A message from Momma Snail

The last couple of days have been so full of emotion I wanted to send a post from Momma Snail;

As Michelle has already explained Valerie was delayed in getting her room at UCSD and had to start her radiation treatments as an out patient. So when she finally was admitted around noon the next day she was pretty beat up emotionally and tired from the first all body radiation. She had a hard time forcing herself to walk into the hospital knowing it was the last "outside and fresh air" for at least a month. It tore our hearts out to watch her pull every bit of toughness (fangs out) and make herself go in to fight the biggest battle yet. She did it with her head held high in true Snail Snail fashion! It was the right room however with a big tree just outside her window that is full of honey bees and humming birds (her favorite) for her to see and a west view so she can see every sunset! Just as she got settled into her new room was just in time to be rushed off for her next radiation treatment. These treatments played a hard toll on her late day yesterday and she had a hard time, but thankfully by morning they had her meds figured out and she was feeling ok. Today she started at 8 am with radiation, then surgery to implant her new "port line" in her chest at 1:00 just out of recovery she was taken back to radiation at 3:00 finally at 4:30 when she returned she settled in and could rest. The old stand by mac and cheese (rice noodles of course) worked again being the first thing she was able to eat in 20 hours followed by fruit snacks and a couple M&M's and she was "so full"! We then had to tear ourselves away to return to my place to start Vanessa's shots, she looked into my eyes and said "but Mommy I hardly saw you today", I told her, no honey I was here looking at the back of doors waiting for you to be given back to us. I delayed as long as I could (they have a timed schedule on when Vanessa has to take shots and they cant come to hospital because they are "out patient"). Just as we started to leave I was telling her Brent was due to be here any minute and she said are you sure is he coming soon, low and behold he walked in the door focused right on her eyes and said, "Hi sweetheart, how are you doin'", feeewwww great timing Brent!!!!! So we left knowing she was happy. She had a heck of a hard day! Vanessa had her first two shots tonight and she said they were "very painful", again showing us how brave Valerie has been having many of them already. Vanessa is getting lots of rest and trying to be as strong going into this process as possible. She is waiting for her hubby to arrive at midnight tonight! He is coming to stand by her and support her through this scary week. GayLynn has been my rock since Sunday, putting up with tears and lack of patience (I am wearing pretty thin), she has been cooking, cleaning, giving shots!!!!! and being as terrific as always for Valerie and Vanessa and of course, (thank God), being my big sister!!!!!!!!!! The typical schedule is counted in negative days prior to transplant and positive days after transplant with the transplant day being day 0 and often called her second birthday. Valerie is at -4 tomorrow, one more day of radiation then two days of chemo followed by one day of rest prior to transplant. When all goes as planned Vanessa donates Monday and Tuesday and Valerie gets transplant Tuesday!!!!! Live transplants are traditionally more successful so we are on the right path to success for both girls and "100% healing for forever" for Valerie. Please remember to pray for her everyday but also and especially for Valerie for Tuesday and Vanessa for Monday and Tuesday that everything goes as planned, smoothly without complications!!!!!!!! WE are believing for a miracle!!!!!!! Valerie continues to empress me everyday (I see so much of my Daddy in her her fangs must be German), but the last two days she was amazing!!!!!! She is my hero today and every day for the rest of my life! Fighting on..... Momma Snail 11-19-09