Congratulations Snail!!!!

Congratulations to our little Snail for surviving the first 100 days after a stem cell transplant! It is only up from here!
We have received the results of Valerie's 100 day bone marrow biopsy and .... drum roll please...
the results are "FABULOUS!!!!"
There is NO sign of leukemia and significant bone marrow growth!
I know I don't have to tell Team Snail how amazing these results are! Of course we are guessing that the growth is Vanessa's hot pink stilettos since it is identical it is hard to tell but all signs point to that. Valerie has not had any transfusions, complications or hospital stays since she left the hospital in December and that alone is a huge miracle!
The next step will be to continue tapering off the steroids and as soon as that is complete we can taper off the anti-rejection meds.
Slow and steady wins the race, especially for a Snail!

Congratulations and Thank You to Valerie's dear friend, Danielle who won the Sassy Apron auction! Thank you to Sassy Apron for the extremely generous donation of her artwork!

Almost 100 days!!!

Team Snail we have almost made it to the 100 day birthday for our Valerie! Valerie had her 100 day bone marrow biopsy last week and we should have the results by her 100th day. This biopsy is one of the most important. It tells us how well the transplant is working, how many good cells and double checks that there are no bad cells. News as soon as we hear....

Don't forget that her 100th birthday is also the end of our Sassy Apron auction! Click here

Starbucks for the Snail!

Our little Snail had a amazing day today!
Her numbers have been a little jumpy lately which had us a little worried but her doctors assure us it is normal! Just another side effect of a med or normal course for the transplant. Her doctors answered her list of questions and made her feel so much better! How many people can say that? Thank you again to the entire UCSD team, you continue to be amazing!

Probably the most exciting news is that Valerie's doctors told her to go sit on the patio at Starbucks and have her favorite White Chocolate Mocha!!!!! This is amazing, the first outside food and sitting in public! Don't worry to all the protective Mom's out there, my Dad watched very carefully as Valerie's drink was made and the people at Starbucks did not disappoint.
Along with her new "prescription" the doctors told Valerie to walk as much as she can and get out more! Of course within reason, imagine a snail again. Slow and steady so she is working up to walking a 1/2 mile and going out really means walking on the beach not going dancing just yet.
So, Dad and Snail wasted no time and headed to the beach for a picnic. The most amazing part was the hoppy birds and hummingbirds (Valerie's favorites!) came to the picnic. Behind them in a bush was a very fat and happy prego hoppy bird and then a bunch of the most gorgeous hummingbirds that followed them wherever they went. The hummingbirds were the most amazing colors that Dad and Valerie had never seen and so uplifting.

Mom will be back in San Diego for a visit on Saturday, I will be there Thursday and Vanessa the weekend after me so we will have lots to report to Team Snail.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Team Snail loves you!

Sassy Snail!

Remember this fabulous Sassy Apron I got for Valerie's upcoming birthday?

Well the creative genius behind these little numbers has given us an apron to auction off for Team Snail! She was touched so much by the love that Team Snail has for our little Valerie and in honor of her cousin, wanted to help. Sassy Apron will make any apron style that you like, in any pattern and in your size!

Keep in mind, Mother's Day will be here before we know it!

Here is how to bid:
Just make a comment on the blog of the amount that you would like to bid and that way everyone can see what the amount is up to. For my email list, if you would love to bid but just can't get to the blog, please email me and I will update it for you.

The last day to bid will be 11:59pm March 3rd!!! Why March 3rd?! That is the Snail's 100th day birthday!

Please keep in mind that these aprons retail between $20-$35 depending on the style.
Visit Sassy Apron on Etsy here to see the amazing designs from kitchen to gardening aprons.

Go Snail Go!

The doctors have given Snail the go ahead to start exercising! Before all of this mess Valerie worked out 5 days a week and Brent and her have every hobby that is outside so this is very exciting news! Keep in mind this is in Snail speed so first she has to start walking (as much as her feet with let her) and her doctor suggested Yoga.
Another wonderful praise is that Valerie has not had to get an infusion of ANYTHING in a month! Her body is making everything it needs and her supplements are filling in when she needs a bit extra. Her numbers continue to come up where they should and the bad ones are going down every day.
Keep praying Team Snail! It is working miracles everyday!

Snail and Chipmunk Weekend

What a wonderful relaxing weekend!

Thursday:
I barely arrived early in the morning in the craziest storm San Diego has seen in, well I think, ever! We had a really scary flight and then Southwest canceled flights until the late afternoon. I was so grateful to get there safe and not be delayed to see the Snail!
The rainy weather makes for a sleepy Snail so we relaxed and talked pretty much all of Thursday. It was so nice to have some time together without a hospital in between us.
She looks amazing by the way! Her hair looks about like it did when she was a baby, little dandelion girl. It is coming in fast and it really light blonde and soft. I swear it grew when I was there! Her skin is recovering from the rash nicely considering how horrible it was. The rash is still there but much better and she has lots of new baby skin that seriously looks just like an infants. She is using lots of lotion and fell in love with Amlavi's body butter that I had brought with me. Good thing the Mile High girl brings Amlavi everywhere, even if it is a billion percent humidity!
Friday:
Infusion center appointment went great first thing in the morning. Her numbers looked wonderful and she did not need anything so as quick as a Snail can, we hurried out of there. Valerie has returned to her love of cooking and is taking on baking as well!
We spent a lot of our day baking and then resting. She is amazing at gluten free bread, muffins, cookies and the most amazing part is she is making them from scratch, converting regular recipes. If you have never baked gf you have no idea how hard that is but trust me, I just don't even attempt. She has always wanted to open a restaurant so I am hoping that this gives her a little push. She is making regular or "glutenous" recipes too so if you are in the area, give her a call. Yummy treats might have just come out of the oven!
Saturday:
I spent the morning running errands for her and luckily the rain finally stopped so I was not completely soaked. I got her some new baking pans and pretty soaps from Bath and Body Works, etc. Valerie's best friend Lara was in town to visit her and run a 1/2 marathon with Kristy (sure, me too) so Melissa, Kristy, Lara, Valerie and I had some good old fashion girl time. (Brent left the second he heard the numbers, 90210) It was so much fun to laugh and listen to music and have a "normal" afternoon.
Sunday:
Make a big breakfast for the Snail & Doodle- check
Finish the big sister to do list- check
Introduce Snail to Netflicks- check
Order Snail a fabulous apron on Etsy.com- check
Because as Valerie says, "It is ok to visit the 1950's as long as you don't live there."Matching "house" for the amazing KitchenAid Brent got her for Christmas
Sassy Apron is fabulous!
Drive on the beach- checkTake a 4 block walk!!!!- check
Promise I will be back in one month- check