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

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New post-it hat made by my son

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

Last time with the nurses at chemotherapy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All I have to say is I'M TIRED.

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.

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!