5-20-06 Update

Hello everyone,

Well we have the results from her MRI. There is no change in the tumors that she had on the first MRI. They have not got any bigger or smaller. I guess it is a good thing that they are not bigger, but the Dr. was hoping to see them smaller. We also have more bad news, she is showing some lesions on her bones in her spine that were not there before. They are not sure what they are or what is causing them. The glioblastoma does not move to the bones or any other place in the body. So this means she is either having more than one type of cancer at the same time or that the first thought glioblastoma is actually Gliosarcoma. Gliosarcoma is a rare subtype of glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is a relatively rare malignant neoplasm accounting for about 2% of all the Glioblastoma. Gliosarcoma has the same prognosis as the glioblastoma and what I have looked up about it so far, seems to be treated identically. Another possibility is that she has the glioblastoma and something called Histioytosis. It is thought to be a cancer-like condition. This is one of the conditions they thought she had prior to the biopsy. But they did bone x-rays and did not find any spots on her bones then, so that was ruled out. There is a small chance that the spots showing on her spine are caused by the radiation. The Dr. does not think that is it but it is not ruled out yet.

So now Valerie has a few more tests she has to go through in the next few days. She will be getting a bone scan of all her bones and a CT of her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. If they cannot figure out what the spots on the spine are, she will have to get a guided needle biopsy of the bone. Lets hope she will not need that, it is said to be a painful procedure.

Well that is all I have to report, when I know more I will let everyone know. Valerie said she is not going to worry about it until they tell her what she is dealing with. She is so amazing. I tell you she is the strongest person I know.

On a personal note, I would like to thank the Tailgates staff for all their hard work on the benefit on the 13th. I also want to send a big thank you out to all the customers and the businesses that donated money and items for the raffles. I was so amazed at the amount of donations there were. And of course thanks to the people who came out to join the fun and good food.

Thanks for your continued love and support for us.
With much love,
Bernice

Update 5-5-06

Hello everyone,

Valerie is not doing too bad. I did take her to see her Dr. on Thursday because she started having headaches again on the 3rd. They did a CT and found she has a sinus infection. She has been having a lot of problems with this time of year. So she is on a strong dose of antibiotics for 5 days. The only other change is she is very tired again. We are both getting tired of the waiting for the next MRI. It is on the 15th so in 10 more days we will know where we stand. We are both scared to find out what The MRI might say but still are hoping and praying for the best.

I just wanted to say thank you to the Maryland Independent for the nice articles on Valerie. I also want to send a BIG THANK YOU to Thomas Stone High School, ALL OF THE SWIMMERS, and everyone that made a pledge to a swimmer for the Swim-A-Thon. I could not believe how much they raised for my family. So thank you again. It was nice to have dinner with everyone that came to Applebee's on Tuesday night.
I hope you all can make the Tailgate's function on the 13th, I am going to try and get off work early so we can be there. So I hope to see you all there.

Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers
Love,
Bernice

Make a Wish

Make a wish granted Valerie's wish of taking a cruise to Hawaii. She and her family will be going this summer. Special thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation for making this a dream come true for Val. Aloha!