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