Out of 3 daughters Mimi is our middle child, older sister Iza by 3 minutes and a younger sister Magi by 3 years. Mimi was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on August 12, 2009. After 2 years, 2 months and 26 days on November 6th, 2011 she took her last chemo pill and is considered OFF Treatment! This is our story of our journey through childhood cancer.

Monday, December 28, 2009

"I WOVE IT'S CHRISTMAS"

Christmas Eve we spent with family and ate a traditional Polish Wigilia prepared by no other then Babcia. There is something magical about a dinner that you eat only once a year. Thank goodness for left overs the girls will be enjoying pierogi for a while.


"I WOVE IT'S CHRISTMAS" says Magi as she looks at her big sisters opening and playing with their new presents.
"We love christmas ALOT ALOT TOO!" Iza and Mimi yell.
"WHY SANTA EAT ALL COOKIES!?" because there were alot of cookies on that plate and Magi does not like to share her Auntie Mina made Chocolate Chip Cookies.
"We left them so he can have energy, just like Phineas and Ferb" LOL again explain the big sisters.
"HE MADE MESS!" Yes. Yes he did there were boot prints on the floor near the tree.
"He was in a hurry because he had to go to see all the other kids" More words of wisdom from big sisters.

That is how our Christmas Day started, in PJs the five of us all day long playing and hanging out at home, most important ALL of us at HOME.

Mimi has been feeling pretty good, she does have a caugh but her chest x-ray was normal, she had her counts done on the 23rd and they were good (I don't have the numbers in front of me) she goes again Thursday the 31 to start new cycle of chemo.

Thank you to everyone who has sent Mimi and her sisters Christmas Mail, as always she loved it. Thank you for amazing SANTAS you know who you are :) you forever hold a special place in our hearts. Hugs Kisses and Blessings to everyone.
"We WOVE you, and we WOVE Christmas!"



Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Clinic Day.

All counts are good, same chemo as before. We were in and out while Daddy, Iza and Magi ran some errands. Mimi is doing okay tonight randomly needing the "puke bucket" but not actually using it. Hopefully she will be okay tomorrow...

Counts
WBC - 5.0
Hgb - 11.7
Platelets - 174
Neutrophil - 2200

Best time of the Year.

minus the slush and following Summer.

They girls have enjoyed the first snow of the season quickly followed by hot chocolate and comfy clothes.

A visit to see Santa at his magical workshop.


Lots of Christmas related crafts and projects, so far our favorite was dough ornaments, they even taste good according to Magi... we will just have to take her word for it.



Yes that is a prince, shoe, a wand, and a carriage. Auntie Mary recognize these?


We followed this recipe The bonus: It was almost NO cleanup, thanks to some great Elmer's Paint Pens from Auntie Stacey.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Clinic Day.

All went well today. Mimi was not too happy about not getting to eat breakfast but got over it pretty quickly once we got to the clinic and she saw her favorite "peeps" ;).

She was nervous about getting the "sleepy medicine", I (lied) told her it is a different one, which seemed to work because she did not get too worked up about it and fell asleep peacefully. The clinic's mini laptop that she got to play online with before her procedure might have also helped. Last couple of times when I watched her gag before she was asleep, it was awful to watch. She got Vincristine and Methotrexate (intrathecal administration, Spinal Tap).

She is a little nauseous and tired so it might be a "snuggle and read a book in the big bed" kind of a day.

Counts
WBC - 4.9
Hgb - 11.9
Platelets - 192
Neutrophil - 2200

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Songs of Love!



During our last stay in the hospital this CD came in the mail, talk about perfect timing, Mimi LOVED it she listened to it a million times and so did every nurse and doctor that walked by her room. All three girls dance to it regularly and sing it often. It is a catchy tune so you might find your self singing it too!

I did the slide show to the music, one day when I have some time (ha ha ha) I hope to do a better one.

Please check out their website Songs of Love! They do an amazing job cheering up kids as well as their families with music.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Happy Fifth Birthday Tomorrow!



It was so hard to hold back tears, laugh out loud,
and to wonder about every picture I just looked through,
on all three hard drives of pictures...

I love it all and I am thankful for every day of the last five years.
The sleepless nights of double colic babies, synchronized naps and nursing times, endless giggles, Hugs, 9 month old runners, Hugs, "Capu Capu" Time (aka bath time), Diaper heads, finger painting, wall painting, self painting, Iza's MEAN face, Mimi's numerous silly faces, Hugs, Tea Parties, Hugs, Being Princesses, playing with Princesses, watching Princesses, daily adventures, Bubbles, tantrums (yes I even love those), couch time with two and now three... I can go on for hours and pages.

Happy Birthday Girls!!!
I can't wait to kiss you in the morning!!!
(I am sure I will sneak in before I go to bed)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Clinic Day.

Super quick day, in at 9 out by 11! I think that is a record for us.

Her counts were fine so she got the IV Vincristine and Methotrexate.

WBC - 4.1
Hgb - 11.3
Platelets - 236
Neutrophil - 1300

Mimi will be going back to the clinic in 10 days (AS A FIVE YEAR OLD!) but this time Mimi will be getting the "sleepy medicine" Methotrexate (intrathecal administration, Spinal Tap) and Vincristine.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thankful.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.
- Melody Beattie

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

It's Tuesday and we are HOME.

This morning Miss Mimi pulled her needle out at some point between 5 and 6am, the nurse came in to give her her antibiotic (IV through her port) when she checked her port site she did not see the needle. She woke me up and asked if someone came in to de-access her, I did not hear anyone and Mimi was sleeping soundly right next to me. We looked all around and found the needle near her sleeve! She somehow pulled it out in her sleep. So 6:30 am we had to wake Sleeping Beauty up to re-access her, she was not overly thrilled about being woken up (but fine with getting a 3/4 inch needle LOL) thank goodness for the prize bucket!

Mimi looked good and her cutures were all still negative so we got the okay to go home before lunch, of course it takes a while to discharge so we did not leave until a bit after noon.

We left with a script for Benadryl due to the allergic reaction Mimi got to the tegaderm adhesive. Her chest looks awful, red and blistery, she is also complaining of it being itchy. The nurses did find tape today that will (hopefully) work for her and gave me an extra on incase we go somewhere and there is none avaiable.

Her counts looked good on Sunday but dropped significantly today, her Onc. gave her the okay to go home today since she is due at the clinic on Friday anyway. I am hoping for a UNeventful and ThankFUL Thanksgiving at HOME.

Counts - 11/22 - 11/24
WBC - 6.1 - 4.1
Hgb - 11.2 - 12.1
Platelets - 192 - 158
Neutrophil - 3500 - 1300

Night-Night with Sparkles at the hospital.


Drinking her tea and watching TV, I love the new yellow walls in the children's hospital rooms.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Monday Update.

We are still waiting for blood cultures to be back (they take 48 hours) so far everything looks good. Mimi does have a cough and a bit of a stuffy nose. She has not had a fever since she was admitted last night so that is good also. She is acting fine and also ate okay this morning.

Her only complaint is her itchy port, she has been getting a rash from the tape (tegadrem) they use to hold her port in place. One of the nurses last night changed her dressing and used a barrier between her tape and her skin and it seems to be better although her skin is irritated from yesterday.

As far as I know we will probably be staying another night unless the Docs decide otherwise.

I am home with Monkey Magi and Monkey Iza while Daddy and Mimi watch a movie at the hospital. I will head back over there in a bit.

Update 7:30PM
All is looking well, Mimi's cough is better, her counts look good... She does have to stay the night since they are keeping her 48 hours to "grow" the blood cultures. She is happy we got to do some fun crafts, read some books, she found a student nurse who let her play hair dresser on her hair, she got to listen to a song made JUST for her from Songs of Love. I will try uploading it here for all to hear. So if all continues as it is, we will be home tomorrow.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Night at the Hospital.

Mimi has been acting a little off, no appetite, she did not sleep well last night which is why I also kept checking her temp all day but it went from being in 99s to 101.7 in a half hour. Mimi spiked a fever right before dinner time (4:30pm), I called the Clinic and at 4:45 there was a room ready and we were on our way to drop Iza and Magi off at Babcia and Dziadzu's and Mimi to the hospital. By 5:15 her port was accessed, blood drawn and we are just waiting to see the counts, I came home to just grab by eye solution (I have found that sleeping with my contacts is NOT fun)

I will update when I know more...

Monday, November 16, 2009

A Long Clinic Day...

This morning was a long busy day at the clinic. Thank you Mama Kate and Mama Jess for watching the monkeys! Because of the new H1N1 regulations Iza is not allowed to come to the clinic. Mimi was a little bummed to go today and miss out on the fun at home so I was glad too see a bunch of little girls that she got to be artsy with and to top it off have a pizza lunch party! Thanks to our fave life specialist who ordered the pizza. Lots of cute little girls hanging out at the forest of "IV Trees" crafting away while getting their chemo. I wish I had my camera! Mimi's little toes did not leave the clinic without getting a great foot rub from J the massage therapist, no worried mom got a back rub also. Once again it was hard to leave, she had to talk to every person that we passed on the way out including the valet "boy".

Counts were good:
WBC - 5.2
HGB - 12.4
HCT - 34.9
Platelets - 189
Neutrophil - 2000

When I got home with Mimi I left her at home and took Iza in for a rash on her hands that is for now being treated as eczema, since we were there she also got CBC (complete blood count) done. She was a rock star, and did not even flinch as her blood was taken!

Fast Forward to tonight... She took a two hour nap before dinner. Nausea kicked in for Mimi. Poor thing really wanted chicken quesadillas for dinner she has been asking for them since breakfast. She could not keep any food down. Zofran (Ondansetron) did not help, so I gave her Ativan (Lorazepam) and I think she felt a little better but she did go to bed with her bucket next to her.

We had a great Sunday spent outside running through leaves, throwing rocks in streams and enjoying Herrell's Ice Cream with Auntie Mina :)



Friday, November 6, 2009

Clinic Day.

Counts were great, the ANC doubled from last week. Finally we are back on schedule. Today Mimi started the Interim Maintenance. She got the IV Vincristine and Methotrexate, while playing on the Nintendo game box.

WBC - 4.7
HGB - 12.8
HCT - 36.2
Platelets - 205
Neutrophil - 1500


The girls were being super cute playing in Magi's room yesterday. I love normal days.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Mimi Make-A-Wish!

I wish to:


To Feed Giraffes...



then go eat Ravioli Dinner...



with Princesses...



of course at the Disney Castle!


This is a very Mimi wish.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Can I get a YEY!?

ANC 790!!!

We were prepared for a long day at the clinic today, packed lunch snacks, brought coloring books (as if they don't have enough there) but it ended up being a quick visit. Mimi's counts went up so she did NOT have to get a bone marrow aspiration procedure. We both did the happy dance at the clinic today. I was SO glad! She was also, I could tell she has been really worried about it all day yesterday and even today she was not her perky self. Her strange hip pain, "butt" pain as well as a morning neck pain don't seem to bother her anymore so for right now we will just watch and see. We will resume Chemo on Friday morning.

Mimi lost another front tooth last night! So now for Christmas she can ask for her two front teeth ;)

And a bonus, here is a picture of our brand new TWO year old aka MagiBoo, as she eats her birthday chocolate frosted halloween sprinkled doughnut that is bigger than her head.

Friday, October 30, 2009

No Chemo Again.

I have been worried sick about today's clinic visit... We went in this morning, Mimi got her port accesed and 15 minutes later one of the nurses came to me with the results. NO GO one for more week. Again like last week all her other counts went up just not her Neutrophils (ANC) it is at 420 this week.

Mimi is also complaining of hip pain on one side as well as some "butt" pain. As soon the Oncologist heard that he ordered a bone marrow aspiration to be done on Tuesday to see what is going on instead of waiting until next Friday. They would have done it today but Mimi ate breakfast and due to anasthesia she has to be on an empty stomach. I am really hoping that her counts will just get better by Tuesday and she won't have to have the procedure at all...

She is feeling really good playing and being a crazy monkey with her sisters and buddies that came to see her today, you would never know she is fighting this battle...

So again PLEASE keep Mimi in your prayers.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Thank You.

Those two words just do not sound like enough to say to all the friends and family that dedicated time, donated raffle prizes, money. Thank you to the troopers that ended up playing even though the tournament got rained out! The support and love from everyone is overwhelming... Dan and I wonder how will we ever be able to say THANK YOU. So I hope this reaches most of you. We love you all, you keep us going.

Mimi was a bit bummed he could not attend the party, but she gave me her scrapbook to have people write in it. I brought it home and she insisted I read all the messages to her before bed she LOVED all the messages and especially the drawings.

Below are some pics that I was able to take and even pictures of me, which is very rare...


Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Ichabods 10/24/09
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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Rain Rain GO AWAY!

Come some other day... Today was suppose to be Mimi's Golf Tournament but it got rained out... Mimi says Booooo!

But wait! Dinner, raffle, and live music is still on!

Ichabods Tavern
460 Memorial Drive
Chicopee, MA
at 6PM

We hope to see you there!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Ugh... Delayed One More Week.

I am calmly freaking out. I think.

We went to clinic today to get the delayed chemo but after a quick blood draw two DRs came in and said we have to wait another week. They are not TOO worried since her HGB (red count) went up and so did her platelets but her Neutrophils are lower then last week. To top it off Iza got a caugh last night so now she is wearing a mask at home since we want Mimi's counts to go up. If they don't go up when they check next Friday they might be checking her bone marrow, which means "sleepy medicine" for Mimi. So please send prayers and good thoughts and lets get those Neutrophil guys to come UP UP UP!

Today's Counts:
WBC - 2.08
HGB - 10.3
HCT - 28.8
Platelets - 200
Neutrophil - 510


On a good note now Iza and Mimi are MATCHING again since they both lost a tooth this month!

Monday, October 19, 2009

We "HEART" Fall

Such a great time of the year (of course second to summer), there is so much to do!

Pumpkin picking, decorating, hay rides, apple cider doughnuts, Halloween parties, harvest festivals, picking leaves... the list goes on and on. I feel since we missed out on the last month of the summer we are making up for it in the fall.

Right now Mimi is feeling pretty good, she is not on any daily pills except the antibiotics three times a week. She woke up Saturday morning and said "Mommy did you give me my pill last night??? I don't remember taking a pill? Did you forget?" I assured her she did not have to take it, once she made sure I was sure, she was happy that I won't have to wake her up anymore, for a little while anyway.
This past weekend we had a Halloween Party at a bowling alley, the clinic had the whole place rented in Mimi's words "A Party for all the kids who HAVE to go to the clinic and their families". Iza was Dorothy, Mimi was Diamond Castle Barbie Princess, Magi was a Fairy.
It was such a great time, bowling was fun although the whole turn taking thing went out the window, arcade games were a hit although the girls finally realized that you can't just pretend to play on those you really need money, and best of all they decorated cookies can we all say SUGAR RUSH!!!














Friday, October 16, 2009

Chemo delayed for a week.

Today was clinic day, Mimi was suppose to get chemo (Vincristine and Methotrexate) today but her neutophils were low (borderline) so she has to come back next Friday. So we are a week behind schedule... She is feeling pretty good right now they are all still running around like crazy monkeys after a day with friends. I am predicting an early bedtime today here, as well as their little friends houses. Thanks for coming over girls!

Counts from Last Thursday 10/08/09
WBC - 3.3
Hgb - 9.2
Hct - 27.8
Platelet - 262
Neutrophil -2300

Counts from Today 10/16/09
WBC - 1.9
Hgb - 9.5
Hct - 27
Platelet - 159
Neutrophil -670 (I think they need them to be at least 750 for chemo)
Neutrophil — The most common type of white blood cell. Neutrophils help the body fight infection. Since the most common type of white blood cell is the neutrophil, a low white blood cell count usually indicates that the neutrophil count is low. It is easier to get an infection and harder to recover from an infection when the number of neutrophils in the bloodstream is low.

  • Greater than 1, 000. Normal protection against infection.
  • 500-1, 000. Some increased risk of infection.
  • 200-500. Great risk of severe infection.
  • Lower than 200. Risk of overwhelming infection; requires hospital treatment with antibiotics.
  • The girls had a sleepover last night and woke up this morning to SNOW!

    Something that I would rather not see in OCTOBER. But it is a cute pic ;)

    Tuesday, October 13, 2009

    Twin Power!

    I decided to make this page a little more "pretty".

    Also because Iza has asked why there is only a picture of Mimi on this page I fixed it right after she made that comment. This cancer has not only changed Mimi's life but all of us and I think Iza is having a real tough time with it and is unable to express her feelings. She has been throwing tantrums over nothing and everything, part of it might be the age but I think seeing her best buddy, her double, her wombmate go through a drastic change is huge to her. I sometimes think Iza feels Mimi's pain, Mimi is too tired to deal with it and Iza cries for her. I am amazed at the twin bond more than ever.

    I have put my self in her shoes a couple of times and I cry everytime I think what she is going through... One day she is spashing around in a pool with her sisters and friends the next day her sister is in a hospital for 10 days and when Mimi came home she was tired, sad, upset and was not her usual feisty self. Since August things have gotten "better" they do have their regular "Mommy she is LOOKING at me!" and "That is my side of the couch!" those times are back and I am good with that!



    Sister Power! Iza (with a SUPER SIBS Tattoo)


    While Mimi was getting a transfusion a couple of weeks ago
    Iza came to hang out at the hospital with her.
    They watched a movie, ate lots of ice cream and confused alot of nurses :)

    Friday, October 9, 2009

    Fun Rainy Artsy Friday.

    I was determined to do something fun with the girls today and since it was raining our options were limited but the Eric Carle Museum is always a great place to visit. We met our friends over there and had five little girls under five running and making sure everyone hears them.


    Making imaginary maps out of old maps with scrap paper.


    Magi talking to herself, Mimi thinking she is silly and look Mommy! ;)


    Five monkeys in a neat reading space that everyone wanted to climb.



    Thursday, October 8, 2009

    Today's Counts.

    Were Great! To celebrate we had strawberries.


    I don't have the exact numbers because I forgot the printout at the clinic but since her counts were good she will continue with the Mercaptopurine Pill daily for another week.

    Mimi had a really good time there today for one Iza got to come with her, Daddy came to visit, both girls got a foot AND a back massage, they got to play with another little girl who was at clinic today and all the little girls got a Barbie from the child life specialist. They really go above and beyond to keep these kids happy, so much that they didn't really want to leave!

    Wednesday, October 7, 2009

    A HUGE Thank You!

    We can't begin to express what this day meant to our family. The Rumbleseat Bar and Grill was a packed place on Sunday, the Motorcycle Poker Run raised over $2500 This money will be most definitely helpful for the months ahead of us there's no doubt about that. We so greatly appreciate all the organizing, donations of great raffles, amazing home made foods and delicious desserts.

    It's no lie that times has been difficult for us, Mimi's diagnosis has changed our lives but we know with this strong community of friends, family and neighbors around us we will be okay.

    Thank you again from the way way bottom of our hearts.

    Mimi waving to over fourty bikes that showed up to ride.

    Magi Iza and Mimi on a bike, it was hard to get Magi off the bikes.

    Leading the Pack.


    Saturday, October 3, 2009

    We are getting our Bikes ready! ;)

    Tomorrow is the Bike/Poker Run. The girls are very excited to bring THEIR bikes LOL!
    I am hoping the weather holds up so far it has been raining all day...

    Friday started a little rocky at the clinic, Mimi was super nauseous but handled it really well. It was awful to see her vomit while her "sleepy medicine" my stomach was turning the whole time she was in the procedure room for her Spinal Tap. Everything went well and we were home in record time. Her counts were really good and when she heard that she said "Can I have an apple, a banana and then cucumbers with ranch?" It was a yes.

    Today (Saturday) she was having a pretty good day so we had a "Daddy Mommy Iza and Mimi Date" (Magi got to hang out with Babcia and Dziadziu) We went out for pizza and saw the Pasghetti Movie (I love it that they still say that wrong) in 3-D, it was worth seeing!

    Saturday, September 26, 2009

    Yuckies...

    Poor Mimi had her first case of nausea for most of Friday.

    Everytime an alcohol wipe was near her (they use it to clean off her "tubie" to insert her fluids or meds), everytime anyone came in with freshly washed hands in antibacterial soap, and to kicker was the "sleepy medicine" going into her port. She always said she can taste it in her mouth right before she falls asleep but this time it made her vomit. (sorry for TMI!)

    Her Spinal Tap went fine and it was pretty quick so we were home by noon. Some people asked why Mimi keeps getting Spinal Taps.
    Here is why:
    Intrathecal (Spinal Tap) chemotherapy, methotrexate, is also given into the spinal fluid for at least 4 doses, each separated by a week. This chemotherapy helps kill any lymphoma cells in the brain or spinal cord.
    I found this site to be neat (Mimi likes to see why she gets things done) http://spinaltap.starlightprograms.org/003.swf

    Thursday, September 24, 2009

    We are home.

    We got the okay to leave this morning and were home around lunchtime. Mimi did not have any fevers at all since Tuesday night and all her counts stayed pretty good.

    Tomorrow is another Spinal Tap day, that she is not happy about, but hopefully Friday night movie night can cheer her up.

    Wednesday, September 23, 2009

    We spent the night at the Hospital...

    Boo. Mimi had a slight fever (100.6, the protocol is to call as soon it is over 100.3) around lunchtime yesterday (Tuesday) I called the Clinic and they told me to bring her right in to the hospital.
    She feels great and her blood work looks awesome but since she had a fever last night while she was here they will probably keep her here until tomorrow morning. She is watching movies and coloring up a storm, I am here with her coloring as well. Oh and she is determined to write Emilia in cursive right now she is able to do Mimi.

    The biggest news of all her neutrophil count is "normal" is that she is able to have fruit - Real fruit! She has chosen an apple. I'll let you know how it was...
    And it was YUMMMMO! She had two!

    Saturday, September 19, 2009

    Friday's Happenings (Updated)

    This Friday went much smoother even with a major delay due to a malfunction of some oxygen machines... something you always want to hear that the oxygen "machine" is not working properly. We got to clinic for 10am but Mimi did not go into the procedure room for her Spinal Tap until around 1pm! She did awesome though she got lots of art done, played some video games and had some visitors even Sarah who talks with her hands and talks to Aladdin! ;)

    She will be going for Spinal Taps every Friday for the next 3 weeks and started a new pill daily. I will update with the exact study she is on when I get back to the computer. MagiBoo just got into soap...

    Title of the project/research study AALL0331
    Standard Risk B-prosecutor ALL
    Part II - Post Induction Intensification
    She was chosen randomized into the standard treatment arm (SS-IV) which will last 4 weeks.

    Drugs:
    Mercaptopurine (daily pill for 28 days)
    Vincristine (IV push one time on day 1)
    Methotrexate (intrathecal administration, spinal tap days 1, 8 and 15)
    She is also getting her antibiotic three times a week two times a day.

    Thursday, September 17, 2009

    Bring a buddy.

    We had to go to clinic today for blood counts to see if Mimi is good to go for tomorrow's Spinal Tab. Iza got to go to clinic today also, they were both VERY happy to be there and Mimi did super today since her buddy was with her.

    Tomorrow we will get the road map for the next few months. Mimi will also be getting another spinal tap tomorrow. She is not too happy since Iza can't come with her and also because she is getting the "sleepy medicine" that tastes like the poison apple... (I am not sure when she had one of those or if she had a talk with Snow White) Even though she gets the meds through her port kids get a taste in their mouth right before they go under and she remembers it everytime. She will be waking up to a chocolate chip cookie from Jess :)

    Sunday, September 13, 2009

    Breathing is good.

    My heart did the pounding thing again as I took Iza to the pedi on Saturday morning, she had a strange "rash", normally I would not even call the pedi but now I question everything... The pedi called Mimi's Onc. since she did not want to send me home without knowing what this rash was.

    We were sent to the hospital for a CBC.

    This whole time I tried to just breathe. This was around 10 am. Right after noon I got a call from the pediatrician "Iza's blood is fine" I cried.


    Since Mimi is off the steroids for a bit and her counts are pretty good we decided to spend the day in a park with some friends, saw some monkeys, bears, oh MY!, eat ice cream, jump in a bounce house, have a boat ride, eat some more ice cream and my little monkeys fell asleep while chattering with their Barbie night lights. Today felt normal...

    Saturday, September 12, 2009

    Blood counts and stuff.

    We are still without internet at the new house so I am just now updating.

    Yesterday was clinic day. Mimi did not have a good morning over there, she cried while she got accessed she said it hurt alot, she was starving, it was raining... The only people that got a smile out of her were her Dr. (who she LOVES!) and the lady who rubs her feet (massage therapist who comes into the clinic). She had a Spinal Tab and another Bone Marrow. We should have results early next week. The procedure went well and after waking up from her "sleepy medicine" she ate her Sun Chips and Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies all the way from Nana and Pops from Florida! She thought it was very cool to get cookies in the mail.

    Blood Counts from Friday:
    WBC - 14.6
    Hgb - 11.7
    Hct - 33.1
    Platlets - 220

    Tuesday, September 8, 2009

    Mail FROM Mimi

    I called this blog MAIL FOR MIMI because of a simple request that Mimi had while at the hospital "Can I get mail here Mommy?" I mentioned it to a couple of amazing people and the word was spread - Mimi wanted Mail. The mail came and is still coming.

    Now Mimi wants to write back.

    We have gone through three sets of watercolor paints. Painting, drawing and coloring has become Mimi's therapy. She sets her self up on our new island right in the center of it all and creates. She has decided to respond to ALL the mail she has gotten so we are going down the list. Daddy has bought us stamps, although I think we might be sending him again soon. So we are creating art and stuffing envelopes.

    Saturday, September 5, 2009

    Silly Saturday.

    So Steroids are suppose to make kids moody. I am still scared of the "bad" moods, although so far Mimi keeps having giggle fits. Along with her partner in crime Iza they say one word and laugh about it for 20 minutes or more. If you are near by you can't help but laugh along with them.

    Today's word of the day was skunk and monkey. I am hoping this continues...

    Another mood change she has shown recently is ignoring people and pretending she is shy, this is a VERY odd thing for any of our girls since shy is something they never did. The shy thing only lasts for a bit and them she starts with the giggles. The same giggle she had when she was tiny.

    Friday, September 4, 2009

    Friday is Clinic Day.

    And today was a good day! Plus a bonus : We were driving by a tag sale and bought a M&D Puppet show theather with puppets for $5! All three girls were super psyched.

    Today was a first day that Mimi did not have to be fasting before clinic, so she was quite happy to get there with an egg & cheese croissant and hash browns from Dunkin Dounuts (Yes if you are wondering she at it all.) Since it was kind of a rushed morning we forgot to put the magic cream on, we both realized it when we walked into clinic. No worries though the awesome nurses were able to put some on before Mimi's port (central line) got accessed, she amazes me as she just watches and does not even flinch as a huge needle goes into her port. Today she just got Vincristine (chemo) through her port which took all of 5 minutes she colored a picture we got the CBC (complete blood count) back and we were on our way home!

    Her blood counts were pretty good today (well... for her anyway)
    Hgb 12.4
    Hct 35.0
    Platelets 127
    Abs. Neut 1.5 (1500)

    This site has the abbreviations explained http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cbc/test.html

    Thursday, September 3, 2009

    MOTORCYCLES FOR MIMI

    A local bar has approached us to set up a Bike/Poker Run in Mimi's name. We are very touched.



    MOTORCYCLES FOR MIMI
    POKER RUN


    WHEN:
    SUNDAY OCTOBER 4TH RAIN DATE 10/11

    WHERE:
    THE RUMBLESEAT 482 Springfield St – Chicopee MA 01013 (413) 592-9025

    TIME:
    REGISTRATION @ THE RUMBLESEAT 9am
    RIDE LEAVES AT 11am - party to start @3pm

    COST:
    $20 FOR RIDERS $10 PASSENGERS/Non-riders
    INCLUDES FOOD AND MUSIC

    Wednesday, September 2, 2009

    08:15 AM

    After a large bowl of cereal Mimi asked for a bowl of ravioli...

    (I am thinking OMG!) "Daddy ATE the leftover ravioli last night!"
    "It's Okay Mommy I will have some chicken noodle soup"
    (OMG #2 That was finished last night too) "We don't have any left"
    "Hmmm Can you make me more ravioli with sauce?"
    "Anything you want" LOL

    So yes I was making Ravioli at 8:15AM And my baby was happy :) Right after her breakfast she took her meds which she has become a Pro at, no issues at all, just a week ago we were both crying and sobbing as I begged and bribed so she takes her medicine.

    And now she is asking for a snack it is 9:25 still AM

    Thursday, August 27, 2009

    Friday, August 28th 2009


    Eighteen days ago our life has been changed forever... While at the drive-thru at Dunkin Dounuts getting two iced french vanillas with cream and sugar I answered the phone from an RN that I saw a couple of hours before.

    "We got her blood results... the hospital has a room ready please bring her as soon as you can... I am so sorry..."

    My heart has never raced so fast or pounded that hard. I took the three hot coffees and random three munchkins from the DD teenage worker and rushed to the hospital after making sure it it was okay that I leave Magi. Mimi needed Iza with her.

    Two hours after entering the front doors of the hospital we were being told that our four year old daughter might have Leukemia. The only way to find out for sure would require a bone marrow biopsy.

    On August 12th we were called into a room with all the doctors and nurses who we have seen for the last two days.

    Diagnosis was confirmed Mimi has Leukemia (ALL)

    08/20/09

    Leaving after 10 days in the hospital.