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!).

Treatment Plan and Next Steps! (Updated July 29, 2006 4:32 AM)

Now that we have a better idea what we are up against, the next step is a treatment plan.

• Thursday, July 20 - 9:30 AM - Today we meet with Dr. Barstis the Medical Oncologist who will lay out the treatment plan for Radiation and Chemotherapy (two very informative links on both kinds of treatment) today. Valerie also has another pre-op meeting with our regular physician, as she will be going under (about a one hour procedure, so the doctor says) one more time next Thursday to have an "Implanted Port" put in.
• Friday, July 21 - 10:12 PM - Well we met with Dr. Barstis and yet the final treatment plan is still not finalized (it would seem the plan changes as needed, depending on new information and patient reaction to what is being done!). They are still awaiting the results of the "FISH" test to determine what (if any) Hormone therapy can be used after the Chemotherapy. We do know that the first Chemo treatment will be on Monday, August 7, 2006. Apparently there are many new drugs that will try to eliminate the side effects (nausea, low red, white and platelet blood counts) that normally occur after a Chemo treatment. However Dr. Barstis says within 24 hours, Valerie will likely feel very weak (like how you feel on the back end of a cold, aching all over and wanting to sleep) for about 3-5 days after the treatment.
• Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 9:00 AM - Valerie finally got her drains (two) removed at UCLA. Gross, but reality, they helped drain fluid from the surgery area and had to be emptied every 12 hours. She was also given the good news that she could finally take a shower on Wednesday! YEAH! We do love you Valerie, but love is blind not Anosmic!

  

  She also got to pick up one of her wigs today from Intimate Images....funny, I do all this polling (like I was ever planning on letting you dictate which one she could get) and then she goes out and picks her own! Oh well, she is happy with it. This one is her "just got to run to the store" wig, and she ordered her custom made one (which we have not seen yet) from Piny that is to be done next week. I am told the one from Piny is long and looks even better than her real hair! Time will tell (and so will I). We also met with Dr. Barstis today, to go over the Hormone test results. Unfortunately they do not have the FISH results yet. They tell us it should be in a couple days. This does not change when Chemo starts though. Chemo will start Monday, August 7th.

• Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 7:23 PM - She really did take a shower! Tomorrow we head in for the Implanted Port surgery (she will be under for about one hour) and then rest in preperation for our trip next week. Yes we made the decision to go on our planned trip to Lake Mohave with our neighbors and Dion's cousin. Don't worry, if it is too hot for Valerie she already has plans to sit at a Blackjack table at our hotel while I drag the kids around the lake (something tells me 73 degrees will be too hot!).
• Thursday, July 27, 2006 - Into surgery for the Implanted Port at 9:14 AM and out at 10:57 AM (although I don't get to see her until almost 12:30 PM). Dr. Senofsky says it went great and she is fine. While it seems like a very simple procedure and small incision, an unexpected side effect is that Valerie has quite a bit of pain in her left shoulder, arm and upper chest area (where the port is). Two days later and she can still only barely lift her arm. Doctors say it is normal, but we are both a little surprised.
• Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 4:32 AM - Well we got some great news yesterday! Dr. Barstis called with the test results and her cancer cells are hormone receptive which basically means they like hormones to grow. Valerie will be able to include in her treatment, drugs that will limit or eliminate her body's production of Estrogen and Progesterone with some side effects. Another good piece of info the FISH test indicates her cancer cells are HER2 negative which means she won't have to undergo Herceptin treatment and the cells tested are less aggresive than originally thought. One advantage to living near the treatment center is that Dr. Barstis is going to be able to treat Valerie with her Chemo treatment every 2 weeks instead of 3. For women with node-positive disease, a common treatment regimen is four cycles of AC, followed by four cycles of Taxol or Taxotere. Bottom line Dr. Barstis says her prognosis is better than his initial expectations! We will be asking why AC and not TC treatment and ultimately go with what Dr. Barstis believes will beat it! Today Valerie also picks up her other wig at Piny in Beverly Hills (I hope it is longer than the other one!).
• Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 12 years ago today I told this beautiful woman who stood in front of me that I would stand by her side "in sickness and in health", I'm still here and we're still in love! We are taking a family vacation to Lake Mohave to do some boating, skiing, tubing, fishing and relaxing. Next step will be chemotherapy on Monday, August 7th, I'll update more then!

On her way to another surgery! This one for the Implanted Port. Into surgery at 9:14 AM and out at 10:57 AM. Dr. Senofsky says it went great and she is doing fine.

Breast Cancer Post-Surgery Update (last update July 17 - 5:35 PM)

• Wednesday, July 12 - 11:35 AM - Off to the OR, doctors say it should be about 4 hours.
• Wednesday, July 12 - 2:16 PM - Nurse Lori just called from the OR and so far so good. Got about 2 more hours to go.
• Wednesday, July 12 - 3:35 PM - Dr Senofsky just came out. She is still being operated on by Dr Watson and they found another tumor hiding near the one we knew about and pre-cancerous cells (D.I.C.S?) on the right nipple, which they also removed. Not sure what makes a cell pre-cancerous, versus cancerous? Really struggling with how to tell her this info, made the decision to let her recuperate these next few days and she will know on Monday when we get the pathology report from Dr. Senofsky and Dr. Watson. I can't bear to see her worry over this news until Monday, so I will keep it from her. I may regret that decision but I have her health and mental well-being as top priority right now. Hopefully Monday will bring news that all the margins are clear and they got it ALL! If not, Monday could be a very rough day.
• Wednesday, July 12 - 6:15 PM - She is out of surgery, She handled surgery very well physically but Dr. Watson says he and Dr. Senofsky were both "disappointed" by what they saw. This has got to be the most disturbing news of the night. He did end his conversation by telling us he is extremely optimistic and feels very positive that Valerie will be fine.....good words to hear, but hollow after the other statement. Dr. Watson clarified that his disappointment was in finding the second tumor and that unlike the first one (which was ductile), the second was lobular. In addition they removed approximately twenty Lymph Nodes as well as the right nipple. In putting this together (Thursday night while Valerie rests) I found the link above (ductile vs. Lobular) and must say it took a huge pressure off my mind....only time will tell what they really are, but I pray it is nothing!
• Thursday, July 13 - 2:00 AM - I snuck in past the security guard and went to Valerie's room. She is doing ok, still very tired but ok and telling me so. They let me stay for about 15 minutes, but because it was a shared room, I had to leave so I wait in the lobby and miss her!
• Thursday, July 13 - 6:35 AM - Doctors checked her, and were happy with her progress. Today is a good day to visit as they will likely discharge on Friday (at least that is what they think so far), so come on by if you want to.
• Thursday, July 13 - 2:16 PM - She stood up for the first time a minute ago, a little woozy but made it to the restroom! Too bad she'll have to get up every 5 minutes! Those that know Valerie will know why.
• Thursday, July 13 - 3:32 PM - Moved to the new room (714) and the new number is (310)267-1568. At least tonight I can stay in the room with her.....no more sneaking in! The nurses (Patrick, Mimi, Kathleen and Rosa) were very helpful in making this happen.
• Thursday, July 13 - 10:45 PM - A couple updates from Valerie's room while I watch her sleep peacefully. Dr. Watson has decided to keep Valerie until Saturday or even Sunday if she wants (helps to have the Chief of Staff as your surgeon!). Second thing is Valerie knows about everything (second tumor and the doctor's "disappointed" comment). She handled them all admirably and is eager to start the battle against this long, slow car crash called Cancer that we will both safely walk away from! Both our hearts go out to the others suffering in this hospital, many had no warning a hug, kiss, "I love you" or "see you tonight!" was the last their loved one would hear from them, so much hurt, and so much hope all in one place.

• Friday, July 14 - 3:38 PM - Our kids visit Mom in the hospital. I forgot to take a picture of our son (I am sorry bud, I was too busy giving you hugs)! Valerie also had a visit from Jackson (the hospitals pet therapy Golden Retriever), which I also forgot to take a picture of (Bad day to have dad holding the camera). We should be leaving around 10 AM on Saturday for home. Today was a good day!

• Saturday, July 15 - 12:05 PM - On our way home, yeah so it is a little blurry, I was a little excited!

• Saturday, July 15 - 12:52 PM - Me waiting for Dion to drop off prescriptions and then we will go home and wash off the stink...and yes I stink! She said it not me, so it must be ok to post this one.
• Sunday, July 16 - 8:20 PM - Well, it has been great to be home, but it has not been without its own challenges. Unfortunately we wait for the results of the pathology report to determine what kind of battle really lies ahead (even then, does anyone really know what to expect?). The results are due Monday, July 17. The challenges have been with what can only be described as "panic" or "anxiety" attacks. Valerie has a true fear of leaving her children and me behind. Not a fun thing to experience, and largely psychological with no real remedy for this particular cause of her fear. I can only hope that the pathology results on Monday will bring an end to this fear she has. I think I'm pretty good at calming people down, but am sure being tested lately! Unfortunately these attacks occur during sleep (right when she wakes up), so it does not give me a whole lot of time to "chat" her down. Many of you have had some great suggestions (go to sleep thinking of something good, know that you are safe and will wake up to a new day, know that God is caring for you, you are safe in his arms). To all of us not experiencing it, it seems easy "chill out", "calm down" or "relax", but those words don't fix the underlying issue. Hopefully tomorrow will be a beautiful day!

Today at 5:30 PM we got the pathology results......still quite a battle, but I must say A BEAUTIFUL DAY! Still not the happiest news on the planet, but you gotta take the good when you can! Clear margins are a good thing....now the fight is on!

• Left Breast - Negative for malignancy (nothing there!)
• Right Breast - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma at its closest point is 5 MM from the deep margin (doctors usually want to see 2 MM at a minimum), which means the margins are clear!
• Lymph Nodes - 21 of 22 tested positive for Metastatic Carcinoma, largest one was 2.3 CM with Extracapsular invasion present and Perinodal Lymphvascular invasion present.
• Overall described as late Stage II or early Stage IIIA.

Specifically the Histologic Grade of the two tumors are:

Tumor #1 (Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma) Tubule Formation:3 Nuclear Pleomorphism:2 Mitotic Counts:1 Size of Lubular Carcinoma:1.3 CMHistologic Score:6 Histologic Grade:2

Tumor #2 (Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma) Tubule Formation:3 Nuclear Pleomorphism:3 Mitotic Counts:3 Size of Lubular Carcinoma:0.9 CMHistologic Score:9 Histologic Grade:3

Wig #1 got 15.7% of the 242 votes (38)

Wig #2 got 5.0% of the 242 votes (12)

Wig #3 got 28.1% of the 242 votes (68)

Wig #4 got 33.5% of the 242 votes (81)

Wig #5 (no this was not a voting option, she overuled us all!). There was an option for "None of the above, let the Sinead O'Connor in you out! That got 17.8% of the 242 votes (43).

Feeling lots better!

Eating her first food (celery)! Not real pleased but it is food!

Big smiles! Well the lighting really sucks, but she was smiling for the first time. Even with the thermal blanket they placed on her to regulate body temperature. The white blanket is actually connected to a large blower (heater) that blew hot air (about 98 degrees) for the entire night over her entire body. This did not make Valerie happy as she described it as "being cooked" or sitting under a blow dryer for several hours (imagine the "Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man"). I'll bet she misses that thing next time we go skiing!