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

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.

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

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!

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!) .

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

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.

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

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!

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

Valerie at her Bosom Buddies support group doing some exercise.

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!

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!).