My brave mother. My dad shaved the last of her hair off last night.
I asked her if I could post this picture of her on my blog and her response was "absolutely! we are warrior women, we are strong!" She is so right, and we get it all from her. So proud of you mom, and I love you so very very much.
![Medsitters Au pairs](<a href="http://medsitter.com/" title="Medsitters"><img src=" http://www.tertia.org/medsitter.png" /></a> ){kind=link}
as a happy clapper, i am praying for you and your sweet mom.
she makes a beautiful bald woman!!!!
Posted by: mandie | 15 January 2009 at 09:06 AM
I knew Mimi would look great - she is a gorge older lady.
Posted by: stay@homemom | 15 January 2009 at 09:18 AM
wow, i think she looks so gracefull. My gran also had chemo, and when her hair fell out she looked beaten, your Mum looks like she is just getting ready to go!!!!!
Posted by: Lauren | 15 January 2009 at 09:22 AM
Wow! What a mom! Having been blessed with a mother who is amazing as well, I can so relate to your feelings for your mom. She must be so thrilled to have a daughter who cared enough to MAKE her go get medical tests sooner than she planned and in doing so put her in a better position to fight this horrid cancer! I can only imagine how horribly hard this must be for you. I'd be devastated, but it seems your mom is keeping YOU strong and you are doing the same for her! My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family and especially your mom!
Posted by: Heidi | 15 January 2009 at 09:25 AM
Wow. I am in awe of this beautiful, strong woman.
All the best going forward.
xx
Posted by: Julia | 15 January 2009 at 09:27 AM
Ah now I know where Mel got her good looks from:-)
Posted by: me | 15 January 2009 at 09:30 AM
What a beautiful photo. She has the most stunning eyes.
Posted by: Bianca W | 15 January 2009 at 09:32 AM
Your mother is a beautiful, brave warrior woman indeed.
(PS Very Freudian typo in the text - you quoted her as saying she's a "worrier" woman.)
(PPS Not being nitpicky critical grammar police, it just struck me as very poignant.)
Posted by: Robin from Israel | 15 January 2009 at 10:05 AM
Your mom really does look gorgeous here.
Posted by: Timi | 15 January 2009 at 10:09 AM
Oh she looks stunning. Love and light to her and you too.
Posted by: cat | 15 January 2009 at 10:10 AM
Not surprised she is beautiful. :-)
I also like the image of the warrior. This is a good way to handle it. It does not mean the warrior must not weep sometimes. But then she (he) gets up and fights. That is what your mom bravely does ((and so many others do).
Hope I don't hurt you by mentioning something else:
There will be another change once she loses her eyebrows and lashes. But she will be still beautiful.
When my mom was terribly exhausted, when the doctors therefore reduced the last dose rate of the last cycle, when she was weak and her eyes looked tired and her skin was pale she was still beautiful. She was not good-looking then but still brave. Still willing to fight the ugly enemy. And once the side effects eased and no new poison needed to be added she recovered step by step... Just want to say that the power is in your mom's head and heart. You can be so proud of her. And I am sure she is proud of you.
Posted by: Geertje | 15 January 2009 at 10:28 AM
She is so beautiful.
Posted by: Jen M | 15 January 2009 at 11:01 AM
She looks stunning
Posted by: Elize | 15 January 2009 at 11:06 AM
Wow - she is AMAZING! You are all indeed Warrior Women.... an inspiration to us all. LOL
Posted by: Donna | 15 January 2009 at 11:10 AM
What a family!
xx
Posted by: Ann | 15 January 2009 at 11:17 AM
She looks beautiful! What a lovely shaped head!
Posted by: Lindsay | 15 January 2009 at 11:21 AM
Gorgeous Mimi.
Posted by: Meriel | 15 January 2009 at 11:25 AM
Beautiful and strong. xx
Posted by: Kaje | 15 January 2009 at 11:40 AM
What a brave, beautiful mother you have! An inspiration to all of us!
Posted by: Janet | 15 January 2009 at 12:06 PM
Your Mum looks gorgeous - very cool, very hip, very strong.
My spirit is with you. My father-in-law was diagnosed on Christmas Eve with cancer at the young (IMO) age of 58. Like you I can't contemplate my children growing up without him, like your Mum he is now having chemo. The battle can't be fought alone - we stand with them and fight on....
Posted by: Kate | 15 January 2009 at 12:06 PM
No hair and she still looks stunning! Damn, I wish I had some of her genes!
Posted by: Wobs | 15 January 2009 at 12:20 PM
What a beautiful, strong lady your mum is. Such an inspiration. (Can see where you get your amazing drive and spunk from).....
Posted by: Julie | 15 January 2009 at 12:39 PM
She looks beautiful. She IS beautiful.
My mother battled cancer as well, almost 20 years ago now, and I still remembered how gorgeous her head was bald. It's great that you're taking pictures now. Hopefully this will all be a distant memory for you one day, and you'll take out this photo and smile and think of how strong and brave your mother was back when she was winning the battle with cancer.
Posted by: Sara | 15 January 2009 at 12:47 PM
WOW, that gave me goosebumps. What a brave, beautiful and bold woman. Remarkable. What a good role model and inspiration she must be to you all.
Well done to your dad to for helping out.
Tertia & Mel's mom you are simply beautiful and your courage makes you even more so. Your light shines from within you.
Posted by: Jane | 15 January 2009 at 01:04 PM
Your mom is a very cool, very amazing lady. And, she can definitely pull off the bald look. She is gorgeous!
Tertia...I'm another happy clappers who is praying hard for your mom.
Posted by: Kristin | 15 January 2009 at 01:31 PM
Your mum has beautiful eyes.
She looks great
Posted by: caragh | 15 January 2009 at 01:51 PM
What a brave, beautiful woman your mum....
Love for both!!
Posted by: Laura | 15 January 2009 at 02:09 PM
Gorgeous. Love the glasses too. I love her response to your question about posting on the blog. It's that kind of attitude that will kick cancer's arse.
Posted by: Lee Anne | 15 January 2009 at 02:12 PM
Your mom is in my thoughts and prayers. She looks gorgeous! "Bald is beautiful!"
Posted by: KellyH | 15 January 2009 at 02:33 PM
She has an -excellent- head shape for that look. :D Way to go!
Posted by: spurfer | 15 January 2009 at 02:43 PM
Wow Mom looks so cool.Shes amazing so brave and classy all at once, she will start a new craze where shaving you head is the norm.Praying for your Mom to get through this ordeal with style and grace.
Posted by: deblet | 15 January 2009 at 02:45 PM
wow, she is seriously HOT!!! what a babe, and what a heart shining through her skin and eyes. you guys rock.
Posted by: ruth | 15 January 2009 at 02:45 PM
Well Hello Demi erm I mean Mimi... She looks amazing! Warrior woman indeed.
xxx
Posted by: SCY | 15 January 2009 at 03:16 PM
Beautiful!
You look just like her.
Posted by: Heather | 15 January 2009 at 03:20 PM
What a brave, beautiful, strong, incredible woman. Thank you, both to Mimi and Tertia for sharing.
Posted by: T. | 15 January 2009 at 03:25 PM
Gorgeous and divine, obviously. I can really see the family resemblance, btw. Sounds like she's kept her spirits up, and she looks so strong! You're lucky to have her for a mother, T, and she's lucky to have you as a daughter (who nags her into things like biopsies).
Posted by: MFA Mama a.k.a. "Eliza" | 15 January 2009 at 03:30 PM
what a STUNNING woman - inside and out!
Posted by: another karen | 15 January 2009 at 03:30 PM
She is so beautiful and strong! I am praying for her!
Posted by: Abbie | 15 January 2009 at 03:37 PM
Gorgeous. We know where you and your sisters get your good looks and your strength.
Cancer doesn't stand a chance! Go, Mimi!!!
Posted by: Melissa in TN | 15 January 2009 at 03:43 PM
Amazing, indeed.
Posted by: Kellie | 15 January 2009 at 04:14 PM
beautiful!!!
Posted by: angela | 15 January 2009 at 04:25 PM
Your mother's strength is inspiring. Do tell her we're rooting for her!
Posted by: parodie | 15 January 2009 at 04:28 PM
Awesome!!!!
Will keep your mom in my prayers.
Posted by: Tripsmom | 15 January 2009 at 04:31 PM
Well that's a small favor to be thankful for: your mom looks gorgeous with a close-shaven crop. Truly!
Posted by: Mar | 15 January 2009 at 04:34 PM
What a wonderful, fantastic woman. Obviously, thats where you and your siblings get it from!
You go Mum!
x
Posted by: Debbie in the UK | 15 January 2009 at 04:37 PM
Your Mom is a very beautiful lady.
Posted by: Heather | 15 January 2009 at 04:42 PM
She's amazing. I had tears suddenly and unexpectedly prick in my eyes seeing that photo -- beautiful, resilient and strong.
My elegant mother-in-law (a now three-time breast cancer survivor) surprised us by dying her hair a magnificent bright blue right before she started chemo. She's nine years in remission now, happy and healthy. I wish nothing but strong good thoughts for your mom and family.
Posted by: Nancy | 15 January 2009 at 04:52 PM
oh t - brave and fierce momma with an ebrave equally and fierce daughter. thought about you on Ben's anniversary - smooches from the States... and today, with this photo, reminding us further of the fragility of it all. smooches to mom, too... she is fabulous and gorgeous.
Posted by: tree town gal | 15 January 2009 at 04:55 PM
oops... sorry for typo ... equally brave and fierce daughter, of course...
Posted by: tree town gal | 15 January 2009 at 04:57 PM
What a gorgeous, strong woman your mom is.
Posted by: snickollet | 15 January 2009 at 05:13 PM
We are not our looks, we are not our hair, we are not our bodies, we are not our age. We are the spine that runs through the body of our family, and nothing so shallow as the physical will ever change that.
Go, warrior woman, go.
Posted by: wyliekat | 15 January 2009 at 05:20 PM
Please thank her for us for allowing you to post her picture.
She is a beautiful warrior!
Posted by: Valarie | 15 January 2009 at 05:30 PM
Your mother is gorgeous! Oh, who kidding, your whole family is gorgeous!!
Wishing for a speedy recovery/remission for your Mom and for a healthy, happy Max!!
XOXOXOX
Posted by: Stacey | 15 January 2009 at 05:33 PM
OK, how does a woman who feels like hell and just lost a bunch of hair look so gorgeous? It *must* be the strength. Rock on, Mimi. :)
Posted by: Tine | 15 January 2009 at 05:37 PM
I love the way your mom is approaching this! She IS a warrior! I'll be thinking of her and hoping for the best!
Posted by: Lisa | 15 January 2009 at 05:38 PM
Your mother is the very definition of G&D, that's where you get it from.
Posted by: Cheryl | 15 January 2009 at 05:39 PM
She is absolutely gorgeous.
Posted by: Meg | 15 January 2009 at 05:45 PM
Damn, your mom is even more G&D than you are! It's hard to make bald look good, for a woman, and she actually does. Please tell her that. She's gorgeous - I love my mother, but bald would not look good on my mother (or me, for that matter) - on your mom, it just looks like a new fashion!
Non-invasive hugs to your mom and you!
Posted by: Dana | 15 January 2009 at 05:51 PM
She looks beautiful and brave and wonderful! Go Mimi! Kick the butt of that cancer.
xxx
PS~ Awesome glasses!
Posted by: Flicka | 15 January 2009 at 05:58 PM
She is as beautiful and strong outside as she is inside, I think. Please thank her for sharing this gorgeous portrait of a true warrior!!
Posted by: silene | 15 January 2009 at 06:42 PM
Now we know not only where you got your strength from but also how you came to be so gorgeous and divine!!!
Posted by: Dana | 15 January 2009 at 06:46 PM
What an astounding photo. Beautiful.
Posted by: Dolce | 15 January 2009 at 06:57 PM
She looks fantastic. And defiant. Which are two of my favorite qualities.
Also, as I told my grandma a while back, there are advantages to no hair (or in my grandma's case, white as white can be hair): namely, you get free reign on all sorts of color choices, accessories, and other fashion that you couldn't have pulled off before.
She's likely up-to-hear with chirpy advice, though, so I'll stop.
Posted by: Uncommon Julia | 15 January 2009 at 06:58 PM
Now we know where you get your spunk from! Stunning!
Posted by: Kirsty | 15 January 2009 at 07:42 PM
You look gorgeous and divine, Tertia's Mum!!!! Rock that hairdo! I hope she continues to do well with chemo. My prayers are with her and your family.
Posted by: Heather | 15 January 2009 at 07:43 PM
Looking great! Stay strong!
My mother is a cancer survivor. Here's to strong moms...and kicking cancer's A#S!!! I guess we know you got your Moxie from, Tertia :)
Posted by: Chickenpig | 15 January 2009 at 07:44 PM
Your mom is beautiful, gorgeous and divine - the apples don't fall far from the tree!
Posted by: Sue | 15 January 2009 at 07:57 PM
I think your mother looks absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: ishouldbedoinglaundry | 15 January 2009 at 08:00 PM
You know what's funny about that picture is how attractive your mom is. Even as a bald cancer patient, she's really pretty.
Posted by: victoria | 15 January 2009 at 08:21 PM
Wow, your mom looks stylish and cool bald! She also looks like a very strong woman, just the kind to kick cancer's ass.
Posted by: Suzannne | 15 January 2009 at 08:24 PM
She is a lovely warrior woman!
Keep up the fight!
Posted by: Aurelia | 15 January 2009 at 08:34 PM
She looks great, definitely a warrior, and you look like her!
Posted by: Anna | 15 January 2009 at 08:45 PM
Your mom loooks so beautiful. Beautiful and strong. She is truly an inspiration. Thank you (and your mom) for posting the picture. Wow. Who needs hair anyway, really. Your mom certainly doesn't. She is simply gorgeous.
Posted by: Heather | 15 January 2009 at 08:57 PM
She's beautiful!
Posted by: Caroline | 15 January 2009 at 08:58 PM
Go T's mom! You are a beautiful, strong woman - our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Posted by: Lizelle | 15 January 2009 at 09:21 PM
She's beautiful.
Posted by: Andrea | 15 January 2009 at 09:27 PM
Wow, your mom looks great bald! Seriously.
She looks so powerful.
She sounds like a great lady, and I love how much you love her.
Posted by: Jeannie | 15 January 2009 at 09:36 PM
So beautiful and powerful ! I am keeping her in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Tamara Landman | 15 January 2009 at 09:53 PM
She looks just gorgeous.
Posted by: Kristy | 15 January 2009 at 09:58 PM
Warrior woman is right!
:) Becky
Posted by: Becky | 15 January 2009 at 10:08 PM
Go Mimi!!!!
Your mom is an awesome lady T, its easy to see where you get it from!
Posted by: Gina | 15 January 2009 at 10:40 PM
Your mom is beautiful! God bless and heal her!!
Posted by: Stefanie | 15 January 2009 at 10:44 PM
Your mum really is gorgeous. Sending you all lots of love and luck. You are all so blessed with such a strong caring family. I've also been reading Mel's blog and I know that as a strong family, with such a lot to look forward to, you will come out the other side with flying colours.
Posted by: Charlie | 15 January 2009 at 10:58 PM
She IS AWESOME!!
Posted by: kbreints | 15 January 2009 at 11:07 PM
Gave me a lump in my throat! She really is a Warrior Woman.
Posted by: Hanlie | 15 January 2009 at 11:12 PM
In short - what a hottie! Between your surfin' sister and your gorgeous bald mom I'm starting to get an inferiority complex reading your blog! ;-) You literally have a beautiful family in both physical looks and character. I really admire your mom for her grace in the face of adversity and pray that she weather's this storm easily.
P.S. Don't you South Africans say 'Mum'?
Posted by: Nicole | 15 January 2009 at 11:27 PM
at the cancer center this week i saw a woman with a hot pink wig. she looked like a crazy cancer warrior. (crazy in a good way of course!)
sending your beautiful mother good energy...
Posted by: beyond | 15 January 2009 at 11:51 PM
She looks beautiful!
Thoughts and well wishes.
Posted by: April | 16 January 2009 at 12:08 AM
We love Tertia's Mom!
You go girl!
I'm getting all misty eyed reading all the posts of support - we're all behind you. I get a picture of us all united with one fist in the air as she yells "charge!"
Warrior Women Unite! Onward!
Warm thoughts of support come your way from all over the globe!
'wishIknew'
Posted by: 'wishIknew' | 16 January 2009 at 12:27 AM
She is just gorgeous! She has a beautifully-shaped head and can carry off the "bald" look wonderfully. I know this is hard on you all, and I wish her (and all of you) well with the continued therapy.
Posted by: terri c | 16 January 2009 at 12:29 AM
Wow, amazing woman and beautiful too
Posted by: jane | 16 January 2009 at 12:40 AM
Your mother is so beautiful!
Posted by: Jean | 16 January 2009 at 01:54 AM
Am I the only one who thinks your mother now looks like Marko?
Your mom is amazing!
Posted by: Laura | 16 January 2009 at 02:16 AM
Your mom is so beautiful!
Posted by: Marlen | 16 January 2009 at 03:07 AM
Being raised by a warrior woman is a true blessing. Go Mimi!
Posted by: Paz | 16 January 2009 at 03:20 AM
beautiful!
Posted by: deb | 16 January 2009 at 04:13 AM
loving your mums smile, the robe, and her attitude.
praying.
love tess
Posted by: Tess Lyons | 16 January 2009 at 04:17 AM
She looks absolutely beautiful. Her strength is evident. Fight, beautiful lady!
Posted by: melissa | 16 January 2009 at 04:35 AM
Your mother is beautiful, and she looks phenomenally strong and loving.
Posted by: Alex | 16 January 2009 at 05:10 AM
Your whole family are warrior women. Gorgeous, too. A credit to your Mom.
Posted by: bj | 16 January 2009 at 05:13 AM