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Make Your Own!
Keep Kimmie Strong
Started by: Cathy Koszalka
Keep Kimmie Strong
Kimmie is one of the most caring, fun, free-spirited, and courageous people we know. She is a loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, and grandmother. She brings the life to the party!
There are not many people out there like Kimmie. She continues to be so spirited, even with all she has been through. Kimmie fought and kicked caner's butt twice before she was even 31 years old! She is true fighter! Kim was diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer just a few years back, having to have a mastectomy. Beyond the cancer, there has been so much medically she has had to endure.
It is with heavy hearts, we share the unfortunate news that Kimmie will have to fight again. She has been diagnosed with stage 4 B-cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She has been told she will need to be treated with aggressive chemotherapy, although the exact type is not yet known. She has many tests scheduled, including tests on the breast, eye, and thyroid, as these show areas of concern. She has been diagnosed with Sixth Nerve Palsy, which at this time is not allowing her to see well out of her right eye. There is further testing needed to see if it is related to the lymphoma.
As many of you may know, Kim and Dan have been paying medicals bills almost their whole married lives. Both are incredibly generous people who are always the first to lend a helping hand. They are not the type to ever ask for anything, but we would like to help in any way we can. They have always made the best of everything, they have always made it by. However, we'd like to help make this easier for Kimmie and alleviate some of the financial burden.
Kimmie is incredible and will win this fight! We would like to raise funds to help with medical bills, traveling expenses and other unexpected needs.
She will be receiving treatment in sunny Arizona, at Mayo Clinic. If you wish to send a card please use the address below.
Kimberlee Mianulli
5076 S. Stonecreek Blvd.
Gilbert, AZ 85298
We will keep everyone updated on Kimmie's fight. We know she has an incredible support system. Kimmie has the most amazing family and friends that have been there for her and we know will continue to be.
Let's keep Kimmie Strong!
Latest Update
So it's been sometime since we posted an update, especially a really positive one! Mom's PET-scan indicated she is in REMISSION! So cancer (that's right, you don't even get a capital C), you can kiss her ass! She has begun the process for her Stem Cell Transplant and tomorrow is THE BIG DAY, infusion of the cells. Mom is saying it's her birthday, beginning of a new life, cancer free! She will be carefully monitored for the next month, we will keep everyone updated. Thank you all for your continued support, thoughts, prayers, gracious donations, but most of all your love! Thank you for being incredible family and friends. Love to all, Tina
Posted by Cathy
August 27 at 4:54pm
Cont... For 3-3.5 weeks to begin an intense blast of chemo before they do the transplant. She has lost all her hair but as always she is staying stylish with caps and wigs and stylish outfits. She has been much more tired and a bit weaker, doctor says that will be the case until after the transplant. We want to thank everyone who is keeping in contact asking for updates, praying, also for your generosity, and uplifting messages. She is strong but I know that all has a lot to do with it. We all appreciate everyones support. Dad is coming out tomorrow for this round and will be trying to come back for the extraction. Thank you all again. Peace, Hope, Good Health & Love to all -Tiffany
Posted by Cathy
July 16 at 5:22pm
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Eileen Wlodarski Scerbicke — 8 years ago
You would have to call your insurance company and see if hotel coverage is in the plan. Call hotels and see if they offer discounts for these circumstances. You may be surprised.
Tina Mianulli DeMarco — 8 years ago
<3
~Update~ Yesterday Mom started another round of chemo, this will be a bit different than the last 3 rounds. It will be more intense and includes different drugs that will get her ready for her stem cell transplant. These next few weeks will be rough but I am sure she will be tough as always. They will begin prepping for the stem cell transplant shortly after this round. They will start with 4-6 days of booster shots and then proceed with the extraction which will last 2-4 days. She will need to be monitored 24-7 in our care so we are woking out the schedule on that. Possibly one of us spending the week with her in a hotel near mayo seeing as we are almost an hour away and it will be full days every day for about 10 days straight. If anyone has any tips on how to get a deal on hotels let us know! Or any insight if health insurance covers medical stays certain cases. We are trying to look into that. Shortly after that they will then put her in the hospital for 3-3.5 weeks cont.
Posted by Cathy
July 16 at 5:15pm
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Hello all.. We have had lots of questions on mom's pet scan.. So the chemo is doing its job,which is good news. However they are concerned that it is causing heart failure. This is concerning but we are hoping it is just the one drug causing the issue and that they will discontinue it and the chemo will still work without it. They will then more than likely shorten the rounds down to 4 and then perform a stem cell transplant. We will have more answers from the cardiologist today or tomorrow. 3rd round of chemo starts today. Please stop at Ozzies deli in Melrose park and grab a sub and or a good read with book proceeds going to help keep kimmie strong. THANK YOU OZZIES AND KATHY. PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL Thank you all for your concern, thoughts, and generousity. -Tiffany.
Posted by Cathy
July 1 at 12:12pm
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Tina Mianulli DeMarco — 8 years ago
A bump in the road, but Mom will turn this setback into a comeback. Huge thanks to our friends at OZZIE'S DELI IN MELROSE PARK and Kathy Gennett with Believe in Books. — with Dan Mianulli and Kimberlee Schmidt Mianulli.
Mom finished her 2nd round just as the Blackhawks clinched the cup! She is doing really well. She is such a fighter and even through everything still keeping up with her style! Lots of cute hats, wigs, and scarfs to match all her outfits! The doctors and nurses enjoy her style in the hospital and cheerful spirit. Her eye still has not improved, we are hoping just a few more weeks. She will then be able to get out and about a little more when she is feeling up to it. Still lots of appointments and testing to come. Next week they will do a pet scan to determine how the chemo is working, so we are crossing our fingers! We would like to thank everyone once again for all your kind words, and generosity. Also would like to say a special thanks to Ozzies Deli 11158 W Grand Ave Melrose Park, Illinois & Kathy Gennett for raising money for keeping kimmie strong with book proceeds for the month of June! So thoughtful.. Stop in and have some lunch and maybe a good read! Peace to all -Tiffany
Posted by Cathy
June 22 at 4:43pm
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Round 2 starts today. Look at her! I mean seriously, just amazing. This lady is heading out to have chemo and she looks like she is about to jet off on a tropical vacation. Just stunning, she surprises me everyday! I looked at her and thought, wow, she is so beautiful. Everything she has been through and she is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, inside and out. The 1st round went pretty well, unfortunately she just started feeling better and time for another round. Treatments will be every 21 days, which is a little closer together than expected, but that just means the sooner this is over! We will continue to keep everyone updated. Our sincerest thanks to everyone, your kindness has been incredible. Love to all. -Tina
Posted by Cathy
June 10 at 4:25pm
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~UPDATE~ So mom cut her hair short to donate the length before it falls out. Looks cute.. Just like my Nana Margie looked. She is doing ok. Getting a lot more tired this week than she was last week. She is weaker which is to be expected. Her white blood cell counts are ok right now but will be at their lowest this weekend, so were expecting her to be tired and weak but hopefully will gain some strength and energy by next week. I have to say my 3 year old Alyssa has to be one of the best! She has taken trips to Mayo clinic numerous times this week and last.. 1 hour there and 1 hour back sometimes waiting 4-5 hours and is so well behaved waiting for nana.. Sofia has been "pretty patient" too. lol Thank you all for your kind words, prayers, and your generosity. It helps tremendously with keeping our spirits up, travel expenses to and from mayo, keeping a smile on our faces and much more. We all cant thank you enough. Peace and love to all.
Posted by Cathy
May 28 at 6:11pm
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First round done today and looking pretty dang good! Kimmie received her first round of treatments this week and will continue to have chemo for 5 days, 24 hours a day, every 28 days for a total of 6 treatments. Results came back on the biopsy of the stomach, there is lymphoma present there as well. This doesn't change a whole lot, still waiting on the full pathology report for sub-type. No improvement yet on the eye, but we are very hopeful. Thankfully the treatment has helped her ability to keep foods down. Danny has to head back home tonight, but has spent every day and night with Kimmie since he has been in AZ. It is very tough for him to leave, but knows this is the best place for Kim to get her treatments and needs to return to work to continue insurance benefits. They really are the most amazing and loving couple! As always, thank you to each and everyone of our friends, family, and medical staff at Mayo Clinic for all you have done for Kimmie and our family. Love to all. XOXO
Posted by Cathy
May 24 at 3:12pm
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Kimmie started her 1st day of her 1st round of chemo.. She will get 5 straight days this week of chemotherapy. It will be a long 18 weeks but she has the best support system and has all of you keeping a smile on her face with your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for your thoughts and generous donations. You all are an amazing help in keeping her strong.
Posted by Cathy
May 20 at 1:58pm
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Not the news we were hoping for today. :-( At this time they are considering the cancer to be Stage 4. The doctor confirmed that it is in several areas, including areas outside of the lymph-nodes. They are also concerned about what may be a separate cancer in the esophagus and abdomen. They will be running a genetic panel, chromosome testing, along with an endoscopy. Kimmie hasn't been able to eat or drink for over a week. The doctor has admitted her, placed a picc line, and would like the chemotherapy treatments to start tomorrow. The testing will be used to determine the sub-type and we are hoping for negative results on the esophagus and stomach. We are staying positive and know Kimmie will kick cancer's ass! Thank you everyone for your continued support. We will keep everyone updated, please keep Danny and Kimmie in your thoughts and prayers. Love to all.
Posted by Cathy
May 18 at 4:49pm
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Donna Sullivan — 8 years ago
We are all gonna help you fight this. Hugs, prayers, and lots of love coming your way!
All of Kimmie's grandkids are keeping a smile on her face during this tough time!
Posted by Cathy
May 16 at 9:20am
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Kimmie was able to get an appointment this upcoming Monday to meet with the lymphoma specialist. We are glad to hear that. There are a few areas of concern they will address that we are hoping are not lymphoma. They are all being strong but need your thoughts and prayers. Thanks to everyone for your continuing support and also those who have donated. This is going to be a stressful road for our whole family but we will keep kimmie strong.
Posted by Cathy
May 16 at 7:12am
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Tiffany Rose — 8 years ago
:-)
56 Supporters
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- Pam Hoffelt8 years ago You are amazing, Kim!!
- Kimberlee Schmidt Mianulli8 years ago DONE with chemo. In remission . Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart . Financially and emotionally I could not have done it without all of you . My daughters have been incredible. I'm so grateful. To my awesome husband thanks for your continued support. Life has been difficult this year but I'm sure I see a bright further for us. Remember to tell your love ones you love them everyday. Enjoy life . Now let's party and be thankful for every day. My love and gratitude to you all
- Anonymous8 years ago
- vickey l raskow8 years ago Best wishes. With lot's of love and prayers. Always thinking of you.
- KATHRYN M GENNETT8 years ago WE HAD A GREAT MONTH WITH DONATIONS AND SO MANY BOOK DROP OFFS! KEEP YOUR FAITH AND YOUR STRENGTH UP! THINKING OF YOU!
- Pierre8 years ago It's not about money. it's about love. please receive mine from France. Your recovery matter. cause we are child from the universe. i send u my love with all power it encludes. Best wishes.
- Stephanie Musgrave8 years ago Prayers are with you all! What a strong & amazing woman your mom is Tina! And very stylish too! ;-) Sending my love & will be praying! xoxo
- Kathy Gennett 8 years ago Kim! We are sending you positive thoughts and hopes that you finding the strength you never knew you had! We are all fighting with you! Your friends at Ozzie's & "Believe in Books" book Donations!!!!
- The Funks8 years ago Hey Kim, You are in our prayers everyday! You are such a strong, amazing woman. You are such an inspiration to us all. You look awesome, love seeing that smile. Keep up the fight. We Love you! Ken and Col
- Ronald B Mianulli8 years ago My prayers are with you Hang in there you are a fighter you will kick this. Love Dad
- Show 46 more supporters
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Angela Arcieri Balla — 8 years ago
We are so proud of you keep hanging in there our prayers are with you, Love Dad & Auntie
Tina Mianulli DeMarco — 8 years ago
New Update.