Valerie's Wish
Valerie Ruiz's Story
My name is Valerie Marie and I’m 9 years old. |  |
 | Back in 2005, I started feeling out of sorts. I wasn’t behaving at school or at home and I was constantly irritable. I was having problems keeping my balance and I started speaking slowly. My parents took me to my pediatrician who immediately suspected the worst and sent me to an emergency MRI. Less than three hours later my parents were being told that I had a golf ball sized brain tumor. The same day I was admitted into Children’s Medical Center of Dallas where for the next 16 months I would be undergoing brain surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, eye surgery and physical and occupational therapy. |
After a seven hour brain surgery I was diagnosed with a Medulloblastoma. A malignant tumor that was growing between the brain stem and the cerebellum. Thankfully, I was part of a scientific study which gave me the opportunity of trying out a new radiation treatment which promised to be less harmful to me. The trial was lead by the National Cancer Institute and the Children’s Oncology Group. I still suffered from nausea, lost my hair and was very, very tired. So much that I did not have the energy to play soccer anymore. But I’m very thankful for having been part of this program. Many other children did not have this opportunity. |  |
 | I have been in remission for 21 months and my life has returned to normal, at least as normal as it can get for a cancer survivor with balance and learning problems. So now I would like to make a difference and help other children with brain cancer. It is my wish that every kid who is diagnosed with a brain tumor have the same opportunities I had. We all deserve a second chance!!! |
Update November 2008: I am 10 years old now. I like school, but it is hard because of my learning issues. I recently started taking ballet classes to help with my strength and balance problems. Medically, I'm still doing very good!! Also, my little sister is growing up and I get to play with her every day. |  |