A Veri Happy New Year!

Happy 1 Month New Birthday Snail!

A message from Snail's Dad

Snail and Shrew Hatch a Plan

Well it appears that Valerie (our little Snail) and her twin sister Vanessa (Miss Shrew) have been keeping a secret from us. The story must have begun more than 28 years ago (yes I realize they are only 27, I am their Dad). Back then, when they were very, very, very small they came up with the idea: "Instead of just being twins, let's be Identical Twins - and yet we should look different from each other so no one will ever know that we are in fact, identical". Well for over 27 years they did very well keeping their true identity a secret . . . until the scientists at UCSD looked into their DNA. Yes their secret plan was uncovered earlier this week when it was revealed that Valerie and Vanessa have identical DNA (well the UCSD scientists are 99.99% confident of this). No wonder the doctors were amazed at what a good match Vanessa was for Valerie.

What does this mean for our transplanted little Snail you ask? Dr. Curtin and staff did their research and think that the chances of Valerie getting Graft vs. Host disease have been diminished. Not completely gone, but less likely. She should be able to cut back on her anti-rejection medication sooner than previously thought. That means she should be able to heal quicker and get back to her normal self faster than we expected. We are cautiously elated! We know there is still a long way to go before our little Snail is back to her completely normal self. And yet, what a great Christmas present.

From all of us at Team Snail HQ, we appreciate your support through these very trying times. The type of support is not as important as your continued efforts. You have contributed financially, sent cards, emails and letters, sent pictures, sent gifts, come up other with fabulous ideas for support and most important - you have prayed. Every little thing you do makes a great impact on Valerie and in the end, her successful recovery. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to you!

A Snail and A Shrew Identical?

Valerie had her early 30 day bone marrow biopsy and things went as well as they can with procedures like that and we are grateful. She had her usual blood work done in the morning and everything looked great! Her WBC's are growing nicely, platelets and RBC's holding and really the only thing she has needed recently is Magnesium because one of her pills depletes it. We are grateful for all of the new science and meds but it appears that most of her bad symptoms are side effects of the handfuls of meds she needs to take every day.
After the biopsy her doctor had asked them to wait so he could talk to them. Apparently he had news of the genetic testing that was being done on Valerie and Vanessa's cells. According to DNA and genetic markers, Valerie and Vanessa are IDENTICAL!!!! For those of you who do not know this has been a debate for many years. The doctors when they were little argued about it for one reason or another (I was 4, I don't remember why) and well, look at them here...

You see the reason for the debate but look at them here...

Clearly, Science knows more than our eyes do! The great news is that the doctor lowered Valerie's anti-rejection drugs by half and he said he might be able to lower them again sooner than they thought because well, it is harder to reject your other half! Another miracle because we are pretty sure the anti meds are the ones making her so sick.
It will take a few days for the biopsy results to come back, especially with the holidays so just keep praying and I will let you know asap.

Snail Struggle

I have been having trouble this week with a post to write. All of us at Team Snail headquarters are having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit with Valerie so miserable still. She is still having trouble with her meds and cannot seem to get her nausea under control. This means the weight loss that is so often associated with cancer and transplants has begun but doctors say it is within acceptable limits. True, she is home which makes it a lot better but she still is spending every other day in the infusion center which can take about 8 hours. First they take her vitals, blood etc to see what she is going to need, then the wait begins. The results have to come back and then waiting for whatever nutrient or med her body needs to finish. Even with an IV pick line this is a long process. Dad usually takes her to these appointments so Mom can do laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping for everyone. She loves the DVD player that Bob and Kim White gave her and can finally watch movies without it making her dizzy. That player is getting a lot of use in the infusion center!
Tomorrow is a very big day for Team Snail and we need everyone's prayer and love going out to Valerie. Tomorrow is her 1 month later bone marrow biopsy which will tell us how well the new cells are growing and how well they are killing any bad cells that might have crept up. Her 1 month "birthday" is actually Christmas Eve however since the lab will be closed for the holiday the procedure will be done a day early. Valerie has had many bone marrow biopsy's and each of them are painful and bring her great stress so we are praying for peace during the procedure and great results.
Tomorrow Greg will arrive in San Diego to spend Christmas with Mom and Valerie. I know Mom is so excited for him to be there!
Such a busy week in Snail world: Greg arriving, biopsy, birthday, Christmas!

I realized the other day I never really announced Vanessa coming home to Denver. The Shrew has arrived in the Mile High City! I was thrilled to have her back because we do just about everything together and so happy to see how well she was doing. She was a little tired at first but she has regained her strength and is back to work with no problems.

Merry Snailmas from ASH!

Valerie works at American Specialty Health in San Diego and I think you can tell how much they miss her! Her ASH family sent her this Merry Snailmas picture and I know it made her smile. Thank you ASH! You have all been wonderful with cards, snail pictures, fund raising and all of the prayers and well wishes. She misses you all too!
How many snails can you find?

Just Plain Funny

Just something funny to make you laugh today!
Click here
The things you find when you are googling "Snails"!
Have a great day everyone!

Have Shell Will Travel

She is out! Valerie sprung out on Saturday with no fever as much of a spring in her step as a Snail can have. She is so happy to be out and has been resting in her quarantined state. She is trying to eat but her baby taste buds are not up to snuff yet so everything still tastes like metal or grass in this case. She had a touch of a rash over the weekend but that can be a good or bad thing. On the good side, it can just be showing that the new cells are taking hold. On the bad side, they can be a sign of graph vs. host. However, her rash is showing signs of being the better of the two options. Can you believe today is 20 days since Valerie's new birthday? I am excited to celebrate her 1 month birthday on Christmas Eve!

Thank you to everyone who finished up their Christmas shopping with our Pampered Chef Team Snail event! It was a huge success and we really appreciate you all!

Sad Snail

Last night Valerie came down with a fever of 101 only 7 hours after being out of the hospital. One of the reason's they let her go home so early was she was doing so well and the other was because the flu was going around the transplant wing. I don't have to tell you how dangerous that would be for someone that just had a transplant. So late last night our little Snail went back to the hospital to get checked out. She is very sad to be back in there and only had a few hours of freedom but it is a caution we have to take. This morning the preliminary tests have come back saying negative for the flu and her fever has come down. They think she might have a fever from all of the blood cells coming back which is a good thing but they have to make certain so she is Christmas shopping online and waiting for answers. Only my sister would be texting me at 7:30 am and asking me about other people's presents when she is in the hospital! WBC's are at 3.1 (amazing!) and platelets holding strong at 160. Please pray there is nothing wrong and quick results so she can go back home soon. I will update as soon as I know more.

The Snail's Great Escape!

It is a early Christmas miracle! Valerie was able to go home from the hospital today! She has been doing so well and her numbers are so great that they let her go home really early. It has been 15 days since her transplant and most people are 20 to 45 days in the hospital. She is weak as a baby and under very strict instructions but she is home!

Please continue to pray that she can stay well and that she can continue to amaze everyone!

More info to come...

Snail's White Cells Are Coming!

It is a high of 8, yes 8 degrees today in Denver so I thought it was time for me to use my snowman!

My Dad's text message from Monday:
THE WHITE CELLS ARE COMING! THE WHITE CELLS ARE COMING! Snail was busy doubling her white count and tripling her platelets yesterday! Now at 1.2 WBC's and 4.7 platelets. YEAH!

Pampered Snail

After the great success of our Colorado On the Border fundraiser a dear family friend named Elizabeth Kuehl came to me with another fund raising idea. Pampered Chef will donate up to 15% of this show to The Valerie Seastrom Foundation. Elizabeth has also generously offered to match Pampered Chef's donation so this show can have 30% go to Valerie! The best part about this is that the items will arrive in time for Christmas and you can be anywhere and still participate! I love my entire Pampered Chef collection, the gadget type is my favorite and I highly recommend them. Easy online shopping for Christmas and it helps our Snail! What could be better?! Hurry, this show closes December 13th!

Please do not feel obligated to shop if you are unable or not interested. I will send a e-vite to everyone who is on the email list currently, maybe you know someone who is a fan and was going to do some shopping anyway. We know times are hard for many of our friends right now and we would never ask you to put yourselves in harms way, if you are interested please do if not please keep praying for our little Snail. Thank you for everything!
To visit the show's site please click here

Snail News!

We interrupt your regular morning for this important news flash!
THE SNAIL HAS WHITE CELLS!
A count of 0.6 was detected early this morning.
Snail is very happy!

Snailarita

Last night was the Team Snail Colorado Division's On the Border Fundraiser and it was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came out on such a bitterly cold night to support our little snail! I have added all of the pictures from last night to the slide show at the bottom of the blog but here are some of my favorites.

Alexis

Katie
Lukas and Alex
Grandmommy, Mary and Caitlyn
Kristin, Hayley and Cadance
Aunt Sheri and Sarah
Amber and the littlest member of Team Snail, Sophie

Snail's hole

Snail's the name, ice cream's the game. Wednesday, Valerie was suddenly hungry and ate a cup of Hagen-Daz! She then ate a bit of rice cereal and again it was better than the day before. I guess Lukas was right with this one. He told me it was a Snail hole because if he was a snail he would want to live in ice cream! Kids are so smart!
+8 days

Snail Day

Snail Snack. Snail Nap. Snail Shower. The start of a better Snail day.

Reminder Fundraiser Night in Colorado Thursday, December 3rd

Calling all Colorado Team Snail Members! On the Border at Southlands Mall in Aurora is having a fund raising night for The Valerie Seastrom Foundation on December 3rd from 5-close. Please come have a bite to eat to support our little snail. 10% of your bill (before taxes) will go to Valerie to help her with the enormous costs. Mexican food happens to be one of her favorites and I have never seen the girl turn down a margarita (she gets that from me) so come have one and toast Valerie with us!

You must have this flyer!!! Please print it out by clicking on it and it will open in a tab for you or email me to have it sent direct. If you are on the email distro it is being sent to your email box already.
Thank you for the amazing support you are giving my baby sister and our family in this crazy time!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Snail

Before Vanessa left for Colorado the SD group hung up these gumdrop Christmas lights and silver garland for Valerie. V &V have always liked non-traditional colors for Christmas so the candy colors are perfect.

I have been working on a project for the past month for Valerie's December in the hospital. With the help of some of her friends and family I collected 25 Christmas ornaments for the 25 days until Christmas and each day Valerie gets to open one. The ornaments are wrapped up in her favorite colors and each one was chosen with her in mind. Dad found Christmas trees the perfect size for the shelf in her room and put up the first one last night. Valerie slept the entire day yesterday but woke up long enough to name the tree "Twinkle" and go back to sleep. I think that means she likes the idea! I can't wait for her to start opening them!

Valerie's pain and nausea have been out of control this week. They finally gave her a pain med pump so she can push it to get meds when she needs them. This actually helps her take less but she is able to stay on top of the pain more and take it right when she can feel it coming on. The doctors are changing her meds to all IV and no pills and once again changing her nausea meds to see if a different cocktail is the answer.
She had a fever last night so they are starting more meds for that as a precaution. Please pray that all of these meds will not bring back that horrible rash she had last month. She said it was worse than the chemo so we would love to keep that away!
It finally rained in SD for the first time since the Spring and this made our Snail very happy! It was peaceful to watch the rain and she told her nurses it was "so pretty". After the rain a bunch of hummingbirds started to appear in the tree that is outside her window! She has hummingbirds outside her apartment and she loves them so this made her very happy. They were there again this morning and she was awake and sitting up to watch them. +6 days