Jul 10
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Valerie–cancer free!

A few months ago we heard from Valerie who was battling breast cancer. Click here to read that story, and celebrate with her after reading her update below.

May 26:

I am at home and have finished surgery Monday. I look like a flat tire on one side! Of course, it hurts and is sore, but I am do relieved that the cancer is gone. My surgeon said that he couldn’t find any dye from the lymph nodes, so they were clear, but he cleaned them out and my right arm is swollen now. I have two drains too…next week I will get rid of them and that will be absolutely lovely.

I think I told you about my plans to reconstruct in the future. I am just so happy that the surgery is over with. I think probably other women may feel the same after the surgery is over. The worry, the fear and the general feeling that you are mourning something you have had all your life take your positive feelings and turn them upside down.

I am swollen from the surgery and feel like I look like a bird with skinny legs and a huge belly!!! That will go too. I have been enjoying strawberry shortcake. It is the only thing that I want to eat.

I am doing very well considering what happened two days ago. I have a Jupiter sized attitude that I am going to come back and do better that ever.

A few days later:

Attitude is still Jupiter and the best thing that my surgeon has released me!!!! The only thing I can say is that it isn’t a walk in the park, but the pure hell will strengthen you. I really am so happy that I have lost cancer!

See you soon, girlfriend…

Valerie..Cancer free for now!!!

And today:

I have been seeing doctors. My oncologist and myself always joke with each other. Dr. Ungaro is a wonderful man…he started me on the path to kicking cancer out of me!

Right now I am in Radiation…I say I am being nuked daily! I only have 5 more weeks. I am getting stronger.

I have started working on my second children’s book. I had the manuscript done before I was diagnosed, and now I am drawing the pictures to match the words. It is fun…I do it on my dining room table. It used to be walnut, but I think by the time I finish, it will be walnut and rainbow.

You know, I wanted to lose weight for my health. Well, now, I have come to a conclusion. If I can kick cancer out with the help of God and my doctors and nurses, then I can lose this weight. Sooooooooooo I am going to wait until I finish Radiation, then I will work in earnest on losing this weight. I am already walking and riding my tricycle.

I love swimming in the pool, it is so nice to be surrounded by cool, aqua blue water!

Two weeks ago, I walked into the ocean…it was a childlike joy when the ocean got above my knees. I have started remembering the happy things I loved as a child. The sand, the baseball hats, and plain vanilla ice cream.

I am getting happier every day…I understand the fear. I understand the hurt. It will not run the rest of my life, though. And if I can help one person, I will be eternally happy by helping. Now my soul has returned to what it was…to be able to help someone is true happiness.

Oh….I will try to send a picture too…my hair is coming BACK!!!! And it is the same color!!!

Tags: Austin women, beauty over 50, breast cancer survival, Women over 50

This entry was posted by Susan Tolles on July 1, 2010 at 10:53 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Life in Balance by Susan Tolles 3 Comments

I am put to the test | My Flourishing Over 50 says:

July 1, 2010 at 11:08 pm

[...] I think of my friend Valerie who recently had her cancerous breast removed, and Kim who was widowed before she was even 50, and Amy Dillon who can now walk after a tumor on [...]

Joanne says:

July 2, 2010 at 7:23 am

I am thrilled for you that all is going well…your positive attitude is one of your biggest asset…you are a great role model for all.

On a personal note I had to have a hysterectomy due to cancer so I can relate some what. It has truly changed my life in many ways. Firstly I wake every morning and let God know how grateful I am.

I have also changed my environment – I clean my house without any chemicals (ridding my home of toxins) and more recently I am ridding my body of toxins as well.
I can’t believe the change in myself and my body not only am I eliminating the toxins from my body I am losing weight…have never felt so great!!

Feel free to contact me personally and I would love to share how I am freeing my body and home from harmful toxins.

Live everyday,

Joanne

P.S. Thanks again for sharing your story.

Linda Piazza says:

July 9, 2010 at 12:30 pm

Valerie,

Congratulations for barreling through so much of your treatment plan already. In September, I’ll be a 20-year survivor breast cancer survivor. I had what is probably an inherited form of breast cancer, but not one of the two that are currently known. My mother had breast cancer, as did her sister and her sister’s daughter, and one other cousin on the same side. (One of my brothers is also being closely followed because he’s developing some abnormalities.) All of us females contracted breast cancer between 40-42. I was 40, and because of my family history and some other factors, had bilateral mastectomies. Not everyone chooses reconstruction, but as a 40-year-old, I did. It wasn’t for reasons of vanity, but because I didn’t want to look in the mirror and think “cancer victim,” and I’m active, jogging, mountain biking and kayaking, and didn’t want to worry about a prosthesis slipping. I wanted to let you know that the results were spectacular and they still are now that I’m 60. Depending on the type of reconstruction you and your doctor might choose, recovery from the reconstruction can be a bit tough, too, but if this is the path you want, it’s totally worth it.