FROM ANDI---
Today is a really good day. Mila rested up last night after a day at visitation. I was checking the journal we send back and forth to update and note for Hospice and she was only given a 50 minute nap. By the time I got her home she was fast asleep at 7 PM and slept for 13 full hours. The best thing is rest for her right now. Her body needs it, and I know she is uncomfortable. I am going to have Hospice check her again this week and see if there is something more we can do for the lingering pain. It is up and down with Mila. I worry that if she gets worn out, it will start to take a toll on her. She was really happy last night to be home. "I AM HOME!!" is all she said over and over. I only hope we level out again and it is more comfortable very soon. There is just something there and maybe that is the decline and it may not get back to what we were at. All I know is there is a comfort here. Being home with her and having this wonderful time we are blessed with fills my heart! I love her. Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and comments. It brightens our days and brings smiles to our faces!! She is one strong little Angel!!
I have been written many times about where to send donations the past few days. You can send any help made out to MILA PHILLIPS FUND @ P.O. BOX 1677 Gilbert AZ 85299 or we have a pay pal set up for Mila's fund as well. It is under the E-mail account of Blondie79@cox.net Mila loves all the gifts you have sent and the cards/stickers. We have so many things for her now and I do not want to offend but with how Mila is doing, I can only say to not send gifts at this time. I hope to only have great news soon.....
We are happy today watching Winnie the Pooh....and just loving each other!!
Take care....loves to all.
Andi and Miss Mila
___________________________________________________________________________ ____
FROM SHER---
Even with all the pain issues we have had in the last week, our little Mila never fails to tell me....happy Nana, happy. Yesterday after her bath, we painted on some paper plates, or I should say I painted what she asked me to paint. She loves watching the Heffalump movie from the Pooh series, so I had to draw her a Heffalump on a plate and I helped her hold the brush as she painted. She was so proud of herself. She let mommie and papa know she painted it. This morning she woke up in a good mood, telling me...sweet dreams Nana. When I asked her what she dreamed, she said whiskers. That is the little yarn kitten who is purple that our friend Alba from Canada sent her. Last week she slept with Patty the wiener dog who are friend Laurie brought. But always, no matter which one she sleeps with, it is always....sweet dreams. She got her fingernails repainted and was so proud as mommie put a fake diamond on her thumbnail in the middle of a flower. So, mommie and I were singing Diamonds are a girls best friend.....Mila sang along!!! What I have learned from this little girl. I've had a bad sinus infection the last three days and was mopping around but then I looked at Mila and realized...there is a lesson to be learned. With all the pain she is feeling, she is still going to be happy.
Someone told me today that Mila has made them a better person. Just being with her leaves them with a natural high. I think I have a reason for that...Mila is the closest thing to an angel that all of us who are part of her lives will come to. We tap into that precious, beautiful feeling and just don't want to let it go. She told me this morning the sun woke up to see me Nana and at night we have to let her look out the shutters to make sure the sun goes to bed, and it is dark. The simple beautiful things we take for granted. The heightened awareness Mila brings into our lives........PRICELESS!!!
Thanks to all who send such beautiful wonderful messages daily. The prayers are so welcomed. We know it is because of the faith of so many that our little Mila is still here.
Andi did receive some donations through pay pal and in the mail, we thank those people too. Your willingness to help Andi and Mila as she still cannot go back to work and her medical benefits have run out is so greatly appreciated. .
Thank you our dear friends.
Hugs,
Sher
from Mila's mommy: Andi~
I am sitting in a silent room. Mila is next to me fast asleep and is peaceful. Things are changing. I have not written you until today because as you know we have been here before. A decline in health, the end being near and suddenly Mila sparks back up and says "I am not done yet!!" One day we are given limited time and the next day she is painting and eating stacks of pancakes!! Mila woke up yesterday morning in pain. It was 4:00 AM and she said her head was hurting. I gave her a dose of Oxycodone, which would normally hold her until 6 AM at her next medication schedule. She kept waking, her head hurt...her eyes... I could tell she was in pain and so I put my call into Hospice. She slept off and on through the morning and when she woke up for the normal breakfast time she said she was hungry. I made her what she asked for and before taking a bite said she was full. She did not eat for the rest of the afternoon. Hospice came to the visit and said that we need to keep track of her Oxy doses and this may be a situation of her needing to up the dose on her patch. In the late afternoon she ate a few bites of chicken and cheese sandwich. No liquids. I was up every three hours giving Oxy and rubbing her head. We woke up and she ate a couple bites of cream of wheat and a sip of soda. Today was visitation so I got her ready and took her. Hospice was planning to be at her visitation so I was a little at ease with her going. I picked her up after being on pins and needles of how she was doing. She slept all day. She ate 4 bites of yogurt and sips of soda. Hospice called me as I was driving home. This is where we stand. If Mila does not eat or drink and it continues and becomes less and less or none at all by Friday, we will be in a home care center by Tuesday. If she gets worse with pain and is actively passing sooner, we will be placed in a home if possible at that time. Our nurse is concerned because Mila is on a steroid. Steroids make her eat and not in small amounts, it is all day non stop. She was like that up until the night before the pain started. We have not changed the doses or we could blame her not eating on that. Therefore, the body has a way of telling itself that you are adding unneeded fuel and rejects the need for nutrition. So her not eating is her body doing just that. It also could be pain involved though. Maybe with the increase now of the pain patch again, and the Oxy she will be more comfortable and she will eat better? So many questions, but honestly we just have to give her time. We have to be patient with her and let her know we are just here to support and love. She has slept all day today and from the moment I got her home she has slept. Just a little while ago she has started wanting to drink. I have given her 2 cups to drink and she has finished both. That is good and will be the start of evaluating everything. If by Friday her food and drink intake has not increased and decreased or is down to nothing she will be place in a home as early as this weekend or the first of next week. If that happens, then Mila will return home to her Father in Heaven. I know how much I will miss her when she goes, so that makes me feel that she will be greeted with open arms and endless love. I know you are thinking of us, and I love the support you show. No matter what we all want or desire, our plan is placed in this life. I have been reminded of that many times the past few weeks and find myself always humbled by that. Thank you for all your prayers. If I am able to update as soon as things change no matter what the outcome of this is in the next few days I will. I am truly grateful for my daughter. She has been a blessing to me and has set a the bar very high for me to live my life. I love my Savior and hope he knows the trails that I suffer now has shown me patience and has opened my heart so much to a deeper understanding of this wonderful true Gospel. I only hope to continue to be worthy as a Child of God, and to live this life in a way that will bring me closer to him. I love you all.... and so does Little Miss Mila.
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.....
Take care and love to you .......Andi and Miss Mila
Mila's friends....
Mila has been so blessed with so many wonderful friends. When I look at all the wonderful things that all of you have taken the time to send to this precious little granddaughter of mine, it brings tears to my eyes. You have made such a difference in her life. From a pack of stickers, to markers, to crayons, color books, reading books, stuffed animals for each holiday and some not for any holiday, to movies and clothes and financial support and on and on and on....You humble me with all that you have done. Mila's days confined to her bed have been made easier by the kindness of her internet family. There is a joy you have brought into her life that is immeasureable. Not to mention what you have done for Andi and this family. I will not name names, because I would not want to leave anyone out. The fundraisors, the personal help....you have all made a tremendous difference in stopping the stress that was so prevalent in Andi's life when Mila was diagnosed. You my dear and loyal friends have made a situation that is in itself almost unbearable....bearable. You took away the outside factors and let the focus be where it was intended......our little Mila.
Mila has had some pretty good days. The extra pain med seems to be doing what hospice wanted it to do. We hear words from Mila like..."I am so brave, I am so proud, I am so happy....words that tell what this little angel is feeling. She has actually been coloring with markers again....thanks to those who send these to her....she has a huge bag and picks specials colors...she always starts with pink, then red, then purple....then light blue..."like papa's eyes" she says. She loves rainbows and heart stickers and recently stickers given to her by a very special friend, they say "I am a child of God." All these things bring a smile to her sweet little face and laughter to her lips.
Again, I hope all of you know how much you are loved and appreciated. The things you have done for this family are beyond words...and you ask nothing in return except having Mila as part of your lives...what angels you are.
Hugs to all and may you have a wonderful week.
Sher
Mila Update.....
Things are going good in Mila land!! Hospice came over and even told me that Mila is not showing many signs of the final stages. There is always the chance she can pass suddenly, or it can change very fast...but they seemed very positive. Mila has been in amazing moods. Laughing, drawing, and saying cute little made up things!! LOVE IT! I am enjoying ever moment that I have and even if it is hard and I get tired, I am blessed.
I wake up every morning between 5-6 AM. That is normal but I stay awake until midnight so I can do her medication. I then take forever to fall asleep and I cannot take sleeping pills....or else I over sleep. I normally wake up to the first words..."MOM SHOWS!!" "MOM POC-CORN HOT" "MOM SIT UP" "MOM TABLE BACK" "MOM CHANGE ME" and in the first 3 seconds of opening my eyes....and then..."Morning...Thanks for sleeping with me" I love it, it means the world to me. Then it is, "Nana, I want Nana" That happens at around 8-9. Nana comes in and it is...."Scrabble eggs" Mommy make them, Nana feed them...or switched around!! I then will sometimes shower after Mila says..."stinky" and get ready while Nana helps with watching BOB or doing other projects. I then come in and it is constant, warming up the popcorn, medication, switching bob, and snacks..... Also changing her. Her little back hurts and legs so changing her takes a long time. I have to make the movements slower not to hurt her next or disturb the tumor. I just have to make sure every lift supports her head. We are in size 5 diapers and they are small for her tummy. The Dexamethasone causes swelling and her tummy is very distended. I am in search for something. Then nap time. She does not like to fall asleep unless I "hold hands" I try not to fall asleep, even if tired or I pay for it that night. After nap time I normally give her the bath. It takes about an hour plus to completely finish her bathing. She is getting heavier now and lifting a sack of 40 pound potatoes...it heavy!! She is so cute though, I lift her and she says...
"Wooooooooooaaaaahhhh! MILA out!!" We then use...cute tips in her ears and bananas (detangler) in her hair! She gets all ready and looks so fresh out of the tub. Dressing her is also hard for me. I feel horrible when she says owie when I pull the shirt over her head. She has no ability to help so I must do all the pushing and pulling. I need little T shirts that are a v-neck or snap button tops like for new born's. Back in the room we watch more BOB and just play. Through out the day she is on medication, the pain patch gets switched every third day. Then we have the suppository and Lasix days. She likes to sleep in her side. I have her comfortable with a small rolled towel to help support her legs. She sweats a lot from the medication but then I have to be careful for her not to catch a chill. I give her medication at the end of the night and then she tells me tired and we "hold hands again...say our prayers" and she is fast asleep in no time. I then stay up until midnight so that I can give her midnight med's...then, we start the day again.....
Just a day in the life. I love every minute of it! Most of the time I spend laughing at the funny little things she says and does!! She is just perfect! My days are perfect...I cherish them and take them in. I am grateful for her and hope she knows she is an example to me. I only hope to be so strong, spiritual, loving....I only hope to be. I love being in her presence. I look forward to starting a new day....that means I will have new stories to tell.
Big blessing to you all this weekend.
Take care and we love you for all you have brought to us with your friendships!
Andi and Miss Mila
........Being is just that, being with you....is everything..........
Monday, April 09, 2007
Easter....
Mila was at visitation on Easter, so the family came over later on in the day to see her. Emma and Derrick brought her an adorable Easter basket complete with bubbles. I got the job of blowing bubbles while mommie fed her mac and cheese. There was no Easter egg hunt as she was very tired and we are again having issues with pain. Andi has been woken up at 4 am 2 mornings in a row with Mila complaining about her head hurting. Hospice came today and they called the neurologist and a higher dose of pain medication has been ordered. On Friday we took Mila to our dear friends Laurie and Tim's wedding reception.It was about a 25 minute drive to get their. Andi was behind us with Mila in her car and papa and I were ahead in his truck. Every time we stopped, papa would wave as Mila was waving from her car seat in the back seat. My phone rings and it is Andi telling me to wave....Mila was saying to her, nana no wave, she's broke. I was laughing so hard, I waved and I could hear Mila say...nana wave, she fixed!!!
By the time we got her to the reception and in her stroller, she was asking for pizza. The kindness of the hostess of the reception...she immediately checked her freezer and had pizza bites and heated them up for Mila. We weren't able to stay long, and our friends were so gracious in understanding we couldn't, we headed home, all of us at the same time. When Mila thought we were not going to leave when Andi was leaving with her, she began to cry. So, back home we went.
Today she has been in her room with mommie. Some pain issues, but seems happy as long as mommie is with her. I hope she is doing better tomorrow and that we might be able to take her out, maybe for a walk when it cools down. I feel bad for Andi, she is pretty much staying in her room with Mila most of the day. Our friend Laurie is planning on coming to see us tomorrow. I am sure that will cheer Andi up. Mila calls her Dorie, but Laurie doesn't seem to mind.
I want to thank all of you for the wonderful Easter greetings and prayers. Even though we weren't able to hunt eggs with Mila, it was so wonderful to have Uncle Jon, Aunt Crystal, Emma, Derrick, Uncle Ronnie, Uncle Kevin and great-grandma over to see Mila and take part in Easter.
Our love to all of you and our thanks to the warmth and caring you daily bring into our lives.
Hugs to all,
Sher
Please continue to pray for Bill (& us). He is scheduled to come home this Friday! The last time he was to come home, they extended him at the last minute! Praying hard that won't happen this time!
Please read my blog titled The Sweet Family It has a current update on Kyle Sweet, and an awesome ministry they are undertaking in spite of Kyle's cancer battle!
"God is good..."
I heard briefly from Bill...
Please keep him and the soldiers
he's with in your prayers...
They are sick, was 80% of them,
but now is 90%. Bill's leg is also
injured, not sure how bad...
Just asking for your continued
prayers.
"Come home date" was supposed
to be April 13, he may be
extended again! I'm asking for
your prayers that he is
not extended!!
I had to remove military info
and pictures from Bill's page...
per Bill's request due to some
security issue. He set up his
page, I thought he did a great
job, as most men are not into
setting up/decorating their
pages. He also had made his
spiral slide show, which due
to content had to be removed
too. :-(
I'm praising God that I got to
talk to him, even though ever
so briefly!!
Thank you for hanging
with us, for praying with us,
and being there for me!!
Love~
Valerie
from Mila's Gamma Sher:
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Walking, walking, walking....
Mila, mommy and I....walking to see the horses....walking once we got to Target.....walking once we got to Kohls. She wants to be outside...walking....or should I say mommy and I walk, she rides in the stroller.
It is so wonderful to have her wanting to go outside. For the last 2 weeks mommy has pretty much been confined to her room with sweet little Mila. She is so much a mommy's girl now. She loves baths in Nana's tub and getting her hair gelled. She had her first McDonalds chicken nuggets and french fries...yummy...she liked those.
This Friday our little Derrick is one years old. How the year has gone by. It has been a good year, it has been a blessed year. Mila is doing as well as can be expected....this is the 6th month and the only real change we have noticed is that is can be a "terrible two" when she does get the results she wants. She hasn't colored or used her markers in over a month, but every morning she has to have two new stickers put on her hands.
She likes ice cream and yogurt and Cadbury eggs. She knows soon the Easter bunny will be here.
Our thanks to all of you for the continued support and love and those who have sent gifts in the last couple of weeks....blessings to you, You all our Mila's and this families angels....we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Hugs to all of you.....Sher (Nana)
Blessings~ Valerie Please see my page for info on how to help Mila's family♥
I decided to post these on pages, because not everyone reads bulletins, or my blogs.
XOOX
♥Valerie♥
MILA UPDATE FROM HER MOM ANDI~~
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Everyday....a new day....
Current mood: optimistic
The best feeling to have, is knowing you are loved by someone......
Mila is doing good. She has been very "mommy" needy, but I would not have it any other way...other then having to beg to go to the bathroom or shower! I think I am going to need to start showering at midnight! I picked her up from visitation early again today. She was just wanting Mommy. I have heard, this is pretty normal for her age group. I love that she wants me so close. I sleep nose to nose now, and am told..."NOT on your back..on your side". I also can not release her hand. "Hold hands" and "No let go" are the only words that escape her mouth at 2 AM. This time, is needed for me. I need the smallest of memories to fill pages for a lifetime. Mila's hair cut is so cute. I love it! I am having so much fun tickleing her little head and making her have a mohawk, or any other crazy hair do possible! Mila is laughing a lot now! Of course I have to do this voice, as you heard and be silly but to hear her belly laugh just makes the bad things going on vanish. In my heart, I feel that she is giving her all right now. She is making her life what it should be. That of a two year old. Making Mommy laugh, being a little pistol boss!! and just brightening the days of those in her life. I painted her toe nails pink with stripes and hearts...YES, that took some skills! LOL! She shows them off like a diamond ring! "Looooook my toes" she says! "ohhhhh CUUUUUUte!" We lay face to face and she will often say, "beautiful eyes Mommy" or "beautiful hair or shirt" anything...then she sees my necklace and says, "Oh, beautiful necklace it says Angel Mila" So much about me when the whole time I am looking at perfection. The other day I was talking to a friend and he said, "She is an Angel" and it struck me how she really truly is. I know she is cute, and fun, and beautiful. She is also, a true spirit of our Savior that is such an amazing part of the plan of salvation. That alone, is the most perfect beauty I could be blessed to lay my eyes on. It is like the people I have met in my life who glow with the spirit. You can see this light around them. Mila's light, is bright and unmistakable. She is truly an Angel.
I am happy. I have time with Mila. That is what I know I am being blessed with. Mila is not being taken from me, she is going home. I never want to look at this part of my life as the worst part. My brother told me that "yes it will be hard, but one day you will look back and say Mila was the part that made your life the best." I agree. Mila being here with me, watching my life fall into place and seeing Mommy happy again is what I can give her. My dad came down to see us the other day and I opened the door and the first words out of his mouth were..."My Andi is back" I just stood back and questioned what he meant. He said, you had lost your glow but it is back now. I know Mila has done this for me. I know it is so hard being in an unhappy situation. I also know when you are in it you don't see what others see. I still smiled and acted ok, even when I was not. Thinking I could put on a front and people could not tell. That is so wrong. People who love you know. I am so sorry to my family for what they had to watch. I love my family for catching me before I fell. They let me reach the point I did where I made the decision to change, and now hold my hands as I climb. There is no greater gift I can give Mila then to show her happiness in a home. Home is where the heart is!
The most amazing feeling is truly knowing someone loves you..... and to love them in return is the greatest gift to give.
Have a very happy week. Blessings to all of you in need. Thank you for the continued support and love. Mila is holding strong in her 6th month. YEAH!!
Loves to you all-Andi and Miss Mila
P.S. I love how you come across a song that is just it.... the words just say it for you..... yep! you know......
Currently watching :
Forces of Nature
Release date: By 02 November, 1999
~Arthur~ Pathology reports are Negative!! Praise God!
Thank you for your prayers!
Most, if not all of you know Mila.
Please keep her and he family in your prayers! (I know you do!)
Just a reminder...
If you can help with prayers, medical or funeral costs,
please see info below.
This info is always on my page, along with photos
Updated pics as often as I get 'em.
God Bless!
Paypal Acct: Blondie79@cox.net
P.O. Box 1677
Gilbert, AZ 85299
http://www.HelpMila.com
Make checks or money orders to: Mila Phillips
FROM SHER, MILA'S GRAMMA TODAY:
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Days go by.....
Today Mila is at visitation and Andi is at a movie with her brother and a family friend. This week there have been some changes in Mila. They put her on a pain patch and I think part of the medicine in there was, "I only want Mommie."
She really has been hanging on to her mom for the last 4 days. Andi and I even had to pick her up early from visitation on Monday because she was crying out of control and wanting her mommie. Once we got her in the car and headed home it was, "I happy now....go home." She absolutely melts my heart. She calmed right down and was chattering up a storm about cookies and Barbie and going home and mommie. Yesterday Andi spent the entire day in her room with her and she was so content to have mommie next to her and take a nap with her.
I believe she is getting as much of mommie time as she can. She hasn't had quite as much energy lately as she had and she truly loves mommie to hold her and rock her. Her little belly laugh video brought tears of joy to my eyes knowing that she still wants so much to experience everything she can that her little world here has to offer.
I wish she was old enough to truly comprehend how many people know her and love her. When I look back to the day this all began, none of us in this family would have believed that so many beautiful souls would have taken Mila and Andi's story to heart and be so generous with love, prayers and gifts. Because of what the doctors said when Mila was released from the hospital, we truly felt our time with her was limited. You have helped and are continuing to help Andi to be able to be home here with her instead of having to go to work. This I know has given her a peace of mind and allowed her to focus on what she needed to focus on....her precious little girl. When we asked her to come and live with us, we were fully prepared to provide her with whatever we were able to do, but you wonderful friends are helping to make that easier.
Thank you for sharing your love and compassion with us and know that we are so grateful for the wonderful things that you daily say and do. If we have missed mentioning something that was sent, I want to personally thank you now. The days have taken a different urgency at times and it is not that we are not grateful for all that is being done, we sometimes just forget to put it into writing.
Mila will, I believe be not only a part of our hearts forever, but I know across this country and parts of this world there are those of you for the rest of your days here on this earth will remember Mila and look forward to the day you will get to meet this amazing little girl.
Hugs and thanks to all of you....our friends....our extended family....Mila's angels~~~!!!!
My Valentine for You 
