4th Annual Guns vs. Hoses Football Game to Benefit the Miller's

On November 7, 2009 the Goodyear Police Officers Association will be squaring off against the United Goodyear Fire Fighters in the 4th Annual Guns vs. Hoses football game (www.goodyeargunsvshoses.com). The game will be played at the new Goodyear Spring training facility at 1933 South Ballpark Way in Goodyear. The doors open at 5pm and the game kicks off at 6:15pm. Donations will be taken at the gates to benefit the Miller family. Following the game, there will be a fireworks display and a three-hour concert by Crooked Head Annie (who is a cover band specializing in music such as Journey, Styx and Boston).
Hope to see everyone there!
Aunt Kathy

Cancer Death Spurs Drive To Get Others Screened

KPHO did a follow up story on Kim for the Pay it Forward Program. It will touch your heart! Thanks Deron! Click on the link below to view the video.

http://www.kpho.com/video/21391858/index.html

Scotts letter to his sister Kim

I am Scott Gwaltney, Kims older brother. I wanted to say something today to honor my sister and her life, but for those of you who know me, know I am a little bit of a crier and I would never make it through this. First of all I want to say this is the hardest thing I have had to do in my 31 years of life and that’s why I am having my uncle Mike read this to you. I was the first born and had it pretty good, I mean mom and dad gave up a couple of horses for me and I thought I was pretty special but then 16 months later the moment you arrived I knew it was all over for me. How couldn’t it be you were so cute. But remember everybody thought we were twins. Growing up, sure we got into our fair share of fights and got punished for them, the duck tape over the mouth which I think is illegal in 9 countries and 37 states including Arizona comes to mind. Im still mad at mom dad for that one. We can actually thank them for our big lips because the swelling never went down. Remember all the games we use to play. We would play the card game war. We would play Mario brothers on Nintendo and when mom and dad weren’t home you would call them and say, “Mom, Scott wont let me be Mario”. I use to hate that., but you would eventually get your way, and by the way I forgive you for the vicious attacks you brought upon me with solid objects including, one curling iron heated to a cool 350 degrees which took off all layers of skin on my left arm., I think the scar is finally gone, how about the 7 iron to the back of my head, or the tennis racket to the spine. I wonder why I have problems. Through all that I never laid a finger on you because I loved you and was scared to death of dad, but I did get you back when I use to hit your toes with my knuckles. That was my only revenge. Anyways back to the games, my favorite was when we use to lay in each others beds and guess what we were writing on each others back. We had the only front yard in the neighborhood with no grass because we used it as a soccer field, football field and a baseball diamond. We would play outside all day, with mom hitting us grounders, we were peppering with your volleyball or you would watch me kick my soccer ball endlessly against the wall. You thought as we got into high school I was mean and didn’t want you around me and my friends but let me tell you a little secret it was them that I didn’t want around you., I am protective over you, you are my little sister and lets face it your beauty is breathtaking (did I mention people say we look alike) As long as I can remember people have been drawn to you for so many different reasons, Im not sure if it was your beauty, charisma, welcoming smile or everyone was intrigued because they had to look up to you, im just kidding you weren’t that tall. Speaking of tall is that why you could buy an alcoholic beverage at the age of 15. I still get carded for R movies. I think it is your gentle brown eyes, kind heart, quick wit, and sharp tongue. I could sit here forever talking about your qualities but you know them as well as I do and so do the people in this church that’s why they are here. Look at how much you accomplished. I am so proud of you. You were a volleyball and softball stud in high school and competitively. You had college offers in both sports, that is amazing. You played two years at GCC and made 1st team all region both years not to mention the records you set while you were there. You signed at Auburn but chose to give up your college dreams and stay when mom had been diagnosed with her cancer in 2000 because you knew she needed you. I think that was a loving, noble thing to do. Im glad you stayed I never told you but I didn’t want you to leave either. Not soon after that you met your hubby at Country Thunder and got married later that year, by the way hes not a bad guy, I think you did good, you have 3 beautiful children who are blessed they were able to know you and call you mom. And I know how much you love them. This is the hard part. I want to talk about our relationship lately and clear up some things. As we get older and we have families we get into ruts and become complacent with the day to day grind of life. We might not talk as much as I would of liked but that doesn’t mean everyday your not on my mind or that I love you any less because all I have for you kimmy is LOVE. I have so many wonderful memories with you its hard to recall all of them. When you were diagnosed with your cancer in October I couldn’t believe it, when they said it was stage 4 colon cancer I did my research on the internet as did everybody that knew or followed your blog I am going to admit I was in denial. NO way could this happen to my sister a 29 year old woman as healthy and athletic as you. I asked God everyday why he would do this to you to our family, your family. I never received an answer for that. You went from Mayo to Banner Estrella and finally to Cancer Treatment Center of American. In all of your trips and stays at these hospitals and through all your scans, procedures, chemo and frequent bad news you always had a positive attitude and a smile that kept me strong. You had good days and bad days, I knew it was a good day when I could tickle your swollen feet and you couldn’t hit me so you would just yell at me to stop or throw a brush at me and hit your own foot, ouch that had to hurt. You never lost your sense of humor either. You would give us the middle finger from time to time and I knew when I saw that you were feeling pretty good. Every time I saw you, well not every time but most the time, I would give you a hug and wait a minute before I came back up to make eye contact because I didn’t want you to see me cry so I could be strong for you. When you would see me you would always comfort me and tell me everything is going to be ok, why are you crying? I am going to beat this. Those were the words you always used. I am so amazed at your strength and courage, These last 9-10 months you have become my hero. The fact I can say I am your brother is a privilege and an honor. I cherish all the time I was able to spend with you and one day stands out for me. It was last Tuesday and your pet scan was moved back a few hours so you had them bring me and Danny back to see you and we talked for about an hour and that was the last time we talked and will never forget that conversation, A very special moment for me was when Cher cleared everyone out of your room and I was able to talk to you just you and me. Although you weren’t able to talk back to me, you were squeezing my hand and moaning a little bit but I know you were trying to tell me you loved me and I know you do Kim. We were all there with you until you took your last breath, crying, holding you, I wrote on your arm over and over “I love you” (just like when we were kids) as we let you know it was ok to move on past this world onto your next journey into heaven. The hardest day of my life was watching you in that hospital bed and realizing that would be the last time I would be able to see your beautiful face and hold you or tell you I love you. My little boy (Jenner) will not be able to meet you, but hes going to hear about you and all the good times we shared and he too will love his Aunt Kim. Words can not describe how my heart aches I will no longer be able to pick up the phone and call you or see that face you use to make to me that cracked me up, you know the one. I will never hear the words “Hey Buggy” out of your mouth anymore. I never imagined I would lose you this early in life. One thing that gives me comfort is that you are pain free now and I know you left us when you were ready to go. You fought so hard in the face of adversity and you were right, you did beat it Kim. You are cancer free in heaven with God watching over us, you are our angel. Now I want to let you know how much you were loved as if you already didn’t know. Mom and Dad loved you sooo much and you were sooo close and I am happy you were able to experience that. They would have done anything for you and so would I. Deron and the kids adored you as did our entire family not to mention all of your friends. I want to say to my mom and dad I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart for the loss of your daughter. My heart breaks for you, now having my own family it would absolutely destroy me to lose one of my girls. If there was anything I could do to take your pain away right now no matter how great the measure I would do it. I know there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel right now, but with time it will get easier. Remember, I love you two I am here for you both. I know this is going to be difficult for everyone but as long as we have each other we will make it through. She is still here in our memories and will always be forever alive in our hearts. Pickle puss I love you so much and I miss you even more but I know I will see you again in a better place. Say hi to Nana, Grandpa Al, Grandma Anne, Keith, Smitty, and Uncle Mike, I would like to thank some very special people at this time for their support, love and selflessness during this time of hardship and sorrow, and if I forget someone please forgive me. First, I would like to thank Mike, Karrie, Kathy, Kirby, Mitch, Lisa, Tracy, Kristen, Eli, Daniel, Justin, Jake, Jesse, Michael, Kandus, Kohl, Megan and Mackenzie, we are so lucky to have you as our family, and I love you all!!! To all of Kims friends that have been there through this time Natalie, Becky, Erin, Laura, Randi, Sammy, Mary,Sherri and Vinnie. Also I would like to thank my friends for supporting me, even those who never had the pleasure to meet Kim, they knew her thru me and were there when I needed a shoulder to cry on. Last but not least, I would like to thank my beautiful wife Cher, you are my rock and I love you. I have two things I hope you can take away from this. First, please take the time and make the effort to let the people you love know you love them, don’t take life for granted, no ones time is guaranteed on this earth. Tomorrow is a gift, make the time today. Colon cancer is becoming more prevalent in the younger society; please get checked it’s what Kim would want you to do. Thank you and God Bless

T-Shirt Fundraiser

I have put off placing the final order for t-shirts because I have had several last minute orders that I wanted to accommodate. However...this could go on forever!! :) So, this Friday, October 23rd is the FINAL day to place orders. This really will be the last day, so if you want a shirt, please e-mail (phnx101@cox.net) me asap!!

If you have received your shirts, or ordered shirts and are still waiting on this last order...and haven't paid, please (please) send your money to:

Randi Buvala
6635 W. Happy Valley Road
Suite A104 #203
Glendale, AZ 85310

Undy Update

Hello All!!

The Undy 5000 is just about a month away...on Saturday November 21st!! Not very many of you have signed up for our team!! I think only ONE family member has signed up (thanks Aunt Kathy!!). If you aren't able to run/walk, and can donate a few bucks to our team goal...that makes us happy too!! Let's get the word out!! Let's find us a cure for this awful disease & get people screened for early detection!!

I want to order team shirts for us to wear, but can't do so until we have final numbers for the team!! If you plan to sign up (It's $25 to sign up), please do so soon so we can get those shirts ordered!! We need to get the order in soon to have the shirts here in time!!

Click on the link to join our team!! It's in the right side bar...click the picture that says Undy 5000.

Thanks,

Randi!!

p.s. e-mail me with any questions at phnx101@cox.net

Phoenix Thunder Fund Raiser for College Fund for Dylan and Kyrstin

I am soooo happy to be able to share an amazing Fundraiser that Chuck Walton and the Phoenix Thunder put together to establish a college fund for Dylan and Kyrstin. The Phoenix Thunder is a non-profit organization of firefighters and police officers from across the valley who compete in tackle football games to raise money for children in need.

All donations in increments of $25.00 will automatically be entered in a raffle for the Phoenix FBR Open on the 16th Green Sky Box for Feb. 22nd - 28th. This includes two tickets for every day of the event.

Please click on the link below for further information and to donate to win this awesome prize:

http://www.active.com/donate/millerfamily

You can make your donation on line with a credit card by clicking on the link above.

A special thanks to Chuck Walton and the Phoenix Thunder!!

Aunt Kathy

Reminder of Southern Living Party on Saturday

Becky let me know this weekend that she does not have any RSVP's for the Southern Living Party to benefit the Miller's this Saturday, October 24, at 5:00 in the evening?? Please e mail Becky at jakenjosmom@live.com to let her know if you can make it or not. Details are as follows: We will be getting together in honor of Kim to participate in one of her favorite pastimes…shopping! Hosted by Becky Smith and Mary Rutan, the shopping soirée will include friends, food and beautiful household décor from Southern Living At Home. Catalogs will be made available at the party or for early browsing please visit southernlivingathome.com. Southern Living At Home is a home-based consulting business that offers attractive, well-made and versatile decorum that incorporates every decorating style. The home consultant earns twenty-five percent profit of the total merchandise purchased, all of which will be donated to the Miller Family. There will also be a raffle (tickets $2.00) and pocket cookbooks for sale (price $2.00). Raffle items will include a pair of Luminous Champagne Flutes, a Bountiful Beverage Pitcher, a Carriage House Lantern and a Hemingway Hurricane. So Ladies, gloss your lips, grab your purses and let’s party!
Mary Rutan 11528 W. Green Dr. Youngtown, 85363
Thanks,
Aunt Kathy

Goodyear Gun's & Hose's Game to Benefit the Miller's

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 7th at 6:15 p.m. to join us for the Goodyear Gun's and Hose's Football Game to benefit the Miller's. The game will be at the new Goodyear Ballpark at Yuma and Estrella Parkway. Hope to see you there!

Aunt Kathy

Thanks Heather and Chick-fil-A Team

We had a great time at the Chick-fil-A Fundraiser on Friday night and I wanted to thank Heather and the Chick-fil-A team for a job well done!! It was awesome to see everyone and I so enjoyed hearing stories about Kim and what an inspiration she is to everyone who has crossed her path.

Aunt Kathy

Reminder of Chick-fil-A Fundraiser on Friday

Hope to see everyone at the Chick-fil-A (Dysart & McDowell) Fundraiser this Friday, Oct. 9th from 5pm-8pm. 10% of all sales will go to the Miller's.

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Pebble Creek Chic'Boutique, Hair and Make-up Make overs by Annette‏

Another one of Kim's awesome friends, Anette Niewiadowski has organized another wonderful fundraiser for the Miller's:
Thursday, Oct 29th, 2009
PebbleCreek - 3003 N. 164th Ave. Goodyear, AZ 85395
2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuscany Falls Ballroom
Advance tickets $15.00 per person (e mail Annette at annette.niewiadowski@gmail.com)
$20.00 per person the door
Light refreshments & a glass of wine
Hair and Make-up Make overs by Annette
apparel
jewelry
handbags
belts
shoes
home decor
cosmetics
skin care
hair care
unique gifts
Tickets on Sale in the Pebble Creek Activities Office:
(623) 535-9854
No children please.

Kim's Birthday Pictures....

Happy Birthday Kim! The car wash was a success, and Deanna's Salon put on a Fantastic Fundraiser! As Kathy mentioned, we sang Happy Birthday to our Kimmy and gave her balloons! There was a dragon fly that hung around for a while, looking at all of us! What a wonderful moment that was! Kimmy was there in more ways than one!

Oct. 24th-Southern Living Party Proceeds Going to the Miller's

Ladies…let’s shop!
Saturday, October 24, at 5:00 in the evening we will be getting together in honor of Kim to participate in one of her favorite pastimes…shopping! Hosted by Becky Smith and Mary Rutan, the shopping soirée will include friends, food and beautiful household décor from Southern Living At Home. Catalogs will be made available at the party or for early browsing please visit southernlivingathome.com. Southern Living At Home is a home-based consulting business that offers attractive, well-made and versatile decorum that incorporates every decorating style. The home consultant earns twenty-five percent profit of the total merchandise purchased, all of which will be donated to the Miller Family. There will also be a raffle (tickets $2.00) and pocket cookbooks for sale (price $2.00). Raffle items will include a pair of Luminous Champagne Flutes, a Bountiful Beverage Pitcher, a Carriage House Lantern and a Hemingway Hurricane. So Ladies, gloss your lips, grab your purses and let’s party!
Mary Rutan 11528 W. Green Dr. Youngtown, 85363
Please RSVP To Becky Smith @ jakenjosmom@hotmail.com

T-Shirt Orders

I have the first order of t-shirts and will be starting to mail them out this week. I would also have the second order, but I put off picking them up because we moved last week...it would have been to hectic!! I apologize that my moving has caused a week or two delay in this process.

I have a few new orders, so I will place at least one more order. I need to collect a few more of the order forms/envelopes I sent out & then I will place the order. I am hoping to do this by the end of next week (10/09/09).

If anyone would like to order one (or more) of the shirts, please e-mail me at phnx101@cox.net. To see the shirts click here. If you have ordered a shirt and haven't sent your money, please do so. If you have any questions, please send me an e-mail & I will do my best to get it answered.

The shirts turned out pretty dang cool...I have only worn mine once and have already gotten several comments. This is a GREAT way to help spread colon cancer awareness & raise a few bucks to help out Kim's family.

Xoxo,

Randi

Chick-fil-A Fundraiser for the Miller's - Friday, Oct. 9th

Celebrate Kim’s Life & Legacy
Friday, Oct 9, 2009 5pm - 8pm
Join us for dinner at
Chick-fil-A in Goodyear
(Dysart & McDowell, Near Lowe’s)
10% of all dine-in and drive-thru sales
will be donated to The Kim Miller Benefit Fund
Benefit Account ~ Wells Fargo #2323878427

Hope to see you there!!
Aunt Kathy

Free 5K Run for Cancer - Saturday, Oct. 3rd

Michelle Widowski, one of Kim's friends, is doing a free 5K Run to raise money for the American Cancer Society in loving memory of her little brother David Baxter and Kim who both passed away from colon cancer, on Saturday, Oct. 3rd at 7:00 a.m. at Goodyear Park. Registration begins at 6:15 a.m. and there is no registration fee, only accepting donations to the American Cancer Society.

To reserve your spot, volunteer to help during the race or make a donation, please e mail Michelle at info@bodycoreaz.com

Thanks Michelle for your kindness!!

Aunt Kathy

Saturday Fundraisers Hugely Successful

What an INCREDIBLE day Saturday was!! We had over 50 volunteers show up to wash cars and support the Miller's! Even in the blazing sun and over 100 degree temperatures, volunteers worked hard with smiles on their faces and were happy to be there to support Kim and her family. Once again, I am reminded of just how good people are!!

Special thanks go to Sammy for the endless hours she spent organizing and facilitating the most successful Car Wash I have ever been a part of. Ginger, thanks for the great idea and all your help as well! Thanks also go to Bev and her staff at Circle K for welcoming us with open arms and providing ice and many other things we needed. Big thanks to Olivia, who made wonderful pineapple upside down cake and sold it for donations. Thanks Natty for taking pictures once again (will post some when I get them from her). Lastly, thanks to Chick-fil-A for donating a tasty lunch for all the volunteers.

Also, special thanks to Deanna and Kassi from Salon De Cheveax for putting on an amazing
Fundraiser as well! What an adorable Salon and what nice stylists I met while there visiting. Deanna and Kassi also worked hard on getting great raffle prizes and the food that was in the middle of the Salon was wonderful!!

Family and Friends (at least 40 people), went to Holy Cross Cemetery after the Car Wash ended to sing Kim Happy Birthday (twice) and launch an incredible amount of balloons. What a special time this was for all!!

Lastly, family and friends went to the Miller's for a wonderful party to celebrate our wonderful day!!

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Candle Fundraiser Update

I just spoke with Heather to get an update on the Candle Fundraiser and our goal was to sell 700 candles and we are at 216 candles sold.

Heather has to turn in the order by Sunday and if you still have a packet, please bring the packet to the Car Wash tomorrow or contact Heather at (602) 908-8785.

If you still would like to purchase candles, I will have a packet at the Car Wash tomorrow and you can place your order with me.

Thanks,
Aunt Kathy

Article on Fund Raisers Tomorrow on azcentral.com

I wanted to let everyone know that there is an article on azcentral.com (link below) on the 2 Fund Raisers we are doing for the Miller's tomorrow:
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/email.php/8947462

Please support the Miller's by bringing your car to get washed or if you are a police/firefighter and/or spouse come get a free haircut.

Aunt Kathy

Speeches From Kim's Funeral- Finally!

Kandus Mayberry (Cousin)- Eulogy
I am up here today to tell you Kim’s story. Kimberly was born to Joe and Nan Gwaltney on September 26, 1979. As a baby, Kim was quiet, happy and always right next to her brother. Growing up as a child, Kim was confident, outgoing and competitive. Kim was always very active and a great athlete. Kim first began playing softball at the age of 5. At the age of 12, Kim played for the Phoenix Storm where she was part of a team that won the ASA National Championship for softball. While in high school Kim began to focus on volleyball and her senior year she was Player of the Year. Kim played volleyball at Glendale Community College and in her 2nd year was awarded as the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year, along with being a NJCAA All American twice. After GCC, Kim signed with Auburn University. In May of 2000 Kim’s mother Nan was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Due to this, Kim decided to stay in Arizona.

Kim met Deron in April of 2000 while she was working for Jack Daniels. When Deron saw Kim for the first time, he said that he would marry Kim some day. Kim and Deron were married on November 12th, 2000. Dylan was born on May 25th, 2001 and Kyrstin was born on August 10th 2003. Kim’s family meant everything to her and they were her world.

Kim began to have back pain around July of last summer. I can still remember her complaining of back pain while we were in San Diego that summer for our annual family vacation. Kim thought nothing of the pain though and went to see her primary doctor. Kim went through numerous tests with various reasons for the pain given to her. Kim was admitted to the hospital on October 15th and was told that she was experiencing a gall bladder issue. Kim finally met Dr. Hector Rodriguez who felt that there were more tests that were needed. Kim called him her “angle doctor” as he was the one that discovered her cancer. On October 20, 2008, at the age of 29, Kim was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. During this time, I had just moved to San Diego. I can remember my Mom calling me while all of this was going on, and I never would have imagined that something like this could happen. Being the same age as Kim, and also very active my whole life like Kim, I just did not understand. During this time, I began to look at life so much differently and started realizing what matters most in life. In the last few days, I have realized this more than ever.

Word began to spread quickly about Kim with constant calls and emails with people wondering what was going on. We could not believe the support that she was receiving and the number of people that wanted to help. During that time I had a friend send me a message about her Mom who was battling breast cancer, and a blog had been created for her. I thought a blog would be a great way to keep everyone up to date in regards to Kim’s journey and also a way to organize a fundraiser. Never would have I imagined how much Kim would run with this blog and be an inspiration to so many with her words. In Kim’s first posting she wrote, “I WILL beat this cancer!!! I am young, strong willed, confident and determined! This is just another trial in my life. Our Savior, our Lord is with me and will save me from this. I know good will come from this!” On average, Kim’s blog has 1,000 views per day.

As I have already mentioned, the amount of support that Kim started to receive when we created the blog was amazing. Right away everyone started joining together to help out the Miller family in any way that they could. A calendar was set up for those that wanted to bring meals to the Miller family. Thanks to Paula Lovejoy for all your help with this. A team was created for Kim for the Colon Cancer Walk, which Kim also participated in on November 15th. Thank you to Cher for organizing this. The first fundraiser was also held that same night as the Goodyear police department took on the Goodyear fire department in the Guns n Hoses Football game to benefit the Miller’s. This event was very touching for Kim as she wrote,

“I was called down onto the center of the field where everyone cheered for me. It got a bit emotional. Then out came the clippers. Deron lead his team in shaving his head for me since I will be bald with him very soon. What was so amazing was Paul Lovejoy (our dear friend from the Hoses team) started shaving Deron's head and then Deron shaved Paul's head. After that, the lines formed. Most everyone from the Police team and the Fire team all got down and shaved their heads for me. Men on the Fire team would get their heads shaved and then come and introduce themselves to me because we had never met. Men that have never met me, never thought twice and shaved their heads in honor of my fight. I was so touched. So much of my family was there and they couldn't believe what they were seeing...it was so awesome! I can't express correctly my gratitude to everyone last night...Chad Waltz especially for putting on the entire event. Thank you Chad!”

A bowling fundraiser was held on November 22nd for the Miller Family which was a huge success. We had over 200 bowlers, 105 auction items, and raised $17,000. There were many people that spent many hours on this and also many that donated auction items and we thank you so much for this. A big thanks also goes out to the committee that planned the event! Kim was greatly moved by the bowl a thon and wrote,

“When I entered the bowling alley I was then greeted by the amazing team that volunteered their day to benefit my family. As I continued in to actually see the bowling alley, I was brought to tears by the amount of people that were already there bowling, eating, and signing up for the silent auction items. My aunts took me to the back so I could have my moment. I am still blown away at everyone I saw...a lot of you I know...and so many of you I did not know. I had people coming up to me that saw my story in the newspaper that had no clue who I was before, giving me cards with wonderful thoughts, prayers, and donations. I could never thank you all enough for all the hard work put in to this event and the tremendous turn out. We have been praying for a financial blessing to help us through these times...well, our wonderful Lord has answered that prayer. He had all of you show up to support us. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Sentimental Journey put on a benefit concert for Kim on January 31st. Thanks to everyone that participated in this event. A yard sale was held at Kristin’s house on Feb. 28th. Thanks to everyone that donated items for this event and thank you to Kristin and Eli for opening your home. Kim was featured on KPHO through the “Pay it Forward” program where the Waltz Family made it possible for the Miller family to go on our annual family vacation to San Diego. Thanks so much to the Drucker and Smith Family as well for your donation of cash and the wonderful gifts you provided to everyone in the Miller family to enjoy in San Diego. We were so happy that Kim was able to make it to San Diego for the family trip, and we cherished this time with Kim and the times that she was able to make it out to the beach. While there, we also took pictures as a family at the pier. Natalie thanks so much for doing this! You truly are amazing! This was a very emotional time for everyone and will be a day that will never be forgotten.

Kim transferred to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America towards the end of July. We were so happy to have her at this amazing place which also had a very positive spirit to it. During this time, Kim had visitor after visitor with her room constantly being full of people. The security guard there said that he had never seen anyone with so many visitors and that Kim was almost like a celebrity. Natalie also began to post pictures on the blog of each person that came to see Kim during this time. Even though Kim was pretty sick during this time, she remained happy and so thankful. It was during this time that everyone really got to spend time with Kim and reflect on her life. It is this time that I think everyone will remember the most. Thanks so much to everyone that came to visit Kim while she was at the Cancer Center!

On August 8th, the Alumni of Glendale Community College and Kim’s coaches put on a Volleyball benefit camp which was a huge success. Her former team also visited her at the Cancer Center after the benefit.

Kim and I both grew up in Glendale, but we went to different grade schools. We both grew up playing sports in the same area but played on different teams for the most part except for softball and soccer together when we were in grade school. I did know that some of my friends that I grew up with played softball and volleyball with Kim, including my best friend that played softball with Kim. However, I did not actually realize how many of the same girls that we knew until this last year. Throughout this journey, Kim’s teammates and friends have been right there doing whatever they could do to help. This included offering support and prayers, taking part in the various fundraisers, and coming to visit Kim at the hospital. Being an active young female and seeing something like this happen to someone like you is very eye opening. Just like when we were girls and women playing together on teams, everyone stepped up to help Kim with her fight. Like Kim, we chose to believe and not give up, and continued to pray for her. Being an athlete, you learn so much about life and how to fight, which is something that we all have in common. I truly believe that Kim’s attitude, strength and determination was partly due to her being an athlete and being part of a team. Thanks so much to all of the women that Kim played sports with growing up that have showed their support and that are here today. I know that her experience will inspire all of us to make a difference. I also hope that we will join together to continue on with Kim’s fight against cancer in the years ahead.

Kim’s fight began pretty smoothly with chemo treatments every 2 weeks. However, she began to experience more bumps in the road as time went by. Each time something happened, I would get a call from my Mom. My Mom would tell me what was happening and every time I would search for the positive. At times she would give me discouraging news from the doctors, and I would always tell her that you cannot believe everything that the doctors say. I truly believed that Kim would fight and overcome cancer. I believed this so much that I did not come home from San Diego when my Mom called me the night before Kim passed to tell me she wasn’t doing so well. I would get so frustrated and angry whenever someone talked as though Kim was not going to make it. Kim also would get frustrated and mad when anyone ever questioned her surviving. Kim refused to give up and knew that she could not give in to cancer. I believed that Kim’s attitude and determination would get her through, and for the most part, she got through almost every obstacle presented to her. Every time she got knocked down, she would get right back up. I also believe that Kim would not have made it through her struggles without the support and prayers that Kim received. Kim, I so admire you for your fight and I know that there are so many other people out there that were also inspired by you.

To my family-
During the last year, we also lost Grandpa Keith and Smitty to cancer who were also diagnosed with cancer around the same time as Kim. We have been through far too many challenges as a family with this being the hardest of all so far. We must however understand that we are meant to grow and learn with every hardship that we encounter and we must believe that everything happens for a reason. Despite going through one thing after another, we continue to overcome adversity. At one point Kim wrote on her blog, “This experience has already brought so much good to my life as well as to my family's.” I guarantee we are a better family and better people after every challenge that we face. Today I challenge my family to continue to make a difference through Kim. We must not let her be forgotten and we must continue to live through her fight. I challenge you to find your own way to fight cancer, and I challenge my family to join together in continuing to support the fight against cancer.

Kim is Gone
You can shed tears that Kim is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that Kim will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see Kim
Or you can be full of the love you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember Kim and only that she’s gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what Kim would want: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.

Kim will forever have an impact on those that she knew. Kim touched the heart of everyone that she met, and also so many people that only knew her through her blog. As much pain as we are feeling right now, we all know that Kim is smiling down on us and would not want us to be sad. God had a plan for Kim and Kim’s life purpose was to be an inspiration to so many others. The bible says, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven….He has made everything appropriate in its time.

Kim is now an angel among us and will always be here for her family and friends. Kim is playing on God’s team now, and we must accept and believe this and think of joy when we think of her. Kim will forever be missed but her memory will live on forever.

Don’t think of Kim as gone away-
Her journey’s just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.
Just think of her resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years
Think how she must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away
And think of her as living
In the hearts of those she touched
For nothing loved is ever lost
And she was loved so much

Kim I did not get to see you in your last days so during this time I would like to close by saying, “I promise to make sure that your children know that you are an angel that will forever be with them. I love you, you will always be in my heart, and I will never forget you.”

Kristin Milstead (Cousin)
Back in January I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t help but feel a lil guilty having this blessing while my cousin was fighting for her life. But this feeling soon faded because Kim was so happy for me.

As my belly began to grow; I became accustomed to belly rubs from Kim. I also became accustomed to baring my big belly for all to see and I did this for you Kim; your smile when you looked at my bare Buda belly was all worth it. Sorry to those that I offended from the excessive belly exposure. Whenever Kim would see me she would have her hands stretched out and be saying let me have that belly. Constant complements from Kim about my belly is all I ever heard from her and this is all while she wasn’t feeling good. Kim could be so sick and she still had stretched out hands to rub my belly.

A few weeks ago as I was getting ready to visit Kim, I realized that I had some lovely stretch marks on my belly…. the same belly that Kim so loved. I knew this would be a topic to discuss with Kim. As Kim was rubbing my belly, I told her of my new found stretch marks and I wish you have seen us . Kim was about an inch from my belly, delicately inspecting and a lil loopy from pain meds telling me I was crazy and she said in fact sit here and leave your shirt up so I can just stare at your belly.

I know that Kim would want me to thank our family. Kim was so proud of her family. Her eyes lit up when any family member entered the room. So thank you from Kim to our uncles for your continued, rock solid, manly support. Thank you to our aunts from Kim for your continued medical advice, help with new found hair dews and for being there for Nan. Thank you to our awesome cousins! I know that Kim is so proud of each one of her cousins. We never let her fight alone and were even lucky enough to celebrate a cousin’s party with Kim a few weeks ago.

Nan and Joe your strength has been amazing and your dedication to Kim was noticed by all. Scott your compassion for Kim was unlike any other and Kim knows that if you could have taken her place you would have. Deron, you lived your wedding vows of in sickness and in health. You never left Kim’s side.

Kim, a few months ago you said to me….I can’t wait to see the baby’s eyes. What color will they be? Will they have your green eyes or Eli’s blue? Well Kim, I know you’ve already seen the baby’s eyes because I feel your presence watching over the baby. I know this baby has a very special guardian angel…you Kim

So Kim until we meet again….help us all to remember the all the good memories. Visit us in a passing butterfly, a gentle breeze and of course please visit us in our dreams.

I love you

Mike Jessen (Uncle)
Kim is my beautiful niece. I am almost 30 years older than her. I am supposed to be the teacher, with all the Wisdom, but as life plays out Kim is the teacher, and I am the student. She Taught me two things that standout in front of me. Her faith in God and true beauty. Her faith in God is relentless, so powerful she never questioned god plan for her. She never got mad and asked why me. She just kept smiling. Her faith was so strong that I would tease her and say okay you pray for me, you don’t need my prayers, I need yours. She would just smile and hold my hand. Kim reinforced my faith in God. Once again she taught me what true faith is.

Kim is God giving beauty; she wore it so very well. As we all know when Kim walked out on the beach in San Diego or into a room full of her friends she would light everything up like a full moon on a warm summer night.

I saw Kim’s beauty again about 3 weeks ago, my son Daniel and I were hiking in Colorado. We sat down by a lake, elevation about 12,000 feet. It was very peaceful and quite, snow capped mountain tops, the rocks all around us sparkled, multicolored flower, all this beauty sat in a little green valley. As Daniel and I sat there, I looked out into the prettiest clear blue water. My surroundings were so beautiful. I thought of Kim. I thought of her for so long that I saw her reflection in that beautiful clear blue water. Once again Kim taught me true beauty. On another night while camping, I stuck my head out of my sleeping bag around midnight or so. The moon was full, the stars sparkled. I thought of Kim again. Today when we lay Kim to rest the moon is in its full cycle again as it was when I was camping. In the Native American Indian culture, that means Kim and I have a special bond forever.

My own Dad has a saying. If you have one true friend in this world that will stand by you thru thick and thin you are truly rich. Kim is truly rich, her family and friends were by her side the night and day of her passing. I do believe it was not only comforting to her but all of us as well. She had her husband Deron, lifelong friends, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Mom, Dad, and her Brother there thru the night. Some slept near her bed, some slept in the hallway, even on the hard wood floor, never leaving her alone for a moment. She taught me a true lesson before she went to heaven. As we all stood by her bed and looked into her big, beautiful soft eyes. Without words she sent us all a message to keep living, loving, and laughing... That is the way she lived her life until the end. For her family she sent a very special message, I am happy, safe, and in no more pain. We will meet again.

Joe, you are a fine father, you have a quite strength. Nan, a very loving and caring mother. Scott, a gentle brother, Kim carried all these fine qualities with her.

Deron, watching your commitment in caring for Kim is an inspiration; you are such a devoted and loving husband and father. We are so very proud of you. Remember my friend its ok to cry it will make your armor shine. Always know Deron that our family will be there for you, Dylan, and Kyrstin (Kiki) and Deanna there is nothing that we all would not do to help and protect you.
I am so proud of my family, we had a hard year. Letting go of some of are loved ones, and now our precious Kim. It seems like every time we turn around there is a funeral for one of our family members, but I like to think that God made us like a Mighty Oak Tree, you can knock some bark off of us, but we will weather the storm, we will still be standing tall. We will endure as long as we stay together as a family and keep our faith In God.

I would like to take a moment to explain this bear (holding on up to the audience) One will be sent with Kim, and to you Deron, Joe, Nan, Scott, Dylan, Kiki and Deanna if you are lonely and missing her this will give you comfort. Just hold this bear close to your heart and know that she is always with you.

In closing this is for our Lovely Nan, Nan I found these words, and I feel in my heart Kim would say this to you. Remember Mom, HEALING DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN STAYING ON THE SIDE OF LIFE. SOMETIMES GOD HAS OTHER PLANS FOR HIS CHILDREN AND BOTH SIDES OF LIFE ARE REALLY ONE. GOOD BLESS YOU MOM, I LOVE YOU.

Kathy Mayberry (Aunt)
To All You Bloggers Out There - It’s Aunt Kathy Here with a Very Important Update:
Kim, you fought a courageous battle the last 10 months and I know in your eyes you feel like you lost the war, but I want you to believe that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it is all in how you play the game and my dear sweet niece, you played the game better than most people could of done, including myself, and I salute you for a job well done.

The others that have spoke before me did a great job explaining what an incredible person you are, so I won’t repeat the many attributes you have and how much you mean to all who have crossed your path, I will give some examples of how you always walked the walk versus talked the talk in demonstrating what a positive inspirational person you are.

From day one of this horrible diagnosis and prognosis you were given, you never once said that you could not fight this ugly beast. I remember the day you got the horrible news in October and believe me, I wish it wasn’t on my birthday, you shed a few tears and then said to me, “okay tell me what I need to do to conquer this battle and I will do it with every ounce of my heart and soul”. I can’t leave my babies, my husband and my wonderful family.

I remember the day we found out that you couldn’t have your liver resection and colon tumor removal surgery because the cancer had gone crazy in your body further attacking your lungs and growing much larger in your colon; you looked up at me and said, “at least my liver is okay”. No matter what bad news you got, you always found something positive to say and focus on. I saw this over and over and couldn’t believe that someone so young could have such an incredible outlook in the worst of times and situations.

The other story I would like to tell is, how a couple of days before your passing, you put your own grief of hearing the terrible results of your most recent scans on hold to come to the aid of another cancer patient that you had met in CTCA. A group of us had you in the wheelchair taking you outside to enjoy the fountain, when we passed by Melissa’s room (a 31 year old gal with stage 4 lung cancer). You heard Melissa crying and you asked Deron to stop and push you into Melissa’s room. You asked her what was wrong and she said, “I got some bad news just now from my oncologist that the oral chemotherapy I am on is not working and I need to go back on aggressive, nasty IV Chemo with terrible side effects and I need another back surgery because I fractured another vertebrae in my back”. You tell Deron, “Push me closer so I can hold Melissa and you almost fall out of the wheelchair to get closer to Melissa to hug her”. You tell Melissa, “I got bad news today as well that my lungs are much worse, but I know we both can continue to fight and we will win the war”. You then ask Melissa if she wants to go with us outside to the fountain and we load Melissa up in her wheelchair and off we went. I think this story tells it all about what a kind, compassionate person you are and how you always put others before your own needs and wants.

Kim, I cannot adequately express how much we all love you and how much we will miss seeing those facial expressions of yours. The good news is that Ki Ki looks just like you and can give us those same facial expressions and the bad news is she also has that sharp tongue and attitude that we have come to know and love with you as well.

I saw this attitude in you when we were in San Diego on vacation when you were 16 and in Ki Ki the day of your passing. I had allowed you and Kandus to get a tattoo without talking to Kirby before hand to get his approval. This was the maddest I had ever seen Kirby in all the years of our marriage. Kandus has a fear of needles and I thought if I said okay on the place (low abdomen, out of sight), that she would probably never do it again in a more visible location. You had called your parents and you had their permission, but uncle Kirby was still very angry. I can still see you standing there with your hands on your hips telling Kirby that he wasn’t your dad and he needed to chill out and then you went off on a long walk. I can see us reminiscing in the hospital last week and I can still see you saying, “Sorry uncle Kirby”. I saw this attitude in Ki Ki when immediately after you passed Deron told her that mommy had gone to heaven and she said, “no she didn’t, she is right there!”

Deron, I hope you know how much I love you and appreciate what a great job you did taking care of Kim the last couple of months. Just know that Kirby and I will always be there for you and the kids and have faith that you will get through this horrible devastating ordeal and find happiness once again.

My dear sister, Nan, I have never seen a mother-daughter bond quite like yours and Kim’s and I know that you feel like your heart and soul has been ripped from your chest, but you must move on and accept that God needs Kim in heaven right now more than he needs her here with us. You are so blessed to have Scott and his children and Dylan and Ki Ki to love and take care of. Deron is going to need you and Joe so much and I know that if they can’t have their momma, you guys are the next best thing….how much fun you are going to have!!

God, now I want to talk to you….I would like to get Whitney Murphy Funeral Home out of my phone speed dial. If Whitney Murphy had a frequent flyer program, I should have a free funeral by now. I have organized and facilitated 3 funerals in the last 8 months and I think it is time for you to go to some other family to get people to help you up there! We have given you some of our best and we have had enough!!

Kim, it has been my honor and pleasure to be your aunt and most importantly, your friend. Say hello to my brother, Mike, the Old Folks, Keith and Smitty and I look forward to seeing you again in a place where there is no pain and suffering and beauty beyond belief.

Samantha Weatherbee (Close Friend)
Kimberly Marie Gwaltney became my friend simply because her brother takes way too long to style his hair & get ready to go somewhere. Because of that little happen stance alone I am blessed beyond measure, thank you Scotty!

Kim & I ate grilled cheese sandwiches & tater tots at her work, made 11 pm runs to Safeway to get ice cream & Mother's bite size chocolate chip cookies, buckled a truck bumper on a huge rock, that should never had been put there I assure you, oh and please don't tell Mr. Gwaltney that's what really happened the parking lot story is working perfectly!

I got to help teach her to drive stick shift in my car, so she could drive Scotty's new eclipse before he could learn how to drive it, her words not mine! We worked out together, went shopping together, fought her mom's cancer together, we ate 3 rolled tacos with Nan after Midnight Mass, help to plan her wedding to Deron, carpooled to work together when she was pregnant with Dylan, and were late to work together A LOT! when she was pregnant with Dylan! I found Kimmy as a Catalyst for LIFE & these are just a few of the wonderful experiences I shared with her!

Shortly after Kimberly became Mrs. Deron Miller she honored me by being my Matron of Honor in my wedding. Little did we know the role she would play in my marriage, walk with God, or that I agreed to move to as she called it "Mexico" after my wedding!

Throughout Kimmy's valiant fight with colon cancer my prayer for her was that God would give us a miracle of healing so Kimmy's experience & strength would stand as a testament to Gods Power & Love! Prayers are answered in ways we do not always foresee.

As I stand here & look out at all of you I see God has granted my prayer, he has healed her souls suffering & her testimony of his Power & Love are spoken by all of us now & in the days to follow. Kim's Joy & Grace is what drew us to her, but her Love & Light keeps us together! I find these qualities written in Matthew Chapter 5: Verses 14 -16
"You are the light of the world” - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp & then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Kimberly Miller always had an ear to listen, words of support, & an understanding way to accept you as you came, FREE from Judgment! I believe this is shown in Just the number of people that call her friend & how many looked on her as their BEST- Friend! In all the world I believe you could not find another person with so many!It is because of the Light & Love she casts into our lives, her Faith in all things & the testimony that God does give us Strength, Mercy & sees us through all of our Days!

Kim's FAITH comforts me in so many ways, & what stands out the most is when faced with immeasurable obstacles it is Kimberly Millers Faith that never wavered! Her spunk stood out, from her French Fry Nibbling to her reminders that "Secrets Don't Make Friends"!

Kim would stand & fight, she took on every challenge with Love, Honor, Strength, Grace, & the Knowledge that God was right there with her. As it is written in Matthew Chapter 5: Verses 4, 7 - 8
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be Comforted. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown Mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for THEY WILL SEE GOD! I have Peace knowing Kimmy rests in the hands of our Lord God in Heaven, I am BLESSED because I can call her Friend, & I have Hope because I see all Kim's wonderful qualities in her Children: Kyrstin, Dylan, Deanna, & Daniel, Husband, Family & Friends!

Natalie Montez (Close Friend)
When I think back of all the memories I have of Kim, I always think of the first time I met Kim, and the impression I got of her. Just like all of the other athletes Kim played with, I'm sure our first memories of meeting Kim are the same. Kim was either half naked or fully naked!!! Sorry to put you on blast Kim, but I'm sure you don't mind! It amazed me how confident this girl was! Not just with her sports, but with her life in general! We, Kim's friends, would also often find her putting her make up on and doing her hair, naked! Kim never got intimidated and never let any obstacle get in her way! Not even this battle with cancer. She took on the news she received in October of 2008, and was ready to fight! After her first round of Chemo, at Mayo, Erin and I sat there and talked with her for a while. She said, “I've never said why me... Why the heck NOT me!?” Erin and I knew that this was the beginning of her fearless-brave battle! She is so amazing! Not only being physically strong, Kim was incredibly mentally strong!!! She prepared herself to birth her two children all natural! That means, NO MEDS! I have to say that it didn't completely shock me that she was able to do it, but that it only made me respect her even more with how strong she is!

I can go on and on with stories of how impressive and accomplished Kim lived her life, but at this time, I would like to focus more on this past year. Kim defined her life more than ever, and I will always stand amazed when I remember her. The past 10 months went by so fast! Along with all of her friends and family, I feel so honored and blessed to have been able to see her so much! Especially over the past 3 months. My favorite days were my “Kimmy days”. I feel so blessed and lucky that I was able to change my work schedule, to be able to see Kim everyday! The few days I couldn't make it were the days that were filled with complete anxiety, and stress. All I could think about was being at the hospital with Kim. She brought me peace! And she always found ways to make everyone laugh and lighten up! Every visit was the same. You finally get to the hospital and park your car. Then the walk from the parking lot to the building took forever! Thank goodness she was only on the 2nd floor, so it was a short elevator ride! But then you turn the corner and get hit by “the longest hallway ever” !!!! I remember always trying to act like I was calm and trying to walk slow, but probably looked like I was in a race with 20 other people!! You finally reached the end of the hallway, and get to turn the corner and see room #213! And there she was! There was our Kimmy! If she was awake, you would faithfully hear her famous sounding “hellooooo”! It was only then, when my heart would stop racing, and I could finally relax! I can honestly say, I became addicted to loving and serving Kim. It was the only thing I wanted to spend my days doing. I will always cherish my time I had with her, just like all the others who were able to visit her.

The last few days of Kimmy’s life were some of the most spiritual days I've ever experienced! Thank you to Kim's family for letting us (Erin, Randi, and Laura), to be a part of Kims life, especially during the past 3 months! We feel as we are a part of the family now! Thank you for loving and accepting us, as Kim would! August 26th, was a hard day for Kimmy. Everyone knew something was up and things were taking a turn for the worse. Deron and Aunt Karrie told me to make some calls to those family and friends that they wanted at the hospital. When everyone had arrived, I will never forget how powerful it felt to have everyone’s love for Kim all in the one room! No one wanted to leave Kim’s side. And we didn't! There were about 20-25 of us all night scattered around her bedside. Sleeping upright in chairs, or on the floor halfway on top of each other, just trying to stay close to Kim (us volleyball girls felt at home for we grew up sleeping on wood floors at tournaments in the gym). I still have a clear vision of Uncle Mitch curled up in a ball on a small couch, and his Fireman boots lying on the floor in front of him. Kim's entourage was EVERYWHERE! We owned the second floor of the CTCA! I would give anything to be able to be right back on that wood floor in room 213, just to hear her breathe! I don't think CTCA knew what they were dealing with! The Doctors and Nurses were so incredible! They fell in love with Kim, and knew what a special girl she was, and understood why we didn't want leave her side!

The day of her passing was bitter sweet! I feel I had witnessed one of the most spiritual things in my life! When Kim knew she was done, she let us know. That experience was so special, and I am so grateful I got to share that with her, and her friends and family! She was so brave! She was ready to go to her Father in Heaven. And with Grace she did.....She fought with confidence and dignity, and never gave up! She will forever be my hero! Robyn McDowell, one of Kim's college coaches, sent me a text that gave me immediate peace. “Kim had to go through almost a of year of pain on and off, It's better that we have the pain now, rather than her”

It was an honor to have photographed Kim's life over the past 10 years! She was one of my most faithful favorite clients! I told Kim that she was my #1 fan! And I truly believe she was! Thank you for always believing in me Kim! I love you! Scott and Cheryl said that Kim is still my #1 fan up in Heaven, and that they will gladly take over down here! Thank you Scott and Cher! I love you so much!

I would like to leave you with one of the things Kimmy always said, at least 2 times a day!!! It was said when “you thought” she wasn't listening to you, or when she just couldn't hear you, and had to make sure we knew she wanted to know what was being said! With her cute little sassy attitude... she would say, “Secrets don't make friends”.

We love you Kim! We will miss you every day, but we are so happy you are healthy and strong again!

Reminder of Fund Raisers on Saturday - Need Volunteers

Hope to see everyone at the Benefit Car Wash and/or Salon De Cheveux Fund Raisers this Saturday, Sept. 26th. Please scroll down to get all the details below. We are still in need of volunteers to wash cars. Even if you can only give us an hour or two, we would be grateful. Please e mail Sammy at grsgsam@yahoo.com or give her a call at (480) 766-6795 if you can help in any way.

Aunt Kathy

Pictures of Beautiful Kimber Grace

Baby Kimber Grace - 15 minutes old.

Kristin and Kimber Grace - 20 minutes old.

Eli and Kimber Grace - 25 minutes old.

Grandma Karrie and Kimber Grace - 30 minutes old.

Kristin and Eli took beautiful Kimber Grace home yesterday and what a joy it was to see Kimber in her newly decorated room (my sister, Karrie who decorated the room, should be a professional decorator) and what a good baby she is! Family joined at Kristin and Eli's last night to celebrate Kristin's birthday and Kimber hardly made a peep. Of course we all fought over who got to hold Kimber, but I won and had the most holding time.
Today is Kristin's official birthday...Happy Birthday Mommy!! I'm sure you will agree that Kimber is the best and most special birthday present you have ever received!!!
By the way, guess who is holding Kimber in the first picture? It is me Aunt Kathy (as I get older I like pictures where you can't see me better...don't my hands look great!!).

Regards,

Aunt Kathy

Baby Kimber Grace Is Here

A very ecstatic Aunt Kathy here to announce that Kristin (Kim's cousin) and Eli are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl named after Kimmy....Kimber Grace. Kristin's labor and delivery couldn't of been more perfect (she was a total ROCKSTAR), and baby Kimber has big beautiful blue eyes and tons of dark curly hair and weighed in at 6 lbs, 13.5 oz and is 21.5 inches long. Big baby for a gal who is 5'2. I was blessed to be present for the labor and delivery along with Kristin's Mom - Karrie, Aunt Tracy, Eli's Mom - Louisa, Kristin's friend - Tara and last and certainly not least, Eli. Eli was also a ROCKSTAR and never left Kristin's bedside for the total 15 hour (6 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.) amazing experience....he wouldn't even close his eyes or eat anything and Eli loves to eat. The men of the family (Mike, Daniel, Kirby, Jim) were in the room, but behind the curtains, couldn't see everything (Daniel was the biggest "peeker"), but could hear everything.

Nan made it to the hospital soon after Kimber was born and we all cried together and thanked God for this incredible gift and knew Kimmy was right there beside us and would be Kimber's guardian angel and #1 fan.

Baby and Mom are doing well and I will post some pictures soon.

Once again, God is sooooooo good!!

Aunt Kathy

I know there is A LOT going on, and I have honestly been waiting for things to slow down a bit before I posted...but it doesn't seem it will and I need/want to get the info out there!!

I talked to Nan (a while ago now) and we thought it would be awesome to do the Undy 5000 as a joint team. I started a team a few months ago in memory of my mother...so we just figured we'd join forces in the fight against colon cancer!!

Our team name is:

Rodgers' Rumps & Kim's Keesters

This year the Undy 5000 will beheld on Saturay November 21st, 2009 in downtown Phoenix.

I am super excited about this and can't wait to do this as one giant family joined together to kick cancer's ass!!

Click here to join our team!! (I will also place a link button in the side bar)

I will also be posting more details as we get closer!!

Salon De Cheveux Fund Raiser - Sept. 26th

Salon De Cheveux located at:
790 N Estrella Pkwy Ste B Goodyear 85338
623-925-5631
Is having a fund raiser for the Kim Miller Benefit Fund on Kim's birthday, September 26, 2009 starting at 9:00 am until 4:00pm. They will be doing free hair cuts all day long for Police Officers/ Firefighters and their spouses!!! They will also have a donation box where people can donate money and you can purchase a raffle ticket to win prizes and 100% of the raffle gets donated. No appointments will be necessary.

Thanks go to Deanna (Kim's 18 year old daughter), for her tremendous efforts in organizing this fund raiser. Well done Deanna.....we are so proud of you and the wonderful young lady you have become!!

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Apollo Fundraiser a Huge Success and Very Touching

What a wonderful night at Apollo for all family and friends!! Special thanks go to Janet Reiman (Kim's friend and volleyball teammate from Apollo) and Coach Silvernail (Kim's high school volleyball coach) for their kindness and efforts putting this very enjoyable night together.

Also, thanks go to Heather (sold candles), Michelle (had colon cancer awareness table) and Beth for doing a raffle that raised some additional $.

Listed below is the speech Janet gave prior to the football game. Janet and Coach Silvernail did a presentation on the field to Nan, Joe, Scott, Ki Ki, Dylan and Landyn. He presented them with Kim's old volleyball jersey (he had kept it since 1998 and no one else had ever worn it) and a video tape of Kim's senior night volleyball game. We all can't wait to watch it!!

Here is Janet's presentation:
Hello and welcome to the home opener game where the Apollo Hawks will take on the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs. Tonight not only are we celebrating the beginning of a new football season, we have the opportunity to celebrate a very special life. Kim Gwaltney graduated from Apollo in 1998. She was an amazing softball and volleyball player. She was always the “go to” player and she rarely, if ever, let one of her coaches down. Not only was she amazing on the field and court, she was a great friend to many and always held that perfect smile and positive attitude. There are so many memories that young kids share in high school and I know many of us here have our own special story and place for her in our heart. Kim recently lost her battle with colon cancer just 10 months after being diagnosed at the age of 29. She was a wonderful wife to her husband, Deron Miller, and mother to their two kids Dylan 8 and Kiki 6. Some of her other titles include a wonderful sister, daughter, cousin, aunt and friend to many. Tonight we are helping raise funds for her young family who have endured many unexpected bills. Thank you to the booster club for allowing us to raise funds through the tailgate party and we are also taking donations in any amount at the colon cancer awareness table to help her family. I know one thing that Kim would want is for us to spread awareness on colon cancer. You will see throughout the stands the blue colon cancer ribbons and you can also find colon cancer facts and information at the awareness table by the entry gate. You can never be tested too early. I don’t think any of us thought we would be attending any classmate’s memorial so early in life, we are going to miss her dearly and we will always remember the amazing times we had with her here at this school and even in these stands. I would like to ask Kim’s parents, Nan and Joe, onto the field. I remember during volleyball season Kim was always so proud of her family and she always wanted the team dinners to be at her house, so her mom could cook for us all. Nan and Joe, Coach Silvernail would like to present you with Kim’s senior volleyball jersey and also a tape of our senior volleyball night. We admire your strength and we know this is going to be a tough road, but you can always plug in the tape to remember your competitive Kim and all the fun times we had on the court. Thank you to everyone for being here tonight to help the cause and to cheer on our Apollo Hawks.

Thanks to those who came out to this event to support the Miller's/Gwaltney's!

Regards,

Aunt Kathy

Another Wonderful Posting From Randi's Blog

On Tuesday (09/01/09) Natalie, Erin, Laura, Becky & I were honored to meet at the funeral home to prepare Kim's body for her funeral. Before my mother died, she asked that her daughters do her hair and make-up for the funeral...we are the ones that always prepared my mother for "date night" with my dad, so it only seemed appropriate to prepare her for her last big date on this Earth.

I was proud to help make my mother beautiful that day when I was 15, so I was honored to be a part of Kim's entourage that Tuesday. To me, it is one of the greatest ways to show your love for that person.When we walked through the doorway into the room where Kim was, we were blown away at how great she looked. Natty brought pictures of Kim's gorgeous face with her make-up completed with perfection. We had her own stash of products, so we got busy attempting to make Kim look as beautiful as she had always made herself.

Kim's Aunt Lisa also met us there to cut and style Kim's hair. Kim is the only cancer patient I have ever heard of that NEEDS a hair CUT for the funeral!! I guess it's just one more amazing thing that woman did better than anyone else.

After Kim was made-up and dressed, we said goodbye to our friend and to each other and promised to see each other the next evening at the viewing.

The viewing (or wake) was on Wednesday evening at the mortuary. It was very nice, lots of flowers and friends. I watched Kyrsten as she peered into her mother's casket with a puzzled look on her sweet face. She would look for a minute or two and then walk over to sit down or talk with someone...a few minutes later she would return and peer into her mother's casket...still with that puzzled look on her face.

As I sat there, I wondered if she understood any of what was going on. I barely understand it and I'm 29 years old and I've buried my mother at 15, my husband at 20 and many other friends and family along the way...I can still barely grasp it. I wonder if she understood that her mother was not going to be coming home...and there would be no more visits to the hospital after school to tell Mom about her day.

I felt sick to my stomach...so much anguish inside...for Nan, for Kyrsten, for Dylan...for Deron. For all of us that love Kim so much...that just want to understand why this happened to our Kimmy...

The next morning Mike & I woke up, got ready and drove to Aunt Kathy's house to meet the girls. We agreed to meet and drive together in order to arrive together...sit together...to just be with each other.Kim's funeral began and I again felt sick to my stomach. After her casket was carried in by the men in her life that loved her more than themselves, the Priest said a few words and then a few family members spoke about what an amazing woman Kim truly was. She was so many things to so many people...I bet nearly every positive adjective was used that day; Kim was a fighter, she was strong, she was a champion, hopeful, kind, loving, beautiful inside and out.

Kim's brother Scott wrote a letter to Kim...it was the highlight of the funeral. I wish I had a copy to post...it was so funny and so incredibly heartfelt. I sat there laughing at the mischief Scott & Kim had gotten into as kids and laughed even harder remembering the naughty stuff my only brother and I used to do to each other.

After my laughter subsided, I felt so thankful for all of my own siblings. I truly am so blessed for each of them. Growing up I had 4 sisters and 1 brother...when I was 18 I added two sisters when my dad made one of the best decisions of his life- he married Carlys!! I love each of my siblings and can't imagine losing any of them.

Growing up was tough sometimes...like when Ryan would punch me and then scream that I hit him...of course since he was the ONLY boy he NEVER got in trouble or even questioned. Or how about when Dad cut the plug off the TV?? Dad bought a plug to fix it...but it was the kind you could take off and on when you wanted to. Whenever it was MY turn to pick a TV show and Ryan didn't like my choice, he would just remove the plug until I gave into watching what he wanted...I of course could NOT get that plug back on myself to save my life!! Ugh...brothers. :)

Kim was buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery near the SR 101 and Thomas Road. The graveside service was short. The family all released butterflies...and then Kim's casket was lowered into her final resting place. We each were able to place dirt on top of the vault/casket...it was very final. I had never been to a funeral that the casket was lowered, but I really liked it. It brought much needed closure.

The luncheon was nice and then Kim's close friends and family met at Aunt Kathy's to laugh a little more together. We had a nice time being together, laughing and toasting Kim's memory...it was a nice way to end the day.I have been asking the questions, "Why!?" since Kim's diagnosis. I had heard the same diagnosis years before and still didn't understand that one...how would I learn to understand another? As I have layed awake for many, many nights asking this question...one night between Kim's death and her funeral, I was tossing and turning...hoping for any amount of sleep before having to go to work the next day.

All of a sudden, I felt very much at peace...in my mind I started going through the new friendships and the re-newed friendships I made through Kim...I still don't feel at peace about my friend's death, but I was once again reminded how amazing she was in my life. She opened her heart to me, allowing me to open my heart to not only her amazing family, but her incredible friends.

I don't have a lot of "Friends"...i have a lot of friends/aquaintances, but I have very few people I talk on the phone with, hang out with on a regular basis, etc. I say the majority of the reason is my job and my funky schdeule...but I became socially awkward after Kyle died...a piece of me died with him that night. I have never felt the same. I prefer to be alone...I keep to myself...I don't call...I don't answer my phone...I'm socially retarded...maybe even socially paralyzed at times. I'm just not good at it. I'm a good person, I would do ANYTHING to help someone I care about...there are times I just don't don't know how. ...Make sense?? Not really, huh?? Oh well... I can't explain it...
My point is this: Because of Kim, I made bonds that will last a lifetime. I was lucky enough to renew friendships from 10+ years ago and make new ones too. I was lucky enough to build a bond with 3 of the most incredible women I have ever known. I love these women and am so thankful that they were brought into my life...they each have unique qualities and are so amazing...I love them each more than I know how to express.

(p.s. check out Photos by Natalie!! She rocks my world...best photographer EVER!!)
(click here to check out Randi's blog)

Kim's Program Funeral

Thanks to Callie who put together the program for Kim's funeral, which came out amazing! You can click on each image to see a larger view. I hope to have everyone's speeches up by the end of this weekend.

Benefit Car Wash on Kim's Birthday

Funeral and Burial Pictures

Natty just sent me some wonderful pictures from the funeral and burial that she suggested I post. Sam gave the kids some butterflies and it was amazing how long they stayed on their hands before taking flight. Natty, once again your talent is incredible!!
Aunt Kathy

Apollo Fundraiser

Heather will be at the Tailgate Party tonight and will be selling candles for the Candle Fundraiser. If you haven't had a chance to purchase your candles yet, this would be a good time to do so.

Thanks Heather!

Aunt Kathy

Apollo Fundraiser Tonight

There will be a tribute to Kim right before the game starts around 6:50 p.m. Nan and Joe will be going on the field to accept some gifts at that time. If you want to see the tribute you will probably have to purchase a ticket to the game, which is $5.00.

Michelle will be there with a table to promote colon cancer awareness (thanks Michelle....we LOVE YOU!) and we are bringing Kim's banner and donation box.

Should be a great time and I look forward to seeing you all there.

Aunt Kathy

Apollo Tailgate Fundraiser for the Miller's

Hope to see everyone at the Apollo Tailgate Fundraiser tomorrow (Friday) evening. I just received a couple of changes....the Tailgate will start and 5:30 p.m., not 5:00 p.m. and all proceeds will be going to the Miller's (not 40%).

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Melissa's Request

I thought I would share the posting that our dear friend, Melissa posted on her blog. Melissa is a 31 year old lung cancer patient at Cancer Treatment Centers of America that we all met and grew to love. I sure miss seeing Melissa and enjoyed every minute I had with her. Please send some prayers Melissa's way as well. She is fighting a courageous battle with her cancer and became another best friend of Kim.

Here is part of Melissa's Blog for August 27th:
Today our dear friend Kim passed away. She was my “neighbor” at the Cancer Treatment Centers. She and her family were so kind to me while I was there and treated me as part of their family when I didn’t have anyone there. My heart goes out to her family and friends. She was just a young mother with a whole life ahead of her, but I guess god has decided there is another place for her now. It just makes everything so much more real. I was in her room yesterday once I was discharged to say goodbye and she was already not looking well. Her whole family was there with friends surrounding…you could just feel the love in the room. Even though I didn’t know her long, I know the type of person she was, just by who she surrounded herself with. I only wish there was more that I could do. It makes me so angry at this cancer and what it does to people! It makes me scared for myself and to know that someday I may be feeling Kim’s pain and in her shoes. It was only a couple of days ago that we were joking around with each other and laughing.
Please keep her family, friends, nurses, doctors, and all those that knew her in your thoughts and prayers tonight.

Aunt Kathy

Gold Canyon Candle Fundraiser Still In Progress

I just got off the phone with Heather Gamez, the wonderful gal who has taken on the Gold Canyon Candle Fundraiser and things are going well so far. She has sent out over 30 packets (like a girl scout order form) to different people who are selling candles. If you would like a packet sent to you to sell candles please e mail Heather at Heather.Gamez@goldcanyon.us If you would like to just order candles you can also e mail Heather or call her at (602) 908-7485.

All orders and payments must be turned in by: Monday, Sept. 21st and candles should arrive the first week of October. At least 42% of the purchase is going back to the Kim Miller Benefit Fund, plus Heather will be donating all her commissions from the orders. Our goal is to sell 700 candles and raise at least $5000.

Thanks Heather for all your efforts with this Fundraiser! We appreciate your kindness for sure!!

Aunt Kathy

Apollo High School Tailgate Party to Benefit Kim

This Friday, Sept. 11th, Apollo High School (the High School Kim attended), will be hosting a Tailgate Party to honor Kim and profits (40%) will be going to the Kim Miller Benefit Fund. The Tailgate Party will begin at 5:00 pm at the Apollo Football field. The cost is $5, which includes a hotdog/hamburger, chips and a drink. I think there will be raffle items as well.

Hope to see everyone there!

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Miller/Gwaltney Update from Aunt Kathy

Deron had a great day yesterday! He got to do something he has always wanted to do thanks to his dear friend, Jeff......fly a plane!! I guess Jeff's Dad was able to get a plane for a couple of hours and off they went. It was soooo good to hear the excitement in Deron's voice!

Nan and Joe are doing well. Thanks go to Nan's friend Donna for staying with Nan for the weekend again. Donna, you offer such strength and love to Nan....we appreciate you so much! My sister, Karrie and I spent the day with Nan and Donna yesterday. We went to a great movie (The Proposal) and ate way to much fattening food....ended the night at Mary Coyle's Ice Cream Parlor for a carmel cashew sundae. Nan told me that Kim wanted to see The Proposal so bad and I told her Kim was there and was laughing right along with us.

Both Scott and Joe went back to work yesterday and Dylan and Ki Ki will be going back to school today.

Signing Off,
Aunt Kathy

Kim's Final Day as Written by Dear Friend, Randi

I have been asked many times the last week what happened with Kim in her final hours and then I read the attached review of what we all experienced and thought I would post it to share with all of you. This is very painful and emotional for those of us who were there and lived it, but it again displays the kind of person Kim was and how she didn't want to give up the fight and should be an inspiration to all in what perserverance is all about.

The writer below is Randi who was one of Kim's best friends. Randi is a detective for the Phoenix Police Department and is an incredible person and writer (as you will see when you read her writings). Randi lost her mother to colon cancer when she was a teenager and connected with Kim on that level too. Randi lost her husband about nine years ago, so she and Deron have been able to build a bond that many others could never understand.

Here is Randi's story:

I have been waiting to post something about Kim's passing until I thought the hurt had died down a bit, so I didn't write some tragic sob story. I'm not sure what I will write, but it may be an emotional mini-drama...and YES- I'm fine. I'm sorry if this is too much, but this is my journal, so...I guess I'm not really sorry...plus I wrote this a week ago on 08/29, but didn't post it until now because I'm a slacker...

On Wednesday (08/26/09) afternoon, I received the phone call I have been dreading since the one I received October 20th, 2008. I saw Natty's number on my caller ID and my heart sunk, my pulse raced...I already knew what she was going to say. The news so far on Wednesday hadn't been great, and Kim had obviously been going downhill for some time. I answered and Natty said, "You need to get here now...she won't make it through the night."

This is something I have been preparing myself for, so I didn't expect the rush of emotion that came over me. I stood up at my desk and started to shake. I had driven my city truck to work, so I was immediately wondering how I could get to the hospital without getting suspended, fired, etc... I walked to Gina's desk and she knew what was wrong. She picked up her purse without questioning and she drove me to the hospital...I was still shaking. I hate when my body doesn't listen to what I'm telling it.

Deron had given security a list of those he wanted to be present. After I was cleared to go up, I ran upstairs. I got to Kim's room, got around the privacy curtain and saw my dear friend fighting harder than she ever had. She looked awful; she looked like my mother had in her final moments on this Earth.

Kim's breathing was very shallow and she was on quite a bit of oxygen...she was sedated, but came around once or twice. She woke up while her Uncle Mitch & I were next her. She wanted to know why EVERYONE was there...she even wanted to what we were keeping from her. Uncle Mitch & several other family members are Phoenix Firefighters...they were on duty, so they came in uniform. I was there in my work clothes, Laura was there in her scrubs (she's a nurse), EVERYONE was there.

Uncle Mitch assured her that we didn't know anything she didn't know, which was true. On Monday Kim had a PET scan. The results were not positive; the cancer had spread and was in nearly every organ...her lungs we not doing well, lymph nodes, etc. The day prior, I had the honor of holding Kim's hand when Deron told her the results of that scan. He told her based on the results, she could go home and spend time with her babies, or we could continue with chemo. He explained that since Kim re-started chemo in April/May, the cancer had not reacted to it. The cancer had continue to grow/spread and the chemo wasn't helping.

True to form, Kim said she wanted to do chemo. Deron said he would support her in either decision...Kim said she wanted to fight. There was no hesitation in Kim's decision...she didn't question it or even think about it. She just said she wanted to fight.

An agreement was made that Kim would go home on Friday, Saturday & Sunday for some much needed time with her kids and return Monday morning to start chemo. But by Wednesday, they needed to drain her lungs again and Dr. Abass said he did not believe she would make it through the night. It was getting harder and harder for her to breathe and the quality of her life was less than poor. Kim was suffering. This we knew, but I don't think anyone was ready for it to be over.

I was honored to be able to be in that room Wednesday night. After we went home, showered, changed and returned, we ALL layed on the wood floor around Kim's bed. Some slept, I played my DS, there was a snorer in the room, so that was the end of my sleep. Uncle Mitch slept on the couch at the end of the hall...pants and boots ready for his next radio call...or his niece's call.

We were all up by 5:30 or 6 o'clock...Kim's breathing was still very shallow and her heart rate was still high. We walked down with Nan (Kim's mom) and got breakfast...I got a cherry coke and Richelle's friend (my friend too!!) Peggy brought us all the BEST donuts on the planet!! We ALL enjoyed those ALL day.

The day progressed slowly, and Kim's condition was still grave. She was heavily sedated and still in pain. When she would cough, she would reach her right hand over to hold her left side where they had drained her lungs. It was awful to watch, to hear, to know...she was suffering.

The decision was made to take Kim off of the oxygen and to just let her go home. Kim was still determined to have things HER way. The first time her oxygen was reduced, she wasn't ready to go. Her mask was placed back on her face & she continued those shallow,painful breaths.

A short time later, Kim opened her eyes, looked at each of us and took her mask off. She pushed the hands away of people trying to put the mask back on her face. She was done. She was finally done suffering. Kim was finally done, but on her terms, not ours.

We watched as Kim took her final few breaths. It was peaceful. It was calm. Kim died at 2:21pm on August 27, 2009. It was much needed relief for Kim. She had carried the burden long enough, it was time to pass the torch.

I was holding up better than I thought I would...I was truly at peace with everything. And then I saw Deron's face. A rush of emotion came over me...I KNEW that look. I've had it myself. The ache in my gut for him was nearly unbearable. I turned around, away from the agony...when I opened my eyes I was looking out the window. The only thing I could see was Kim's SUV and her license plate, "MRSMLLR".

Now I was at the point of not knowing what to think, where to look, what to feel, etc. I went out in the hall and sat down. I called Mike and he said he would come. I wanted to scream...I had prepared myself as best I could & it still hurt deep in my bones that she was actually gone.

After an hour or two, the mortuary arrived to take Kim's body. I walked in the room to tell Deron and what I saw broke my heart. I stood there and watched him loving his wife, his best friend...trying to feel her warmth for every second he had left.

Deron was so amazing throughout this journey with Kim. This was the ultimate test of love and he passed with flying colors. He was her rock. There for anything and everything she could want for.

I ache for Deron. For that look of defeat on his face, holding the love of his life one last time...holding her hand, touching her arm...I'm sure he was begging God not to let this be reality.

It's so unfair...the look is a look I know & the worst part is, he doesn't even know how bad it hurts yet. That will come in a few days, weeks, months...as his life continues without her in his daily routine...for the kids' milestones, etc.

On the other hand, I am so thrilled for Kim. She is at peace and finally understands why this was her burden to carry. Back in July, Kim told me, "I'm not ready to meet your mom."

I was speechless then...but when I kissed her goodbye for the last time, I told her thank you for what she had given to my life and that I loved her more than she could know. There is so much Kim taught me. Her strength is incredible and she never rested until she was #1. Her talents were amazing and the love she was able to give was intangible. Her beauty was from within and she always made us laugh. I've never known anyone like Kim...I've never seen anyone light up a room the way she did so effortlessly.

After my efforts to ensure Kim knew what she meant to me in this life, I told her, "I think you're ready to meet my mom."

Thank You Randi and God Bless You for sharing your story and for being such a good friend to Kim and Deron.

Aunt Kathy

Randi You Totally ROCK!!!!

I know we were all frustrated that Kim would not agree to writing or letting us video tape her for the kids (she never thought there was any possibility that she wouldn't beat this, no matter what anyone who was clinical told her about her diagnosis or prognosis).....you being the most frustrated because of what you have been through with the loss of your mother. I just told Kirby that this was God's plan because the book you are putting together will be sooooo much more meaningful to the kids and the family as well!!!

Randi, you are a true friend to Kim in every sense of the word and I want you to be my adopted daughter! I know Deron loves and appreciates you as much as I do!!

Aunt Kathy

Kim's Life Story

Since Kim was unable to complete letters or a video for Dylan & Kiki, I figured out a way we can help the kids remember important parts of Kim’s life!!

I have set-up an e-mail account (kimslifestory@gmail.com) and am asking each person to write one story (or as many as you can come up with) about a piece of Kim’s life. We (Natalie) have tons of pictures scanned in, so we can add them to the appropriate stories or you can e-mail new/different photos to add.

If we can get stories from Scott, Nan and other family members about her birth, young life, starting sports, etc and build up through her amazing 29 years I think we could put together an awesome book for the kids, Deron, Kim’s parents, etc. that would help to keep Kim close to them. It would also help the kids get answers down the road when they want/need to know about their mother’s life.

I will organize the stories into her life’s timeline, add pictures and have the final product published into hardback books that will keep forever. It would be our own version of Kim’s biography. I will also add her blog to the book in order to complete Kim’s journey from birth to death.

Each of us that love Kim has a different view of her and her life. If we can take the time to jot down a few memories, I think we can make an awesome journal of her amazing 29 years. No story is unimportant…from her birth, fighting with Scott (burning him with the curling iron :) ) shopping to find her prom dress or wedding dress to delivering her babies…fun beach stories from the years of going to San Diego…sports highs and lows (did she have lows?)…anything and everything that makes up Kim’s life story. I’d love to add Scott’s letter from the funeral as well…and hopefully Scott will write more!! We can add all the talks from the funeral…whatever makes this book complete.

This will obviously take some time to complete, so please start now. E-mail me the stories (and let me know if you have or want a picture used) at kimslifestory@gmail.com.

I lost my mom to the same cancer when I was 15, so I know how important these pieces of Kim’s life will be to her children. I still have so many questions, and I have no way to find the answers. This will be something Dylan & Kiki will treasure. They will be able to go back through their mother’s life and find funny, sad, exciting & boring stories about their mom. This is one easy way to make sure that in the years to come Dylan & Kiki will be able to reflect back and know how much Kim loved them & what an amazing woman she truly was.

Randi

Car Wash Planned on Sept. 26th to Benefit the Miller's

I got a call this morning from another wonderful friend of Kim's, Ginger who wants to do a car wash to benefit the Miller's. She is the mother of one of Ki Ki's friends and once again I am reminded of just how good people are. We are planning to do the car wash on Kim's birthday which is Saturday, Sept. 26th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Circle K at 1264 N. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85395 (Just north of I-10 at Litchfield). We are looking for volunteers to wash cars and if you would like to volunteer please send an e mail to Sammy at grsgsam@yahoo.com

I had a long conversation with Deron this morning and he is sad to see his family leave, but is very grateful that they were able to be here with him when he needed them the most. The kids have been at Beth and Jimmy's (the wonderful couple who are neighbors, who have spent endless hours taking care of Dylan and Ki Ki the past 10 months) since yesterday afternoon. They love being at Beth and Jimmy's and I hope they know how much the family appreciates them opening up their hearts and home to Dylan and Ki Ki.

Life is good....God is good!!!!

Signing Off,
Aunt Kathy

Kim Loved Saturdays!

I woke up to visions of wiping the tears from Deron's eyes at the viewing while the slide show was playing. I had my morning cry and then reminded myself that Kim loved Saturday's and that would be my last cry of the day. Kim would be excited that I was spending the day with my son, Kohl who was in Phoenix until only tomorrow from Florida. We are also planning dinner with Kohl and Stephanie (Kohl's best friend in the world) and hoping to make Justin's first college football game. Lots to cram in in one day, but I know I will do better if I stay busy.

Nan and Joe went to Scott's and Cher's for dinner. Sammy and her wonderful husband, Scott spent the day with Nan and Joe. I heard that Deron was doing well, but I know his family is heading back to California today and that will be hard for him. I wish they all lived closer....they are amazing people (just like their son), who I have grown to love.

Well time to stop writing, Kirby just got home with my favorite breakfast from LGO.

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Aunt Kathy Here Reflecting

I am sitting here in front on my computer and it is quiet and peaceful for the first time in many months. I am not sure I like how quiet it is and am missing Kimmy and my family and Kim's friends who I had the opportunity to see almost on a daily basis. The funeral services the past few days exceeded my expectations and I cannot believe the number of people that attended and the kind words and compassion that was shown. This whole experience has brought so many wonderful people into our lives and I will be forever grateful for the kindness and generosity of everyone, even people I have never met.

I am sure you all noticed that the article was not in the newspaper yesterday. I spoke with the reporter and she said it should be in the Southwest section in today's paper. Can anyone who gets the Southwest paper confirm that it was in today? She did tell me the article will be a feature story up on their web site for a week.

We are getting requests from numerous people to put the video of the funeral on the blog and we are looking into the possibility of doing that. There was also an incredible slide show that Natty did that was shown at the viewing and reception that we will try and post as well. I know my daughter, Kandus is also trying to assemble all the speeches that were done to post them.

We are also getting requests to continue the blog and we are discussing doing so. We could update everyone on how Deron, Nan, Joe, Scott and the kids are doing and announce family celebrations like the one we are going to be experiencing in the next few weeks when my niece Kristin gives birth to a beautiful baby (don't know if it is a boy or girl yet).

Thanks again to everyone,
Aunt Kathy

We Love You Kim!

I was able to thank our family at the funeral today but just felt like I can't thank Kim's friends enough. Thank You for what awesome friends you were to Kim! I only hope that everyone has friends like Kim had!

As the day has ended and I sit here reflecting.....I just keep thinking I can't believe Kim is gone! It's still so sharp & hurts so much to think she's not physically here with us. But as mentioned today by.... I think it was Vinny, Kim brought so many good people together!

We all bonded like brothers and sisters during the past 10 months.....Thank You Kim for the friends we have all gained during your journey. Thank You Kim for making us realize what is important in life.

Thank You to everyone that fought along side Kim!

I miss you so much Kim! But I know as soon as we have another family gathering, we will tell our Kim stories like we did tonight and laugh... and realize once again that you made all of us better people....I love you!

To Kim's friends, please keep in touch!
Lots of Love to you all and our angel Kim

-Cousin Kristin

Aunt Kathy Here: Arizona Republic Newspaper Article

Deron and I were interviewed by the AZ Republic Newspaper yesterday and there will be an article on Kim in the Valley and State section of the valley wide paper tomorrow and and in the Southwest section on Friday. Jen also posted a link to the article that is on the azcentral.com below.

Deron and I are pleased with the article, after both spending over an hour each with this reporter on the phone. She did a good job communicating what a great attitude Kim had and how she was truly and inspiration to all.

My stomach is starting to churn at the thought of what is taking place this evening and tomorrow. My heart aches for Deron, Nan, Joe and Scott and I am asking for the strength to get through the next few days as calmly as I can to be able to give them the support and encouragement they need right now.

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Lifelong athlete, Goodyear mom succumbs to cancer at 29

Lifelong athlete, Goodyear mom succumbs to cancer at 29

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Change in Funeral Location & More Details

Wednesday, September 2nd
Viewing @ 5pm & Rosary @ 7pm
Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home
Indian School Rd. & 48th St.
4800 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018

Thursday, September 3rd
Service @ 10am
Christ Church of the Ascension
40th St. & Lincoln Dr.
4015 E. Lincoln Dr.
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Burial following the Service:
Holy Cross Cemetery
Thomas Rd. & 100th Ave.
10045 W. Thomas Rd.
Avondale, AZ 85392

Update

We will be doing a video for Kim's service. If you have any pictures or video, please email them to photosbynatalie@gmail.com.

Sky Schaudt from the Arizona Republic put together a story on Kim last fall, Unlikely cancer patient holds hope as others rally around her, and she will be doing a follow up story on Kim. If you would like to contribute photos, please send them to sky.schaudt@arizonarepublic.com. She also set up an online guestbook for Kim at http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=193405512175 where anyone can post comments. Sky thanks so much for your support!

Thanks to everyone for their words and support during this difficult time. Many comments have also been posted on Kim's facebook page.

As Kim's friends and family, we wanted to let you know that Kim passed away peacefully today at 2:21pm surrounded by us all.

Tentatively, the funeral is planned for Thursday September 3rd, 2009.

More details to follow.

Thank you for your continuous love, support & prayers for the Gwaltney & the Miller families.

Love to all,

Erin, Laura, Natalie, Sammie & Randi

Gold Canyon Fundraiser

Click on the image above for more details

Think BLUE!!

I am happy to post our next Kim Miller Fundraiser!! I am super excited about the fun shirts I was able to help create & can't wait to see people wearing them/spreading the word!!

Shirt A:

Shirt B:

The shirts are being sold (1) shirt for $12 or (2) shirts for $20.

There is an order form/flyer/envelope in Kim's room or you can e-mail me directly @ phnx101@cox.net to order. Please leave your money in the envelope and mark the "paid" box on the order form...if you e-mail me, I will get you my address to send the money to.

Once I get a good size order, I will place the first order. We can order as many times as we need to & the shirts shouldn't take too long to get here...about a week after I order. If they need to be mailed out, I will make sure it all gets done as quickly as possible.

The shirts will be a 50/50 blend and the sizes run pretty average. I normally wear a medium size t-shirt and the mediums from this company fit perfect. My husband normally wears an XL and his XL's fit great.

If you'd like to help sell some of these shirts to help benefit Kim & her fabulous family, let me know and I will get an order form/flyer/envelope to you.

Xoxo,

Randi

Update From Aunt Kathy

Kim was having some trouble breathing yesterday and the chest xray showed a large amount of fluid in Kim's lungs, so they did a procedure that drained the fluid from her lungs. It was not a comfortable procedure for Kim, but she should now be able to breathe easier. Her lower extremity and abdomen swelling is better. She has received TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) the past few days and there is more discussion about placing a feeding tube. They are trying to get her stable enough to do chemo this week.

Special Thanks Go To Kim Park

The Athena Salon and Day Spa fund raiser was a huge success! Thanks so much Kim Park....Kim and all the family so very much appreciate your kindness and generosity!! Also, big thanks for bringing dinner on Wednesday night! It was such a joy to watch Kim's face when she read the card you gave her and I know she was thrilled with the donation you made as well.

I continue to be amazed at the kindness of Kim's friends....you all ROCK!!!!

Thanks Again,
Aunt Kathy

Hey everyone, it's Deron. Kim wanted to write something tonight but never seemed to get to it. Kim wanted to let you all know she has been doing great the last several days. She has been outside everday for fresh air and tossing pennies in the fountain. Today she had a surprise visit from the kids and she was very excited to see them. As you read they were busy with a birthday party this weekend and weren't around much. The kids were equally excited to see their mother, looking as good as ever.

So moving on to some of the other news she wanted passed on. Kim has been trying to eat as much as possible, which unfortunately is just not very much. She has been offered a feeding tube to be inserted down her nose to help her get the nutrition she needs. Now, knowing this tube will have to be crammed down her nose and into the gut does not sound like her idea of a good time right now. However, she realizes that she is weakened by the malnurishment and is seriously contimplating this procedure. I told her I'd go first, but I can't swallow chewable tylenol. I hope she forgets I told her that !

She had her 9th radiation treatment today and will be finished with this series tomorrow. She had an infection last week and has been on antibiotics, but we still don't know what this infection is. We have a consult with an infectious disease doctor, but have not met him/her yet. This means no chemo this week if there is a chance she still has an infection.

So I'm not a blogger! I think that's all she really wanted me to pass on for now. I'd ask her, but she's passed out.

I would like to say thank you to all of Kim's friends for all of their help. Thanks to all of my friends and family for your continued support. To the hundreds and hundreds of blog followers from Italy, Korea, all over Europe to here at home in the states. Thank you.

Kim will be back soon.

Grilled Cheese

I got the pleasure of spending the day with Kim today, so the family could all be in attendance at Kiki's birthday party this afternoon. I volunteered...okay, I TOLD Nan I was staying with Kim so she could be where she needed to be- with Kiki. :)

We have had a good day so far. She had scrambled eggs & strawberry crapes for breakfast...she ate "four or five BIG bites" but was DONE with the eggs after that. She ate several bites of the strawberry crapes..they looked really good!!

After breakfast...Jessica (Respiratory Therapist that we LOVE) and I took Kim for a ride downstairs. We went outside both the front and back doors. It wasn't too hot, so we sat for a bit and Kim took in some fresh air. We made a pit-stop at the cafeteria for an apple and ice cream and then Jessica took us up to the 5th floor...there is a walk out/balcony area where they are going to put in a healing garden. The garden isn't there yet...so far it's just bricks and cement, but it was fun to see.

Once we were back in the room, we washed Kim's hair, face, teeth, etc and she felt much better...then it was time for lunch. Sylvia (Kim's nurse) ordered Kim a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. Kim TOLD me we were sharing. She looked over after a few minutes and wanted to know why I hadn't started eating my half. She agreed that if I ate my entire half, she would eat her entire half. She had a deal. It took her a bit longer than me, but Kim made sure she finished her half before she fell asleep.

I'm so glad I got to spend the day with my friend!!


Xoxo,


Randi

Picture Update.....

Thanks to Randi, Nan, and my own camera, we have a lot of pictures!! More friends and family and the fun times at CTCA. I will also be including the GCC Volleyball Benefit Camp pictures! The Benefit was a complete success! We couldn't have been happier with the results! Kim and Deron were so touched and wanted to thank all of those who participated in any way with the camp!
 

Thanks again for everything!

Natty

Aunt Kathy Here With An Update

Yesterday was a fun day for Ki Ki at CTCA....a small group of us celebrated her 6th birthday (I can't believe she is 6 already!) in the play room. Thanks Randi for bringing the cake, it was yummy!! There was some discussion yesterday about Kim going home soon, but this morning Kim has a temperature and her heart rate is elevated. They did some blood cultures and blood work and her WBC's are elevated (usually means some sort of infection), so they started her on IV Antibiotics. Her chest x-ray has not changed since the last one. She was started on a new medicine that is supposed to increase your appetite. Radiation is continuing and no issues with that. The Oncologist would like to try and give Kim some chemo by the end of the week if she is stable enough. Thanks again to everyone who visits and keeps in touch with Kim through e mail and facebook. The security guard at CTCA asked if Kim was a celebrity because he has never seen a patient have so many visitors. Of course, he was told she is a huge celebrity for sure and how much she is loved by all who know her.
Keep the prayers coming!

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Athena Salon & Day Spa Fundraiser!!!

First Radiation Treatment Completed

Kim had her first radiation treatment yesterday on her thoracic vertebrae (upper back) to treat the cancer that has recently shown up there. It was a little uncomfortable for her because on the tight apparatus she had to wear, but like always she was a trooper. She will have 9 more treatments over the next few weeks. Heart rate is down and her pain is being controlled well by the pain pump. Legs continue to be swollen and it sounds like they are considering trying a new diuretic medication soon to see if it will work better than Lasix. She started physical therapy a few days ago and is enjoying that.

I continue to be amazed at the incredible friends Kim has (most she has known from high school) and I enjoy meeting and spending time with all of them when I come to see Kim. Last night her friend Krysal brought homemade chicken and dumplings and a fresh baked pie. I haven't seen Kim eat that much in a long time.....she enjoyed every bite. Kim's cousin was here from Colorado the past couple of days and she is an absolute doll!

There hasn't been any discussion about Kim going home from the hospital at this time and she told me last night she isn't ready to go home yet. She is being well cared for at CTCA and we are blessed to have such an incredible place in our own backyard.

Regards,
Kathy

GCC Camp Reminder!!!

This Saturday, August 8th from 8am-noon!! We are asking all participants to PLEASE COME EARLY to sign in! We will have extra register forms at the sign in desk. Thank you for your support! And DON'T FORGET TO WEAR ROYAL BLUE!!!                             *Cash or Check  only at registration. Thank you*

With Love for Kim,

   Natty and the GCC Volleyball Crew!!

     (questions: contact Natalie @ photosbynatalie@gmail.com)

Picture Update.....

Kim had another good week! As you view these pictures, you will see a couple of Kim's highlights! She finally got her new phone (the blackberry curve), as you can see her hugging the boxes it came in! She LOVES it!!! The next highlight, was CODY!!!! Kim's dog, which she hasn't seen for almost two weeks! Nan and Kathy snuck him in a small duffle bag, and covered him with Kathy's sweater! It was a good laugh!! After all of that, we figured the security guards and Kim's nurses probably really wouldn't care! Cody stayed for a good two hours, and he was just as happy to see Kim as she was to see him! She was brushing her teeth when Kathy let him crawl out of the bag! That night was topped off with a "Thanksgiving in August" feast! Traci Price's mom made a Turkey dinner, and Lisa and Traci got to serve Kim the delicious food! That food was gone fast! Today was a good day! Kim was a Diva! She put on some makeup and looked AMAZING!!! 

You are so gorgeous Kim! 

Love, Natty

Great News...so I think...

Hello everyone! I know it's been some time since I updated. As you can see in all the pictures...their's never a dull moment in the Miller room. The entire staff here is amazing.

Most of you knew that after this last chemo treatment that I had developed a blood clot in my upper right thigh. My docs weren't to concerned due to the clot prevention (IVC filter) procedure that Banner Estrella did before I got here. I also had to have a catheter put in my bladder because it is to painful for me to get up and down to go to the bathroom with my legs being so swollen. We had a little scare last night with some rectal bleeding, but the good news is it was old blood versus fresh blood and it hasn't happened again. They put me on a pain pump last night and my pain is so much better.

Thanks to all my family and friends for your love and support. Special thanks to all my friends who worked hard this past week to get my kids ready for school on Monday. The outfits are adorable and they have enough school supplies for the entire class.

I know that God is still continuing to work in my life and I am still going to beat this! Please continue the awesome prayers.

Much Love,
Kim

Picture Update...

Kim has asked me to update her blog with pictures that have been taken over the past couple of weeks! I apologize to those that I have not seen, and taken a picture of! With my camera and Nan's, I have made a small slide show. And, I will try to update at least once a week with new pictures!

The start of this slide show was before they went to San Diego, and Kiki is doing Mommy's hair! And then it shows Kim leaving  Banner Estrella Hospital, on her way to CTCA. As you view these pictures,.. you will see that Kim is WELL taken care of and LOVED so much! We fan her when she is hot, has friends and family visiting her, eats her FAVORITE french fries, Deron even gets to sneak in a nap, the kids get entertained in the halls, we shave her sexy long legs, we all got to eat Uyen's amazing feast (thank you,.. it was delicious), and she got to take a bath in the LARGEST bath tub ever!!! Today was the first day she got up and took a walk! With her entourage following her! She even took a second walk later that night! Kim is doing so good, and getting stronger every day! We are so proud of you Kim! Keep fighting!!!
Love,
Natty

KIM MILLER GCC BENEFIT VOLLEYBALL CAMP

The Alumni of Glendale Community College and Kim's coaches, have all pulled together and are putting on a volleyball camp to help raise money for Kim and her family! Kim is an amazing volleyball player, and we are so excited to honor her! It will be held on August 8th, from 8 am-12 Noon, at GCC. For 5th-8th Graders. Please help spread the word!!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT: photosbynatalie@gmail.com. Thank you!

I was with Kim most of the day today, and she had another amazing day! I had the honor of sitting with her in her bed eating "the most amazing french fries" EVER! The french fries, along with Chick-fil-a, and her (secret) stash of goodies, always seem to make her smile!

I love you Kim!

Love, Natty

Update from Aunt Kathy

Thanks Randi for posting the pictures!! Those of us still in San Diego enjoyed being able to see Kim!!!

Kim starts some new chemo today and they are going to deliver it by a slow infusion over 5 days in hopes of fewer side effects. She was off oxygen yesterday for 15 minutes and was able to keep her O2 sats at 95%....that is a huge improvement. Her swelling is much improved and her pain is much more under control. They are going to start TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) today to address Kim's malnutrition and low albumin levels. She still needs to eat regular food to keep her digestive system working.

Erin has made arrangements for a nationally known healer to visit Kim tomorrow....we are all excited about that for sure!!

Deron continues to be a ROCK and is taking awesome care of Kim. He is on leave from work and spends every day and night with Kim. God Bless you Deron!!!!

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

One Hot Fightin' Momma & Her Beautiful Babies

When I got to the "resort" after work this afternoon, I was so thrilled to see our beautiful Kim sitting up in bed, smiling & looking AMAZING!! Another fun surprise...Dylan & Kiki were there to visit!!

I thought I'd post a couple pics I took...so everyone's fighting spirit can be as uplifted ours are!!

Keep praying.

Keep believing.

Our Fighter is still up and ready for the next round.

Xoxo, Randi

CTCA

We thought we should post a quick update, since a few things have changed...

When Kim got home from San Diego on Saturday, she had some trouble breathing. Deron had her transported to Banner Estrella, where she was admitted. Kim's body had retained too much fluid, so the doctor's decided to monitor her and get the problem taken care of.

On Monday the decision was made for Kim to be transfered to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America...near Lictchfield and I-10.

So...around 2pm, Kim left Banner & made it safely to CTCA...a much nicer and much more "resort" type atmosphere. We all walked in and fell in love. This place is so warm & inviting.

While Kim was getting checked in, we learned they have a salon downstairs...the ladies will actually come up to the patients rooms and fix hair, do manicures &/or pedicures!! Woo Hoo!! This is OUR kinda place...Kim fit right in!!

Her room is beautiful and they even brought chairs for the entire "entourage." Our prayers have been answered that she could find a more comfortable place to discuss and pray about the options she has available to her.

Kim's attitude remains super positive!! Today she requested Dunkin' Donuts...we happily granted her wish!! Then she saw someone eating Chik-fil-A and requested some chicken!! She has eaten awesome yesterday & today...we really hope she is able to continue down this path.

We'll try to keep everyone updated about our Fighter!!

Xoxo,

Erin, Laura, Natty, Sammy & Randi

Miller Family on KPHO through "Pay it Forward"

Link to the article and video
http://www.kpho.com/payitforward/20081010/detail.html#

Well needed vacation...

As you all know...we made it on our vacation. Up until 2 days before we were leaving...it wasn't looking very good for me being able to make it...but WE DID!!! Every day has been better and better. I've been able to get my pain under control. However, the pain meds cause really bad dry mouth and I've developed a few mouth sores which has make it very difficult to eat. Everyday has been a struggle to eat as much as I know I should. Each day gets better!

I know we haven't talked much since the last time I was in the hospital and why we are moving to the Cancer Treatment Center Of America. After my last chemo, I continued to have rectal bleeding. Additional scans were done which showed that my body is no longer responding to this chemo. Therefore, my doctors office doesn't have many, if any, treatment options left for me. My family has been very busy this last week getting all the paperwork and behind the scence stuff taken care of for me. Thank you to you all that have taken so many hours out of your days to make sure that things are getting in line for me. Thank you to Natty, Laura, Erin and Sammy for packing up my entire family for me so I didn't have to worry about a thing. Thank you to the Drucker's and family for the kids beach toys and giving Deron and I the ability to have a wonderful vacation. And also the Smith family for feeding us each night and also contributing to our vacation fund. You are all such amazing people. We are so lucky to have you all in our lives. We get home sometime Saturday late afternoon. Monday morning will start our 3 day consultation with the Cancer Treatment Center of America. We are all so excited to start with such a great and uplifting Center.

As you can see from the pictures, Natty came and took my family photos and did such an amazing job! Thank you Natty! I love you

Another amazing thing that happeded to Deron and I this last week was we were the recepients of the News Channel 5 Pay it Forward. Today, Thursday at 10pm our interview will air on TV. A major thank you to Chad and Charlene Waltz.

We'll keep you all updated on how our appointments go this next week. Please keep all the prayers coming!!!!!

Much love,
Kim

Having an AWESOME Time in San Diego

Big THANKS go to Natalie for taking such wonderful pictures of our family on the beach!!!! Kim has been doing real well since we got here on Saturday. The new pain meds are working much better and she is breathing much easier. We are all excited about her upcoming appointment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America on Monday. We are hoping they have some new treatment regimens for Kim to try.

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

At home

Kim is at home surrounded by loving family and friends. She is tired and appreciates the thoughts and prayers.

The family is looking forward to their vacation in San Diego next week. Kim will fly with cousin Kristin and Eli this Saturday. The rest of the family is driving over.

Dylan is excited for San Diego, he says "I will go fishing, tummy surfing and if I see a mini shark I will catch it and put it on my board. I will also go crab hunting and will go under the waves."

Kiki is looking forward to her vacation as well. "I am going to find little crabs, play on the beach, play in the sand, do make-up on the beach, bring my mini chair, color at the beach, splash water on each other and do handstands and cartwheels on the beach."
Aunt Kathy

Going Home Today

I just got a text message from Kim that she is going home from the hospital today. They did not do the IR procedure yesterday because the bleeding has stopped (hip, hip, hooray!)

Aunt Kathy

IR Procedure Scheduled for Today

Kim did have some more rectal bleeding yesterday, but thankfully it wasn't much and didn't move her h and h much. She is being prepared (Benedryl and Cortisone) for the interventional radiology procedure today where they insert a catheter to try and stop the bleeding. It is sounding like they will probably want to keep Kim in the hospital until we leave for San Diego on Saturday. She ate pretty good yesterday and her spirits are remarkable as always.

Aunt Kathy

Broncoscopy Completed

I just spoke with Deron and Kim did fine with the broncoscopy this morning. They were able to get a good specimen to send to the lab to make sure Kim does not have a lung infection. The chest xray and CT of the lungs are both showing more widespread lesions in her lungs. She will probably go home with oxygen to be used as needed. They also started her on SVN breathing treatments to try and open her lungs up. She got 2 units of blood yesterday that brought her h and h up nicely. Thankfully, there has not been any more rectal bleeding.

Keep the prayers coming.

Aunt Kathy

Kim is back in the hospital...

Kim was admitted to Banner Estrella last night with rectal bleeding again. It isn't as bad as last time, but they need to get it stopped. Her blood work is showing low h and h levels so she will get blood today. Her shortness of breath is worsening and that needs to be addressed as well. I will post an update when I know more.

Aunt Kathy

So glad to be home...

Sorry its been a while since I've been on to update. I've been relaxing at home and my mom's house. Not much has been going on. I've been having BM's every day and there is no sign of blood. I thank God everyday. We have changed my next treatment to be this up coming Thursday instead of the following Monday. Our thought process is to give enough time after treatment to recover before we leave for San Diego. We only have 2 weeks left. I can't wait to be a beach bum.
Wednesday night, Erin stayed the night with us. We stayed up after putting the kids down and watched Bride Wars. Let me rephrase that...I watched the movie while Erin fell asleep during the movie.
Friday, Sammy and Scott came over and made an incredible halibut and salmon dinner...the kids even loved it. They also stayed the night and even made breakfast the next morning. I have the most incredible friends.
My first real venture out was yesterday. I went to my nieces dance recital. They did so good. Landyn was so adorable in her dance and shaking her booty. Jaden really impressed me...talk about personality with dance. She had so many dances. I asked her how she is able to remember all those dances. Her response..."A lot of practice." She is doing awesome.
Today, Sunday, Erin has come back over to spend the day with the kids and I.

Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers.

Love,

Kim

Home From Hospital

Kim left the hospital yesterday and is soooo happy to be home. We are all looking forward to our family vacation in San Diego in 3 weeks.

Aunt Kathy

Hopefully Home From Hospital Soon

Kim experienced a slight allergic reaction to the contrast and is still having a lot of pain, so they decided not to discharge her yesterday. She was moved out of ICU to a regular room.

Aunt Kathy

Interventional Radiology Procedure A Success!!

It is Aunt Kathy here.....happy to report that the radiology procedure done this morning on Kim to stop the bleeding from her colon tumor was successful and Kim is resting comfortably. If she doesn't have any further bleeding, she will get to go home from the hospital tomorrow.

I'm sure Kim will be in touch with everyone on the blog soon.

Regards,
Kathy

I'm NOT Pregnant

Hello everyone...It's Me!
So the latest shocker this morning was my nurse telling me that my blood work came back saying I was pregnant. LOL!!! I said "NO WAY!" I've had 4 periods in the last 8 months since being on chemo and Deron got fixed 5 years ago. We thought it was kind of comical. Therefore, I've just went through having an ultra sound done as well to make sure there was no little Miller in there. And like we thought...NO ONE WAS HOME!

As of right now, I'm starving! Again I have not been able to eat due to this possible upcoming procedure. The radiology department that Aunt Kathy mentioned yesterday is talking with my doctors right now to see about having the interventional radiology procedure done. The risk is having to use the CT contrast that I have had multiple allergic reactions from. As soon as they make up their mind, I will either be going down for the procedure or being a happy little camper eating. If I do end up in the procedure, I'm sure Aunt Kathy will update everyone once I'm out.

The other thing that was discovered last night in my colonoscopy is that there is another 3 cm tumor that has joined just above my primary tumor in my colon. Obviously, this comes as a shock and disappointment, but I can't let that get me down and I still believe I will beat this. Having to have that NG tube in my nose really made me mad. I'm ready to continue to fight like hell!!!!

Oh my nurse just came in and told me that I can eat!!!!! I love her! Jack in the box...here Deron comes. They are not going to do the radiology procedure until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. They need to prep me with cortisone and benadryl for 12 hours prior to the procedure so I don't have an allergic reaction to the contrast.

Thank you so much for all the continued prayers.

I am missing my babies and the Nurse just said that she would turn her head the other way if they came to see me. These Nurse's are awesome!!

Kim

Colonoscopy Completed

Dr. Rodriquez did the colonosopy this evening and there is a quarter size area of the colon tumor that is bleeding. He wasn't able to adequately take care of the bleeding through the scope and they are waiting for the bleeding to start again and then the radiologist will do a procedure that has a 90% success rate in stoping bleeding. The next bleed she has they will take her down stairs to radiology for the procedure. Last night, they did move Kim to ICU so that they can keep a better eye on her. Unfortunately, she had to experience having an NG tube in place during the night, but they removed it around 9:30 a.m. She got 2 units of blood today and her color is so much better.

Kim is sitting up in bed right now eating tortilla soup and chicken strips from Red Robin that uncle Kirby just brought her. She is soooo happy to finally be able eat (no food since Monday) and can't wait to get a good nights sleep.

Kim wants everyone to know how much she appreciates the prayers and asked everyone to keep them coming.

Aunt Kathy

Aunt Kathy Here With An Update

Kim was admitted to Banner Estrella Hospital this afternoon with rectal bleeding. She will be having a colonoscopy late tomorrow afternoon to see where the bleeding is coming from. She is resting comfortably and Deron will be spending the night at the Hospital with her. Keep the prayers coming and I will put an update on the blog tomorrow after we know more.

Aunt Kathy

My family by photosbynatalie.com

We had so much fun doing these photos with Natty. As you can see, Natty is the most talented photographer I've ever known. The pictures at the end go in order of chaos. lol

My dearest friend and amazing photographer Natalie took these photos last Monday for me. Natty, you are amazing! We love you!

Emotions I've never experienced

Last week was one of the hardest weeks I've ever had. Having little energy and physically not being able to do what my mind wants me to do has been a major mental struggle for me. I've always seemed to be in control of my emotions, my pain, etc. I gave birth to both kids without even a Tylenol and did just fine because I've always been able to control my mind to accomplish what I want to accomplish. My body has been through a lot in the last 6 weeks...strep throat, pneumonia, vasculitous, open lung biopsy, chemo therapy then the stomach flu. I understand how trying that can be on someones body. These things have really taken a toll on my body so my energy level has been very low while my pain from the open lung biopsy has been high. After laying around for a week or so because that's all I could do after peeling myself out of bed, my emotions have really taken a turn for the worst. Once I was physically able to get up...I no longer wanted to. It only took my a few days to realize I was on the wrong path. I immediately started talking with Deron, my mom and family about my emotions. I felt as if I was spiralling into depression at a rapid pace. I had no control of my emotions...I was sad most of the time...crying the other times...didn't want to get dressed into normal day clothes...I wanted to do nothing besides eat only a little bit and sleep. I needed help. At the end of this last week my family got together twice for my cousin Justin's graduation party from high school and my cousin Kohl's graduation from Medical School. Congrats boys...I'm very proud of you both. Thank goodness Michelina (an amazing woman in our family) came to Kohl's grad luncheon. I had her sit next to me so she could help me pull my head out of my rear. She and I stayed at the restaurant for 2 hours after the family left and we talked. It was just what I needed. Deron and I did go to our doctor today and talked about my increasing pain I've been having. I've been doubling up on my pain meds some days just to get by. Each time I have increased pain, pain in a new area, etc...I think...I hope this pain is not from the cancer continuing to spread. It's hard for your mind not to go there. My pain has been from my ribs still being very sore and my lung healing but I've also had a lot of pain from my upper back to my lower back and all in between. Today our PA said she is almost certain my pain is from the Neulasta shot (white cell booster). That shot causes extreme bone pain. I only thought the pain lasted for 3 days after the shot was given. I didn't realize it lasts for a few weeks. They will check my blood work I did today and see how high my white count is and probably reduce the amount of the Neulasta shot the next time. In the meantime, they have given me break through pain meds to keep me comfortable. I have chemo this next Monday, June 15th. Keep praying with us that it will go much better with no flu. We will also be checking on events at the Wellness Community to get us and our kids involved. My friend Michelle and her kids are the poster family this month so check them out if you get a chance.

Deron and I are striving to improve everyday. Love God and each other.

Kim

Round 1 is over

Well...the last few days were certainly full of adventure. As Aunt Kathy mentioned, Kiki and Dylan over the last week have both had this 36 hour stomach flu. Soon after Deron and I got home from chemo on Wednesday night, Deron started getting very sick. I immediately called my mom and asked her to get to my house. There was no way I was going to be able to take care of Deron and Deron could not take care of me. We were quite the pair that night. Deron started shaking so bad, the covers were moving. You would have thought that our house was a freezer box. My mom took the kids and I to her house so we hopefully wouldn't get the bug. Poor Deron was left at home alone with phone calls every hour to check on him. The next day was the worst for me. From the time I woke up I was so nauseous. I couldn't eat...couldn't drink...had more fluid coming out my rear end and was dry heaving. I was so weak that by the afternoon, I could barely walk. I had to go back to my doctors office for a white blood booster shot. When they saw me they took me back to the chemo room and hooked me up to a bag of fluids. By that evening, I was able to eat a few crackers and a few bites of soup but that was it. Yesterday, Friday, was much better. Still weak, I was able to drink a bit and eat a bit. I still had to go to the Dr. office and get another bag of fluids. I was actually able to drink and eat by last night. Deron was feeling so much better as well. Today, Saturday, I feel like I've got so much more energy. I've eaten cereal, drank a bottle of water and I just might get out of bed soon. lol
Hopefully my next chemo will be only chemo...not chemo with flu cocktail. Also, my chemo treatments are going to be every 3 weeks...not every other week. I'll have more recovery time in between treatments. I'll even be off for when my family all goes to Mission Beach in July. I can't wait.
I hope everyone is doing well.

Kim

Aunt Kathy Here With An Update

I have been getting calls asking how Kim is doing, so I thought I would give everyone an update. She had chemo yesterday at Dr. Zafar's office from 11:30 a.m. until after 6:00 p.m. It was a long day for her and Deron, but everything went well. She got a couple of new chemo's that she has not gotten before. I just spoke with Nan and she said Kim had a good night and rested pretty well and so far no nausea. Unfortunately, Deron got the flu that the kids had earlier this week and he is the one who had a rough night. I'm sure Kim will speak to you all soon on the blog, so stay tuned. Keep those prayers coming!!
Regards,
Aunt Kathy

It is hard to admit this but here it goes...

As soon as we set our surgery date to have my colon and liver resection, I was feeling very uneasy. I worked so hard to get through chemo to get to the point of having surgery and when it happened...I was so scared. When chemo ended, I ended up with strep throat then pneumonia, then cellulitous/vasculitous. When I was admitted I told Deron I felt like God was trying to tell us something. Why have I been sick for 3 weeks straight right before I'm supposed to have this major operation? It was my surgeon that ordered my scans...he called my oncologist with what the scans showed and my oncologist came to see us immediately. In 5 weeks my cancer had regenerated as if it had been untreated for 6 months or more. For the first time since I was diagnosed...I questioned God. I asked, "How could you bring me so far over the last 6 months and in 5 weeks allow this to happen?" I was very upset...I cried a lot. The more and more I thought about it...I realized something. God was giving us red flags...I even told Deron I thought that was what he was doing this last time I was admitted. Had my surgeon not ordered the oncologists scans we would have ended up in surgery on the 15th, they would have opened me up and realized they could not have operated. I would have then had to wait almost 2 more months to start treatment again. By that time, the cancer may have spread so much that we may have not had many options left. I now thank God every day for saving my life again. I know he is with us and will carry us through this.

Love,

Kim

I'm Baaacccckkkk!!!

Hello Everyone,
It is so good to be home. I slept so much last night. I did wake up a few times wondering why no one was in my room poking at me, telling me to take pills, giving me shots in the tummy (which I'm all bruised from), my IV machine beeping, taking my vitals and sticking that thermometer in my mouth, etc. lol Most of you that have been in the hospital know exactly what I'm talking about. My kids were so excited to see us home. I had to show Dylan my incision marks so he understood why he had to be so easy with mommy. My chest tube incision still isn't closed yet so we still have that one covered. Dylan and Kiki have never been so excited to sleep in their own beds. Dylan wanted to make sure that when he woke up I was still going to be home. Therefore, this morning they both ran in to give me a hug and kiss before Daddy took them to school. It is amazing to wake up to your 5 and 7 year old kissing you on the forehead and saying "I love you Mommy". That is probably the best feeling in the world.
I do have to say, giving birth to my children without a Tylenol was easier than having a tube stuck in my chest. I've been trying to use my left arm more and it feels awkward because they had to cut through my muscles and separate my ribs. Didn't you like that awesome description? lol
Anyways, we are done with that. Deron and I had a talk before I was taken into surgery. We were told back in October that I had cancer in my lungs. It was just never confirmed with a biopsy. We decided that if my lungs are positive for cancer then we can't get upset because that is what we were told 7 months ago. It would just be a bonus if it was not cancer. The way I see it is October 20th, 2008 I was told I had cancer in my colon, liver (really bad) and my lungs. Now, May 15th, 2009 I'm told I have cancer in my colon and lungs and my liver is looking pretty good!!! In my eyes, I'm better off now than I was in October. As my Aunt Kathy said, we start chemo again on the 26th. It will be every other week for 6 months like last time. My body responded very well last time and I expect it to do the same this time. I happen to have the worlds best healer on my side...our God!
Thank you all for your prayers...keep them coming!
Thank you Aunt Kathy for keeping everyone posted.

Kim's Home from the Hospital

Good news......Kim was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and chemo will start on Tuesday, May 26th. The oncologist wants to give her some time to heal from the lung biopsy surgery before chemo starts.

I'm sure she will be on the blog soon to communicate with everyone.

Glad you are home Kim!!

Aunt Kathy

Hopefully Discharged Today

Kim did not go home from the hospital yesterday, but hopefully today will be the day. They found a small pneumothorax (2 mm) in her left lung and she is still anemic. She remains in good spirits and her pain is less and less each day.

Angel Doc (Dr. Rodriquez - GI Doc who finally diagnosed Kim), came in yesterday afternoon to visit Kim which was very enjoyable for all of us. He isn't on Kim's case right now, but wanted to check on her and give her a big hug. The rest of us, including Dylan and Ki Ki got big hugs from him as well!

Samantha took Dylan and Ki Ki on a shopping spree to buy summer clothes yesterday. She wore Nan and the kids out after 3 hours, but you wouldn't believe the adorable outfits she got the kids. Samantha you are sooooo awesome to do this!! I wish you all could of seen the big smile on Kim's face when Samantha showed her all the great purchases. The kids are growing so fast that it is hard to keep them in clothes that fit. They will be the best dressed kids on the block for sure!!

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Hooray!....Chest Tube is Out

The surgeon was able to remove the chest tube late yesterday afternoon and it sounds like the chest xray is looking pretty good. Thankfully, Kim's pain is much less now and she is able to take walks in the hall. There is discussion about Kim going home today and then getting the chemo in Dr. Zafar's office early next week.

Kim, Deron and the family wanted to send out a special thank you to Beth and Jimmy who have been taking care of Dylan and Kiki pretty much non stop the past week and also on a regular basis the past few months. Beth and Jimmy, your kindness is very much appreciated and the family can relax more knowing the kids are being well cared for and having so much fun too! It is people like you that have restored my faith in mankind and again we appreciate your generosity more than words can adequately express.

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Update on Kim

Kim is doing well.......making us laugh by making very funny comments after she gets her pain meds! We have learned that having chest tube is one of the most painful things a person could possibly go through and the nurses are telling us that Kim is handling the pain better than most people would. Thank God for Dilaudid and that it works so well for Kim!!

It looks like the chest tube will not be removed yet. Kim is still draining a good amount of fluid from the tube and the chest xray is showing one area in Kim's lung that is not totally cooperating. This is nothing to be alarmed about and I'm sure the chest tube will come out soon. They just did another xray to assess the lung and I will let you all know when we get the report back what the results are.

Deron has been incredible in caring for Kim for the past week. He has rarely left her side and Kim finds so much comfort in him always being right next to her. Kim's illness has been devastating for Deron and the family is so thankful for his love for Kim and how he is demonstrating this love in Kim's time of need. Please say a few prayers for Deron as well that he continues to find the strength and energy to juggle all the responsibilities he has on his plate right now.

In closing, I would like to share a story with you that really shows the type of person Kim is and the remarkable attitude she has shown through this whole experience. After the lung biopsy on Thursday night, when she woke up, I had to tell her about the findings of the cancer in her lungs. Of course this was not an easy thing to have to tell her and I asked God to give me the strength and the right words to deliver the bad news. Right after I told her, she looked up at me and said, "At least my liver is okay!" I have never met such a positive and inspirational person that even in her darkest hours she finds something positive to think and say.

Someone commented on the blog this morning that the war was not won by one battle and Kim is getting ready to fight the battle again with some real strong Chemo and that cancer beast better watch out, he doesn't know who he is dealing with and how strong she is physically and spiritually.

Thanks so much for all the kind words and prayers! They mean a lot to Kim and all the family!!

Regards,
Aunt Kathy

Lung Biopsy Completed

It's almost 10:00 p.m. and Kim just arrived to ICU. I wish I had better news to share....the surgeon let us know that the pathologist reviewed the lung tissue specimen in the OR and it is positive for cancer in the lungs. The plan is for Kim to stay in the ICU for 24 hours and then she will move back to the oncology floor. They are hoping to resume Chemo on Monday.

This is another bump in the road for Kim, but her spirits remain high and she is ready to continue to fight the battle.

Keep the prayers coming.

Aunt Kathy

Today's plan

Today, Thursday, I will be under going an open lung biopsy. This is a pretty major procedure. I will be knocked out just like a normal surgery. The surgeon will be going through my left side, spreading my rib cage and cutting a chunk of my left lung off to have these little spots tested to finally find out what is in my lungs. I will be in ICU for at least 24 hours. My surgery isn't until 5pm. I will have a wonderful tube coming out of my chest for at least 2-3 days. They say it is very painful but I'll be on a morphine drip so we'll see how I do. I'm a bit nervous knowing that a machine will be breathing for me during this procedure but the doctors and surgeons say it's no big deal. Yeah, easy for them to say. If everything goes okay...which it will...they say I should be able to go home by Monday. I'm ready to get this show on the road. I'm curious to see how my body will handle this new chemo. It did great before, so I anticipate the same results this time. It's taken me a few days to get over my shock, disbelief and tears. I'm sure I may have a few more tears before this next 6 months of chemo is over...but that's okay. I'm ready to fight like hell AGAIN!!!!!
Thank you to everyone for your kind and encouraging words. Our prayers were heard before and I'm sure God will hear us again. I'll have Deron or my Aunt Kathy update tonight to let you know how I do in the surgery.

Kim

SURGERY CANCELLED!!!!

As some of you know, I've been in the hospital since Saturday evening. After fighting the Pneumonia this last week, I was having a bad pain in my right calf. Last Thursday afternoon, I went to my primary doctor to pick up my script for follow up x-ray. I mentioned the pain I was having in my calf and my doctor wanted to see me before I left his office. It was now after 5 pm and my doctor told me I needed to go the ER and have an ultra sound done to make sure that I did not have a blood clot in my leg. Everything turned out okay and I was sent home. I woke up the next morning having more pain than the day before. By Saturday, I could barely walk. Saturday evening I finally decided to come back to the ER. They were saying I had Cellulitous in my ankle area. For some reason, my surgeon ordered a CT scan of my chest, stomach, and pelvis. These scans are not showing good news. The tumor in my colon has increased in size, my lymph nodes in my stomach has increased in size as well which is putting pressure on my ureter and I may need a stint put in so I don't experience kidney issues. Also, my lungs are showing an increased number of spots. All of this change has happened since stopping chemo in mid April. Therefore, surgery is cancelled. We will be talking with the lung team to get an answer to what is going on with my lungs and I will be starting chemo again within the next few days. I will be on a different chemo regimen and my doctor said I have only a 20% chance of keeping my hair.
I have been having a very bad feeling about surgery this past week and I really felt that God was telling me that I was not ready for surgery. I certainly wasn't expecting this kind of news. It's a bit shocking to my whole family. I feel that I have taken a step backwards. I am ready to start back on the chemo fight. I would really appreciate as many prayers not only for my healing but also for my family as they try and take in this news. I love you all.

Kim

Spent the night in the ER

I have gone all 6 months of chemo and never even had the sniffles. Now that I'm done with chemo, I have had strep with the kids 3 weeks ago and my cough never went away. A few days ago I was getting a pain in my left shoulder area and it increasingly got worse. Finally yesterday I was in so much pain that I went to my doctor. It was almost 5pm and they do not do X-rays or anything in the office. Monday or Tuesday my doctor was going to get me in for a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia. Needless to say the fevers started and I hurt to even walk. The only benefit to having stage 4 cancer is that the ER will get you out of the ER lobby really quick and back to a room so you are away from the general public. lol They ended up admitting me last night (Friday night) but there was no rooms available upstairs so Deron and I spent the night in a very small room in the over flow area. As usual, we got very little sleep. The doctor came this morning and it was a bit safer for me to be at home rather in the hospital with all the crud going around. They have me on antibiotics and mild pain meds to ease my chest pain. I have limited time for my body to heal and get rid of this junk before surgery. I was really wanting to walk and ride my bike as much as possible over the next two weeks to gain a bit of endurance so I wasn't so weak for surgery. I guess I'll have to lay low for a few more days. The hospital and I have a love hate relationship right now. lol And the journey continues...

Kim

Surgery schedule

My surgery is scheduled for Friday, May 15th at Banner Estrella Hospital. The liver transplant surgeon will come to Estrella vs. us having to over to Good Sam Hospital. Estrella is a lot closer to home for me anyways. That will complete six full weeks off of chemo. I am very pleased to wait for the six week mark. They will take 1/3 of my colon and the surrounding lymph nodes. They will also be taking the right lobe of my liver which is about 60%. The reason for this is my liver was so bad when we started off and leaving any scar tissue from the tumors will only give the cancer a great area to come back. Therefore, they want to take any remains of cancer out of my body. Removing any and all cancer is totally fine with me. I will be in the hospital for at least 5-7 days after surgery. Then home to finish my 4+ week recovery. Deron will be updating my blog for me hopefully on a daily basis to keep you all posted on the post op recovery. I'm very excited and also a bit nervous. I was not planning on the liver resection but I fully understand their reasoning. I now have to make my "to do" list of everything I want to get completed before surgery. Please say a few prayers for my surgeons to have great knowledge and steady hands. Also say a prayer for my family and my speedy recovery. This was our major goal when I was diagnosed almost 7 months ago. I think I am still a bit in shock that my body has come so far in the last 7 months. God has been so good to me.
Hope all is well with everyone else.
Much love,
Kim

Surgery Update

My last chemo treatment was April 3rd. While at Mayo, I was told that I would need to be off chemo for 6 to 8 weeks before I would be able to go into surgery. I'm now being told that I could go into surgery between 4 to 6 weeks. We meet with our surgeon this Friday to go over all the details of my surgery. I received a phone call from his office yesterday telling me that I am scheduled for surgery on May 5th. That is next Tuesday. I'm a bit nervous to go in that soon. If I never had the pleasure of meeting Susan Turley than I don't think I would be so nervous. I know that our situations are very different, especially this far along in my recovery but I can't help but have these feelings. In our meeting on Friday I will be requesting to put surgery off for another week and hope to have surgery the week of May 13th. That way, both kids will be done with baseball and they will be getting ready for their last week of school. I should be recoverd enough to be home for Dylan's birthday on May 25th. This is what I'm praying for. I'll keep you all posted after Friday's appointment. I also learned that my port should be flushed every 4 to 6 weeks as well.

Kim

Amazing News after a very hard weekend...

This weekend was extremely difficult for my family. Grandpa Keith lost his battle to cancer this past Saturday about 12:15pm. All his kids were with him when he past. With him living with Uncle Kirby and Aunt Kathy, this has been hard for them to even go back into the room where Grandpa Keith stayed. We lost Smitty just before Christmas and now Keith on Saturday. The three of us were diagnosed within months of each other. Even though we were years apart in age, we were still fighting a similar fight. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be to lose him. I am now the only one left. That is harder than you think. It's been hard to see myself striving while my loved ones are losing their battle. So as you can imagine, my family has been through some really hard times over the past few months but especially this past weekend. Please say a prayer for my family as we go through this challenging time AGAIN.

However, today was such a good day. We saw our new doctor, Dr. Zafar. After reviewing our results, their is no trace of active cancer in my liver. Yes, you read that correct. The Pet Scan showed NO ACTIVE CANCER IN MY LIVER!!!! PRAISE GOD!!! My primary tumor in my colon will have to be surgically removed which is always the case. We will be meeting very soon with our surgery team. We will be having the surgery at Good Sam Hospital probably the first week of June. Dylan's birthday is May 25th and I don't want him to come to the hospital to see me on his birthday. We will also have one of the best liver surgeons present in case they get in there and see something small on the liver and they can cut it out while I'm under. That means NO MORE CHEMO for now. I'm so excited. My family really needed this news as we prepare for the funeral this Thursday.
I feel so blessed!! Thank you so much to everyone who continues to say prayers, bring us dinners, support us in any way you've been able to support us. We have made it this far with the help of you all. Thank you...Thank you!!!

Much love,

Kim

Results day...or so we thought

Today was kind of a disappointing day to an extent. We were under the impression that we would get our game plan...surgery or extend chemo. We got NO game plan. Instead of the radiologist at Banner Thunderbird doing a comparative report on the Pet Scan from November and the one on Tuesday, then the radiologist at Banner Estrella doing a comparative report on the MRI from Wednesday with the MRI's from two months ago, one person did a report combining the Pet Scan and MRI. We needed to know if the lymph nodes were clear...not mentioned in the report. Would have liked to have know the size of the tumors now...not mentioned in the report. Really the only thing mentioned in the report that had any importance to what we were looking for was that they now only see 1 tumor in the liver. There were 3 visible in the last MRI two months ago. Yes...that is awesome news! However, I was disappointed that now we need to wait til some time next week so Mayo's radiologists can review the images (that I brought cause they were not sent) and come up with their own report. The images will also be sent to our liver surgeon so he can review them as well. So...our game plan is to "HURRY UP AND WAIT!!!!" Sorry to sound so frustrated but I need a game plan. I want to know what is next. This waiting game is irritating. But we did get great news about my liver. The chemo I'm on (Irinitecan and Avastin) have not been researched to be used together without the 5FU drug that I can not take...but it's still working. There is only one explanation for that...God is so good!!!!! We meet with our new Oncologist on Monday.

And as for the rest of my family...
My mom took Dylan and Kyrstin to the doctor today while Deron and I were at Mayo for our appointment. My mom and Kyrstin have Strep throat and Dylan has all the symptoms to be getting it very soon. I have a viral infection that hopefully doesn't turn into Strep. The kids and I have had slight fevers but nothing over 100.4 degrees. For me, over 100.4 means a trip to the hospital. With my immune system being so low, if a fever gets to 100.4 then my body will not be able to stop it on its own. No fevers...no fevers!!!!

I'll keep you all posted as soon as we hear something next week. Have a great weekend.

Much love,

Kim

Emotional round 12 at Mayo

Friday was my last official chemo treatment at Mayo Clinic. My insurance company had allowed a GAP exception for me to even be treated at Mayo (since they are "out of network") when this whole thing started but only for 6 months. I had to say goodbye to some of my favorite chemo nurses. There were tears, hugs and some laughs. Deron and I have really come to love all of our nurses. They have been so wonderful to us. My scans will actually be completed the day after Easter and get our results that Friday the 17th with our Oncologist at Mayo. That will be our last time at Mayo. Since my treatment is available at other "in network" facilities we will have to continue care at an "in network" provider...you've got to love insurance companies! We are looking into the Cancer Treatment Centers of America which is 5 minutes from the house and also the Palo Verde group has come highly recommended to us as well. They have an office in the neighboring city, Avondale, which is about 10 minutes away. Given the sensitive nature of my liver surgery and the fact that there are only a handful of liver specialists in the country, my insurance company will allow me to have my surgeries at Mayo. We have heard many wonderful things about Dr. Zafar at the Palo Verde group and my Aunt Kathy has met him and really liked him. So if we didn't have enough stress this past week, which we over came...we now have another hurtle to over come this next week. We will be praying that God sends us in the right direction on who to trust my life with. Please be praying with us.

Kim

Cancer Etiquette 101

I thought this would be helpful since we all know someone that is being affected with cancer and we are not taught how to react. I really liked this when I received it and wanted to pass it along.

What do you say when you learn that someone
you care about has cancer?

What do you do?
Is there any “right” way or “wrong” way to respond
to the news?Most cancer survivors we’ve talked with have stories
to tell of comments and gestures made by friends
and family members, some of which were hurtful
and some of which were helpful. Based on those
survivors’ stories as well as our own experiences,
we offer the following "do's" and “don’t’s”.

First the "don't's":
1. The worst thing you can say or do is to say or do
nothing at all. Almost every survivor we’ve ever
spoken with can tell of at least one person who, upon
hearing the news, disappeared and was never heard
from again. Maybe the fact that your friend or loved
one has cancer is the worst news you’ve ever heard
and you can’t stand the thought of him being this sick.
You don’t know what to say or do, and it’s too
painful to see him without hair, and the house smells
like a hospital, and, well, it’s all so just so scary. We
don’t mean to be harsh here, but this really isn’t
about you. Stick around, please. Your loving
presence alone can be the healing salve for a
wounded, frightened spirit.
2. We know you mean well when you say, “God
won’t give you more than you can handle,” but we
wish you would listen to the implications in that
comment and refrain from using it. It implies that
God gave us cancer which inference often leads
newly diagnosed patients to wonder if God is
punishing them for something they did or failed to
do, and that's the last thing we need to be worrying
about right now.To clean up a popular phrase, stuff happens.
People get cancer (1 in 3, in fact). People get lots of
other awful diseases, too. Babies are born with
defects. Long-distance runners have heart attacks.
Brave men and women go to war and get killed.
Supermen fall from horses, and maniacs fly airplanes
into buildings. And, yes, many people do get more
than they can handle as evidenced by suicide rates.
We don’t mean to step on anyone’s religion here, but
we refuse to believe God is the one causing all this mayhem, destruction and chaos.
Conversely, we believe God grieves with us when
these things happen, and He is there for us and with
us in the treatment room, in the delivery room, on
the racecourse, on the battlefield, in the emergency
room, on the airplane and inside its target. Instead
of telling us that God gave us cancer, tell us that
God will be with us every step of the way.
3. Don’t predict the future. Acknowledge the
seriousness of the diagnosis without being morbid
(Oh, my God! My aunt had the very same thing and
she died 8 months later!”) and without being
unrealistic (“You’ll probably outlive me. I could get
hit by a bus tomorrow!”). We don’t know what’s
going to happen to us, and neither do you. Tell us
happy stories of other long-term cancer survivors
(but refrain from saying someone had “the very same
thing”; no two cancer diagnoses are ever the
same).
Never, ever tell us stories with unhappy endings.

Now for the “do’s”:
1.Things to say: “I’m here for you.” “You can cry
with me.” “I love you.” “I won’t leave
you.” “Whatever you’re feeling is okay.”
Just be there. Follow our lead. We’ll let you know if
we want to “talk about it,” and if we do, please let
us. Don’t change the subject. When you don’t allow
us to talk about our disease, it makes us feel alone
and isolated.
2.Things to do: Take my kids out for pizza and a
movie or, better yet, for the weekend. Offer to
pick up prescriptions, take the dog to the groomer
and run other errands. Clip cartoons and funny
pictures and send them in a card. Bring thoughtful
gifts (a book or magazine, a tabletop fountain, a
meditation tape or CD); avoid things with strong
smells (bath sets, flowers, food, etc.) until you
know how I'm reacting to my treatments.

Ha Ha Ha...I just figured out how to change the color of the text...lol...I've only been typing on this thing for 6 months now. lol
I hope this helps some of you in your life if you are ever faced with "what the heck do I say or do?"

Kim

Great News...Thank you Father God!!!!

This last week has been very stressful. I've been going over in my head "How can my tumors be shrinking and going in the right direction and the cancer spread to my bones at the same time?" It's been driving me crazy on how that could be possible. In the last two days I've had a bone mineral density scan, full body bone scan, MRI of the Thoracic spine, MRI of the Lumbar spine and a check up with my angel doctor (Dr. Rodriquez), my GI doctor. The density scan came back NORMAL, my bone scan also came back NORMAL (NO CANCER IN THE BONES!!!!!!), MRI's were just completed this afternoon but I'm sure they will be fine. My fracture in my spine is actually an anterior wedge fracture, therefore, my two vertebrae are pretty much teeter tottering to one side almost touching each other. So, I'm sure my MRI will show a bulging disk at T6. I don't believe this is a new fracture. I actually had an MRI of the spine back in Sept. before we found the cancer and it stated a bulging disk...I just can't remember where in the spine (go figure). I've probably had this problem for a few years and it just decided to really flare up on my this past weekend.
The need for my GI appointment was due to me having some bleeding for about 5 days last week after my last chemo treatment. I am now on two major high risk bleeding drugs in my chemo, so I was bleeding really easily. My Oncologist wanted the GI to check everything out to make sure it was my "little friends" vs. internally bleeding. As my nurse put it, "they want to make sure that I won't bleed out after my next treatment"...nice! It was so awesome to see my angel doctor again. I haven't seen him since I left the hospital back in October. He printed out my different scan reports over the last few months and was so excited to see that we have made such great progress.
All of my reports from this weeks scans and Dr. appointments were fax to my team at Mayo and I got the phone call at 4:45pm that they are letting me get my treatment tomorrow. I've never been so excited to get a chemo treatment. This means that early next week I will have a PetScan done. Please pray for clear lymph nodes!!!!!!! If they are clear then we will be talking about surgery. Yeah!!!
I was thinking today about all the people that read this blog that I know and don't know, that see me on a regular basis and the ones I don't see and all the "intimate details" you know about my life and body parts. lol After two kids and all the test in the hospitals over the last 6 months...there is no modesty left...lol
Thank you to all. I also wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful families that continue to feed us, Shannon and Paula that get everything scheduled for us and to Beth and Jimmy who have pretty much become the adopted parents to my children, especially on chemo weekends. God has put the most incredible people in my life to help us continue to hold our heads high and continue to fight! You all mean the world to Deron and I.

So much love,

Kim

Visit to the ER...

Only a few of you know that I went to the hospital on Friday evening. I had been having such an incredible pain in between my shoulder blades. It got so bad that the pain was radiating through my chest and down both my arms. I thought it was a muscle spasm from a rib out or something. I took one of my Oxycontin 10mg at 3pm with no relief, then another at 4pm. By 6pm I hurt so bad that I didn't have much strength left in my arms. Deron was working and Bill was riding with him. They called Shyri because they were very concerned about me. By the time Shyri got to my house, another Sergeant had come on duty and Deron and Bill came home so they could all take me to the hospital. When we arrived in the ER it was only minutes before they had me doing an EKG. That showed everything was normal with my heart which was a relief. Only minutes later they had me back in a room and hooked up to monitors. They gave me Morphine to relieve my pain. The rest of my body was feeling great but the pain in my back and chest had not gone away. It wasn't until they gave me an anti inflammatory called Toradol that I finally had relief. We did a CT of the chest, X-ray of the chest, VQ Scan (to make sure there were no blood clots in my lungs), blood work, ultra sounds of my legs and arms (again for any blood clots), and I think that was it. The VQ scan showed that I was in the moderate range for possible clots (ranges are low, moderate and high risk). No clots showed in the ultra sounds, but what did show a stress fracture on the T6 vertebrae with the X-ray . This is concerning for a few reasons. Either my bones have become so brittle from the chemo or there is the fear of the cancer spreading to the bones and that's why they are so brittle. I can't remember falling, getting hit, doing anything that would cause a fracture. The only thing that comes to mind was when we were in Disneyland riding this certain ride...it was very jerky and was uncomfortable with my back...but that was almost 3 weeks ago. Tomorrow we are calling our team at Mayo to update them on this weekends events and to request a bone density test and supplements to help my bones.
While this was all going on I was telling the doctors to hurry up with getting the results because Dylan and Kyrstin both had opening day for little league and both had a game at 10am. We did end up missing the games but met my parents and the kids for brunch afterwards (since the cafeteria was closed each time Deron went to get us food at the hospital). They looked so cute in their uniforms. Dylan played catcher the entire game and wants to be the catcher for the whole season. Our friends Beth and Jimmy told us how well the kids played.
We were in the hospital from 8:30pm Friday night until 11am Saturday afternoon. I'm glad to be home. Yes...I wore a mask the entire time I was there and the nurses were great with me since my counts were low. I am taking Motrin to keep my body calm. I haven't needed to take any pain meds since being home. I'll keep you posted on what we discover and our plan of action for the newest issue with me. That is the one thing about me...go ahead and give me a diagnosis but you also have to give me a plan of action on how we are going to fix the problem. So for the next few days we will just hurry up and wait. I hope you all had a great weekend. I'm asking for more prayers that my bones are just brittle from the chemo and not brittle from the cancer.

Much love,

Kim

Round 11 and Disneyland...

We had such a great time in Disneyland. We got to ride a bunch of rides...waited in line for 2 hours to see Princesses...ate so much food, etc. By the end of the second day of walking, I started to get a little sore...but that good sore when you work out. I just haven't had that sore feeling in quite a while. As soon as I get the camera developed (since my digital battery went out) I will put pictures up.
Round 11 went just like the others...tired on Friday, just a bit better on Saturday and getting a bit of energy back on Sunday. Last Thursday we had our genetics appointment. With the testing Mayo has completed, it has been ruled 95% that my cancer is NOT hereditary for our children. The last 5% test will be completed after surgery. Obviously we will have both kids start being tested by the age of 18. Over the next 11+ years, I can only imagine what we will understand about Colon Cancer.
April 3rd will be my next treatment then scans that following week. If the Pet Scan shows my lymph system to be cleared then we will talk surgery. If it is not cleared yet then we are talking about extending treatment for an additional 2 months then redo scans at that time. Therefore, I am asking everyone to say a few extra prayers that my lymph system is cleared! Our good Lord has been hearing us. Let's not let down now. Thank you again for everyone's support.

Much love,

Kim

Refocused...

So, I've heard that a lot of you are concerned because I had an emotional week. I've stayed strong through most of this and I feel it is okay for me to have an off week. My husband and I have re-evaluated and re-focused our lives back to us and our number one goal right now...to be cancer free!! We all go through trying times in life...we just happen to have a slightly larger trial right now than normal. Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law (Deron's sister) and the connections that she and her husband have, we are taking the kids to the happiest place on earth this coming week. We are so excited to get away and have so much fun at both Disneyland parks. We are so thankful to everyone for all their efforts in helping us be able to do some of these things as a family while going through these times. We feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. With the help of many I did get my painting accomplished as well as the shed built and garage cleaned out and we fully cleaned my house after the projects were completed. So a huge thank you to you all for helping me. As always...God is good!

Kim

Round 10 is over...

My dearest friend Erin took the day off work today to take me to chemo while Deron is on his vacation. I have mixed emotions as this past week has been very difficult emotionally. Most couples have the normal marital issues with keeping up good communication, etc. This has been a challenge for us as well. Now put an unbelievable amount of stress with this situation on top of the normal challenges and you then have my life right now. Deron and I cope with stress very different, we communicate differently, our priorities are different, etc. I have been so mad and stressed out this past week that I know I can not continue to feel like this and get better at the same time. We will be starting counseling this next week separately then as a couple then as a family with the kids. We are committed to working on this but it will take time. I was concerned about my CEA counts with having so much negative energy around me. My CEA went from 4.0 on 2-19-09 up to 4.5 today. I spoke with my nurse who spoke with my doctor. My scans show positive response and the CEA is still within the normal guidelines. They both really want us to get into counseling to help us cope with this. They say it is very normal for couples and families to have a hard time with this type of situation. I am going to have to focus on me to get better. Not trying to fix everything else for my family is going to be a challenge for me. I'm normally trying to fix everything and make everyone happy so to focus just on me will be very different. I'll keep you posted. I'm pretty drained today but my nausea seems to be not too out of control. Tomorrow I'm taking the kids to the Spring Training game for the Goodyear Little League day at the park. It should be fun. I got tickets for my parents to join me to help me out. The kids will be in a little parade at 11am and the game starts at 1pm. Sunscreen, water, and ballpark food...we'll have fun.
Deron will also be coming home to a few cosmetic changes to our house. The painting I've wanted to do for the last 4 years has been done this week while he has been gone. With the help of my brother, sister-in-law, mom and dad we have completed an accent wall in the great room, kitchen, Kiki's pink and brown bedroom and my friends Vicki and Melissa are coming over tomorrow after the game to help me with Dylan's outer space room. I'll take pictures when we are all done.

Kim

YARD SALE SUCCESS!

Sad but true the yard sale is over. We we able to raise more than expected and most importantly we have some unforgetable memories!

THANK YOU EVERYONE! All the donations were so appreciated! Thank you to my neighbors for your patience in dealing with your street becoming a parking lot! Thank you to all the people that donated extra $ for their items when informed about the yard sale cause.

Kim, keep on truckin! We love You!

Lots Oh Love
Kristin

Spoke with the Surgeon today...

My Aunt Kathy and I went to my doctors appointment with the liver specialist today. He was able to really make us understand his decision. I bet you want to know what I know...

Okay...I'll tell you.

At this point I have made so much progress with the chemo I'm on. At this time I still have active cancer in my lymph system. If we were to go into surgery I would have to be off chemo for at least a month before surgery then one to two months after surgery. Although surgery would remove the major masses, the cancer in the lymph's could have an opportunity to spread in the 3 month time frame off chemo and we could then be in a much worse situation then we started with. My liver is responding so well and it's a very crucial part in the chemo therapy processing through my body. He (Dr. Mulligan) only wants to go into surgery when it will be of benefit to my body. Our plan is to continue through the next 3 chemo treatments (1 of 3 this Friday) and scans after round 12 (which would be 3 of 3). We will also do the PET Scan which shows the active cancer much better. After review of the scans, we will either continue chemo to further shrink the tumors and clear the lymphs or discuss surgery again if the lymphs are clear. Either way, today's appointment was very informative and really helped me to understand that I am in a very good position. My body is doing so much better than ever expected and I am so thankful for that. Thank you Aunt Kathy for being with me so I wasn't alone.

I also want to thank everyone for their amazing donations, time and effort this weekend for the garage sale. It went so much better than I ever expected. You are all amazing.

And last but not least, a big thank you to the "softball group" aka "B Santa Project" that sent me the anonymous letter and check. You have no idea how much that meant to me.

So much love to you all,

Kim

YARD SALE! COME & GET IT!

I think that it is safe to assume that we all have days where we question this crazy world!

But it is days like today that we realize that this crazy world is full of good people.

Several of my neighbors donated items as well as $ to Kim and once again our family & friends were awesome working together for a good cause......our super women Kim.

My heart is full when I see people working together for the love and support of Kim

Thank You to my awesome family! Thank You to all of our awesome friends! Your time and patience is priceless

Lots of Love! Kristin

Surgery update...

Well...I received a phone call today from my nurse and the head surgeon has denied surgery right now. Today has been an emotional day. I really got my hopes up and thought I was one step closer to getting rid of this cancer. I've cried a few times today from being so disappointed. I'm being reminded by my family that we are still moving in the right direction. Tumors are still shrinking...and it's good news that they even considered checking into surgery. I'm reminding myself of all those things but it's still hard to get your hopes so high to then be so bummed. I've had my day of crying so positive feelings from here on out. I will be meeting with this head surgeon this coming week (I think this week) to go over his reasoning and game plan. I'll keep you posted. For now, Chemo is my friend...round 10 next Friday.

Come out and see us at the Yard Sale! There is sooooo much stuff...it's awesome. Thank you to everyone who has donated items and time for this. And thank you to my wonderful cousin for hosting this massive yard sale at her house for me. I love you!

Kim

YARD SALE

Just another reminder of the yard sale this weekend Feb 28th and March 1st @ 7am

We have already gotten some great items....beds, luggage, a drum set! and several nic nacs

Sunday when the sale has ended, we are looking for anyone who is willing to take left over items and drop them off @ Goodwill or any donation center. (that would help us a ton!)

Thanks Everyone!

KIM, WE LOVE YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH! KEEP ROUND HOUSE KICKING CANCERS ASS! HEE HEE

Very exciting news today.....MUST READ!!!!!

Today was round 9. I'm doing really well...I'm actually blogging on Chemo day! My insurance company covers my chemotherapy at Mayo Clinic but does not cover for me to have my scans done there. So...I go to Banner Estrella Hospital to have my scans done each time, their radiologists create a report and send it to my doctor at Mayo. Due to me being "out of the normal" for this cancer, they always have had their (Mayo's) radiologists do their own report on the scans. The nice thing about Mayo is there is not one doctor reviewing my case...it's an entire team that makes decisions about changing anything. Today I was informed that my scans were reviewed again and they are only seeing 3 small tumors on my liver and that I may be a candidate for surgery!!! This is amazing news! The normal protocol is surgery first to remove as much cancer as possible then chemo to get rid of the rest. From day one, I was not able to have surgery due to my liver tumors being way too large and covering the majority of my liver (you can typically have the max of 50% removal and I was way beyond that mark). They now are waiting on one more surgeons okay to do an exploratory procedure (small camera through the belly button) to make sure that there is no cancer in the lining of my stomach or anywhere else. The scans are only showing the 3 small tumors now. If in fact this other surgeon gives the okay, we will be scheduling this procedure very soon. If they only see what the scans are showing then I will be stopping chemo for 4-6 weeks then having a pretty major surgery and have my colon resection (cutting out the colon tumor) and liver resection in one surgery. Once I'm healed from the surgery I will have a few more rounds of chemo to make sure all cancer is gone from my lymph system. They will then monitor me with scans every few months. All of the doctors are amazed at how far we have come since October. I'm am so excited!!!!! I've been praying for this day to come and now we just need to continue to pray for no other cancer found and a speedy recovery from the surgery. I will keep you all posted on when each procedure is scheduled and completed. I can't thank you all enough for your continued love and support. Our God is so good!!! Thank you Jesus for this day!

Much love,

Kim

YARD SALE

PLEASE start dropping off yard sale items.
call me before 602-448-1156
major cross roads are 7th ave & Bethany Home Road
6145 North 9th Ave
phx 85013

Yard Sale Feb 28th and March 1st

Also if anyone has tables to display items on please let me know (so far I have 3)
Thanks, Kristin

LUV U KIM!

We are home!!

Here are a few pictures of our trip. We had such a great time in Vegas. Our first day we flew in early and had some time to spend while they cleaned a room for us...so we ended up at Margaritaville which was right next to our hotel. I think we had lunch there almost every afternoon. Deanna's team played well. The played each morning (so that meant getting up early). I was able to see some of my old coaches and players who all coach now. It's awesome to be around these major tournaments because I get to see so many people that I know.
Saturday night we went to see KA. It was amazing. The theater is something I can't even explain...a stage that goes vertical and every which direction. We got in pretty late that night. The next night we just hung out at the piano bar next to our hotel. That was very entertaining. We laughed, sang along, Deron acted like a total retard who couldn't clap on beat...he had so many people around us laughing. We had such a blast. This trip was exactly what we needed. Thank you to everyone who helped us make this trip possible. We decided to come home a day early. Deanna's team finished really early on Monday and we missed our babies...so we checked out of the hotel and headed to the airport on stand by. Every flight was booked with it being the end of a holiday weekend. We got bumped on a few flights but ended up getting on the 7:40 flight. We were boarding this plane and we had to sit away from each other but at least we made it home. Then the weird thing...we had another volleyball team on our flight and I was walking to the back of the plane and I hear girls telling me that there is an extra seat with them. As I looked up at see the seat, the person sitting in the next seat was one of my college teammates. It was the coolest thing ever. We have not seen each other in about 5 + years. So we got to catch up over our 50 minute flight. We got home around 10:30ish last night to find Dylan in our bed. He refused to sleep in his bed because he said that we would be so tired and would not come in and wake him up when we got home. lol He was so cute when we woke him up. Kyrstin on the other hand was so tired I couldn't even get her to open her eyes. She was so excited this morning to see us. One of my favorite sounds is to hear her come in with her chipmunk voice and say with a huge smile "Hi Mommy". I think both kids grew while we were gone...what did Uncle Scott, Aunt Cher, Nana and Grandpa feed them while we were gone??? I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day and extended weekend. This Friday is Round 9!!! Only 4 to go, then new scans and next step plans.

Much love,

Kim

Just a quick update before bed

I'm getting my bags packed for our trip to Vegas for Deanna's volleyball tournament. Our fight leaves first thing in the morning so I'll only get about 3 hours of sleep tonight if I'm lucky before we get up to fight traffic and security at the airport. Pray for Deron as I am not a morning person...lol. Thank you Maite for making our flight plans possible.
I had the honor of meeting a wonderful family tonight. They are the Hale family with 3 beautiful little girls. They put on a golf tournament in December in honor of ME. I was so set back when Deron told me that some guy (we had no clue who he was) left him a message at work telling him that he put on this tournament and raise money for our family and to call him so we could meet. I have been so blessed to have such amazing people surrounding me. Tonight we met and they were such awesome people. I want to thank you both and all of your friends so much for doing this for my family. You have no idea how much this means to us. They even took pictures and put together a slide show for me. It is below for everyone to enjoy.


Then after leaving the Hale family...I took my kids and mom across the street to Olive Garden. Our waitress and I got to talking about my situation (I'm not sure how it came up) but her father is a colon cancer SURVIVOR. She had no idea that she and what ever siblings she has must get checked every 5 years. I know that the Lord put us at her table to have that discussion. It was just too weird how it all played out. Our God is good!!!! That goes for anyone who has a relative that has had colon cancer (well...any cancer for that matter), YOU MUST GET CHECKED!! You can NOT wait until you are older or "at the age that they cancer come about". I've learned that cancer does not discriminate on age, race, religion...you must talk with your doctors and DEMAND to be screened. Some doctors don't discuss things like this with you. YOU have to be in the driver seat with your own life. You might have to deal with the insurance companies for approval if your "not of that age yet" (Agh...that just irritates me about insurance companies...this in another topic for another day). Early detection is key people...with any cancer. Okay...I'm off that soap box for now. I've got to get to bed.
I wish everyone a wonderful Valentines Day and President's Day. My Valentines Day looks like this...volleyball most of the morning and afternoon...hopefully a nap...dinner (not sure where yet) and KA Cirque Du Soleil show at the MGM Grand. I'm so excited. I've never seen a show in Vegas before. I'll let you know next week what we thought of it.


Much love,

Kim Miller

Drum Roll Please........

Okay, sorry for not getting on yesterday to update on my scan results. It was a good day. My liver tumors continue to shrink!!!! My lungs have not changed at all since this whole thing started. The doctor said we could research what is actually in my lungs but we would have to stop treatment for some time to be able to do biopsy's and such. However, he is not too concerned about needing to find out what is in the lungs right now. We will continue to monitor the lungs each 2 months in my scans. I'm still having a little Neuropathy in my hands so we have decided to completely stop the 5FU drug. This is the drug I've been off for the past month now. We will keep all the other chemo drugs that make up the Ful Furi but just eliminate the 5FU. I am now down to one day of chemo every other week. My doctor thinks it is positive that I have not been on the 5FU for a month and my tumors are still shrinking. The other active cancer killers are working and so is our good Lord! Surgery is still not a thought. My primary tumor in my colon is off to the right side and is not causing an obstruction or bleeding (Thank you God) therefore, we will leave it alone and continue chemo treatment for the next two months and then redo scans to measure progress. Keep the prayers coming!
Thank you to everyone who continues to bring wonderful food to my family, the volleyball club who has been so wonderful to us, my friends who continue to be by my side, my family who deals with my every emotion and to my husband and children who make every day so worth while. I love you all so much.
Round 9 is on the 20th!

Kim

Yard Sale!

Round 8 is over!!

As I expected, I did not have to do the 46hr. pump again due to the Neuropathy in my hands. It isn't really bad but the fact it has not gone away is not good. We did the same chemo as last time. We did not talk about clinical trials the past week. I have scans this week so as soon as they can get them done, I'm hoping to get my results Monday, February 9th. Keep praying for positive results. Saturday we attended a benefit concert for me the was put on by Sentimental Journey. They were awesome. If you have a chance, you have to check them out where ever they play. Thank you so much Sentimental Journey! My hands today are a bit swollen but not bad at all. I'm able to open my own water bottles today, yeah!!! I've been pretty tired the past two days but not nauseous. I was given a new nausea pill called Emend (recommended by Susan Turley's brother, thank you). I was not nearly as nauseous this go around and I never did get sick on Friday!!!! I'm excited to have asked my doctors if I could push back my next treatment so Deron and I could make it to Deanna's biggest tournament of the year in Las Vegas over Valentines weekend. They told me that important family events can not be missed due to chemo. I need to run my life...not the chemo. That made me feel so good about asking. Therefore, my next treatment will be February 20th. I go get a massage from Sue tomorrow to help get the chemo and toxins running out of my body. Wednesday I have the genetics testing appointment. I'm not sure what to expect. This testing will determine if I'm just the random 10% who just get cancer or if I now have the genetic line that my children will need to be screened in their teenage years and every few years after.
Thank you to all the women who continue to bring dinners to my family that I was able to spend the evening with last Thursday night. I had a blast meeting you all and hope to be able to get together next month.
I just finished watching to Super Bowl game and it was a nail biter. I was so hoping that our AZ Cardinals would pull off that win but it just didn't work. Congrats to the Cards for an amazing game played! I'm off to get in bed. Goodnight! As always...keep the prayers coming...our gracious God hears us.

Much love,

Kim