Our Cancer Story - The Beck's

Life goes on......

2009-10-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

Nope, have not forgotten about this site.....it seems life has truly gone on (as we all knew it would regardless the outcome!).....hopefully this site helped (or will help) you......for us, we are enjoying every day we have....and spending less of it here.....WOO HOO!

2009-02-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

Valerie is out of surgery and doing fine (again!)

Had surgery for Kidney Stones...(yeah I know too young)....short version....radiation depletes bone marrow, doctors had her taking calcium supplements to make up for the loss and that resulted in large deposits of calcium in her Kidneys (kidney stones)....surgery went well, she is recovering fine....just another part of this LONG journey with cancer....

2008-08-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

Out of surgery and doing fine! Took two hours, but Dr. Watson said he was very happy with the outcome. Still have one more sugery to go (they decided not to create the nipple....TMI)...anyway, doing very well, been home all weekend and feel just fine. WOO HOO!

New bOObs version 2.0!

2008-08-13T21:02:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been a couple months since we posted anything here.....you know it really is true...life does go on! Valerie had implants put in last October, and with all the changes her body went through after Chemo and Radiation, they (the implants) have decided not to cooperate. So, Valerie is scheduled for version 2.0 on Thursday, August 14th at Henry Mayo Hospital. Should be hopefully the last surgery for her...EVER! :-)

No complications or issues expected, I'll try to send updates throught the day.

In other news, it seems this cancer thing just will not stop (but we are walking and raising money in our best effort...over $46,000 so far!), our Aunt was diagnosed a couple months ago and recently (last week) had surgery as well. You may or may not know her, her husband (my uncle) married Valerie and I over 14 years ago.....sometimes it helps to read someone elses journey....hopefully she pulls through with the same sucess we have enjoyed....but I know extra prayers won't hurt! http://www.leslynmusch.blogspot.com/

2007-10-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

There is a reason they say "Say No to Drugs!", otherwise you'll look like this when you wake up! With some prodding, I got her to open her eyes....hehe! :-)

Done and doing great. No complications, no issues, just smooth sailing! OK, now for the funny stories that can't be forgotten....after surgery, Valerie's anesthesiologist (Dr. Wald, same one she had for the Mastectomies) came by and told us how she did. Last time she was very alert for awhile into the operating room, so this time he wanted to make sure she was out early on. Well, he tells us that once they got into the OR, he asked how she was doing, she responded "Great, I am finally getting "squishy" boobs!". Valerie then proceeded to demand that Dr. Wald feel just how hard the temporary implants were....he politely declined in front of the several nurses and other doctors in the room....at which point he says she got pretty adamant "No, really, you gotta feel how hard these are, look! (as she grabbed them with her hands)" After she refused to take no for an answer, he agreed to "tap" the top portion to see just how hard they were.....Dr. Wald was just a little embarrassed to tell us the story, but if that is not typical Valerie, I don't know what is.....no shame! Of course Valerie had no recollection of this exchange....so I had to share it! :-)

2007-10-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for surgery and family friend Beezy is her admitting nurse! That was a good surprise. Surgery is now scheduled to start after 1 PM and should last about 3 hours. Valerie and her sister used to babysit Beezy (Briana) when they were younger, their parents are still good friends.....what a small world! Funny part is the doctor and several nurses started calling her Beezy as well....sorry!

New surgery date for the new squishy BOOBS

2007-09-26T09:26:00.001-07:00

Well, I did not have surgery on Tuesday...and after a lot of calling the Doc.he finally returned my call today. I left a not so nice message and played the "cancer" card. I left a message saying,"Hi, this is Valerie Beck...again, and I am getting a little concerned because I have not heard from you. I don't know if the doctor is having a hard time getting OR time, or if you are having problems with getting the implants, or you got the result from my mugga scan (heart test) ant there is something wrong with my heart, or my cancer came back. Call me" They called me back within 30 seconds of leaving that message. Amazing. Nothing is wrong with me; the doc is just having a heard time getting OR time. My surgery date is Wed, Oct 3. Lets hope that sticks!!!

2007-09-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

The "Gear & Tent Crew" that I (Dion) joined for the walk. 2,000+ walkers at 30 pounds per bag (yeah right, more like 50-60!) is 6,000 pounds moved by a fearless crew of 15 into and out of those cargo vans FOUR times (oh and tents too!)! I wanted to help and this seemed like the thing to do, I have to admit, we worked HARD! But it was very rewarding. My most memorable moment? Around 8:45 PM on Saturday, a walker arrived to pick up her bag and tent (earlier we had "Tent Angels" that carried bags and set up tents for walkers). Unfortunately all visitors (including Tent Angels) had to leave at 8:30 PM. I grabbed this ladies bag and tent and began to head over to her assigned spot, when she told me she had walked in every LA Avon walk since 1998, and every year she has had to build her own tent.....NOT THIS YEAR, I told her. To make a long story short, I made her tent and finished to find her standing there crying. Five minutes of work, and she was so thankful she cried! Blisters go away, muscles stop cramping, snoring ends, but that memory will last me a lifetime. Thank you walker from Row A, we crew for people like you! Even after that, I made a decision to experience the other part of the weekend. Valerie and I have both signed up to walk the 2008 Los Angeles AVON Breast Cancer Walk, I know many of the Team "Bumps Ahead" members will be back and more are welcome to join! What are you going to do?

2007-09-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

Team "Bumps Ahead" finishes 39.3 miles at the Los Angeles Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. In total the event raised $4.3 Million dollars for cancer research, awareness and testing. Team "Bumps Ahead" raised over $32,000 with help from many of you! We will be walking again in Los Angeles in 2008, come join us!

2007-09-15T18:41:00.000-07:00

26.2 miles done!

2007-09-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

The banner is up! Nick and Dion setting up camp for the ladies....seven tents ready for some tired walkers!

2007-09-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

Half way there at 13.1 miles

2007-09-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to go on our Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, teams all here!

2007-08-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

Just to let you all know...My PET scan was fine!!! YA!!

2007-08-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

I saw Dr. Barstis the other day and he said everything looked great!!! I have an appointment for a PET scan on Thursday the 23rd, hopefully they will see nothing. It takes about a week to get the results back...so I will let you know as soon as I do.

2007-08-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!!! This is just a quick up-date. I will see Dr. Barstis on the 16 to talk about???... Maybe he will give me a referral for a PET scan. It is just a check-up visit. I have scheduled my breast surgery for September 19th at UCLA. Dr. Watson will take out my expander's and replace them with "SQUISHY" implants. I am very excited about this. I am tired of hugging people and them saying "OUCH". Yes that is really how hard they are!!! :) That's about it for the cancer up-date.

2007-07-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

Tumor markers came back at 16.7, which is great news today! Anything under 35 is great according to my doctor, so today is a GREAT day!

2007-07-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here is an update…

I went to see Dr. Senofsky last week and almost had a panic attack!!! He was examining my chest and stopped talking and gave me that "hummmm" look, kind of like…"I think I feel something, but I don't want my patient to freak out" kind of look. I have been going to these doctors so often, that I know "that" look. I knew something was wrong and I called him on it. He said he felt a very small lump. On further examination…he decided that he knew what it was. It was a dissolvable stitch that isn't dissolving. I of course go into panic mode and begin asking for an ultra sound or needle aspiration. He assures me that it is a stitch. So, everything is just fine except…I am still in panic mode.
So, I called Dr. Barstis, my oncologist, last week and told him that I was sure that my cancer had returned…even though I have no evidence. I asked if he would take my blood and read my tumor markers. He assured me that I was fine, but since he is so nice, he gave me the blood test anyway. I am supposed to be getting the results tomorrow, I'll keep you posted.
I went to see Dr. Watson two weeks ago…He is my plastic surgeon. I wanted to make an appointment to get my "Expanders" removed and silicone implants put in. My expanders are extremely HARD (because of scar tissue)…no pain, but just very very hard. Dr. Watson still wants to do the DIEP procedure that would require me to be under for about 8 hours. It would also be a long recovery period, that I just don't want to deal with right now. I told him that I wanted the silicone implants and then, if my body develops scar tissue again, I will think about doing the DIEP. I would like to try the "easier" procedure first and hope for a good outcome! I plan on having surgery the week of Aug. 17th, I don't know what day, but I'll keep you informed.

2007-07-01T15:48:00.001-07:00

Seems like everyone is into this walking thing, or better yet BEATING CANCER!

If you will be in LA on September 15-16, 2007, I am sure Valerie and the rest of the team would love to have more walkers! If you don't want to walk, you can always sign up to help like I did, gonna spend the two days "crewing", which I think means doing whatever needs to be done so those walking can focus on solely that and why they are there.

Check it out!

YOU Remembered!!!

2007-06-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

I didn't want to remind you of that awful day, but how could I actually think you would not remember. I have been crying for the last half hour!!! I have married the most wonderful, thoughtful, caring, and loving man in the whole world. I love you Dion and I thank you for going through this journey with me. You have been there for me since the beginning and you have seen me at my lowest...helped me plan my funeral , watched me go bald, talked about our future...and now that seems like it is in the past. It seems so long ago that it all happened. It almost seems like it never happened. I do know that I would not have gotten through this without you!!! This is the best birthday present you could ever give me...I will remember what you wrote forever. I love you and that is all that matters in this lifetime. Love, VAL

One year ago today....

2007-06-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

Dion here, thought I would share with you my thoughts on the past year.....plus I am away today for a business meeting....it was either spend the evening with co-workers or tell my wife how this past year has changed me.....

One year ago today I got a phone call from a hysterical Valerie, she was sobbing loudly on the other end and I was still at work. She had scheduled an appointment to "check out" a small lump on her right breast that I had felt myself just a few days before. I don't recall ever getting a call from her where she started off crying, so I do remember it vividly. She tried to tell me that the doctors had just told her she had cancer. I could hear her say it, but I really don't think it sank in....I remember saying "it will be alright, you'll be OK", and when I could tell she was not really listening (can you blame her? No!) I asked her to put the doctor on the phone. I remember thinking "she needs to calm down, why is she so hysterical?" Dr Senofsky was kind enough to take the phone and explained to me that Valerie had breast cancer. I think I responded with an "OK" and all I remember asking him was "do you think she can drive, or do I need to pick her up?". I felt this need to hold her, to tell her it was "going to be alright" and that we would get through this. I remember being very angry with myself for not being there, I should have been there. I wish I had been there for that appointment to help her through those first minutes. I guess that is one thing I would have changed if I could do it all over again....actually if I could do it all over again....well I think you know, I would never wish this journey on anyone and wish it would NEVER happen again!

Well, it has happened, so what have I learned?

I learned Valerie is such a strong woman, she brings a smile to many faces and people want to be around her. I was worried in the beginning, and so were her doctors. They had many conversations with me and with both Valerie and I about her attitude and how you have got to look for the positives and move forward with life. Easy for me to say, I was not diagnosed with cancer.
I know everyone is different, but I learned Valerie needed time to vent, grieve, hate, cry and then look to the positives.
I learned my wife can strut her stuff on a catwalk (and look HOT!) and bring a crowded room to tears.
I learned I knew nothing about cancer (still learning) or how many lives it affects every day.
I learned people deal with it in different ways, some walk, some talk, some give, some take, some cry, some hug, some pray but EVERYONE deals with it in the way they think is best for them.
I learned that some people cook WAY better than my wife (I guess I always knew that!) but I really learned I would rather have her make our dinner any day!
I learned the meaning of "...in sickness and in health" and I intend to keep that promise!
I learned that even though I may get embarrassed by my wife's loud outbursts, or foot in mouth comments, or wearing her feelings on her sleeve (and proclaiming them to anyone within earshot that may or may not know her), that in the end I love her for those moments.
I learned to make sacrifices and not always be the one who wins (I didn't say I was perfect at this, I said I am learning!), which would explain the dog in the house.
I learned (or got reinforcement) that I definitely married the right woman!
I learned life does go on....

So it has been a year, that is my greatest joy, I got to spend another year with Valerie, that beautiful woman I met in May 1991 and married in July 1994. I've learned to enjoy (even the ones when we fight) EVERY single day we spend together and am looking forward to many more years!

I am proud of you Valerie and I love you dearly!

2007-06-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

I can walk!! I have raised 2,295 so far. WOW!

2007-06-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

Dion and I at Disneyland on a day trip with the kids. Like my Tiara?!?

2007-06-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

Autographing her handprint she signed it: "Valerie Beck, almost 1 year :-) Enjoy!! Life!! Thank you to my husband and family and friends!!"

2007-06-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Valerie getting to put her handprint on the wall of survivors

2007-06-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

The purple shirts were given to cancer survivors, Valerie is walking straight down from the left side of the "balloon rainbow" in the picture.

2007-06-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Judy, Judy, Me and my son, Mindy, and Jen with her daughter and all the women are breast cancer survivors! I have met and formed wonderful friendships with these women over the past year. I am lucky to have met them!!

2007-06-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

Dion and I at the Relay for Life (didn't our six year old son do great with the camera phone!)

2007-06-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

Relay For Life is a 24 hour event held in our local community. It was the first time I had ever attended and WOW is all I can say!!!!! There was a survivor lap that I walk with my friends and I cried the whole time. Everyone was clapping for us and it was very emotional for me. It was almost a year ago that I was diagnosed and I was so happy to be there. Dion even cried with me. As much as I didn't want to be in the cancer "club", I am proud to say that I have formed wonderful friendships with people I would have never had met otherwise. I am just so happy that I have supportive friends and family...I wouldn't have made it through this year without you!!!

2007-06-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Kristen and I after our first Sunday morning walk (12 miles) to prepare for the Avon Walk in September!

2007-05-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

GREAT news came today! Valerie saw Dr. Barstis at Sheila Veloz Breast Imaging Center and her latest blood work came back great! More specifically her tumor markers (good info on this site, check out the video link at the bottom if you are like us and said "so what really is a tumor marker?") saw no increase since her last blood test, which is indicative of no tumors, or antibodies fighting a tumor anywhere in her body! Simply put, that is VERY good news! In addition her red blood cell count was up (a good thing) and her white blood cell count was normal.

Valerie will have this blood work done every three months for the next 75 (or hopefully longer!) years....today was a good day for this family....and for Valerie, not a SINGLE doctors appointment for the next three weeks either! Prior to today, she has gone a minimum of once per week to some doctor somewhere.....gonna enjoy everyday!

2007-05-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

Dr. Watson at UCLA. Second to last trip to fill the implants....they are overfilling (yes that is possible) them to stretch the skin, then in September when the real implants go in, they put smaller ones in so they feel more natural...sorry no more painful hugs after September! :-)

2007-05-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

Putting "highlights" in my hair for the first time!

2007-04-26T17:49:00.000-07:00

I walked four miles today! No, No, No, I am not walking the Avon walk today...I am beginning to train for it. My friends and I are walking about 4 miles every other day. I will increase the distance as the walk gets closer. The walk is held in Long Beach on September 15th and 16th. I will walk a total of 39.3 miles in two days. On the first day you walk 26.2 miles and 13.1 miles the second day. I will be sleeping in "tent city" with my other team mates!!! So far our team is made up of 6 women. We are going to help one another get through this!!!! So, when I say I am walking 4 miles...I have a lot more training to do. I will keep you posted. Oh, I am almost at my GOAL for fundraising! Thank you all who could donate! Love Ya! VAL

2007-04-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I walked the kids to school and back on Monday. I think It was a half mile one way. I was tired after that. I kept saying to myself everyday...I need to walk...but I didn't. So today, my friend Leslie called and said, I'm walking to your house, so are you ready to go? I love friends! Leslie and I walked 4 miles today and she pushed a baby stroller the whole way. I am so proud of her and myself. I am so out of shape that is not even funny!!! But I am ready to get in shape!!! VAL

2007-04-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I am doing great. Things seem to be back to normal. I began walking today for my Avon walk in September. I have to begin to train now because I am really out of shape. Dion took a picture of me the other day and I had "old lady" cellulite on my thighs. It stinks!!! I figure If I begin walking now, then maybe my thighs will look good by September.

I am fully recovered from my hysterectomy. I went in last week for a 6 week check up and Dr. Marter said he saw some scar tissue and fixed it. I just do not want to know what he did. I didn't feel anything and he told me I can go about living my life as normal. I have an appointment with him on Thursday so he can check on whatever he did. I feel great, and I am back to normal...that's all I care about!!!

Our life is back to normal and normal things are happening. Our transmission went out on our car last week, and it was under warranty, so it is in the shop. Our washing machine stopped working due to me overloading it too many times, so we went out and got a new one. We still love our new puppy. Love you all, Valerie

2007-03-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

I am offically off of bed rest TODAY!!! YA!!. Yes, I went to Clovis to pick up the puppy, but I was sitting the whole time. I figured there was not much difference between sitting in a car or sitting on the couch. I think my mother was not to happy with me, but I am fine. I really did take it easy and I am still going to take it easy. Everything is great. VAL

2007-03-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

I finally got my puppy. I have been wanting a dog in the house for years, but Dion has allergies to dog dander. I began doing my research and found a new hybrid type of dog. It is called a Goldendoodle. It is a mix between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. This breed is supposed to be hypoallergenic. So far, I would have to agree!!! We brought him home yesterday. Meet his parents Buttercup and Ramsey. He is a Poodle mixed with a Goldendoodle and he is really sweet. He was born on Dec.12 of last year. He is going to be a BIG dog (we expect around 60-70 lbs). Yes he is also going to be an indoor dog too. We were very lucky to get him. These types of dogs are very expensive because they are in high demand due to the fact that they are hypoallergenic and great family dogs. A WONDERFUL couple (The McDonalds)in Clovis, CA (gateway to Yosemite and about a 3 hour drive from our home), allowed us to take him to his new home. The McDonalds are wonderful people. They welcomed us with open arms and hearts and were very generous in their gift to us, we could not have afforded him without their generosity. They gave him to us along with a microchip already in him, a collar, leash, dog food, a ton of puppy toys, brush, and a notebook filled with information. He is such a GOOD Puppy!!! We are very happy to have him join our family. He is going to be my therapy dog!!! Today is a great day!!!!

If you are looking for a great hypo-allergenic family dog, and you can travel to Central California to pick one up, we both highly recommend http://www.rainbowsendpuppies.com/

2007-03-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

Our new 14 week old puppy

2007-03-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

I thought I had it going on!!!! I had no pain, no bleeding, I felt GREAT...until...this morning. To make a long story short...I popped a stitch. I was very scared because I have been fine for three weeks and now all of a sudden I began to bleed. I wont get into the details, but I had to leave work early and Dr. Marter fixed me up. He said that I have to take it easy and go on bed rest for a day or so. I'll have to try and do my best, but it is not easy just sitting down. I want to do things and have fun, but that time will come soon. I am not having any pain, so I guess I will go and take a nap. Love, VAL

2007-03-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Stephanie. I met her in the oncologist office at the beginning of my diagnosis. We went through Chemo together and we have really become good friends. She has young children too, that my children absolutely love. We went to her house on Sunday for a BBQ and Swim. We had a blast. My kids really loved her dogs, but they did seem to bark a lot!!! (inside joke between Steph and I)

2007-03-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

These are my new fake bangs. Dion does not care for them, but I feel really comfortable not wearing a wig. It is my new "PUNK" look. At breakfast the other day, Dion said that a group of boys were looking at my hair and discussing it amongst themselves. I decided that I was so hip,and cool, that of course they were talking about me. I was HOT looking. Dion said that he doesn't think that is what they were saying...but like I believe in the positive!!!!:)

2007-03-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

I saw two doctors on Friday and this is what they said:

Dr Watson (plastic surgeon)- He said that my breasts have scar tissue around them and so it is making the implant "HARD". The implant is actually soft, but the scar tissue forms around it and makes it seem hard. He gave me two options.

The first was to just take out the old expander and scrape the scar tissue away and then replace the expander with the new silicone implant. The surgery is minor and the recovery period is quick. Then with the new implants I may get scar tissue again or not. No one knows. It is a gamble.

The second option was to take out the expander and the scar tissue muscle and replace the muscle with a muscle from one side of my buttocks. He would then lipo section the other side to make them match one another. This would guarantee that the scar tissue would never come back and I would never have to worry about "hard" breasts again. The downfall is the recovery period is really long and the surgery is 4-6 hours long.

Dr. Watson was pushing the second option pretty hard, but I just don't think I am ready for that now. He said I can always do the first option and then if that does not work, then we can still do the second option. So, I think I am going to try and do the least invasive surgery. I would have enjoyed the lipo suction, but I am hoping that after training for my Avon Walk that I won't need it anymore. Yes I am a big dreamer!!!

The second Doctor appointment was with Dr. Marter (the Gyno). He says that I am doing great. I just have to remember no lifting and no exercise. There goes my idea of beginning training this week for the Avon Walk. He got a good laugh when I asked him if I could go water skiing in two weeks. So, no water skiing, but he said that I could go swimming. I have to take what I can get.

2007-03-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

I am doing really well after surgery. I am driving and doing all of my normal things. I am still trying to take it easy because even though I feel great, I still have stitches inside and it is a 6 week recovery period. I keep having to remind myself of that.

2007-03-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

This is our Team T-Shirt for our Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I thought it was really cute. I figured everyone has bumps in their lives, some are bigger that others. You can take it literally and compare sizes or you can think about it and realize that everyone has different size obstacles in their lives. I just thought the shirt was fun and now I have some "BUMPS " to show off!!! I am going to go this week and get fitted for walking shoes, then I have to begin training for the walk. The doctors say that walking will be really good for me, so next week, I'll begin training. If anyone wants to join me on my walk then please join the "Team Bumps Ahead". I think there are 3 or 4 of us on the team so far. My parents are going to be Crew Members and help put the walk on. I am very excited to have them there. It will be fun seeing them support all of the walkers and survivors.

Oh, I ordered the shirt at Cafepress.com. It cost $16.79 and then $5.00 shipping. None of the proceeds, that I know of, go to breast cancer research. It is just a normal store. Just click on Cafepress.com and it will take you to the Internet link.

2007-03-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

Good Morning. Today is Friday and I am finally feeling pretty good. I am off of the vicodin and just taking advil for the little bit of discomfort that I still have. I am feeling quite well, I just have to walk slowly and I am not allowed to lift anything heavy. My parents have been staying at my house and helping me get the kids off to school everyday. I couldn't do it without them. My friends have been bringing dinner to us this week and Dion Loves that!!!! I couldn't do it without them either. I am just so happy be healthy today!!! Love ya and have a good weekend. VAL

2007-03-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

Valerie and her mom...checking e-mail in her bed

2007-03-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

Doing great!

2007-03-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

Surgery is done. Valerie is fine, but still in recovery

2007-03-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Off to surgery at 8:55 AM

2007-03-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

Well it is Sunday night and I am having surgery tomorrow. I have to be at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital at 7:30am. My surgery is supposed to be at 9:30. It is supposed to be about 3 hours, so Dion should update the blog around 12:30 to let you know how everything went. I have decided to have a total hysterectomy. People are asking me why...well, I have to get rid of the ovaries because they produce estrogen and I might as well get rid of everything else because I am not going to use it again. I figure it is one less place the cancer can go...so just take it out. I am looking at the positives....NO MORE PERIODS!!!! I have got to be happy about that!!! I will be in the hospital for one night and then home on Tuesday afternoon. Love you all. VAL

2007-03-01T17:14:00.000-08:00

I am so happy...VAL

Me too! Dion :-)

Good news around the world as well! Valerie's friend Dawn in Australia has been going on this same "journey" and just finished her own radiation treatment. Dawn always has postive comments and e-mails for Valerie, which I know helps pull Valerie's spirits up on many days.....hopefully we can meet her one day in the near future. Make Dawn's day today....you can post a positive message to Dawn on her blog at: http://dawnstan.blogspot.com/

2007-03-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

Its 12:02 pm and I just got a call from Dr. Barstis about the PET scan. I am crying...but they are tears of relief. He said that everything is fine. There were a few "Hot" spots on the breast, but those are from surgery. He said the whole arm pit area is clear and nothing showed up. Everywhere else looks good too. I am so happy. I have another one in 3 months, but I feel better now. I have been so stressed for the past 3 days that I am just happy to be OK. VAL

2007-02-26T19:49:00.000-08:00

My hair

2007-02-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

Good Morning. I read Dion's past posts and I realize that we need to communicate more (I think we communicate fine...I think she had a lot on her mind (rightly so) and every time I asked for details, I got different facts...I am glad this week is past us, as I write this I can tell you it is nice to have Valerie back to normal...well OK normal is a subjective term, but you know what I mean :-)...Dion). I had a 90% chance of the cancer coming back if I had only done the surgery. I opted to do Radiation and Chemo, so that dropped that % of it coming back. I do not know what that % is because I am too afraid to ask. Dr. Barstis did a whole bunch of blood work on me last week and he said that everything looked good. So I am really believing that the PET scan will be Negative. So, no I do NOT have a 90% chance of it being somewhere else in my body TODAY. I am hoping that I have .05% chance of it being in my body today, but I really don't know the % because...like I said before...I am to afraid to ask. Sometimes not knowing everything is OK. Wish me luck....VAL

2007-02-25T19:08:00.000-08:00

15 Minutes of misery, that is all that is allowed! :-) OK, you will likely read my post below and say "wow, they are not doing good". Here it is about an hour after that post, and both our feelings have changed. I am going to leave it, as I want to remember my hard times (I must have re-wrote that post seven times trying to make it not so negative).

We just finished reading an article that a neighbor suggested we read about Heather Warrick (another cancer survivor that Valerie actually did some articles with). Heather has been living with stage-four cancer for over 10 years, and has had seven recurrences. You have got to remember this thing can (and will) be beat!

Happy Monday!

2007-02-25T17:32:00.000-08:00

Well Monday is a big day, and then again it is just another Monday! Valerie is scheduled to have her first full body PET scan since the completion of all her treatment. As she said below, she took this back in June when they first diagnosed her with Cancer, other than the tumors in her breasts and lymph nodes, it was negative in the rest of her body. This time we are hoping (praying, believing, demanding, wishing) that it comes back negative again. Bottom line, they are looking for Cancer "seeds" or "little ones that got away" that could be in other parts of her body. We expect to have results by Thursday. Last week she met with Dr. Barstis (I missed this appointment so not sure she heard this right) and he said there was a 90% chance that the test will come back positive....ummm that does not seem like a very good percentage, so I am going to believe she heard it wrong, and wait for Thursday's results.

We've talked alot about this upcoming test. You would think we could get over it, realize it will be what it will be, easier said than done. Sorry I have not posted in awhile, guess it was my way of dealing with this. Trying to make it a "non-event", issue resolved, time to move on! But deep down it eats at me, I know I can't fix it, I can't see it, I can't cure it and it really pisses me off.

Geez that was a bummer of a post....sorry, we are upbeat that Thursday will be better than Monday!

2007-02-17T11:36:00.000-08:00

Valerie enjoying Irish coffee while we watch the kids snowboard

2007-02-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

I am feeling better today!!! Love you all!!! VAL

2007-02-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

I will have surgery on March 5th. This will either be the removal of the ovaries or a whole hysterectomy. I am leaning towards removing all of it because it would be one less thing I would have to worry about. Just thought you would like to know.

I am also having a full body PET scan on Monday, Feb. 26. This will tell me if the cancer has spread to other parts of my body. I had a PET scan last June and it was negative, so I am hoping for the same results. I forget how long it takes them to get the test results back, but I am sure by Friday, March 2 I will know. I will be getting PET scans every 3 months for awhile.

2007-02-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

Today is not a good day. It sucks. I went to a bossom Buddie meeting last night to give support to other breast cancer survivors and learn how to read my pathology report. To make a long story short I was able to "stage" my Cancer. I am a Stage IIIc. This is the stage RIGHT BEFORE stage IV. It caught me by surprise because my oncologist said that I was a stage IIc or IIIa. For some reason it makes a difference to me. I know that I would not do anything different, but I just began to feel like normal. I just began to feel my life returning to me. I didn't think about cancer every minute of everyday. Now I feel like I am back at the beginning all over again. I am sad. I know I will get over this because nothing has really changed, but I wish I didn't find out. Knowledge is not always power. I think not knowing sometimes is OK. I liked believing that I was a stage IIc. Even though Stage IIc is not good...it was better that stage IIIc. Love you all and send me prayers today. P.S. I felt so sad that I actually let the dog sleep in my bed last night. She made me feel better :)

2007-02-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

Leave it to me to mess up the blog. I swear I don't know what I did. All I know is that if you click on the little box that is in the blank picture frame, it will actually pull up the picture. I don't know...I just keep trying (Dion here...I can tell you what she did, and I have told her too, but does it really matter? Nope, it is fixed....and it will happen again! :-) Enjoy it while it works!)

Well, life does go on. As you can see, Dion and I are not updating the blog every 2 seconds because we are busy with life (Dion here again, I think it can also be said too busy to keep fixing this thing! Sorry to anyone I ticked off by not taking the time to fix it...it won't happen again!). Dion has been super busy at work and I have been busy with the kids. Our son had his 6th birthday party on Saturday. It was themed "Star Wars". I made Dion dress up like Darth Vader and he played light sabers with 8 little boys, it was really cute. Dion and the dad's then played baseball with the boys using the "light saber" as a bat. It was a fun kids party (Dad here, and FUN for me too!).

Boobs...well not much to talk about, (Just when I thought it was safe to read the blog again...whamo! I thought we were talking about kids birthday parties? Some days I don't get her, but I still love her! Since we are here, couldn't that statement have ended right there? Nope...read on...) they are hard. I hug people and they say "ouch". I am looking forward to the day that I can replace the expanders with something softer. Dr. Watson told me that they are hard because he over expanded them. I swear I am not that big. But he compared the expanders to a super full water balloon. I am just glad that that this is not the finished product. I mean they look great and perky, but not to soft. I will keep you posted on when that surgery will be...it should be in about 2-5 months. I will talk to my ovary doctor (Dr. Barstis) tomorrow and keep you posted.

Love you all. Val

2007-01-26T21:58:00.000-08:00

2007-01-26T15:24:00.000-08:00

I have decided to walk for Breast Cancer Research. I will be doing the Avon Walk in Los Angeles. I am very excited, but I have to raise $1,800 in order to be allowed to walk. If you would like to support my cause, please check out my Avon Walk web site, Thanks....I am so excited about doing this. Last year my friends Judy, Kelly and Wendy walked for the cause and this year I am healthy enough to join them!!! YA!!

2007-01-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

This is my friend Kristen and Lori in Santa Barbara. We went there for the weekend. We ate, shopped, and drank. It was a lot of fun!!

2007-01-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

This is "Tommy". This is the radiation machine that I visit everyday. I lay on the table and I go on in. It takes about 3 minutes to get a little CAT scan (I think) and then I come out. Then I go back in for the radiation treatment. That treatment lasts for about 12 minutes. I call it my meditation time. It is very quiet and almost relaxing...but I am glad it will be done tomorrow!

This is me getting ready to go into "Tommy". So sorry that it has been so long since I have written, but Dion did something to the Blog site (OK, so I guess I am not a very good password creator, as she somehow figured out her way back into this thing!) and I didn't know how to post. Now I do (and posts are messed up again, go figure!). The picture is of me going into my (it sure feels like mine after all the bills!) Radiation Machine. Tomorrow is my last day of radiation and I have very few side effects. I never got tired, which is supposed to be a main side effect. I did get a little burned (I, Dion can attest, it is more than a little burn, but doctors say hers was better than most....sorry if yours is not!) on my upper right chest, but other than that, I feel great. The next step in this journey is to decide what hormones I will be on for the next five years.

I will also have my Ovaries removed (Valerie's choice). I know that Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer are closely related (according to my doctor) and I know that Ovarian cancer is really hard to detect. I would rather have them taken out and not have to worry about getting that type of cancer. I am done having kids, so I can't think of any reason to keep them. I am not sure when they will be removed, but I will keep you posted. I will also need to get my real implants put in. The implant surgery won't be for another 3 to 6 months. I will see the Doctor in February and he will let me know how long I have to wait. I am told I have to wait for my radiated skin and muscle to heal and determine how much tissue damage there is before they can determine if the surgery can even be done.

Well, that is about it. I am feeling great. I am not thinking about dying every 2 seconds. I am getting back to living. Yes, I still have lots of Doctor's Appointments, but I know that I am alive. I am feeling really good and I am happy. Love VAL (Dion here, well I guess I can let her access the blog, if I get to read things like that! :-))

This is Joe and Kit, these two people helped me through my whole radiation treatment. They are the ones who set up the machine and made me smile through out the many days of treatment. Joe always made me laugh and always had a smile on his face. Kit always took care of me when I had medical questions. I could not have gotten through this with such a positive attitude if it had not been for them. Thank you!

2007-01-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

No more port! Doing great and on our way home.

2007-01-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Off to surgery to get the port-a-cath removed. Should be about a one hour procedure and Dr. Senofsky says she will only be out for about 25 minutes.

2006-12-26T11:11:00.000-08:00

Anyone remember Kilroy?

2006-12-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

Five more days till Christmas...And I am all done!!! The presents are wrapped and we just have to wait for Santa to come!!! I still need to make Christmas Cookies, but have 4 more days to do that. I still feel great and I have no side effects from radiation yet. I have to schedule two surgeries soon to have my Port removed and to have my ovaries removed. I will let you know when I have done that. Happy Holiday's!! VAL

2006-12-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

I am now having radiation therapy Monday-Friday for the next 6 to 7 weeks. So far I have done 5 sessions and it is quite nice. They put you into a machine and it is very quiet. It is almost like meditation. I have had no side effects and the Doc. says that I wont see any for about 3 weeks. The side effects are a "sun-burn" and tiredness. Not so bad. Love you all VAL

2006-12-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

Well, I just got THE call...and radiation is back on for today at 6:20pm. So today is the day!!!YA!

2006-12-07T07:38:00.000-08:00

No radiation today. They called at 6:30 this morning and said that the plan had not been fully approved by the Doc., so I will start Monday at 3:00pm. I am disappointed because I just want to get this started. The faster I can start, the sooner it is over. I am happy that they are taking their time to make sure that the "plan" is OK for my body, but still...I am ready!!!

2006-11-30T10:48:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-11-26T18:44:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-20T18:54:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-15T14:38:00.000-08:00

New post-it hat made by my son

2006-11-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2006-11-12T19:48:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-06T19:34:00.000-08:00

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!).

2006-11-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-11-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

All I have to say is I'M TIRED.

2006-10-30T23:09:00.000-08:00

Today is Monday evening at 11:03. I can't sleep again...I think it has something to do with the steroids that I get with chemo. Oh well, it gives me time to write on the blog. Today I had chemo #7. I have one more to go!!!! Then, I did something SOOOO fun. I got to try on expensive beautiful dresses. I am going to be in a fashion show on Sunday at the Universal Sheraton. They have sold over 500 tickets so far. It is going to be a blast. My experience was like the scene in "Pretty Woman" where she had a blast shopping for clothes. My mom and my friend Stephanie went with me and I hope they had fun too. They were really good about saying..."Really Valerie, I think Barbie wore that in some movie" and "that's not my favorite". It was fun and the outfit I ended up with is cranberry red and it is a lace top and skirt set that goes to the floor. It is way too tight, but I found out about spanx's. Once I squeezed my body into that undergarment, you would never know that I had 2 children. The tummy was much smaller. I really like those things.

The kids went away for the weekend with the grandparents. They went to camping at Carpinteria in their RV. The kids went bike riding, swimming, sandcastle building, and campsite trick-or-treating in their costumes. They had a wonderful time. While they were gone, I recovered from the bladder infection, Dion and I saw a movie and ate out a lot. It was quite nice.

The kids are doing great and looking forward to Halloween tomorrow. Our daughter is going to be an Angel and our son is going to be Anakin Skywalker. They carved their pumpkins today and they are soo cute. They are also going to be in a play. I signed them up for a children's theater program that is putting on their favorite play...Peter Pan. Their first rehearsal was last night and they had a BLAST. The play will be on in the middle January. I'll let everyone know when tickets go on sale.

2006-10-28T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well, everything was going pretty good until Thursday night....12:00am I began to get cold...2:00am I realized I had a fever... 3:00am I was hugging the toilet bowl...4:00am coughing up a rainbow of lovely colors...4:30 Dion left for work and asked me if I was going to be alright...I said yes...5:30am called the Doc...6:15am He called me back and told me to go to the ER...6:50 my parents showed up. My mom got the kids ready for school and Dad took me to the Hospital. 7:10am I had my own private room. Long story short...I was there for 7 hours, lots of blood taken and other tests to find out that I had a bladder infection. I was given antibiotics through my port. I was told they were going to admit me, but then they changed their minds and let me go home. I took my meds today and feel much better. No fever, no nausea, no pretty rainbow colors (but still coughing). I feel much better today than yesterday. Thank you Henry Mayo Hospital AGAIN!!

Speaking at Crawford/Fleming Golf Tournament

2006-10-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am still doing great!!! I survived camping with 13, 7 year old, girls and 4 adults. It was really fun and rewarding, but also tiring. I haven't been updating the blog because there is not much to talk about. I feel good and I am continuing to live my life as usual.

Giving a speech at the Crawford/Fleming Golf Charity Event

On Monday I gave a speech at a Tea about my experience. It really was horrible...I cried throughout the whole speech. I think it was because my mom, mother-in-law, sister, friends, doctors, and Dion were all there. I was so emotional that I was no inspiration to anyone. How do you talk to a group of people who have helped save your life. I couldn't have gotten through this without knowing everyone of them. I knew most of the people in the room and they had all given me support at some time or another. It was just really hard for me to get through the speech...but it's over...and on Monday night I went to a "Look good and feel better" class put on by the American cancer society. It is basically a make-up/wig/scarf class. You go and get at least $200 worth of free makeup that has been donated by all of the cosmetic companies. You then get a make-up lesson...Like how to draw in eyebrows once you lose them. It was really fun! The lady giving the class asked who wanted to be a model and I raised my hand. So, I was the model for the class. I asked her if I should take off my wig and she said to do whatever I felt comfortable with. So, I took off my wig and went bald. Not more that a minute passed and the rest of the class took off their wigs too. So we were a punch of bald chicks putting on makeup and having a great time!

On Tuesday, I had my chest expanded. I was given the option to put in 50 or 100 cc of saline and I chose to do 50. I chickened out, but next time I am doing 100 because I can not tell the difference and what is the point of driving 2 hours to get expanded and not even know that you did it.

Today, Wednesday, I was treated to lunch in the executive dining room at TCW, in Los Angeles, by my friend Judy. We had a blast!

Tomorrow, Thursday,...Laundry and cleaning the house. My daughter's room is a disaster. I don't know what hit it, but it must have been the dress up fairy.

2006-10-16T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!!! Today was Chemo number 6!!! I only have 2 more to go. So far I feel great!! I had my friend Monica drop me off this morning, My friend Kelly picked up our son from school and took him to Karate, My friend Shawna picked up our daughter from School and took her home for a playdate with her daughter. I slept for 3 to 4 hours during chemo. They give me Benedryl now and that stuff just knocks me out. The time goes by fast. Before I knew it, my parents were there to pick me up. I got home and I canceled all my "food" deliveries. I feel great, so I figured that I could make my own dinners, but my friend Mary wouldn't take no for an answer. She showed up with a quiche and an awesome casserole. I tell ya what...I have the best friends ever. There are a whole lot of friends that have helped me so much over the past couple of months and "Thank You" for all of your support. I am getting ready for Camporee. It was supposed to be last weekend, but the canceled it due to the rain. I just don't know why? I mean camping with 13 2nd graders in a lighting storm and in a tent...It sounded like so much fun....I'm just kidding...I am so glad they canceled it. We will go this weekend and have a blast. I think Dion will take our son to Disneyland on Saturday while I am away. Love you all-VAL

2006-10-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Today our local paper (The Signal) ran an article on "Breast Cancer: A Survivor's Story" that featured Valerie and her story. Today she also had an opportunity to share her story with the Board of Director's for Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital as well.

Seemed a little strange seeing her in the paper, our sons remark was "Hey that's Momma! Why is she in the newspaper?" Valerie is hopeful that telling her story will help someone else through their journey, or convince them to get checked out on a regular basis. Our son just wants to know "Hey, how did you do that?" The wonderful, innocent, curiosity and amazement of a small child, certainly one of the many things that keep us going!

Valerie with Wendy at "Bra's for a Cause" charity event

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2006-10-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! Today is Thursday, October 5th, 2006. This Taxol stuff is a "piece of cake" compared to the AC that I had for the first four treatments. I felt 100% on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday...until noon. Around noon yesterday I crashed, I never got sick, but just really tired. I slept from noon on Wednesday to 8:00 AM on Thursday and now I feel fine.

Valerie is very busy this month with many events that support the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation. She was asked by her doctor to be a spokesperson for Breast Cancer Awareness during the month of October, with that comes quite a few engagements that she agreed to participate in:

October 2 - First speech to the Soroptimists International of Santa Clarita about the Breast Cancer Journey.
October 8 - Bra's for a Cause charity fundraiser.
October 9 - Picture for the local newspaper, then lunch with Stephanie and a new friend who is 25 and has breast cancer, 7PM go to a look good and feel good class.
October 10 - Speak at Panera restaurant for local Breast Cancer Survivors 9-10:30AM then Girl Scouts in the afternoon.
October 12 - Speak to the Board Members of the Henry Mayo Foundation.
October 13-15 - I go to Girl Scout camporee with my daughter.
October 16 - Chemo Treatment #6.
October 18 - Meet the professionals who work at the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center and MAYBE be an extra in a commercial for the Imaging Center.
October 19 - Salt Creek Wine Tasting/Fundraiser.
October 23 - Speaking at the Crawford/Fleming Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon and Tea at Valencia Country Club.
October 25 - Going to Lunch in Downtown LA with my friend Judy.
October 30 - Chemo Treatment #7.
November 5 - Phantom of the Opera Fashion Show at Sheraton Universal (Valerie has been asked to participate in the fashion show!).

So, for those of you who want to know how I am doing...I am as busy as I always was. I couldn't do any of this without the support of Dion, my parents, family and friends. Everyone is helping me get through this and I thank you all. VAL (note from Dion, I again want to thank those that have provided meals, taken the kids after school, said words of encouragement and simply been great friends (and wonderful mother-in-laws!), thank you!) .

2006-10-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

Chemo Treatment #5 was yesterday October 2, 2006 and I feel great. I was a little bit scared as they gave me a new drug called Taxol and I was worried about how I would feel, but I feel 100%. Dion's sister has had our kids the past 2 days...and they are loving it at her house. They are making cup cakes, staying up late, and having a party. I am off to a luncheon with other past breast cancer speakers of Henry Mayo Hospital. It should be quite inspiring to meet all of them and hear their stories. On October 10, the folks at Panera Bread in Valencia have invited all breast cancer survivors to breakfast around 9:00 AM, I will be giving my testimonial speech at around 9:30. Last time I gave it, I only cried twice. Wish me luck! VAL

2006-09-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Valerie had an opportunity to speak at the local Soroptimist International meeting this past week about her Breast Cancer journey (she is with Kris Hough, President-Elect of Santa Clarita Soroptimists and Diana Vose, President of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation). She has been asked to speak at several events this month (October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month if you did not know!). I did not get to attend this speech, and she was pretty nervous, but I hear she did great and hopefully motivated a few more women to be diligent in getting checked for cancer themselves. I do get to attend Bras For a Cause (the reason Kris is holding the decorated bust) on Sunday, which is expected to raise over $25,000 to help fight the cancer we hate.

2006-09-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Chemo Treatment #4 is today September 18, 2006.

(Dion's edit) Ok so I thought I could teach her how to blog, since I have been a little busy lately. Bad idea.....I think I'll have to edit this post to make it a little more "cleaner". I'll leave the original version, but don't think I'll have her posting again!

Hi everyone, it's me Val. Dion just taught me how to write on this blog last night. He writes SOOO much better than I, but he has been really busy at work lately so he has not had time to update it as much as he would like. I had Chemo #4 yesterday, I am halfway through. Next time I will get a new drug called Taxol and no more AC (Cytoxan, which should mean no more nausea)...Yeah! I am feeling great this morning...100%.

(I think I could safely delete this whole section, but have been warned not to.....great) Last week I went to see Dr. Watson, he is the one who put in the expanders. He added another 50 cc to my boobs (she did not just say that!)...now I have a total of 250 cc in there. I was so excited to go there and I left a little disappointed. I learned that 50 cc is really not that much. I was hoping to walk out of there at least a B or a C cup (again, can't believe I am reading this), but I still think I am either big A or a little B. For everyone who knows me, I have always had little breasts and now is my chance to have some fun (um, I think the computer is broken dear, no really it is, sorry you won't be able to post anymore). I think I would be happy a small C, but who knows. I'll keep you updated on my mindset (not). A week after I had them filled, I developed a small lump by my breast bone. Of course I freaked out...a little...and saw my oncologist and my surgeon. They assured me it was not a tumor and just irritation from being expanded. I felt better, but I will see Dr. Watson Tuesday to see what's going on. He will most likely say it's irritated and goodbye, but I would rather be careful than ignore it. (update, he did say it was nothing to be concerned with, is likely just fluid and irritation from the expansion. They did an Ultrasound and it looked OK. Dr. Watson will be checking it more closely on Tuesday, September 26).

Anyway, I am having a great day and I have to get the kids off to school and go in to get my Neulasta shot (take a guess at what this ONE shot costs! That is every two weeks, ouch!) Yeah!

Grandma before school today. Grandma is having a bad hair day and she didn't want me to put the picture in the blog...I told her to be quiet, and be happy, because at least she has hair. Then she let me put the picture up.

I think I slept for 24 hours straight. I was feeling pretty sick on Tuesday night, but I just took a Ativan and went to sleep. I slept all day yesterday and last night and today I am tired, but awake.

I talked to Dr. Watson over the phone about the lump and he said that it was not a tumor and likely just irritation (keeping fingers crossed here), I will go and see him next Tuesday for sure.

Made cookies with Auntie Paula while Valerie rests. Paula now knows not to bring over frosting and sugar cookies before bed time. The kids were bouncing off the walls, I guess that's what friends are for. Doing much better on this the third day after chemo.

Avon Breast Cancer Walk - Los Angeles

2006-09-16T17:33:00.000-07:00

Valerie's friends Kelly & Wendy about to take off at the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Long Beach. They are holding up a picture of Valerie because she was unable to walk this year (doctor's orders).

Kelly and Judy at the walk.

Kelly and Wendy at Rest Stop #2. Kelly is holding a photo of Valerie, so she is with her every step of the way!

Having fun at the walk, Woo Hoo!

Valerie and her Mom went down to Long Beach to cheer her friends on as they walked almost 40 miles and raised over $20,000 for Cancer research!

Valerie and her Mom with Judy...She had only 2.7 miles to go!

2006-09-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

Stephanie showing Valerie how to exercise at their Bosom Buddies support group meeting.

2006-09-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

Valerie at her Bosom Buddies support group doing some exercise.

2006-09-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

Chemo Treatment #3 is today September 5, 2006. After today, only five more to go!

Valerie has been doing OK, guess I have fallen behind on the updates.....there must be a saying "time can put things behind rose colored glasses", well it can also be wickedly FAST as well! While things do seem better, many of the facts are still the same, we have just become accustomed (life does go on!) to what life with Cancer will be like. Valerie does get sick (nauseous) in the evening on the day after her Chemo, then she gets very tired on the next day and usually sleeps for most of the day. By day four she is usually back up and around and feeling pretty good. This past week though, she says the "tired" feeling has been sticking with her longer. She has had fevers, but they do not last and the doctors say this is normal, you will have some short unexplainable fevers (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit) that will go away in a couple hours time, all just a part of having Chemotherapy. However, longer ones or ones accompanied by infection are not good, her body with its lowered immune systems will not be able to fight off infection. We are keeping a close eye on the temps, and checking with the doctor regularly.

One change this week, prior to Chemo the doctors check her White and Red Blood Cell counts. Each week Valerie's WBC count has been trending upward (not usually the result, but a good one!), which should help her keep any sickness away. However her RBC count has been dropping quite a bit and she is now Anemic (the primary result is feeling tired). They are checking into what insurance covers as far as shots to treat the Anemia, and we should know on Wednesday what her options are. Basically she will be getting shots of Erythropoietin and either insurance will pay or I will.

Valerie will be getting Taxol for the last four Chemotherapy treatments. Here is something I found interesting....Taxol (the commercial name for Paclitaxel) is created from a compound found in the bark of the Pacific Yew tree!

Feeling pretty bad today...two days after my third Chemo treatment.

Feeling better by day three!

2006-08-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-08-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-08-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

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......

2006-08-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-08-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

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

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