journal

February 6, 2008

Just wanted to let you all know that Jeannie's condition has taken a significant downturn over the last couple of
days. She is being kept comfortable and resting peacefully, with the help of the wonderful nurses who are now
steadily coming to the home. They tell us that Jeannie can still hear the cards and messages that we read to her
from all her kind and loving supporters around the country.

We all thank you for your continued support during this difficult time.

February 3, 2008

Thank you to Jeannie's latest visitors from both coasts.

Long time Connecticut friend Jackie brought lots of memories and comfort for all of us here. It was great to
reconnect with her. The teddy bear she brought Jeannie has become an absolute favorite. The Lil' Kinz was a
big hit too. Thank you, Jackie!

Then came Brenda and Trish from San Diego. We instantly knew why Jeannie and Brenda became friends so
many years ago. Terrific ladies, who made the most of two brief windows of visiting time with Jeannie.

Just had to share a moving letter to Jeannie from a second cousin she never met.   It is one more example of
Jeannie's inspirational effect on the people whose lives she has touched. With Mimi's permission, here it is:

                                                                                                                                                   January 31, 2008
Dear Jeannie,

Remember me? We talked on the phone once. I listened, closely. You called me over a year ago after I emailed
you to tell you I had been reading about you on your website. I’m your 2nd cousin, or your 1st cousin once
removed, or something like that. Your father and my mother Connie are first cousins. Their moms were sisters. I’
m the baby of my family, so are you.   I am 42, and so are you (well, almost). I love my kids so very much, just like
you. I loved to sing, just like you. And like you, I sang in many clubs and bars in college, but for me, always with
someone else. Because? I didn’t know how to play the guitar. What happened next? I finished college and
never sang again.

I told you how I loved your singing and that I too loved to sing, but hadn’t in over 20 years. You asked me if I
played guitar. I told you that I never learned though I had a guitar under my bed since 1985. “Why haven’t you
learned?” you, stage 4 cancer patient/2nd cousin asked me. I told you that I was “too busy”, that 4 kids and a
husband on the road was all I could fit in, except for my daily 5 mile run. SO, I told you that I sing to an IPOD now,
while I run. I mailed you a cd of songs from my IPOD. You mailed me your cd. I transferred your cd to my IPOD.
Then I could listen to YOU sing while I run. And I got to thinking. And then I got to doing.

I pulled that guitar out from under my bed. I took 8 lessons in a group at the local Arts Center last January. And I
haven’t put it down since. I know you can’t sing and play any more. I know you didn’t want to give it up. I think
God told me to pick up my guitar on your behalf. Because, I can’t put it down. And Jeannie, I think of you every
night, after my little 2 year old John is in bed, when I first put my hand around the neck of my guitar and throw
the strap over my shoulder. You have given me a gift that I can never possibly thank you for. I’m gonna play and
I’m gonna sing and deep down, it’s always going to be for you.

Tonight I found a 20 year old cassette player and a blank tape and I recorded myself singing and playing so that
you could hear for yourself, just what you gave me. That day I talked to you last year, my guitar was the farthest
thing from my mind. I hung up the phone and my life was changed; changed in a small and FANTASTIC way. I’m
a singer and a guitarist now!!!!!!!!! It’s a gift I received out of the blue. It’s from God I know but it’s really from
you.

I packed the entire tape recorder for easy access and playing. Donate it or throw it away when you’re done. I
wanted to make sure you could listen without any trouble or inconvenience. I don’t know how to record on a 4
track or computer. I just play and sing at home right now. So I turned on the recorder at the kitchen table. Lots
of fuzz and background noise, but you’ll get the gist of it. Sweet dreams Jeannie. This one’s for you.

               Love, Mimi

January 22, 2008

Lisa here. January has settled in quietly and peacefully, punctuated with visits from more of Jeannie’s wonderful
friends.

Our first visitors of the new year were Diane and Harold, Jeannie’s neighbors from down the street back in
Lakewood, CA. Diane is better known as Di-Di, having cared for Berkley many times since Jeannie’s diagnosis.
They brought their caring blend of compassion, wisdom and Diane’s great cooking -- we even froze the leftovers
so we could keep the gourmet feast going -- kindnesses that will never be forgotten. We all feel like we have
known them forever, and wish they lived down the street even now.

                                                                      <<< Harold and Diane on their Texas visit, January 2008

Dawn McKay, Jeannie’s hometown friend and original singer/songwriting partner in their band JK McKay, came
by for a few hours last week. Dawn is the person responsible for inspiring Jeannie’s first move to California. She
now travels the country, touring with various Broadway musicals. Sweeney Todd had Dawn in Dallas this past
week, so she rented a car and drove 8 hours round trip on Friday for a special little visit with Jeannie. It was so
great to see Dawn.

Yesterday, we said goodbye to Deb and Kathryn for the second time, who flew out from Long Beach for the
weekend. They once again brought laughter and good cheer to Jeannie, and shared their gracious kindness and
support to all of us here. Not everyone is lucky enough to have friends like this in life. Speaking of which, these
West Coast angels finally got to meet Jeannie’s Texas angels. Sharron’s mom, who has been hospitalized since
Christmas, was finally well enough to enable Sharron and Ali to stop by for a visit with Jeannie once again.
Funny stories and memories were shared. A happy day all around. Please continue to keep Sharron’s mom,
Virginia, in your prayers.

These visits have all meant so much to Jeannie, despite the fact that she has limited energy and waking hours
with which to enjoy them. Exhaustion and weakness are the main challenges right now, which make even
talking on the phone quite difficult, so Jeannie conserves what phone call energy she has for talking to Berkley.

Jeannie says to tell everyone that she is resting comfortably. Her one request is that you pray for her spirit to
remain strong. She also asks that you pray for Berkley’s small spirit too. If anyone would like to send Jeannie
some funny stories (humor remains high on Jeannie’s list), remembrances, photos or cards directly, please email
me at lkauffmantharp@aol.com. I can share them with her on the laptop as I do all of your guest book postings,
or I can give you the address here if you would like to send something by mail.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all of the wonderful people who have sent over the most delicious home cooked
meals. Jeannie and the rest of us are eating great, and they enable us all to have more time and energy to give
Jeannie the best care possible.

Keep the postings coming. They make Jeannie smile.

New Year's Day 2008

Lisa here, finally. Last night, we marked the close of 2007 with Jeannie… a time made especially wonderful with
the generosity and presence of two of Jeannie’s West Coast angels, Kathryn and Deb. They brought their
laughter, great sushi and sparkling faux champagne, with popper fireworks bedside as the ball came down in
Times Square.

Sharron and Ali (Jeannie’s Texas angels) were here three days earlier, bringing their ever-steady stream of
caring gifts. Most touching of all was a beautiful portrait of Berkley, drawn by the talented and humble Ali, which
captured an incredible likeness to Miss B. (Ali just informed us that Sharron’s mom is undergoing heart surgery
as I write this.   Please keep their family in your thoughts and prayers.)

Ali and Sharron in crazy Christmas glasses          Ali's amazing portrait of Berkley               Ali and Julianne, Christmas 2007

The day prior we said goodbye to Julianne after her Christmas visit. At least this visit, she flew from California,
unlike her brave adventure over Thanksgiving, for which she drove straight out from LA and back. Once again,
she brought a peaceful happiness to Jeannie and the rest of us, along with a helpful spirit that made us all forget
she was a guest.

Then there was the lobsterfest , fresh from Maine, courtesy of two of Jeannie’s hometown angels from
Connecticut , Deb and Linda. They shipped down live lobsters, steamers and all the trimmings, as they turned
our parent’s kitchen into a bona fide seafood restaurant while we all enjoyed a little taste of home.   They also
brought some great photos from their last visit in September when they stole Jeannie away for a little R&R,
including pedicures, in La Jolla.

As our grandpa always said, “Show me your friends, and I will know who you are.” If there was ever a testament
to Jeannie’s wonderful life, it is in the outpouring of love and deep devotion from true friends around the country.

Lastly, we were blessed with a special family visit from Aunt Judy and Jeannie’s godmother, Aunt Pegi. It was a
whirlwind one-night gathering, but we packed in lots of wonderful family memories. The love and joy they
brought was precious to all.



                                                                           <<< Sisters Pegi, Mom and Judy, December 2007

We are all very thankful for the friendship and support that surrounds Jeannie. May the new year bring many
more blessings to all of you.

December 29, 2007

Jeannie update.   Sharron here.
We are so excited! We found another short cut from our place to the K's so now we can make ice cream runs to
Jeannie any time. Her favorite is one from Marble Slab (do they have those outside Texas? – like Cold Stone?).
Start with Sweet Cream ice cream; add raspberries and then chocolate chips. Mix it all together and then,
according to Jeannie and Ali, you have nirvana (only Ali prefers chocolate ice cream. Double chocolate if they
have it)    The last time we were able to take her out, the Marble Slab guy gypped her on the chocolate chips and
she hasn't forgotten it so, today, we made him add 4 scoops (not to worry, it was a quart, not a cone). I think that
was enough – at least she seemed pleased.

Mindy, Lisa, Fia, and Mr. & Mrs. K were all there today and Deb and Kathryn arrived this evening. Dave kept busy
early on by filling in the rut made by a delivery driver last night, right through their front lawn. Like no one
would notice.   Jeannie was so looking forward to Deb & Kathryn's arrival – they are such great friends to her and
were two of her guardian angels in California. After they leave, two more of Jeannie's dear friends are coming.
No surprise to anyone as she's been such a conduit for love and joy all her life that this procession of love is
coming back to her now. She has pictures of so many of her friends taped to the sides of dressers, walls,
windows – all around her. And for every picture of a friend or relative she's got at least 3 of Berkeley. She's got a
string of flowers in every color of the rainbow strung above her bed – you know the kind that are like paper doll
cutouts that extend as long as you want to make them?   She has her favorite bear, soft blankets, her "free-
refills" DiDi cup and, most importantly, the love of her amazing family.

I understand some folks are disappointed that they haven't been able to get through to Jeannie on her cell
phone. She needs her rest so much now that it's kept off virtually all the time. But Lisa reads the messages from
the guest book every day to her and the smile on her face is evidence enough how much she appreciates and
understands the love and wishes coming her way. As I mentioned in the last update, that is the most frustrating
thing – Jeannie's mind is as brilliant as ever. It is her body that is weakening and she is tired so much of the
time. The more rest she can get, the better. But she is still the same Jeannie – the same quick, clever wit; the
same playful spirit; the same right-on woman; the same beautiful mother, friend, sister, aunt, daughter . . . .

When I was looking into her eyes today they were saying so much more than her physical body was allowing her
to and all I could think of was her song about God and it's been in my head ever since. A friend of mine once told
me that there is no such thing as a coincidence – a coincidence is simply God's way of working a miracle – small
or large – and remaining anonymous. Certainly I don't know the answer to any of that but I will tell you this –
Jeannie's faith and that of her family have allowed some incredible "coincidences" to occur not only in their lives
but in the lives of many whoml they have touched these past few months. And, with that song so pronounced in
my mind coupled with a story Mary Anne reminded Jeannie of today; I thought maybe I should share it (as well as
the words to Jeannie's song about God) because I know that not all of you have had the gift of hearing her sing
it.

When Jeannie was around 10, the family got an electric piano (not sure that's the proper description.   Any
musicians out there please forgive me).   Jeannie was the first to get to it and she sat down and played "Born
Free." Mary Ann was like, 'Jeannie – how did you know how to play that?' and Jeannie said, "remember mom?
That movie we saw awhile back?" Her mom, of course, remembered seeing the movie but still couldn't
understand how Jeannie could play it. Jeannie told her mom to sit down and play it and Mary Ann said she tried
to explain to Jeannie that what she had was a gift – that not everyone, in fact very few people – could do that. A
short time later, Jeannie and her mom were driving somewhere and Jeannie said, 'Mom, do you ever get a song
stuck in your head and you just can't get it out?' And Mary Ann said, "I sure do. I've had that darn 'Raindrops
Keep Falling On My Head" song stuck in my mind since yesterday (at which point I said, "that must have been
1970.   I will never forget because a classmate of mine thought that song should be everyone's mantra and she
sang it, hummed it, whistled it, smiled and batted her eyes'd it (if that's possible) until just about everyone in our
class was going berserk."). Anyway, Jeannie had then told her mom, "No, Mom, I mean your own song. Has a
song ever come into your head that you feel you have to get out?" Thank goodness Jeannie had a mom who
recognized her genius and her gift and encouraged her to "get those songs out."

So, ever since we left there today, her song won't leave my head. I thought perhaps I should get it out so that
those of you who haven't heard it before can at least be blessed by the words (and if you go to the video tribute
on the www.JeanniesCure.com home page, you can hear it toward the end of the video. You won't be able to
miss it)

I'm pretty sure that at the time she wrote it, Jeannie had no clue what would be coming her way – at least not on
the physical plane. But these words from that song -

... God remove my doubts
That I may live in truth
When people look into my eyes won't you help them to see you?

And God help me do the same
So I will recognize
That you're in every one of us and I'll see you in their eyes...

- are among the truest ever written. When you look in Jeannie's eyes you still see God – or whatever higher
power guides your universe. And Jeannie sees that same God in the eyes of each of you by way of your letters,
cards, messages on her guest book and, above all else, in the eyes of her family and Miss B.   Jeannie's capacity
to give and receive love in any form is as alive as ever. And hang on to 'born free' until another time.

Peace out from Texas
Sharron

The God Song, © Jeannie Kauffman

God wipe away my tears
Hold me in your arms
Light the path that I'll walk with you and won't you keep me safe from harm?

Yet if harm should come my way
If that's what you have in store
I'll heal in time and I'll come to find that I love you even more.

God release this pain
And hold me in your love
Help me know you're right inside me and not somewhere far above.

And God remove my doubts
That I may live in truth
When people look into my eyes won't you help them to see you?

God help me do the same
So I will recognize
That you're in every one of us and I'll see you in their eyes.

Because God is all there is.
I know God is all there is.
I claim this truth for me and you, I know God is all there is.

December 21, 2007

Jeannie update. Sharron here.

Berkeley left Houston after what was no less than a “perfect” visit with Jeannie, her aunts Lisa & Min, cousins
Fia, Justin and Mitchie, her grandparents and various and sundry friends of the family from Texas, California, the
east coast and places in between. The visit couldn’t have been better scripted if the top 10 Oscar-winning
screenwriters of all time had pulled it together... except for the fact of Jeannie’s illness itself, of course. Just as
Berkeley dropped everything when she saw Jeannie on her flight into Houston and ran to Jeannie’s chair,
jumped up and held onto her with all the love in the world, so upon leaving did she demand to get out of her car
seat and run back up and give Jeannie one more hug and kiss and snuggle before leaving for the airport. I can’t
imagine a more precious “I love you Mommy” in the entire universe.   Unfortunately, Jeannie wasn’t well enough
to go to the airport but Aunt Lisa and Fia made sure the send off was a great one and, again, the gift of the
leaving at the house was more special than anyone could have dreamed.

I’ve been in NY on business the past 10 days and had to keep in touch by phone. Lisa and the rest of the family
are really busy with getting things ready for Christmas and family/ friend visits and making sure Jeannie is well
looked after so I offered to help keep this updated. I know it’s nowhere near the same as when Jeannie could do
so herself or when Lisa had some extra time. When she has ‘extra’ time now we try to make her get some sleep.

As I’m sure many of you have heard, Jeannie is having a very tough time now with this insidious disease. It really
is only her strength of character, determination to have Berkeley’s visit as perfect as possible, and the love of
her family & good friends that are keeping her going as much as she is. ok – and chocolate. Chocolate the great
motivator! The physical therapist is coming to the home now. It’s too hard on Jeannie, for the time being, to get
up and out and then to do the therapy. The Kauffmans have decided – along with Jeannie – to conserve her
strength for the “wildly important things” so whatever can come to the house, that’s what they’ve arranged for
rather than Jeannie going to them.

And as flat on her back or in a reclining position as she may be most of the time, her spirits are still as shining,
courageous and uplifting as ever. She’s still more concerned about everyone else – making sure her mom’s not
working too hard or that Lisa’s allergies are not bothering her or that her friends who just left made it home ok . .
. still more focused on the little things she knows others enjoy –her dad getting to watch his football game, or
Min and Ed making their tailgating parties, or Fia’s latest home-schooling assignment going well. The Jeannie we
know and love... which probably makes it all the harder because the body is failing around this amazingly
spectacular, beautiful woman. The same Jeannie smile that can light up a room or another’s world is there but it
is still hard to comprehend, no matter how long someone has been aware, or in the presence, of Jeannie since
her cancer has advanced, that this body could belong to her. That is in part what makes this illness so especially
ironic, incongruous and irreverent – and yet such a phenomenon. That miraculous spirit which is Jeannie’s
overcomes the diminished body, the weariness of the mind, the personal circumstances that brought her as
much sorrow as the illness itself, and yet it is the Jeannie everyone knows and loves that shines through despite
it all.

Most of my feelings around Jeannie’s illness have been centered around my relationship with her as a friend.
The past two weeks, however, my feelings have broadened to those of a mother, sister, aunt, niece . . . and I will
tell you this. One of, if not the hardest thing in the world is to see your child this ill. I have known mothers who
have been able to deal with such situations with courage and grace and great love. I have known mothers who
have absolutely fallen apart. I have never known anyone like Jeannie’s mom and how she is handling it. If I had
to make this passage from good health to sickness and the unknown, there is no greater person to walk through
it with than her. She is honest and pragmatic – with herself and with Jeannie – and yet amazingly loving,
compassionate and ‘together’. Anyone who knows Jeannie knows you can pull very little wool over her eyes.
You also know that if there’s something that can be beat, Jeannie will do it.   For her mom to have the grace to
recognize – despite her and everyone else’s greatest hope being that it would never come to this – that the
cancer has progressed to where it has and afford Jeannie every ounce of joy and dignity and comfort is
phenomenal. The balance between great love and genuine heartbreak is one of the most profound and difficult
situations to ever be in. But Mary Ann is demonstrating how any of us can get through it.

I continued to tell Ali up until last week that there would still be a miracle. That if anyone would pull off kicking
this thing it would be Jeannie. And Ali turned to me and said, ‘Maybe you’re looking at the wrong miracle. The
miracle is that Jeannie has shown thousands of people what can be done. They can rise above their illness, live
a normal life for as long as they have – work, raise a child, deal with life’s “other” heartbreaks, run every day,
help raise money for other cancer patients, etc. But then, when you need real care and love, to let your family be
there for you. To teach your daughter – by example – true dignity and love. To be able to return home and share
this time with those you have loved and who have loved you from the beginning – maybe that is the real
miracle.” At first I thought she was crazy. I still know that if there’s any space left for Jeannie’s light to
annihilate the cancer, it will. But I know now, too, that Ali is right. The miracle of the love that we’ve been
privileged to witness at the Kauffman home is a gift that not everyone is blessed to receive. And Berkeley, as
young as she is, was so tuned into that – I know it will stay with her always.

Jeannie continues to need our prayers and love. I don’t know some of you – especially many of her friends from
California – but as much as Jeannie needs our good thoughts and prayers and general lifting up of spirit – so
does her family. They are with Jeannie around the clock. When Jeannie can’t join them for meals at the table,
they bring the table to Jeannie. When she’s not feeling strong enough to get out on the patio for some sunshine,
they find a way to bring it to her. If the doctors want Jeannie to try something or recommend she not do
something that Jeannie and her family disagree with, her parents are her greatest advocate. If it doesn’t make
Jeannie’s walk through this life a better one, she’s not going to be traumatized further. And the gratitude and
love that you can see on Jeannie’s face and hear in her voice is immeasurable.

I’m not a very religious person but the first thing that continually jumps into my head each and every time I think
of Jeannie and her family since I’ve been gone is, “greater love has no one than this.”

Tomorrow we return to Houston. Ali joined me here Monday and our daughter graduated college yesterday and
we’re so proud of her. Berkeley told us in Houston that when she graduates she is going to be “in charge of the
whole wide world” – president, but in charge of the whole world. We all thought that was pretty great, especially
when she decided she’d need Fia to help her be in charge.   /Thankfully, my daughter won’t have that kind of
responsibility. She’s now going for her PhD in literary criticism. I’m not quite sure what that’s used for but
maybe she’ll get to proof Berkeley’s speeches someday.

I’ll try to help with more timely updates when I get home. So many people are asking about Jeannie but, again,
you wouldn’t believe how much time Lisa and the Kauffmans are devoting to keeping Jeannie’s world “real”. If I
can help by keeping you in touch, I will. I know what it’s like to be the one in the “other” city and wanting to
know how our friend is doing.

love,
sharron

December 9, 2007

hi everyone –

this is jeannie’s friend sharron. the better part of ali & sharron. Just stealing a little time here to tell you all (not
that it should be any surprise) just how amazing jeannie’s family is and how much she loves being with them.
miss berkley, fia (a/k/a mademoiselle lemonade), lisa, min, mr & mrs kauffman . . . it is the most loving, kind and
healing family you can imagine. in fact, we even feel so much better for being around them and we both just got
clean bills of health!

i’m so lucky to have moved back from new york in time to be able to spend time with jeannie upon her arrival
back in texas. and, to prove what good texans we are, mr. K took us to watch the houston texans today at reliant
stadium. for those of you who may not know, that is football – american football. seeing as how ali is welsh (and
short – right jeannie??) she has a different idea of football - what we know here as soccer. so jeannie had a lot
of explaining to do. at least after awhile ali knew to cheer when the people in the blue, red & white shirts
cheered. and jeannie was a good luck charm. the texans won.

B is so happy here – it was a picture to see her decorating the tree with her grandparents and aunt lisa the other
evening. eyes as big as saucers with the lights from the tree reflected in them like a beacon of hope and joy. if
ever there were a christmas angel, berkley is it. and she adores her mima. if B were any taller she could double
as her shadow. and when jeannie is resting, B will run in, blow her a kiss and run back to fia if jeannie is asleep.
if jeannie’s resting but awake, B will run in, blow jeannie a kiss, make sure jeannie’s “got it,” asks where it
landed, gives a little jump and runs back out. at one point today while jeannie was resting, B played her a song
on the electric piano. i guess musical talent runs in the family because it really was quite good.

i have to take off for NY again this week but, thankfully, just for a visit this time. ali will be joining me next week
for a few days as our daughter, kelleen, is graduating from college. kell was so glad to get to visit with jeannie
over thanksgiving and to meet the rest of the kauffman clan. i guess any of us who are privileged enough to
meet this family are changed for the better in some way – large or small. Jeannie gave us our family cat just
before she and jen moved to california from texas. they’d found a litter at a dairy queen and we were the proud
recipients of ‘blizzard’ whose name somehow was changed to henry over the course of the next few months. i’m
not really sure how that happened – i do remember some kind of marking around one of his eyes that made him
look like he had a monocle but that’s about it. jeannie and i were trying to remember the names of the other
kittens that they found there and the only ones we could remember were sundae and bob. and we couldn’t begin
to remember what the connection was between dairy queen and bob. maybe he was the manager.

we live about an hour and a half from houston and we’re now home. i was hoping the long drive home would
cool ali off but I am still in hot water for making us leave the kauffman’s once we returned there from the game.
mrs. K had made her famous chicken divan but since part of my team from work is based in sydney-down-under,
and my sunday night is their monday morning, i had some calls on which I needed to participate. and we’d been
under foot for long enough for one day. The worst part was when ali’s blood sugar dropped and she had to eat
something “quick” and “quick” turned out to be denny’s. the entire 25 minutes we sat there and the rest of the
way home she kept saying, ‘you know I could have had mrs. K’s chicken divan’ . . . ‘i’m not going to let you forget
you made me miss mrs. K’s chicken divan.’

anyway, it was a blast getting to go to the game today with jeannie and her dad. (did i mention that ali got those
ridiculous houston texan santa hats and #1 foam fingers for all? and that jeannie and i refused to wear them?)
ali snickered at us all the way home because when she went to do recon closer to the field there was an entire
row of very attractive sisters also wearing houston texan santa hats. it was also a treat to see berkley in her pink
& rhinestone cowgirl boots from aunt min.

keep the great notes coming for jeannie. they sure mean a lot to her and her family. lisa may revoke my website
privileges now but I just thought folks might like to know how things are going from an outsider’s point of view.
jeannie could not possibly be in better hands or better care – this family is phenomenal and so appreciative of
the love being sent their way.

btw - while we’re in NY, we’re going to see an attorney friend of ours to draw up adoption papers – so that we can
adopt the kauffmans! we’ll just keep that our little secret for now.

p.s. i looked on the internet for some chicken divan recipes. i’ve no doubt that none can compare to mrs. K’s but
here’s some interesting information.

chicken divan is a chicken casserole. it was first created at the divan parisien restaurant in NYC. it is a casserole
of sliced chicken breast, spears of broccoli, covered with sauce mornay and baked until the top is golden brown.

a mornay sauce is a bechamel sauce with shredded or grated cheese added. usually, it is half gruyere and half
parmesan, though variations use different combinations of gruyere, emmental cheese, or white cheddar.
(perhaps we can get mrs. K to share her secret someday.)

milagros suceden

sharron

December 4, 2007

Hello from Texas. Jeannie's sister, Lisa here. Thank you all for your recent patience on updates.

Jeannie has settled in at Mom and Dad's, has started up her care with MD Anderson, and most happily of all, is
enjoying the arrival of Berkley for a 12-day visit.

The scene at the airport was right out of a movie. As Berkley rounded the corner at the gate, towing her little
roller backpack, we began waving a huge pink styrofoam "B". She spotted Jeannie, dropped her pack, and
began running towards her, yelling "Mommy! Mommy!". Tears of joy were brimming, even among the passersby
witnessing the reunion. Berkley snuggled in with Jeannie and didn't let go until she got to the car to meet her
new booster seat.

Days now are filled with Mommy snuggletime, building blanket forts with Fia, and hanging ornaments on the
Christmas tree.

On the medical front, Jeannie recently began a new treatment protocol developed at MD Anderson.   A special
thank you to Dr. Cloughesy at UCLA for ensuring a smooth transfer to his colleague Dr. Gilbert. Treatment
leaves Jeannie very, very tired. Emails and phone calls, though much appreciated, are going unanswered right
now, as Jeannie conserves all of her energy for fighting the cancer. She sends her best to all her wonderful
support system, and hopes to get back in touch very soon. Meanwhile, the "Kauffman Inn" is booked into
January with well-wishing visitors from coast to coast who are keeping Jeannie's spirits high.

As you may have noticed, the website got a bit "Lost In Translation".   I am in the process of trying to salvage as
much as I can. Please spread the word that the site is operational, but that folks may need to resave www.
JeanniesCure.org or www.JeanniesCure.com on their Favorites, as the old link will not update.

Please take a moment to sign the rebuilt Guest Book - click blue button labeled Guest Book on left of page.

Thank you to all.
Lisa