are recovering well and I appreciate your virtual hug! I send you one too, with all my love and light, so your health is full soon,and you can continue shining as you had been.
    Hugs, love and prayers from México.
    Claudia Gómez Padilla de Chapetti

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