Counting down the days...

Today I realized mom has only 6 more treatments! Yeah! She has completed 24 treatments and is still going! I am so proud of her and her ability to keep going when the going gets tough! Our goal for the morning is to go get manicures and pedicures....won't that feel good. With the nasty, rainy weather we need to come up with some positive things to say and read so.......smile it's Friday and we are all alive and God loves you! More later! Keep the cards coming~I am filling up book #3.

First outing!?!

Thursday, 8-27-08, Mimi and Papa went to meet with the 'Lunch Bunch' for their monthly gathering. This was officially moms first 'outing' since her brain surgery. The lunch bunch are all relatives of moms (Daglow side cousins) and they meet monthly for lunch at the Country Buffet. I've been myself and it is a lot of fun especially if Rita is there because you are sure to laugh. Speaking of Rita, she picked mom up after her radiation treatment and took her shopping to help her get JJ's school clothes. Rita is one of moms close cousins who if you've ever met her you might think she and mom were twins or something. They look a lot alike. Mom says she definitely didn't need someone to rock her to sleep last night because she was worn out. She truly enjoyed seeing everyone and just 'getting out' for something fun.

Over half way through...

Yesterday was a productive and busy day for Mimi. She finished day #19 of her treatments which means she is over half way through this treatment regimen. She is feeling pretty good although she tires easily. She has had family and friends visiting this week which helps to keep her spirits up. Again, the cards are a wonderful way to keep her going and just knowing that people love and care for her is a Godsend. There is a place in Jackson called "Talk of the Town" and it is a beauty salon that raises funds to provide wigs for people with cancer. Well, we went there yesterday and she found one to wear. Although nothing really replaces your own hairstyle or color, she was pleased with what she received. What a blessing! The wig was no cost to her and that is a neat way to pass on to people who need a little something for comfort when they have lost their hair. So, when you see her next she may be a little blonder than usual but the hairstyle is cute on her. More later as we have updates! Thanks for your prayers...

Answered prayers

Well Friday 8-14-09 was day #14 of Mimi's treatments! Yeah! Half way through this treatment regimen. Danielle spent the night Thursday night 8-13-09 because Chuck had plans to attend the Annual Dewey Lake Fishing Tournament, starting early Friday morning. Although he didn't win the biggest fish (he was tied for first mid-day) he had fun just being a guy, fishing and well, relaxing. Danielle stayed with Mimi and JJ Friday morning and after I got out of work, I picked them up and brought them over to the house as Mimi had her treatment that afternoon. She had shared with me her goal that day was to have me find her some silk head scarves that she could wear to protect her head when she had to go out. Wearing them also makes her a little more comfortable. So as we set out for Jackson, we stopped by a few garage sales but no luck. Tried a consignment shop in Brooklyn but the only ones they had were Coach name brand and were new so we couldn't see spending that kind of money. Well, we went through Michigan Center and a consignment shop there had three of them! Her favorite one was only $1! Then when I saw the American Cancer Society building we pulled in. I went in to talk with them about what exactly they do there. They were very nice and I signed up Mimi for some support literature and then when I told the gal about the scarf search she said 'here are three (free) ones' that someone donated yesterday. So, mom now has 7 scarves (including the one Aunt Joyce lent her). Mom was so happy she said 'God really answered my prayers didn't he?' After her treatment we went for coney dogs at Jackson Coney Island and then headed home to rest. The day was a success and mom is doing well.....attitude and all. Thank you all for your support! Love, Tina

Mimi had a GREAT DAY!!!

Well Mimi left me a message telling me that her appointment with the oncologist went very well. They were quite pleased with her progress. She had improved so much they asked her to go over the Radiation center and have them take a look. She arrived at the Radiation center, the doctor checked her over and......they asked her if she was ready to get started again with her radiation RIGHT THEN! Of course she said yes because she told me she 'wants to get on with her treatment so she can get on with her life' . YEAH! They did her treatment and although she was tuckered out, she was very glad to have another treatment behind her. So treatment #12 is down....this is very good news. She also will start her Chemotherapy medications tonight. Prayers are still needed and we are ever grateful for the wonderful support this community, our church and our family have given her and her family. God is good ALL THE TIME and thankfully He is still on the throne! More news as it occurs. Love to all!

What's happening with Mimi...?

Mimi will have her one week re-check with the oncology doctors tomorrow. She is hoping to get some answers specifically about her eyesight which seems to continue to fade. She also will find out when the chemo/radiation therapy will resume.

Mimi had her niece Debi (Pitock) come over and shave what was left of her hair off. She says she looks like 'GI Jane'. She looks great and feels good too.

She has had quite a few visitors lately and I feel that has really perked up her spirits...she has a much better attitude....so I guess she, like most of us, needs an occasional 'attitude adjustment'!!

Thanks again for all the cards and food and well especially the prayers. They are working and keep her and her family going when things get tough.

More updates after the appointment.....love to all.

Brain Cancer Awareness Ribbon....

Prayers for the Daglow family

I need to mention that Chuck couldn't be at the appointment today because Mimi's cousin Harold Daglow passed away and his funeral was today. Please keep them in your prayers.

Chuck was a pallbearer. He was there in spirit and he sent Angie with a list of questions to ask the doctor. They say raising a child takes a village...well I think it also takes a village to care for an ailing parent.

Recheck with Oncology

Mimi, Angie and Tina met at Allegiance to see Dr. Axelson today at 11:30am. After the normal check in procedure (weight, blood pressure, blood draw) we were escorted to the room to wait. We got right in and the wait to see Dr. Trimble wasn't too long. Dr. Trimble looked mimi over and was pleased with her progress as far as the skin reaction. It is believed that yes this rash/reaction was from the Dilantin and not the chemotherapy medication. It is possible that the Dilantin and the radiation therapy could cause this same issue but it is not positive. Every case is different. Mimi is only 1 of 2 people that this particular doctor has seen have SJS (Stephens-Johnson Syndrome) in 15 years of practice. Well, mimi is unique isn't she? We will meet with oncology next Wednesday again and see where her treatment plan will go from at that point. No radiation or chemotherapy drugs yet. Also, and obviously, she is no longer on the Dilantin.....

Mimi's outlook is better today and she looks even better today than last night (rash). She always is beautiful to me!

I read something today and shared it with mimi. I told her I was going to put in on this blog so here goes.....

P E R S E V E R E N C E....whether you are two steps behind or a mile ahead, you are still in the game.

Well, thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and cards! Mimi is feeling the healing through your prayers and is enjoying your cards over and over.

Sympathy haircut

It's Tina again....I forgot to mention that I had decided once Mimi started losing her hair, I was going to get my hair cut off....short! So, I did it. I had Carissa use the hairclippers and she shaved my hair to about 1/2 inch long. I did this to show support for Mimi. She calls it my 'sympathy haircut'. Have you ever heard the song "Sara Beth" by Rascall Flatts? It talks about a young girl who finds out she has cancer. Her boyfriend who is taking her to prom, shows up at the door having shaved his head in support of her having lost hers already. It's kind of like that. To show support and to have a better understanding of some of what she is going through. Try listening to that song some time. It is a country song if you decide to look it up. Thanks again to everyone for your support!

Good news and humor...

So it's Sunday, August 2nd and Mimi is home! She is doing much better as far as the blistering/rash goes and even better as far as her attitude! She has a much stronger and positive outlook today.....thank you for your prayers. Mom wanted me to let everyone know some good news in the Dilworth family. Emily and Nick are now engaged! Emily is Jim (mom's brother) Dilworth's youngest daughter. So that is something mom is very happy about. She also wanted me to share a little funny about JJ. When she was home a couple of weeks ago JJ was getting dressed and he got really frustrated with his ankle-length socks and told he didn't like them. When she asked why he said "I don't like these socks, I need some long sleeved ones!" So the big laugh now every time we see a pair of socks is 'are they long sleeved or short sleeved?'

Moms friends since elementary Berta and Darlene sent her up a pair of Vera Wang pj's (which are beautiful by the way) and 'short sleeved socks' to match all the colors in the pj's. The cute part is the card told her she may want to wait until the 'rash/spots' go away because the pj's are spotted....she laughed and loves the pj's. Now that she is home, she will probably wear them tonight!

Please continue praying and the cards you send are placed in a scrapbook of get well cards....I have two completed and am working on the third book! Wow! That's a lot of love for a wonderful lady!

Tomorrow mom and dad will go to see Dr. Axelson in his office to discuss the game plan for her future treatments. Kari or I will keep you updated as much as possible. Thanks again for you support and prayers and cards! They are all most appreciated! Take care and remember to send your emails to strengthformimi@yahoo.com.