Letting go....

It has been a long journey since June; knowing Mimi has a brain tumor, seeing her go through surgery after having had heart surgery in January it was scary. The radiation and chemotherapy treatments have been challenging in many ways; physically and emotionally for her and for her family.

Thank you all for your support; whether you've taken time to think about her, prayed a special prayer for her, sent one card or many, brought over meals, called to check on how everyone is doing....it has all been appreciated. I don't think anyone can know just how much it means to have friends and family until the time comes when you feel helpless and someone comes along with just the right thing to say or do to help you make it through another day.

God bless each of you and I will keep you posted here. She has rested most of the day although she has been awake a few times to visit with some of her family members. She doesn't seem to be in pain but when she gets fidgety or agitated, she is able to receive a medication that calms her and helps her to rest. That is what she needs to do; rest and be comfortable.

We asked for no visitors because she needs her rest. Mimi would say to you, remember her when you saw her at church or at scrap-booking or watching JJ play football or at a family gathering. She would want you to keep that image in your mind and know that she loves each of you.

I could not ask for a better mom in the world and she has loved each of her family so very much. Family and togetherness is so important to her. If she were writing this, I believe she would say; spend as much time with your family as possible...we never know when such a challenging event can occur. Love your friends and have faith in God that He will watch over you.

Goodnight for now and I will post something in the morning......love, Tina for Mimi's family

Hospice care

In the best interest for Mimi, she will be under inpatient Hospice care right here at Allegiance Hospital. When/if her comfort is controlled, she may be moved to the Hospice Home in Jackson. Daughter Angie came down from Grand Rapids last night and she stayed with her. Mom had another rough night and finally today, per our request, she was given Dilaudid; a pain reliever similar to Morphine. She received that at 11am and has been sleeping comfortably since. Thank you all for your calls, cards and prayers; please continue to pray for her to be comfortable and we know she is at peace with her belief. Pray for strength for her family as they see this process continue and yet realize that she did/does not want any heroic measures. Thanks again and I will try to keep you updated. (Was unable to use computer yesterday)

Love, Ruthann's family

Pray for peace...

Mimi has had a rough time in the hospital. Please no visitors; she would not want you to see her this way. The doctor called both dad and I early this morning (4AM) to come in as she is so agitated and could not rest. Thankfully, this morning about an hour ago she began to rest. The problem is the medicine they use to relieve her agitation almost had an opposite effect on her. She needs to rest so she can be comfortable. Our prayer is that God will keep her at peace and comfortable. Pray for our family to accept what is happening and to do what is best for her. We certainly want to follow her wishes of being comfortable until the time comes.

It is with a broken heart that I see her this way but with this aggressive brain tumor it is part of the process. The tumor has grown according to the most recent MRI (yesterday). The swelling has increased and that causes the agitation and her being so uncomfortable. Thank you all for your prayers, cards and love sent through God our Father. He is in charge and I know He knows when it is time and will keep her close to His side.

Please pass along the information and again, visitors are very much discouraged. If you can help out with JJ, please call me or Papa anytime. We love you all for your continued support of our family.

Blessings and peace to all...

Sorry for delay...no internet

Sorry about the delay in updating Mimi's blog. We moved to Clark Lake early November and we don't have Internet access....so I am updating you on the computer at Allegiance Hospital.

Mimi actually had a great week so far and went shopping Wednesday. Thursday, we had Thanksgiving at our new place. Papa brought over the fixings early in the day and then Mimi, Papa and JJ came over for dinner.

After eating, the guys watched a little football, they went home. Papa said Mimi did fine, got herself in to the house when the arrived home and then they watched some TV. Around 10:30pm, Mimi was heading to the kitchen and instead was unsteady on her feet. Papa got her into the kitchen for her night meds and then she went to get ready for bed. She could not get herself off the stool and her left side was shaky and weak. Once Papa got her into bed, he called me--I left immediately--and he called 911. When I arrived the ambulance was there.

Mimi apparently had a few petitMal seizures and a grand Mal seizure on the way via ambulance. In the ER, they did a CAT Scan and a Carotid Ultrasound. No word yet but she is admitted now.

Papa and I are waiting in the Family Waiting Area on the Cancer floor.

Pray requests: Comfort for mimi; strength for papa; and peace for JJ.


I keep thinking to myself: Life is a rough road but I must remember who owns the car and who is driving....God himself and He is on the Throne!

Great weekend!

Chemo meds starting again...

Well Mimi called me to say that her blood counts were where the oncologist wanted them and she is to start back on the chemo meds again; 4 days a week. She returns to see them again in a month so as I hear information, I will share it.

The girls and I will be staying with Mimi this weekend as JJ and Papa are invited to go up to the Great Wolf Lodge with all the family and their kids. Should be fun for them.

Keep the prayers coming! And thanks!

MRI Results are good!

Mimi, Papa and I went to see the Oncologist yesterday for her MRI results and.....there has been no grown in the tumor! Yeah! Her blood counts were not exactly where they want them yet so she has a re-check next Wednesday and if everything is okay, she will start the Tamodar (chemo) medication again. I will keep you updated as I hear.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Mimi. She is doing what she can each day to keep herself busy and even though she seems to have a cold right now, she is working hard at keeping her spirits up.

Love to all and thanks again!