Day 4 after the second treatment (August 24, 2006). Well Valerie did not do so well late on day 2 (Tuesday night) all the way into day 4 (Thursday). She got pretty nauseous on Wednesday and had pretty bad shakes for the last two days (she says it felt like she drank about 30 cups of coffee). Today (Thursday) she has been having trouble keeping her eyes open, she says it just feels like they want to close and go to sleep. Dr. Senofsky has been talking to (prodding) Valerie to be the spokesperson for the Henry Mayo Breast Cancer Awareness Program, she told me today she is going to do it. We don't know all that it entails, but they mentioned several events, benefits and fund raising activities that they would like for her to speak about being a Breast Cancer Survivor. When I find out more, I'll post it! What a change from a couple weeks ago! I told you she was getting better!

One more use for Duct Tape! Let's see if they add this one to the 101 Uses for Duct Tape. Valerie's hair started falling out about 2-3 days ago (day 14 or 15 after her first chemo). Well yes she did shave her head, but her hair was growing back since then. It has been falling out and she was complaining that she could not get her wig to stay on (they use double sided tape to make the wig stay in place). She was talking with Judy who mentioned she had used FedEx labels to get her remaining hair to come out, I suggested Duct tape and pretty soon the kids were helping out!

Well I guess they did want to write the story in the local paper. They had called last week and asked our permission to run a story on how the blog has helped us. They mention in the article about the song by Depeche Mode, sorry I took that one off since then, while it is still important to us, Miracle Drug by U2 (also happens to be my favorite band) is a little more poignant. Hate to be going through this, but glad to hear it is helping people to talk and read about it......

Chemo Treatment #2 starts today, August 21, 2006. While the first treatment resulted in some bad days, it was nothing like we had anticipated. Today Valerie asked Dr. Barstis if he was sure she was getting "hit" with a hard enough dose, or was there more he could be doing. His reply was "No, trust me, you are getting hit as hard as we can." He did say that while the first round may not have been bad, be prepared because typically the symptoms will become more pronounced later in the treatments. Oh well, so much for hoping it was going to be as easy as the first one!

Day 12, Valerie buying wine with Chris in Atlanta......hmmmm?

1. Valerie does not drink wine.
2. Even if she could, she can't right now, doctor's orders.
3. Why is some other man helping her buy alcohol?
4. She does look good though (so do you Chris)!

Day 11 after first chemo treatment. Valerie with Chris and Rita on the night before a Surprise Anniversary Party in Atlanta, GA. Valerie practically grew up with Chris and his brothers. Their parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this weekend and their sons planned a surprise party for them. Valerie had made plans to arrive with her sister and also surprise her mom, but then life took its twist! Valerie and her sister told her mom they were going (since she told them she was concerned about leaving Valerie during this time.....guess you did not need to worry as she is there with you!) and Valerie got final approval from her doctor to fly on Thursday, August 17. They did take two precautions, the doctors prescribed her antibiotics (just in case she got sick while in Atlanta) and they also requested she wear fitted compression garment on her arm to prevent Lymphedema. The flight went smooth, and she has been enjoying her time in Atlanta. She returns on Sunday evening to start Chemo treatment number two on Monday, August 21, 2006.

Day 8 (August 15, 2006) after chemo and Valerie is doing very well. She stopped by my work today with the kids (which was a nice surprise!). Weird part of the day was a phone call from a reporter for our local Santa Clarita newspaper The Signal asking if she could interview both of us for a possible article on our blog, or blogs in general. Who knows if they will ever publish anything, but it did make me realize how much this thing has helped our family get through this. Many may not care a bit about your daily feelings (those that do can read along!), but getting them out here has helped our own family (which is why I do it). Valerie often clicks through the many links I research and it helps her answer some questions, but often gets us talking about ones we did not realize each other had! If you asked me six months if I would put this type of info on a blog, my response would have been "Uhhh NO!", but life happens and so I blog it!

My two cents....

Day 4, 5, 6 and 7! Valerie has been doing very well (as is proven by my inability to update this blog on a regular basis, because she is chatting my ear off when I am home and gets annoyed when I work on the computer). Seriously, she has not been as tired, is not sick, and overall is feeling very good. We can only hope that the rest of the treatments will result in only the same or better! Saturday we got to spend some time with her friend and his family, and heard about his trip to Korea. On Sunday we spent the afternoon with family having a swim party and BBQ at Dion's cousins home. Monday Valerie did very well, she helped her friend Kelly sell school spirit gear at our children's school. Right now she is off with her friend Stephanie, who is three weeks ahead of her on the chemo treatment at a support group called Bosom Buddies. She was not sure if she wanted to go yet, but I think it showed to me she has moved far past some of the early struggles of just handling the fact that she had cancer. Now she seems to be moving into the "I have it, now let's talk about it and get through it!". Who knows if this is right or wrong, or too early or the right attitude or the wrong group. I do know that it is Valerie's choice which is right for her, and when she asks for help I'll be there to give it.
Speaking of help, I owe (and our family owes) a big "THANK YOU" and much more for the cards, the gifts, the calls, the visits, the babysitters and the meals! Valerie and I were talking last night and still have moments of disbelief as to the graciousness and kind treatment you have all given over these past few weeks. I am truly grateful for all the Girl Scout, PTA, friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and just good people that stood up and asked how they could help.....I can never repay the feelings and love you gave our family, but I will forever try! Thank you!

Day 4 after Chemo, August 10, 2006, Valerie was up at 7 AM and feeling good! She was up until about 2 PM this afternoon and then needed to take a nap. She actually headed out today and had a chance to wear her new wig. She says she asked the receptionist what she thought of her wig and she replied in shock "That is a wig? We see people in here with wigs all the time, and I would have bet money yours was not one!" That made Valerie's day. The kids went bowling with their friends from school while Valerie took her afternoon nap. On Friday she has to undergo an MUGA Scan (since the Chemo she is taking can be very bad for the heart muscles). This is pretty normal for people taking Adriamycin as part of their Chemo cocktail, and gives the doctors a clear and early indication if the Adriamycin is causing any problems for her heart.

Day 3 after Chemo and today was a little rougher. You know Valerie, kinda like her son, anytime she sees a camera, she puts on a big smile! Today she was up at 2:30 AM feeling nauseous, and the feeling never really went away until late afternoon. Mostly she is feeling very tired and has very little energy. The kids are off at the Fair with their Aunt and cousins, and her Dad has been staying at our home to make sure she was alright during the day. At 7:35 PM, she seems to be doing better, has been able to eat, but still just no energy, tomorrow is a new day!

Last day with my own hair at 1:55 PM, August 8, 2006 & still feeling great. About to get my head shaved by Piny as I decided I would rather take it off myself, than have it fall out on its own!

Say goodbye for now! No more roots, no more hair, no more laying in the beauticians chair!

Bald and beautiful!

Sigourney Weaver and Demi Moore can't compete with this girl! (April 2007....guess she also made an impression on Britney Spears!)

The new wig that Piny made for me

Piny and me with the "new" hairdo!

Day 2 after Chemo at 8 AM and feeling great! No real noticeable side effects as of yet (let's keep hoping there are none!) Valerie says she woke up shaking last night (went away quickly and was very minor) and feels tired late this afternoon, but overall feeling pretty good! Saw Dr. Watson today to discuss the implants. Turns out he will only "inflate" them every two weeks, but only on the off week for Chemo so her white blood cell count will be higher than on the week she gets Chemo. She is also being given shots of Neulasta each day after Chemo to help elevate her white blood cell count (the ones you need to fight off infection). In addition she choose to shave her head today....read more about that above!

Day 1 of first Chemo treatment is today, August 7, 2006.....last week Valerie was swearing at the Implanted Port, today she swears it was one of the best decisions she made so far. They only have to poke you once in the port and can draw blood (at least twice), give you medications (at least twice) and then saline to both flush it out and hydrate her. It is around 8 PM and she says she is feeling fine, no clue that anything even took place today.....time will tell if that feeling continues (we hope it does!).