Author Archives: valvelde

October 19, 2023 In a few hours I’ll do chemo round 13. Three left after today. I’d love to say that I’m so totally in control of everything and kicking cancer’s butt however this week I just didn’t feel that way. In fact this week I felt frankly pissed off.   Monday I did aContinue reading “A Hard Week – Round 13”

October 13, 2023 I learned a bunch this week. On Monday I had an ultrasound and there was no cancer masses they could see! Great news!  A little lymphedema but that was no surprise.  Now I did learn from the Radiologist this morning while it is good news, all that’s telling us is there isContinue reading “What’s Next After Chemo?”

September 2023 Today marks half way done with Chemo!  Eight sessions done out of 16 total.  I’m getting there!  I’m taking next week off to attend a family retreat with other families going through breast cancer.  We are looking forward to a week on Lake Tahoe in California.  I’m nervous about the LONG drive butContinue reading “Half Way Done with Chemo!”

August 17, 2023 When someone you care about has cancer this is a question you want to ask but know you just can’t.  Of course google to the rescue right? The tricky part is those are averages across a wide group with a similar stage and diagnosis profile but the Oncologist works with the patientContinue reading “Survival Chances Explained”

August 17, 2023 I’m grateful to have the 8 weeks of AC treatments behind me. Today I officially kicked of my Taxol chemo journey. It will be weekly, every Thursday, for 12 treatments. I’m taking one week off in mid-September so if all goes smoothly I’ll finish the second week in November.   I wasContinue reading “Taxol #1 on the Books!”

August 11, 2023 So something crazy happened today!  I got a call from the Little Pink Houses of Hope non-profit organization. My family was offered a week long vacation retreat with other families going through breast cancer.  They specialize in giving families a break in the middle of the cancer journey and I was picked!Continue reading “Cancer Retreat on Lake Tahoe- Yes Please!”

I received some good news this morning. After another x-ray, it shows that my port placement is fine where it is. That means no procedure to fix next week. Sweet!  And the blood clots are now gone thanks to the blood thinners. All positive news! Have you ever heard of the term ‘chemo brain’? ItContinue reading “Wow, Chemo 🧠 Brain”

Greetings!  I had chemo round 3 yesterday (of 16 total) and it went smoothly.  This was a 75% dose due to impacts the full doses were having.   Today I had a CT of my heart to follow up on the clots and placement of the port.  I hear soon if I need to haveContinue reading “#ValStrong – Power of ❤️ Love”

July 12, 2023 I’d heard that cancer is journey with ups and downs but I didn’t really believe them. I thought I can handle any symptoms and plow on through, no bumps please, but here I am in the hospital again.  Yesterday I felt good, real good actually, I even met with my boss toContinue reading “Back in the Hospital”

An emotional day, the hair tingling started a few days ago so it was time. I’m not sure I care much about losing my hair, it’s probably the only hair style I haven’t tried so all the better. But after, looking in the mirror, it was such a bold reminder. I’m sick. It just slapsContinue reading “Time to Get Buzzed”