[Cajun Mike]

My name is Mike and I am a close friend of the LeBleu/Lamendola family. I was at the hospital when Melany and Susan received a huge stack of (these) emails. I told them I was familiar with this website and liked it very much (I'm a displaced Lake Charles native living in Texas - it's not home, but it's not bad. Besides, we did offer up George W. Bush to help our great country, but I digress...) Melany and Susan asked that I respond for the family. I'll apologize now for the length of this thread, but I have a lot to say.

First, thanks to Doug from Upland for this wonderful idea and for bringing the printed emails to the hospital.

To everyone not only on this forum, but from across this great country, who has prayed for, sent wishes to, or just thought about Chris, Melany and their families - THANK YOU!!! You have no idea how much your kind thoughts and words have meant to this wonderful family. The response and support of everyone this story has touched in some way is absolutely mind boggling.

The doctors, nurses, administrative, and Public Relations personnel and everyone else at Loma Linda Medical Center are the utmost professional people in the medical profession I have ever seen. Beyond that, however, they are all truly caring, compassionate human beings. Susan (Chris' mom) made the comment to me that the doctors and other staff there - although incredibly busy - always made her feel as if she (Chris) was the only patient they had. They answered all of the family's questions, made sure everything was understood, and never once made anyone feel as though they had somewhere else to go or something else to do.

Also, a GREAT BIG SALUTE must go out to all of Chris' brothers and sisters in arms all over the world, and especially those from the Twentynine Palms base. I dare not name names for fear of leaving anyone out. We all now know why Chris always spoke so highly about and thought so much of the wonderful people that he is so proud to stand beside and to serve with in the USMC. I am so very impressed, honored and humbled to be served and protected by these magnificent men and women. Every single time I meet someone serving in the US armed forces, I thank God for their selfless dedication to their country and for the fact that they are on OUR side - because I cannot imagine the utter fear anyone opposing them on a field of battle must constantly feel.

I can't say enough good things about Melany LeBleu. She has remained so focused and composed at such a very difficult time, and has never lost her wonderful sense of humor or her tremendous faith in God or unending love for her husband. We love Chris with all of our heart, but like so very many of us guys from south Louisiana, he definitely "married up". We all love you and we know that between you and God, Chris is in the best possible care he could be in.

I'm writing this Wednesday night, and I'm happy to report that things are going well. The doctor's said that Chris' new liver began working while he was still on the operating table. There have been no problems with rejection as of now, and his blood-work indicates that the liver is beginning to do its thing and filter all of the toxins (and anesthesia) out of his bloodstream. Hopefully they will be able to remove him from the ventilator in the next few days and he will be able to talk.

Lastly, I would like to take the opportunity once again to thank everyone for their kind expressions of love and concern. The entire Loma Linda/San Bernardino community has responded in such a gracious and wonderful way to all of Chris' family and friends. Also - and this is really hard for a conservative to do - a BIG THANK YOU goes out to the local and national television and print media, whose efforts in getting the word out about Chris' serious condition played a part in once again bringing public awareness to the fantastically important issue of organ donor-ship.

To the family of the anonymous donor - may God grant you his peace in knowing that your loved one is now sharing the kingdom with Him, and that your selfless and difficult decision has made a positive impact on so many grateful and appreciative lives. Saying "Thank You" seems so small and insignificant, but for now it is the best we can offer.

I'll do my best to keep everyone here informed on Chris' progress in the coming days/weeks/months.

Thank you all, and may God Bless each and every one of you.

Mike

[doug from upland]

Thanks, Mike!!! We on this forum owe everything to those brave young men and women who risk their lives so that we can enjoy life in this greatest country on God's green earth. Our prayers will continue for Chris and Melany and for all of those who are in harm's way.

[uncleshag]

Cajun Mike,

This is great news and thanks for taking the time to report it. I will pass this information on to other prayer warriors and we'll continue to keep you, Chris, Melany and each one you mentioned in our prayers.

Praise God!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"My name is Mike and I am a close friend of the LeBleu/Lamendola family. I was at the hospital when Melany and Susan received a huge stack of (these) emails...."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1332306/posts?page=221#221

[amom]

My goodness! Cajun Mike you have absolutely made my day! Thanks so much for giving us a 'picture' of the wonderful group Chris has around him. I look forward to any updates you can post.

Doug thanks for the heads up.

[amom]

By the way. Nice first post, Mike.

[HipShot]

Ping to 218, Cindy.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Thank you for the update and prayers will continue for the entire family. You were so kind to let us know about them.

[Mudboy Slim]

Thank you...and welcome to FreeRepublic.com!!

FReegards...MUD

[Cindy]

Well a big AMEN Mike and prayers will continue!

[concentric circles]

Thanks for the update, Godspeed to all.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Wow. Your words were very eloquent, kind and much appreciated. We love hearing first-hand updates, because, well it's hard to rely on the media for the most part, but anyway...

Please, give Melany and Chris our love and support. FReepers are wonderful, patriotic and very supportive of our armed forces. In fact, you will find many vets here, as well as current active duty and reserve members and their dependents.

Back in 95-96, dh and I spent a year in 29 Palms. We loved everything about MCAGCC, except for the swamp coolers. I can still smell those pigeons when I close my eyes. But regarding medical everything and anything, if the Naval Hospital there couldn't take care of you, some of the best specialists and facilities are right there at Loma Linda or down the hill in Palm Desert/Palm Springs as I'm sure Melany has been experiencing. I gave birth to my firstborn at the Naval Hospital at 29. (sniffle-sniffle) Nearly 9 years later, I am still impressed with how we were treated and cared for.

God bless you and Melany, Chris and their families. Chris *will* pull through this, and in no time will scare the heck out of his wife and mother by saying he's ready to get back out in the arena with his friends. He's a Marine and they love him so!

Keep us posted, and we hope you will stick around FR when your time allows.

[BykrBayb]

What a beautiful letter! But it started getting blurry shortly into it, and it kept getting blurrier. I tried wiping my monitor with a tissue, but it did no good. Finally I used the tissue on my eyes, and that helped some.

[katykelly]

Thank you so much for the update, and glad all is going well.

My son will be returning to 29 Palms in March, Lord willing.

[AnnaZ]

A multitude of blessings for all, and gratitude for the service of same.

[Bogey78O]

excellent news.

[Pegita]

+ To God be the Glory ... great things He has done ...

[MEG33]

Tears of thanksgiving for this wonderful news..May God continue to strengthen and heal Chris..I am so thankful for his loving wife and family, friends and fellow Marines..God bless the medical staff..

Thank you for this wonderful post, Mike.

[RottiBiz]

Thanks for the updates.

Welcome to Free Republic, Mike.

Prayers continue for Chris, Melany and their families.

May God bless, heal and comfort them.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Please know I'll be praying for Lance Cpl. Chris LeBleu, for his continued recovery during this most challenging of times. <><

[dandelion]

Thanks to you, Cajun Mike, for being there for Chris and his wife in this time of need. You are truly a good friend. If you ever meet the donor's loved ones, let them know that there are so many of us who are praying for them as well!

And thanks be to God, who gives us our lives and uses them for good...