Valerie W. - Quilt Finished in 2006
Born: March 27, 2004
Illness: Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma of the optic chiasm/hypothalamic area
A Thank You From Valerie's Family!
January 5, 2009
Thank you for sharing with others and asking others to pray for our Valerie. Our daughter has received many gifts since being diagnosed, and even went on a wish trip to Disney - but nothing has touched me like the quilt has. I think I have only washed the quilt once - I want it to always be filled with memories of our daughter (hopefully many more years of memories). All of our girls look at the quilt from time to time (we have 4 girls under 11) - and I talk to them about how each square came from someone different and the time involved in making each square and then in making the quilt. Everyone who comes over is told about the quilt.
Every day when I look at the beautiful quilt I am reminded of love. I am so glad that you specifically told us to use and enjoy it. Yes, it has some tiny stains, but each reminds me of our Valerie Grace. She is sleeping under it right now. It is the most beautiful thing that we own.
Thank you again for sharing our thanks with Cathy - she has lit up our world and added so much joy to our lives. She is a daily reminder that there are people out there who really "get it", who reach out to families when they are hurting, who has a passion for doing good on this earth. It is a wonderful ministry - one we feel truly blessed by.
Celeste and Valerie
Valerie W.'s Story
written by mom Celeste
Valerie Grace was born on March 27th 2004, our fourth daughter. She was completely health prior to January 31st 2005 - never a runny nose or fever. We noticed her eye jiggling back and forth (nystagmus) and were sent for an MRI. She had a large 4-5cm brain tumor in her optic chiasm area. The tumor was partially removed on 2/7/05. By October 2005 the tumor had regrown to it's original size along with several large cysts surrounding it. She has been on IV chemotherapy since November 2005 and had surgery to fenestrate the cysts in January 2006 and surgery in February 2006 to put in a VP shunt due to hydrocephalus.
Other than our times in the hospital, Valerie Grace lives a happy life - she loves to laugh, feed our pet chickens, and play with her three sisters. She loves animals and she gives the best hugs. God has shown us so much this year - how to live each moment to the fullest - how to rejoice despite our circumstances.
Written by Valerie's mom Celeste in February 2006
