Happy Snailsgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving! We have had so many small and huge miracles in the past 3 months, defying all odds and shocking the country's experts is hard to do. In order to make the transplant a success Vanessa had to donate 11 million stem cells. This is hard to do and usually takes 2 days. Vanessa donated 21 million stem cells in 1 day! The doctors said that the stem cells were "magnificent" and that Vanessa and Valerie were a perfect match! They do not know of that many cells ever being donated in one process.
Vanessa and Valerie exchanged gifts just before the transplant. A penguin webkin for Vanessa and a Pocket Dragon for Valerie.
Valerie was very nervous but still her sweet self during the transplant telling the stems cells "Go Stems, Go!" and even helping one along that had found its way into the wrong tube. "This way guys" she told them. A comfort from her angels, the tubing for this is very long and somehow it curled itself into a perfect heart shape and since it was hot pink, it was very pretty. It was very quick only taking about 20 minutes to give her 5 million stem cells. There were jokes made about selling the rest on eBay but for now the other 16 million are frozen but we know we will never need them. Her blood pressure returned to normal in about 20 minutes after and her nurse told her that her heart said, "Ok, I'll take them." So sweet!

The last couple of days have been back to the roller coaster ride we had before. She will be just fine and then 3 minutes later is in horrific pain or sick. They have pretty much figured out her tummy and pain meds because each person is different so it takes a while to get the cocktail just right. The doctors think her body is responding to the transplant already which is amazing but we will not know for sure for 2-3 weeks. Merry Christmas to us! She had Mom's homemade Thanksgiving food yesterday and loved the stuffing ball as usual. Stuffing Balls? Oh yes! Do you love the crunchy of stuffing? You would love these!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for all of you!

Hot Pink Day! -1

Today was incredible! Vanessa's production of stem cells must have been in overdrive!
They were hoping to harvest 11 million, they got close to 19 million and the quality was great so no need for more shots or another harvest (called apheresis).

Michelle's note- In true Vanessa fashion her stem cells were hot pink not just regular pink! So Vanessa! Somehow I envision hot pink stilettos going in there to kick some ass! Ok so I could not find the right stilettos but these are so Vanessa and even her favorite designer!

Valerie rested today. Found out best to take meds to head off nausea so then she can get a little food down. It's 9:30 now. Valerie is sleeping, Vanessa icing her arms, Sherry and Craig relaxing. I will stay the night at hospital. It is a privileged to be part of this and to see all of the miracles first hand. The big day is tomorrow. Please pray for acceptance and that the new baby stem cells get busy making bone marrow and then blood ready to fight and kill the leukemia. Usually takes 2-3 weeks before results start to show up.
God bless us all!
GayLynn

3 Days for Team Snail

Team Snail Light the Night in SD

Fundraiser Night in Colorado

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!

Amazing Snail Hats

http://crochetandappliquesboutique.com/
Cathryn found this amazingly talented lady on Etsy to make a hat for Valerie and turns out she barely takes it off. The original hat is black and has 2 flowers that can be removed so she can wear none, one or both depending on her mood. This is the new set that Valerie has not even seen yet because Jen just finished them and they are being sent as I am typing this. The snail was a custom order (of course) and can be removed as well so that she can use it on any of her hats and the blue star the same. Valerie picked the colors of the new hats so she can be cheery and if you notice she chose the colors of Team Snail out of Jen's rainbow of choices. I don't even think she realized she was doing that but I think it is cute. Jen normally makes kids clothes, hats, mittens etc with all of the popular characters but she makes hats for people going thru chemo in honor of her friend that went thru the same. The hats are so soft and made with such care and love that we just wanted to thank her from all of Team Snail!

Chemo Grad Snail

Never Again!