And I was worried!?

Oh what a fun day we had yesterday! I decided to take the girls blueberry picking up at Jones' Tree Farm, and we brought along three very special friends, Claire, Chucky and Mike. We got to ride on the "Berry Ferry" to the fields where the most plumpest berries could be found. The girls (and Claire, chucky and Mike) ate more berries than their stomach's could handle. After that we soon parted ways with Chucky and Mike and headed over to Claires house for a swim! The little water bugs that they are had a blast and refused to get out of the pool. Well until food was mentioned that is. Getting dressed never happened so fast before, so we had headed over to Chili's to get a bite to eat. Soon came nap time for all! We had more plans for later so we needed our rest!
Since Friday, my cousin Kim has been giving Mia her injections at her home. Yesterday was my chance to go for the gusto! Instead of Kim telling me what to do, her peachiness piped up and gave me step by step directions. I think I did ok, Mia said owwwwies but not in dire pain. After all was said and done, I handled it quite well. She is coping with the reactions to the medication ok, but the fevers and achiness are more evident now than it was with her phase 1 treatment. The symptoms may seem unsettling but Tylanol and Motrin seem to do the trick. Mia seems to think that if she swims in a chilly pool her fever will disappear like magic. I wonder how true this could be. Either way, we still have a long time to go before we find out if this treatment is working. Her spirits are high which leaves us nothing but positive thinking. Thanks to Claire who has been my go to girl since all of this started happening. The girls adore her and just love to be around her.

We are off now to go shopping! What else is new right!? We only have 15 more days until we leave for the Mouse House! I really have to start getting the last odd's and ends so we are ready to go!

More photo fun!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Yesterday was long but extremely fun! Abby's bottle and can drive was a huge success! The ziti dinner was fabulous! We want to thank Abby and her wonderful family, the great hill hose house and the Teddy Bear Tree House families and staff. We had such an eventful day yesterday and I can not express how lucky we are to have you all in our extended family!

After countless emails and dead ends, we were finally able to give Abby a gift that would knock her socks off. Thanks to mom and her Turner connections, we were able to give Abby and her mom Kisha two tickets to see the Jonas Brothers in Hartford last night. A very groggy Kisha called me this morning and told me what a great time they had.

So I hope you enjoy some of the pictures, I will upload more later or tomorrow. Off to play with pur new cousin Ana!

Some information for all

http://www.introna.com/introna/all_about_introna.action

This is a site that I had just found about Mia's at home treatment. It has great information on the treatment as well as Melanoma as a whole. Please take a moment to get familiar with Melanoma and how to check yourself. Also realize that Mia didn't have the "typical" warning signs of Melanoma. It took us and her doctors by surprise. Not one person believed that thing was a tumor. Now we know, so please get your moles checked and wear your sunscreen.

XOXOXO

♥ All about Abby ♥

Most of you that read this blog can see how much I write about Abby (Abigail when being scolded). I wanted to take a few moments and let you all know how wonderful Abby is.

Her heart is as pure as the driven snow, no room for selfishness in there. She learned this at a very young age. She has given her time and efforts to "give" something to someone in need. From making picture frames, bath salts and now a bottle/can drive she has shown most adults what the true meaning of giving is. Abby is only 10 and has accomplished many goals. She is a stand out student at Bungay Elementary, avid reader and writer and she loves to go on her family boat. I call her the mamma hen. She puts her needs aside while she helps someone else. Just having her in my life has brightened every day. I can't put into words how much this "little" girl means to our family, but I can tell you this; I love her very much as if she were my own and I wish nothing but the best for Miss Abbawabbs. Here is some things she has raised funds for:

1. Bridgeport Hospital- Pediatrics
2. Shelton Animal Shelter
3. Hiefer International
4. Squantuck Cemetery (an abandoned cemetery)
5. My Mia♥

That's more than most adults do in a lifetime. I have to commend her and all her efforts. I can't wait to add more to this list because I know it will add to overall compassion in our community. She is our angel sent from the heavens and it's about time its proclaimed for all to hear!

Here are some links to news articles written about Abby's efforts, please take a few minutes to read them and get to know our guardian angel♦

Abby and Mia

http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19864044&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=624602&rfi=8

Abby and Ethan

http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17226933&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=624602&rfi=8

And we're done!

Oh happy day! Mia has finished her first phase of treatment! We are so excited, we are beyond words! Pop Pop has a special night planned for her peachiness. George is headed down to NYC to a Yankees game with our nephew David. Today is a great day! Beautiful weather, sun and fun; who could ask for a better day. Mia is so happy, even though she didn't get to see Haley today! This is such a huge milestone for all of us and we want to thank everyone for their prayers and encouragement. Our lives have been turned around so much in the past 3 months that its hard to put into words what you all mean to us. 47 weeks until she is done with phase 2! Lets start the countdown!

Check these two out!

Guess what guys?! Abby and Mia are going to be in the newspaper soon! We took some photo's this evening after having some pizza for dinner. The girls had a great time posing for the camera. I have sent them off to the reporter in hopes she picks my favorite

Though they have been edited for my own enjoyment I can't wait to see what Ms. Villers reports about Abby! This is going to be an exciting next few weeks so look back for posts!

XOXOXOXOX

Chrissie

Oh me. Oh my

I didn't realize how long it's been since I last posted! Just to catch you all up on whats been going on!

We had a long weekend this past weekend. Mia's counts dropped to low so we had to put our life on hold just for a few days. Her counts have been level for quite some time so when I got the news that her counts were too low, we were pretty bummed. So we decided to have a movie night! The girls picked two movies; Annie and Pee Wee's playhouse christmas (hahahaha)! It was a great night! By the end of the weekend you could see that the girls were getting restless. By Monday morning she was fabulous! Her counts were back were there were the week before! YAY! George took Mia so I had the other two to myself and it was great. We were just plain lazy the whole day. She didn't get to see Haley Monday but she did come tuesday and today. Tuesday Haley got a spinal treatment and did a remarkable job of holding it together. She was actually smiling which was amazing! Her smile will light up a dark night. It seems like forever since I seen Haley smile. Today was no different! The two of them relaxed on the couch with Ava and watched some little enstiens! Haley was there for a short time which made her even happier. The nurses and Doctors believe that Mia is a ray of sunshine, a breath of fresh air and an awesome friend. She has managed to melt every heart in that office with her courageous outlook on the treatment. We are almost done with our first cycle, then onto our next phase. It's been altered slightly but a bit more manageable.

Our next phase, Mia will go to the office (on Monday's to be with Haley) and recieve a shot and do blood work. Two days a week Mia will be getting a VNA to come show us/administer the shots at home. Rini (Ree-knee) is one of her nurses at Dr. Joes and the office is going to arrange it that she will be Mia's nurse. They both are thrilled about getting to see each other more. We will have that schedule for 47 weeks to complete the 52 week schedule. Hopefully after this phase we will be able to get the port removed and return my bean to her peachy self.

George and I have had such a great experience with Dr. Joe and his staff that I could never imagine going through it with another doctor. We have a fun filled next few weeks and can't wait to share some stories with you all! Also, We got word from the Dream Come True foundation that they will be covering our trip to Disney in August and have even went and planned some awesome things. We get to check out an awesome "wish" resort called Give Kids The World. I suggest you check it out and be jealous! We will be staying within the Disney resorts but plan so many special occasions for the girls!

It is time for bed now, I talked myself into exhaustion with Sue (which was well worth killing my phone battery) I will post back soon, I promise! Only 3 more treatments in the phase! bring it on!

Many Hugs,

Chrissie

Almost done with week 3

Such an exciting day! Tomorrow mom will be bringing the beans so I can catch up with Laundry. YAY! How happy I will be getting the house in order. This madness is killing me. I did the bathroom on the 4th and I couldn't bring myself to clean any more. Sad, I know but eventually we will have more time to focus on our home. Again, thank you all for all your encouraging support. I am amazed to say the least.

XOXOXOXOX

Her peachiness has a following....

Just filling everyone in on the goings on for Miss Beans!

July 26th, a bottle & can drive will be held at Stop & Shop in Ansonia (because seymour wouldn't let Abby do it there). This was put together by the sweetest 10 year old ever! Drop off times are 9am-3pm. You can also contact myself or Kisha and we will pick them up!!!(email me and I can get you in contact with Kisha).

July 26th, A ziti dinner put on by Great Hill Hose House and Ladies Auxillary. Tickets can be purchased at the door or through other GHH Members for $10 (adults) and $5 for (children). Dinner times are between 4pm and 8pm. Many Thanks to everyone for doing this for my mia♥

August 24th, A raffle will be held at the Bridgeport Bluefish game sponsored by Turner Construction and The Dream Come True Foundation. Prizes include :Garmin StreetPilot C550 GPS w/Bluetooth & MP3 player ($400 value);$250.00 Exxon/Mobil Cash Card; $100.00 American Express Gift Card.Raffle tickets can be purchased for $20. You do not need to be present to enter. You can contact csuper@tcco.com to purchase the raffle tickets. Turner is a huge company with an even bigger heart. Thank you all! and remember "Hope is comming"

Sept 21st, Benefit concert at Danny O's 3-10pm. Thank you Melissa for everything that you are doing! Come down and have a drink, be among friends and just have a wonderful time!!!

It is truly wonderful to know how much of an impact my peachiness has bestowed upon the little ol' valley. I can't wait for her to grow up and she can truly understand the meaning of Unity in the Community. Our family is unbelievably(sp) humbled by all of the outreach given to our family. I can not express enough how lucky we are to have each and everyone of you in our lives!
Many Hugs,

Chrissie and George

2 weeks down! WAAAAAHOOO!

Yes! A day early but we finished our second week of treatment. It started out as a rough one. Mia seems to be losing energy within the first hour of treatment. This is starting to take its toll on her and its showing. We get home and head straight for naps. Lunch consists of fries and a water/juice. No big eating here. Her friend Haley had a rough one too! Today we saw a girl be taken away by ambulance, she had a severe reaction to the treatment. Poor girl. Miss Mia seems to be holding her own, though her blood counts can't stay level we remain optimistic. So after a long morning MeMa treated the girls to mani/pedi's at the nail salon. Mia was able to soak her foot to work some of the scabbing off. Everything is healing wonderfully. I can sense some depression in her but that's all normal I am told. She is looking forward to swimming at Aunt Bonnie's tomorrow but she is wary of getting her foot hurt. Getting to work seems almost impossible any more and I feel horrible leaving my job during the week. I can honestly say we are all feeling the strains. Don't in anyway take this as a pity party! We are excited to have a 3 day weekend, good times, swimming and family fun! We are looking forward to getting the next few weeks done with treatment. Then she can focus on having some friend time.

We also have some great news! Save your bottles and cans. Abby F told us the other day she will be having a bottle and can drive for Mia. At 10, she has set the whole thing up herself (with some help from her mom). This girl has such a wonderful heart, she is breath of fresh air. Unfortunately our local grocery store in town will not accommodate this drive but the same grocery the next town over will be hosting the event. I will keep all of you posted! I also have to let you all know that Great Hill Hose House is doing a ziti dinner for her peachiness as well. The date is July 26Th at 4pm (at the hill) You can purchase tickets in advance and at the door. If you have questions you can email me. The community has gone above and beyond to make sure miss beans will get better and we are forever grateful for that. I know that there are more fundraisers in the works and when I get the information I will pass it on to you guys!

Looking good girls

Miss Mia relaxed while getting her nails did

The foot! looking awesome!

Ash was all about it!