Slayin’ Gray began as a slogan for a t-shirt fundraiser.  We started noticing symptoms in early March 2019.  Tra’ began having memory loss and in mid conversation, he would lose his train of thought.  His words were random and would not make any sense.  It got progressively worse with his left eye drooping and eventually the whole left side of his face drooping along with very slurred speech.  On March 30, 2019 we went to the ER where the preliminary diagnosis was a stroke and bleeding in the brain.  The neurologist on call didn’t agree and ordered a second MRI to rule out a brain mass.  On April 1, my darling husband, Tra’ Valadez, was diagnosed with inoperable Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme, the most malignant form of brain cancer.  The devastating news came only 4 months after we married and it turned our world upside down.  

After the news, we sought out a second opinion at MD Anderson.  The diagnosis was confirmed; GLIOBLASTOMA and surgery was not an option.  On April 24th, he began the standard care of 30 radiation treatments and 42 days of oral chemotherapy at MD Anderson.  We “lived” in Houston during this time and we were so fortunate to stay in an apartment that was less than a mile from the hospital.  

Tra’ received the radiation treatments Monday through Friday and he received his chemo through an oral dose, which allowed us to travel home for the weekends.  Overall, he tolerated it well and he rang the bell on June 5, 2019 signifying the end of the first phase of treatment. The first MRI at the end June showed a decrease in the tumor size and swelling, we were so pleased, but knew it was just the beginning of a long battle.  

To minimize the disruption in our lives, we decided to coordinate treatment with a local oncologist, while MD Anderson would manage it and continue to perform the follow up diagnostics.  There have been treatments that seem to be working and others that haven’t worked.  He has endured countless doctor visits, blood draws, MRI’s, therapy, medication, surgeries, good news, not so good news and more.  This insidious and aggressive tumor has affected a lot of his cognitive functions along with his short term memory and speech.  He is unable to do many of the things he used to, but he is a fighter and lives every day to it’s fullest.

We knew we wanted to make a difference in the fight against GBM, so we created Slayin’ Gray to raise awareness and help fund research for this deadly cancer. We organized the first Slayin’ Gray 5K in November of 2019 and we raised over $5800!   All proceeds were donated to the MD Anderson GBM Moon Shots Program.  We are looking forward to the 2020 race!

Tra’ will have this cancer until a cure is found, we receive a miracle from God or God takes him home!  This is not at all how we thought our life together would go.  With God’s grace, our family, friends and a lot of prayer, we are pushing through and we are making the best of every day!  Together, we remain faithful and hopeful!  

Update:  Tra’ passed away at home on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.  He fought a brave & courageous fight that only God could win.  He received 5 different treatments during the last 13 months; which gave us beautiful memories that will be treasured forever.  Glioblastoma took a lot of from him, but it never took his spirit, his kindness, his love toward others, his humility or his will to fight!  Through it all, he remained the wonderful man God created him to be and I am so blessed to have shared it all with him. I will miss him dearly, but it gives me great comfort to know that he is with Jesus now; he is healed!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 

2 Timothy 4:7

Thank you for letting us share our story!