THE WORLD IS UPSIDE DOWN

Valerie has spent the past 2 years battling not only stage IV breast cancer, but all of the associated complications - extreme fatigue, anemia, compromised adrenal and thyroid function, shortness of breath, dry itchy skin, sore ribs, hospitalizations, blood transfusions, countless MRIs and CT scans, endless needle sticks, trouble sleeping, and severely weak muscles.  While battling all of this, she has faithfully taken handfuls of pills, drank daily green juices, and schlepped all over Southern California and Baja California to fight for even just one more day.

Valerie has told me many times that she's not afraid to die, but she sure would still like to live.  But the past several months have not included a whole lot of living.  She's been pretty home bound and it takes every ounce of energy she has to walk down our stairs and get into the car - to go to yet another treatment, test or doctor's visit.  She's made the brave decision to move from home health care to home hospice care.

We will be meeting with the hospice providers in the next few days to see how they can help and provide a way for to live out her days in comfort.  She will obviously want to see loved ones but her capacity for that is very limited.  So please no surprise visits.  I will be coordinating friends and family visits around her wishes and abilities.

This probably goes without saying, but my heart is breaking into a million pieces every minute of every day.  The thought of losing my best friend, my confidant, my love, and my sweetheart is more than I can bear.  I have been the most fortunate person to have been graced with her beautiful presence for the past 15 years and I will continue to treasure every moment.