BUSY FEW DAYS!

Workouts with Melissa

Thursday began with an early morning blood draw from the home health nurse.  And also with Melissa coming over for her early morning training sessions.  I mean she has been relentless!!! In a GREAT way! :)    I think back to when I was 20 and sleeping as late as possible - staying up as late as possible... well, Melissa is waking her aunt Val up promptly at 8 most every single morning.  It's something that brings a smile to Valerie's face every time.

Then Valerie had to do some work at the computer, which always makes her nauseous.  She started a new medication this morning from the psychiatrist - Klonopin instead of Ativan.  It's supposed to address the anxiety but last much longer instead of wearing off very quickly.  So it may be hard for a few days to see what's causing what.  I went to Valerie's contracted job in North Hollywood (LONG drive from our house) to enter some information in the computer.  I had to be on the phone with her several times to walk me through some things.  She held up remarkably well.  She got me though all of that and then had someone read to her.  That's one thing she's really enjoyed - having someone read to her.  I think Michelle and Mom P. have been her main readers, with Sara pitch hitting once or twice since she arrived.

I THINK they're working out.  :)

Valerie has been eating everyday and taking most, if not all of her supplements.  Things she's enjoyed eating lately (because it's different from day to day) are: raw deserts - especially chocolate and mint things; boiled eggs (I can't remember the last time she ate eggs!); Dianne's banana bread (my mom); spaghetti has lasted quite a while (thanks to Anissa we haven't had to buy more yet); and vegetable soup with no noodles.

Friday was my day off and I took her to an appointment with the oncologist, Dr. Chen.  We met with him about how things are in general.  He asked how she's been doing on the Femara (hormone blocker).  I have hesitated in even bringing it up because, as far as we can tell, she's had NO side effects from it.  We were a little worried..... okay a LOT worried... after the doctor said it would be like menopause on steroids.  But so far, so good.  (I expect everyone to reach out right NOW and knock on some wood!!)

Maricela and Tallis stopped by and it was the 1st time
Valerie could reach out and hold Tallis.  They are going
to be great buds.

At Dr. Chen's office she had her first IV treatment of Zometa.  It's supposed to help lower calcium levels and strengthen her bones due to cancer in the bones.   For those newer to the party - Valerie was hospitalized for a week on an emergency basis back in July due to very high calcium levels, so we are trying to avoid that at all costs.

Funny enough (and not funny ha ha) one of the side effects of the Zometa, and I kid you not, is "can make cancer worse."  ?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!  Such is our medical system I guess.  They have to write every possibility down?!  The physician's assistant, Jennifer, who has been very helpful and responsive over the past few months, said that she was not familiar with that side effect and she'd get back to us.  (I'm still waiting for that phone call.) :)  Then Joaquin stopped by later Friday and talked before doing a healing session.  Those times always bring a LOT of smiles to Valerie's face.

Then Saturday (today) was another packed day.  After talking to Dr. Chen on Friday and learning that her red blood cell count was low... really low... he recommended a blood transfusion.  So today, we spent about 6 hours at the hospital outpatient center doing that.  She ran a bit of a fever during the transfusion, which is not entirely unusual, and she came home and laid down right away.  They said after about 48 hours, she should have more energy and feel better generally.  She has been quite fatigued lately and it doesn't take much exertion at all to tire her out.  Hopefully this will help.

I can't say enough about how wonderful it has been to have her family staying so close by.  Melissa can just wake up and wander over in a minute's time - and she does every morning and sometimes throughout the day. Valerie often, if not every morning, texts her mom and asks for breakfast.  Her mom is SO on top of all of the meds that Valerie should be getting and when.  Michelle has been working (her job) a LOT and isn't feeling well now - possibly running a fever.  But even when she hasn't felt well, she has jumped up to ask if she can fix MY dinner for ME (not just Valerie) - or asks if there's anything she can help with before she leaves - she's a nonstop trouper.  I know that I haven't emptied my own trash or recycling in WEEKS, and I'm not even sure who to thank for that.  Yesterday, Michelle and Mom P ran over to help carry up our groceries and put them away.  I could probably think of countless more things and I know there are so many things I don't even know about.

Our view driving home today from the hospital.
We do LOVE where we live. 

Melissa has also made some horrible drives all over LA to get things, drop off things, etc.  Often with Carmen - who left early this morning to drive back to Denver.  Carmen was always quiet and in the background, but we know that she was doing whatever she could to help Valerie.  We loved getting to see her and I'm sorry that I didn't get a picture before she left.

Sara cleaned our back bathroom, which I could not figure out how to clean thoroughly enough to make it not smell a little funky.... there is now no funky smell.  She has also been working on getting fabric to make sashes to tie back our curtains.  Air flow is a premium around here and the better the curtains are tied back the better our air flow is.  She found 4 different fabrics today that look very promising.  She also made MANY copies of our keys and made sure everyone had a full set to come and go.

We had been worried that people would be cooped up and not able to enjoy our lovely city.  We haven't even been here long enough to explore and appreciate all of its treasures.  Sara and Melissa have been able to take advantage of that the past few days.... yoga on the bluff, kayaking around Naples, biking all over, eating at a lot of cool places.  Hopefully, they will have some great memories of their time here.

Tomorrow may involve swimming again, or just a day of rest to let Valerie's body do its thing.  Either way, there continues to be improvement day after day.  Valerie looks better and better.  She manages hurdles thrown at her better and better.  And she's going to continue to get better and better. :)

Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers, messages, cards, and love.  It makes a difference!!