I saw the radiologist today in preparation to begin radiation early next week. I had a special "mold" made for my upper body, so I am in the same position every time they radiate me. I finally got a tattoo...well, actually three tattoos!!! The bad part is they are just three dots. They are not even anything exciting! I guess they use the three dots to line you up in the machine. I also had a CT scan to help them make up a "plan" for me.

I was in the local paper again the other day. I don't know how to put in a link to it like Dion, so I'll just write the web address....link 1 and link 2!

Today is Sunday and I feel great. No back pain!!! Our house is decorated for Christmas and now all I have to do is go shopping. I keep waiting for some hair to come back, but nothing yet. Love you all, VAL

Today is Monday and it was beautiful. It was about 88 degrees outside...bright and sunny. I spent most of the day visiting with doctors. I have had blood in my urine due to ??? and lots of back pain. The blood might be from the first round of Chemo...the AC stuff. The AC can irritate the bladder or they say it might be a Kidney problem, but they don't think so. It is not an infection because their are no white blood cells present. So, they said lets wait and see what happens. If my pain gets more severe or if I spike a fever, then I must call the Doc. I know, this is way more than you really wanted to know.

On Wednesday, my family will be having Thanksgiving over at my in-laws in the evening. There should be Dion's brother, sister, and three nephews there also. It should be really fun!!

On Thursday, my family will be having Thanksgiving with my parents and about 20 other family and extended family members. It will be a busy day.

On Friday, the kids and I will go and help my parents find the perfect Christmas tree to cut down.

Then, on Saturday we will be taking Christmas pictures of the family. The big question the kids are having trouble with is ...Do we send out Christmas pictures with mom in a wig or bald. I really don't care either way, but I left the decision up to them. I guess you will find out their decision when you get the picture in the mail :) (post Christmas update, they choose the wig!)

As for the cancer stuff...I get expanded one more time on Tuesday the 28. I am telling you that the big boob thing is really quite fun. This is the best part of the whole thing. I just love my boobs now !!! Remember I was a double "A" for my whole life, so getting a "C" is really exciting stuff!! Then for the not so exciting stuff...I will start Radiation most likely on December 4th. Love you all!! VAL

New post-it hat made by my son

Chemo number eight...my last one......yippie !

Last time with the nurses at chemotherapy

Since today was my last Chemo, Dion surprised the nurses and me with flowers. The nurses got a really pretty yellow and purple floral arrangement in a vase and I got a dozen red roses. I know...I married a great guy, but you already knew that. Anyway, Dion took me out to lunch to Black Angus (my pick). It was a great end of chemo celebration. I then came home and proceeded to sleep. When I woke up I realized something was not quite right with my bladder...Again. So I went to Urgent Care ASAP and had a urine test done and sure enough...Another Bladder infection. I don't have a fever yet, so I am hoping that I caught it early enough this time. They put me on antibiotics, so I should be fine soon. I also went to my support group called Bosom Buddies this evening. This was the best meeting yet. Everyone was so talkative and so happy. Next month we are going to have a holiday party...It should be fun!!!

I had a great weekend! On Friday, It was "Ladies Night" at the Porter Valley Country Club. My friend Kristen is a member and she treated 11 of her closest friends to dinner, an "adult only" puppet show, and a whole lot of dancing. I didn't get home till midnight. I feel so old...I remember when I was younger and I would just be leaving the house at 11pm. Anyway, I had a great time.

Dion's Sister had surgery on her shoulder this week, so we got to watch my nephews for the weekend. We had a great time.

I felt great this weekend and tomorrow is my last Chemo!!!! I am so looking forward to tomorrow. I can't wait to be done!! I just hope they got it all and that I never have to do this again!! The plan for the future is that in 2 weeks I will get my expanders "pumped up" again. I am currently a 36 "small" "C". I am very excited about that. I will start radiation in three weeks. I will go Monday -Friday for 6 weeks. Yes, everyday for 6 weeks. I hear that it only takes about 20 minutes, so it shouldn't be too bad. The side effects are a sun burn and fatigue. I have had both in the past, so I think I can handle it. Other than that, keep me in your prayers. Love, VAL

Doing the "Catwalk" thing at the Henry Mayo Guild Fashion Show on Sunday. Valerie was treated like a Princess as she wore a dress chosen earlier in the week at Margo's (a local fashion store). Our daughter and I were just supposed to be there to support Valerie from the audience, however when we arrived we were asked to escort her on stage. Not quite what we had in mind, but then again, none of this experience was ever in my mind! We did our best to walk "mom" on stage without falling down ourselves. This Fall Fashion Show was put on by the Guild and Debutantes from Henry Mayo, and was the final activity for Valerie as honorary spokesperson for Breast Cancer Awareness month. A whirlwind of a month, and now it is over. I know that the experience helped Valerie tremendously, and I know of several women she was able to help as a result.

Two people got a standing ovation from the crowd of over 700 guests that included Mr. Blackwell himself (hope I don't end up on his 10 worst list!). Margo, the very kind (and very talented based on what I saw) fashion designer and Valerie. I doubt she would ever tell anyone that (then again it is Valerie....) but I am very proud of her for agreeing to step forward and take on this past months challenge (I am also very happy she is done!).

All I have to say is "Houston we HAD a problem". Seems ever since I let her take control of this blog....did I say "take control?", let me rephrase that...when she TOOK control of this blog, we have had nothing but issues with posting pic's from the phones. I am glad, happy, relieved just reporting that I have taken control back for one day, and voila! Pic's are posting again!

All I have to say is I'M TIRED.