Valerie was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme. Her Mom, Bernice, explains how this diagnosis was reached below:
Valerie was having headaches that started as one a day. We thought they were stress induced or part of her shoulder problem that she was getting therapy for.
The headaches started to get worse and was thought by her pediatrician to be sinus's and she was started on a sinus medication. She advised to try that for
one week and if that did not work we would get a CT done. Fri. 01-27-06 was the end of the week and her headaches were not being prevented by the sinus medication,
in fact, they were getting worse. They were lasting all day with no relief. We tried to get through the weekend to go back to her Dr. However she started vomiting
and having pain in her neck. It then sounded like meningitis, so I took her to Childrens Hospital on Sun. 01-29-06. When we got to the ER she was thought to have
migraines by the triage nurse and we waited for 2 1/2 hours in the waiting room. Then she got a CT done in the ER and it was clear, so they did a spinal tap that
revealed that she had too much spinal fluid in her head that was causing her headaches. They said sometimes this happens, so they removed the extra fluid and thought
this would take her headaches away and she would be fine. When her headaches did not go away they admitted her to the neuro floor of Childrens. For the next few days
they were running all kinds of tests, trying to find out what was the cause of the spinal fluid building up. Every day they were ruling out all kinds of stuff and as
time went by we were facing more and more serious problems. Her MRI's showed some abnormal areas in the brain and spine, she under went a biopsy of one of the spots
in the lower spine on Fri. 02-03-06. This told us right away it was cancer, however they could not tell us what type of cancer it was. They said it would take a few
days for the final diagnosis. During this time Valerie was given pain medication and a drainage tube for the spinal fluid along with some other medications for infection,
diuretic (water pill) and steroids for inflammation. We got her final diagnosis on 02-07-06 The drainage tube was taken out and she was discharged from the hospital on 02-08-06
Valerie is feeling much better now, she does not have any headache's. She has been going back to school. She will start chemo and radiation next week and then will be
home schooled. Her spirits are very high and she said she is going to fight this!! So let us all pray she win's her battle.
Thank you to everyone for the love and support and most of all their prayers.
Bernice
Hi,
posted by Webmaster @ 11:13 AM
18 comments
18 Comments:
I just posted a message on the 10/17/06 posting. My heart goes out to Bernice and all the family. Prayers of peace and understanding are for them at this time.
Please share with Bernice, I experienced a loss this week, and wanted to reach out and help others. I created a Grief & Trauma message board, with 12 weeks of lessons, and support for those who have experienced loss.
I am also doing the 12 weeks right now and would love to have her join us when she may be ready.
http://redeemingtears.proboards91.com
shes in a better place now. words cant even explain the feeling i have right now. but shes in heaven, she was one of my closets cousins and its going to be hard living with out her.. always in my prayers val. i love you
she is in a better place now, shes realy the lucky one. words can even explain the feeling i have right now. val, you are always in my prayers, i love you. see you in heaven!
Val:
Thank you for letting me be a part of your 16 years. Josh, Sami and I will miss you more than you can imagine. Our only regret is not being able to get to know you more. I love you.
Suzy Lopez
PS. She was amazing, funny, and sweet until the end. For those of you who didn't go visit her, for whatever simplistic reason you gave, it is truly your loss. For one person, and you know who you are...you may not be seeing Val in heaven, because your act was so horrible, even God might not be able to forgive you for that one.
My prayers are with the family right now for peace, understanding and continued faith in God and his plan. Remember that Valerie is sitting with Jesus now, a place we all wish to be. Her suffering has ended, and hopefully her life will be a testimony to God. I don't know the family nor do I know Valerie, but I have been praying for you! God bless you we love you in Jesus Name!
Tina Fonzi
Way of Life Community Church
Forest Hill Md
Valerie was one of my closest friends. It sadens me that she is gone but she is in a better place now. She will alway's be in my prayers and my sincerest condolences go out to Bernice and the rest of the family.
Niki M.
she is is not in pain anymore. She is in Heaven. I won't say to much, because she was my friend, and it is unexpressable in words at the moment. I will miss her always. Valerie you are always in my prayers.
Love Chesna
Rest in Peace
See you in Heaven
Valerie was one of my closest friends, and I still can't belive shes gone. She was a beautiful person and it's going to be hard w/ out her. But shes better now, and she will always be in my prayers, as will her family. I send out my sincerest condolences to Bernice and the family.
Love for Val always!
Niki M.
Were all gonna miss Val, but she'll always be remembered and ill make sure somthing is put up in the school for her. Lov you always Val
-Dorsey
I cant believe thats shes gone and neither can anyone else. i will make sure that i do everything i can to get somthin up in school for her. she will always be remembered....
-Dorsey
Rip Val you were a great person and you are loved by alot of people your in a better place now. hopefuly ill see you up there gurl.
I am glad that Valerie is not in pain anymore but I am so sad about the loss. The last time I ever got to see her before I left for college was at Tailgate's, the day of of the dunk tank. She looked so good that day and I am glad that that is how I will always remember my last memory of her.
Valerie truly was a beautiful, strong, inspiring person. She is in Heaven with God now, smiling down on the rest of us. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She will be missed.
--Alissa
she was an AMAZING girl! a TRUE inspiration... I cant believe shes gone.. But shes gone to a BETTER place.. a place that will take care of her FOREVER. ANd thats wat we all have to remember. I only knew val for a few months... but im soo luck to have met such a beautiful girl (inside and out). She was always looking on the bright side of things.. Its hard to actually believe shes gone... but atleast we will have our memories right?
R.i.P Valerie.. you are DEFiNETLY missed!!! you were an amazing girl! Well.. ill see u later val! Please..dont EVER forget about me!!!! ill visit u someday!
--brittney
We rejoice with you for the years Valerie was an intricate part of your lives, and we mourn with you over shattered hopes and dreams for the future you wanted with her. Though we all know this time of separation is temporary, it is still painful, and we ask God to envelope you with an extra measure of grace and comfort as you travel the difficult days ahead.
With love,
Clear Branch Baptist Church
My heart and prayers go out to the family of Valerie. I pray that the family recovers from Valerie's death and realize that she is in a better place and she is watching over us. Valerie was a wonderful person and i hope she rest in peace
We will all miss you Val. Stone is a better place having had such a wonderful student. God Bless, my prayers go out to the family.
i am so sorry i will miss her so much she was such a sweet person to evryone she meet the radiers will not be the same without her i am really going to miss her she was such a good friend
savannah
i just found out the news today at swimming and i can't stop crying she eas such and nice person and a great friend swimming will never be the same i will miss her so much and am sorry about the loss
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