Thank you

I have been thinking so much about the very special people that have become a part of my life through this very difficult time. I have been blessed in so many ways by these special people. They offer love, support and friendship. I can not imagine what this journey would be like with out them. I would also like to thank the man at Mc Donalds in Colton. I was in line at the drive through ordering my food (feeling a little blue that day). When I drove up to the first window the lady who takes your money smiled at me and asked how my day was. I smiled back and said "good. thank you". She told me that the man in the car in front of me paid for my food. I was shocked. I caught a glimpse of him in his side mirror as he drove away. What a very nice thing to do. He probably has no idea how happy he made me (and the McDonalds lady for that matter). I suppose it is small things like this that make the world and the people in it a better place. Thank you. I hope that one day, I will drive through McDonalds and look in my mirror and pay for the person behind me. With no expectations, just a kind thing to do for some one else. To my friends, new and old, my family members, and all the doctors and nurses; Thank you for being so special. I hold evry one of you very near and dear to my heart.

Grants Wishes for Nina

Last Tuesday Grants Wishes a non profit foundation granted Nina her "wish". Kay and Lori (from the foundation) met Nina, my sister Melinda and I at the Tyler mall. Nina went to Torid and a personal shopper (provided by Torid) was waiting for her. The young lady worked very hard to put together many different outfits for Nina to try on. Nina shopped and tried on so many outfits it was incredible!!!!! The women purchased every single outfit Nina liked, shoes, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, socks, headbands and sunglasses! Nina was so happy!!!!!! We all headed to Nordstroms cafe and were treated to lunch. After lunch we went to the MAC make up counter where Nina received a make over. Most of the items that were used for Nina's make over were purchased for Nina along with the make up brushes (WOW)!!!!! The girls at the MAC counter were so sweet! They even put together a goodie bag for Nina from all of the girls!!!!!! After the make over Nina came home and changed in to one of her new outfits. We headed to Orange County and met five of her girlfriends. A stretch limo (donated by Starz limo) arrived to pick all of us up and take us to Chilis for dinner (Chilis donated the entire dinner). After a wonderful dinner the limo took us to the movie theater to see Norbit (the movie theater donated all movie tickets, popcorns and $30 in gift certificates for soda and candy). Nina laughed through the entire movie. Honestly I don't think I have ever seen her as happy as she was that day in her entire life. She felt like such a princess. It was a dream come true for her. The day was perfect. I would like to thank Kay and Lori for making this such a special day. They were so nice and Nina enjoyed their company. And thank you so much to Torid, Nordstroms MAC girls, Starz Limos, Chilis, and the Theater. You all took part in making Nina's dream come true and did a fabulous job!!!!!!! Nina gets a break from chemo until March 16th!!!!! HUURRAAYYY!!!!!! She is doing well this week! No problems! Her older sister Amber is feeling better also : )

Nina's progress

The last two and a half weeks have been so busy for us. A week ago Friday Nina had to have a blood transfusion after receiving her chemo. She had a reaction to the transfusion. Last Friday she had a fever and after her blood work was completed, received a very strong antibiotic (the doctor wanted to admit her in to the hospital, but Nina's tears won and she came home with me). We did however have to make a trip to the emergency room in Orange County later that night due to Nina complainging of chest pain. We were there until the wee hours of the morning and she was once again able to come home with me. Nina has been having quite a few "dizzy spells". She gets very dizzy and jittery. She also had a problem with her vision and hearing for a few minutes one day. When she has these "spells" it is to say the least, very frightening for both her and I. On the outside I seem calm to her, but on the inside, I just fall apart. It is so much responsibility to take care of some one who has so many health issues. My heart breaks when she is not doing well. The last few weeks I have been struggling with my own depression. Lots and lots of tears for me. It can be very lonely and heart wrenching, this new life I live. Nina is now on her 7th week of chemo. She is taking the oral temodar. She is doing very well with this medication. It seems to be the mildest of all the chemo she has received. She is looking forward to having no chemo for the next two weeks. It will be a nice break for her. She continues to attend high school, though much help with the work is needed from me. Soon I will contact a neuropsycholigist to gage Nina's disabilities. My goal is for the psych to help with Nina's defficits as well as give me instruction on how I might be able to help her at home. I also want proffesional help to monitor progress from the psych, and guidance on how I should continue her education. I also plan on looking into programs to involve Nina in so that she can have some kind of social life with kids her age, and possibly with kids that have brain injuries / tumors. Nina's older sister Amber has also been struggling with depression and enxiety attacks. Last week she called me crying five days in a row (this is not like her at all). She will start counseling this weekend and is now taking anti depressants and anxiety medication. It is hard to look at my two oldest daughters and see them hurt so much. I wonder what happened to my family? My heart just aches every single day. Nina receives quite a bit of extra attention on a daily basis. I now see both Amber and Jasmine (Nina's younger sister), becoming envious. I try to give all of my children that special attention they need, soem times it seems like there is not enough of me to go around. I would like to mention the very special doctors and nurses that Nina is so blessed to have. These people are so wonderful. I will be forever grateful to them. The care is incredible. Some very special people have came into our lives. Thank you to each and every one of you.

Nina's progress

Nina is doing very well. She had her fifth chemo treatment last Friday. Only vincristine was given, so the side effects are mild. The nurses love her so much. It seems to me that her memory has been improving again lately. Nina had her first night out since she became ill in April 2006, with kids her age recently. She went bowling (although my instructions were for her not to bowl, only watch, like most 20 year old's, she ignored me and bowled any ways). She went with her older sister Amber,and friends, Mark, Stephanie, Chris, and Eric. She left home at 9:30pm and I picked her up at 1:00am. She was so happy!!!! Waiving her hand at me as I pulled up. She got in the car and bubbled over with excitement telling me all the details of her night. Nina also made spaghetti for dinner on Saturday night (she need direction from me). She was so happy. All the little steps to independence make her feel so good. She has also spent lots of time with family lately. Her Grandma is visiting. Yesterday we spent Super Bowl Sunday at her Uncle Johns. Nina had a blast!