To start off, the main reason I do not update my blog frequently is usually because not much is going on...that's a good thing. So if you're wondering how I am doing and haven't heard for a while, just assume I am improving.
I am doing much better. I have been done with chemo for a while now, thus my energy level has increased and I am able to be more physically active. I went hiking twice last week, once with my 6 year old nephew Tanner, who ran down probably 1/3 of trail. The great part about this story is that I kept up! Wahooo! One of the worst feelings is chasing after kids and not being able to catch up with them even though you are exerting every ounce of energy, seriously! I'm getting back into the groove though and making up for lost time, which equals lots of extra teasing.
Onto the medical inquiries. I met with my doctor last week and he said everything is looking good. The main indicator of how I am doing however, is how I am feeling. I am super conscious of everything going on with my body, no ache or pain goes unnoticed. I will continue to go in for infusion once a month for zomeda (for my bones-not chemo) and I will have a CT and bone scan the end of July. The next time I will meet with my doctor will be right after the tests; to get the results. I am still taking tomaxifen and will be for as long as it is working. If for some reason it stops working, I qualified for a study which would begin this fall. Cross your fingers that I won't have to take an experimental drug, but that the tomaxifen will continue to take effect. I met with a genetic counsellor two weeks ago and am waiting for those test results which will take a few more weeks.
Funny bald moment: I tend my sisters kids while she teaches violin on Wednesdays and while walking down the stairs (without my wig on) during one of her lessons, the younger sister looks at me and says, "Are you the mommy or the daddy?" Her mom was appalled, but I just laughed and kept walking. I left that one for Dre to explain, but at least I got a good laugh out of it. I guess to a 5 year old, a bald person wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and chacos could be gender neutral. I love that children are so honest, they just don't have filters...maybe that's why I relate so well.
I'll let you know when I find out about the genetic test, in the meantime, just assume I am doing well!
p.s. Does anyone have a remedy to be able to sleep better? I have a difficult time falling asleep at night, and I wake up long before I would like. I'll try anything!
p.s.s I am also looking for a car. Something small under 100K miles within $5000. If you hear of anything, give me a shout. Thanks!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Done with chemo!
The moment you have all been waiting for...I am done with chemo!!! Well, for now. I met with my doctor Thursday and he told me I could do chemo for one more month if I wanted (like I would want to do that!) or I could switch over to hormonal therapy (tamoxifen). We looked at the images from 3 of my CT scans and he showed me how much the tumor in my breast had shrunk over time. The reason he gave me the choice to be done with chemo or not is because the shrinkage from the last scan was minimal. If I were to do one more month of chemo it would probably still shrink a little, but in the long run it wouldn't make that much of a difference. So I chose tamoxifen. Yay!
Tamoxifen is hormonal therapy. What the heck does that mean? If you want a more detailed description you can check out this website (It is a simple Q&A): http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/tamoxifen.
If you don't want to go there I will sum it up. Your type of cancer is either estrogen receptor positive or negative. Mine is positive, hence I am eligible for tamoxifen. It will block the estrogen receptors in my breast which should shrink the tumor, but at a much slower rate than chemo. Tamoxifen acts against the effects of estrogen in the breast tissue but acts as estrogen in other parts of the body putting me at a higher risk of endometrial cancer and uterine sacroma. That's a let down. Other possible side effects are hot flashes (which I have already been experiencing...I'm sorry to you menopausal women out there, it stinks!), blood clots, stroke, and birth defects if I were to become pregnant. There are others such as fatigue, headaches and nausea, but are less common. Throughout radiation and chemo I have experienced many symptoms of pregnancy and menopause, but without having a baby or actually experiencing menopause, oh what I have to look forward to!
The next question most people ask is, "What about your hair?" It should start to grow back in 6 weeks to 3 months. I think I will keep my head shaved until it starts to grow in a little thicker, plus it is summer and hot outside. I don't mind being bald, but when it starts to grow in all thin and wispy, I look into the mirror and see a cancer patient. I have been more brave lately and gone out in public bald. The other day my mom and I were walking into Walmart as a hispanic looking man in a truck pulled close to us. He rolled his window down and said, with a thick accent, "I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything, but I really like the way you look with your head and everything." We got a kick out of it and laughed our way into the store. I guess some people like the bald look!
After all this, I do not really feel relieved. The doctor said that it is very likely the cancer will act up within 6 months-2 years. I feel like I won this battle, but there is more to face. This will a loom over me as long as I live. I am not in the clear but things are looking good for now and I am feeling much much better than I have the past few months. As far as I know I won't have surgery, but will continue on with the tamoxifen for as long as it is working. It is usually about 5 years, but differs case to case.
There is not much more to say than I have already said. My life is in God's hands. I have learned to enjoy life a little more and to live in the moment instead of planning years ahead. I find joy in the little things, and I am finding out what is most dear to me. Unfortunately it took cancer for me to realize some things, but at least I realized them and can now continue to move forward with more purpose than I have ever knew I had.
Tamoxifen is hormonal therapy. What the heck does that mean? If you want a more detailed description you can check out this website (It is a simple Q&A): http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/tamoxifen.
If you don't want to go there I will sum it up. Your type of cancer is either estrogen receptor positive or negative. Mine is positive, hence I am eligible for tamoxifen. It will block the estrogen receptors in my breast which should shrink the tumor, but at a much slower rate than chemo. Tamoxifen acts against the effects of estrogen in the breast tissue but acts as estrogen in other parts of the body putting me at a higher risk of endometrial cancer and uterine sacroma. That's a let down. Other possible side effects are hot flashes (which I have already been experiencing...I'm sorry to you menopausal women out there, it stinks!), blood clots, stroke, and birth defects if I were to become pregnant. There are others such as fatigue, headaches and nausea, but are less common. Throughout radiation and chemo I have experienced many symptoms of pregnancy and menopause, but without having a baby or actually experiencing menopause, oh what I have to look forward to!
The next question most people ask is, "What about your hair?" It should start to grow back in 6 weeks to 3 months. I think I will keep my head shaved until it starts to grow in a little thicker, plus it is summer and hot outside. I don't mind being bald, but when it starts to grow in all thin and wispy, I look into the mirror and see a cancer patient. I have been more brave lately and gone out in public bald. The other day my mom and I were walking into Walmart as a hispanic looking man in a truck pulled close to us. He rolled his window down and said, with a thick accent, "I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything, but I really like the way you look with your head and everything." We got a kick out of it and laughed our way into the store. I guess some people like the bald look!
After all this, I do not really feel relieved. The doctor said that it is very likely the cancer will act up within 6 months-2 years. I feel like I won this battle, but there is more to face. This will a loom over me as long as I live. I am not in the clear but things are looking good for now and I am feeling much much better than I have the past few months. As far as I know I won't have surgery, but will continue on with the tamoxifen for as long as it is working. It is usually about 5 years, but differs case to case.
There is not much more to say than I have already said. My life is in God's hands. I have learned to enjoy life a little more and to live in the moment instead of planning years ahead. I find joy in the little things, and I am finding out what is most dear to me. Unfortunately it took cancer for me to realize some things, but at least I realized them and can now continue to move forward with more purpose than I have ever knew I had.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
An end in sight???
I can see light at the end of the tunnel! Depending on how my CT scan goes this Thursday, I may only have one more chemotherapy treatment left. And, depending on how my appointment goes with the spine doctor, I may be permanently out of my back brace!
Now with that said, I will expect to have one more month of chemo and have to stay in my brace a little longer just so I don't get my hopes up. I am so used to bad news so this seems too good to be true. I guess it's about time for something good to happen...meaning for this cancer to go away; many many good things have happened over the past months.
I have been feeling a lot more tired lately. These drugs are definitely working because I get winded walking up stairs and zofran (anti-nausea) is becoming a little less effective over time. My body has been through a lot and I feel as though my energy is being sucked away from me. It is more difficult to focus and sleeping is still an issue. I finally got sleeping pills, but sometimes that doesn't do the trick. If I could have 3 wishes, being able to sleep through every night for a week would certainly be included. Maybe this is just a glimpse of the future and what it will be like when I am a mom and have a baby who doesn't like to sleep through the night. I guess don't have much room to complain though, I have still managed to stay active through this all. Meaning I have not been completely bedridden.
I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that I may not be going in for weekly treatments anymore, although it has to come to an end sometime. I will still be taking medication, hormonal therapy, but it comes in pill form and there are very few side effects. My hair will start to grow back sometime within 6 weeks to 3 months. This is also weird to me because I am so used to being bald and "putting on" my hair in the mornings. Bald chicks are sexy! I guess I can get used to hair again. I could get used to running again too, and hiking and lots of other things I have not been able to do for a while. I can't wait!
Now with that said, I will expect to have one more month of chemo and have to stay in my brace a little longer just so I don't get my hopes up. I am so used to bad news so this seems too good to be true. I guess it's about time for something good to happen...meaning for this cancer to go away; many many good things have happened over the past months.
I have been feeling a lot more tired lately. These drugs are definitely working because I get winded walking up stairs and zofran (anti-nausea) is becoming a little less effective over time. My body has been through a lot and I feel as though my energy is being sucked away from me. It is more difficult to focus and sleeping is still an issue. I finally got sleeping pills, but sometimes that doesn't do the trick. If I could have 3 wishes, being able to sleep through every night for a week would certainly be included. Maybe this is just a glimpse of the future and what it will be like when I am a mom and have a baby who doesn't like to sleep through the night. I guess don't have much room to complain though, I have still managed to stay active through this all. Meaning I have not been completely bedridden.
I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that I may not be going in for weekly treatments anymore, although it has to come to an end sometime. I will still be taking medication, hormonal therapy, but it comes in pill form and there are very few side effects. My hair will start to grow back sometime within 6 weeks to 3 months. This is also weird to me because I am so used to being bald and "putting on" my hair in the mornings. Bald chicks are sexy! I guess I can get used to hair again. I could get used to running again too, and hiking and lots of other things I have not been able to do for a while. I can't wait!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Time
Yes, it is 2:39 am and I am wide awake. Treatment nights I usually don't sleep well because they give me steroids. The steroids are a preventative measure for infection. I usually fall asleep fine and then wake up between 3 and 5, but tonight is different. I will say though, it is nice every once and a while to stay awake longer than usual yet not feel the slightest bit tired. Hmmm. I like to be awake when the rest of the world is asleep, I feel it provides a more peaceful atmosphere to meditate and ponder.
I have had a lot of time to think about, well, everything these past few months considering I am graduated and am not able to work yet. What would you think about or change if the doctors told you the average life expectancy of someone with your diagnosis was 1.5-5 years? I never thought I would have to face such a predicament. I always assumed I would live to be old like my grandma Astle, painting at 75 years old and out fishing at 92. I never even considered dying before being able to get married or have a family. I am not saying this will happen, but it is in the cards now. Following is something I have been pondering since November 16th.
When the though first crossed my mind that I could be gone the following year, I immediately thought of relationships I have with people. Would I regret saying something? Would I regret not saying or doing something? Am I at odds with anyone? How can I better the relationships I am currently in? My mom always says that when we die we will not take things with us, but our relationships will be carried beyond the grave. Why is it that we really think about these things when something traumatic happens? Why aren't these questions constantly on our minds? I am speaking mostly of myself right now, many of your reading this I am sure already have this in check.
I go back to the reality that our lives are in God's hands. When I was 18 months old, my father passed away in a drowning accident. They, including my two oldest brothers, were on a scout outing on the Green River in southern Utah. Everyone was floating down the river and had life jackets on, but when they began coming to shore my dad was nowhere to be seen. They searched the area but when they realized he was not there, a search party was issued. About 5 days later they found his body. Anyone who knew my dad knew he loved the outdoors. He hunted, fished, hiked, camped and if given the opportunity, probably would have spent a whole year up in the mountains. He spent plenty of time in rivers, swimming, and participating in dangerous activities (he was a fireman after all). He did not drown because he did not know how to swim, I am sure he did not want to leave my mom behind to raise 6 children on her own, and I know he did not want to miss hunting season the following October. However, God knows. I feel that we as humans sometimes throw that aside and make our own plans and get upset when things don't turn out "our way." One lesson I have learned is that we make plans so God can have something to work with a.k.a. change. God's ways are not our ways. He knows what is best for us and the experiences and challenges we need at the exact times that will help us come closer to Him and better fulfill our purposes here on Earth. I would not take back this experience, however I do not wish it on anyone. I do not know how it will all turn out. I don't know if I will be here for 2 years or 20 years but, whichever it is, I want to make the most of every day. My life is in God's hands; the best place to be.
I have had a lot of time to think about, well, everything these past few months considering I am graduated and am not able to work yet. What would you think about or change if the doctors told you the average life expectancy of someone with your diagnosis was 1.5-5 years? I never thought I would have to face such a predicament. I always assumed I would live to be old like my grandma Astle, painting at 75 years old and out fishing at 92. I never even considered dying before being able to get married or have a family. I am not saying this will happen, but it is in the cards now. Following is something I have been pondering since November 16th.
When the though first crossed my mind that I could be gone the following year, I immediately thought of relationships I have with people. Would I regret saying something? Would I regret not saying or doing something? Am I at odds with anyone? How can I better the relationships I am currently in? My mom always says that when we die we will not take things with us, but our relationships will be carried beyond the grave. Why is it that we really think about these things when something traumatic happens? Why aren't these questions constantly on our minds? I am speaking mostly of myself right now, many of your reading this I am sure already have this in check.
I go back to the reality that our lives are in God's hands. When I was 18 months old, my father passed away in a drowning accident. They, including my two oldest brothers, were on a scout outing on the Green River in southern Utah. Everyone was floating down the river and had life jackets on, but when they began coming to shore my dad was nowhere to be seen. They searched the area but when they realized he was not there, a search party was issued. About 5 days later they found his body. Anyone who knew my dad knew he loved the outdoors. He hunted, fished, hiked, camped and if given the opportunity, probably would have spent a whole year up in the mountains. He spent plenty of time in rivers, swimming, and participating in dangerous activities (he was a fireman after all). He did not drown because he did not know how to swim, I am sure he did not want to leave my mom behind to raise 6 children on her own, and I know he did not want to miss hunting season the following October. However, God knows. I feel that we as humans sometimes throw that aside and make our own plans and get upset when things don't turn out "our way." One lesson I have learned is that we make plans so God can have something to work with a.k.a. change. God's ways are not our ways. He knows what is best for us and the experiences and challenges we need at the exact times that will help us come closer to Him and better fulfill our purposes here on Earth. I would not take back this experience, however I do not wish it on anyone. I do not know how it will all turn out. I don't know if I will be here for 2 years or 20 years but, whichever it is, I want to make the most of every day. My life is in God's hands; the best place to be.
Friday, March 9, 2012
They're shrinking!!
My tumors are shrinking!! I have been anticipating this appointment for 2 months now and am so happy to know that the chemo is working. The one in my breast has shrunk about one centimeter. It is difficult to tell if there are still cancer cells in my spine or not, but the doctor said that the bone is acting as if there isn't because it is growing back so nicely. The bone in my back won't grow back exactly as it was before, but it is filling in. The same goes for my rib. The CT scan shows there are no new spots either!
The action plan is to keep doing chemo until the tumor stops shrinking then they will put me on tomaxafin to keep everything stabilized. Tomaxafin is a hormonal therapy that blocks estrogen receptors and comes in the form of a pill. There are very few side effects, which is nice because I will possibly be taking this indefinitely. Hopefully I will only be doing chemo for about 2 more months, but I will plan on 4 then I'll be pleasantly surprised when/if it is less. I have learned that patience is required for cancer patients. It is difficult to predict what will happen or how long treatments will last because it really is a month by month process. That is ok, I feel I am getting exceptional care at the Huntsman center and am very lucky to be there.
The next question is the back brace. How long will I be in it. Before today I would say, "I don't know!" I met with the spine guy today and as of next Wednesday I will start weening myself off it. I will start by not wearing it for an hour, then 1.5 hours then 2 etc. By April 20 I will be OUT OF THE TURTLE SHELL!!!!!! Who's excited? I have a love/hate relationship with this brace. It came at a great time when I was literally moving slower than Tim's grandma, in her 90's, because of the pain. So thanks brace, but I'm ready to part with you.
How's the vegan diet going? I went into all of this diet change stuff knowing I would eventually make some changes, so here goes. I have added yogurt and fish and occasionally chicken (costa vida cough cough). I eat a lot of fruits and veggie's, beans, whole grains, chips and salsa but my saving grace are smoothies! I am still avoiding soy at all cost, but not being so strict with sugar. Tonight is liquid brick night at Caspers...basically the best milk shake ever! I am a little upset because tonight is the last night it is open!
My mom always say's there is a lot of adversity before something good comes along. Last week was a rough week, I won't lie. I have felt like a crazy lady with no control over her emotions at times. I am lucky to have such supportive family members, friends and Tim. Thank you to everyone who has shown support over the past few months to me and my family. This is a trial no family can get through alone. I have felt so much love from so many different sources, Thank You, it is much appreciated!!
The action plan is to keep doing chemo until the tumor stops shrinking then they will put me on tomaxafin to keep everything stabilized. Tomaxafin is a hormonal therapy that blocks estrogen receptors and comes in the form of a pill. There are very few side effects, which is nice because I will possibly be taking this indefinitely. Hopefully I will only be doing chemo for about 2 more months, but I will plan on 4 then I'll be pleasantly surprised when/if it is less. I have learned that patience is required for cancer patients. It is difficult to predict what will happen or how long treatments will last because it really is a month by month process. That is ok, I feel I am getting exceptional care at the Huntsman center and am very lucky to be there.
The next question is the back brace. How long will I be in it. Before today I would say, "I don't know!" I met with the spine guy today and as of next Wednesday I will start weening myself off it. I will start by not wearing it for an hour, then 1.5 hours then 2 etc. By April 20 I will be OUT OF THE TURTLE SHELL!!!!!! Who's excited? I have a love/hate relationship with this brace. It came at a great time when I was literally moving slower than Tim's grandma, in her 90's, because of the pain. So thanks brace, but I'm ready to part with you.
How's the vegan diet going? I went into all of this diet change stuff knowing I would eventually make some changes, so here goes. I have added yogurt and fish and occasionally chicken (costa vida cough cough). I eat a lot of fruits and veggie's, beans, whole grains, chips and salsa but my saving grace are smoothies! I am still avoiding soy at all cost, but not being so strict with sugar. Tonight is liquid brick night at Caspers...basically the best milk shake ever! I am a little upset because tonight is the last night it is open!
My mom always say's there is a lot of adversity before something good comes along. Last week was a rough week, I won't lie. I have felt like a crazy lady with no control over her emotions at times. I am lucky to have such supportive family members, friends and Tim. Thank you to everyone who has shown support over the past few months to me and my family. This is a trial no family can get through alone. I have felt so much love from so many different sources, Thank You, it is much appreciated!!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Not much going on
I have not written because frankly, not much has happened since I shaved my head. I am still feeling amazingly well considering those darn nurses pump poison into me every week. Other than the poison part, they are treating me very well down at the Huntsman center, I have nothing to complain about. Last week my sister in law, Sue, brought me yarn and a crocheting hook and taught me the basics. That is one thing I have wanted to do "some day" which means, I'll think about it but let's be honest folks, it was never going to happen; so thanks to Sue. Today during treatment I practiced chaining for about an hour. The great thing about crocheting is if you make a mistake, just pull it out and start over. Maybe some day I will actually produce something recognizable ;)
March will be a turning point of sorts. I just finished the last treatment (#6) of my second cycle which means next week I will go in for a CT scan and breast ultrasound. This will tell us how the cancer is responding to chemo. Some people have asked me about my tumor/cancer markers. In simple terms this is a number that can be determined by the blood test at each treatment that tells you how the cancer is responding. However, for my case this number doesn't reveal anything, I need the actual images to tell us anything. Bummer, but what can ya do. Anyhow, I will meet with my oncologist on March 8 to get the results. This may be the teller if I need to have surgery, keep going with treatment, or possibly to change me to a different drug. Honestly, I don't know or even really have a feeling of what might happen. I just pray and hope for the best. I do not want to have surgery, but if that is the best option, so be it. Wouldn't it be nice to go and have him tell me that the cancer is gone? That is every cancer patients dream. Cancer patients don't like cancer. We'll see, and I'll keep you updated on the big stuff.
Tim and I were sitting on my couch the other night and I decided we needed to come up with a top 5 reasons being bald rocks. Here goes:
#5-Getting ready time=cut in half. I was in and out of the shower in 4.5 minutes the other day. Tim said he could do it in 3, which means my next shower will be in 2.5...We're not competitive at all.
#4-I don't find hair in the sink anymore. No clogs. No hair in the drain at the end of the shower. Dream come true! I also don't find hair on my legs or under my arms. Are you jealous yet? You should be!
#3-Wigs. I can have short hair one day and long the next. I can wear hats, scarves, and funky do-rags and no one questions me. I can go bohemian one day and G.I. Jane the next and people think it's cool. Wow, I have too much fun with this!
#2-Hair doesn't get in the way when I throw something over your shoulder like a backpack or purse...unless I'm wearing my long hair, then it just shifts.
#1-Shock factor. I was in institute the other day on the back row and my friend Josh had the thought. I also had a thought. It was really warm in the room, I was wearing a hat, I took off the hat, I was bald. I was smirking a little and half expected him to start laughing. He looked at me for a minute and I don't think he knew what to think if he wanted to laugh he did a good job suppressing it. It was funny for me, sorry Josh.
I bet you all wish you were bald now, I don't blame you. My cancer card states that bald chicks are sexy, so now you know what to do if you are a girl and want to be sexy. You're welcome. Well I could go on and talk about nothing like most bloggers, or I could fold the laundry on my bed so I can get into it and sleep. I think I'll choose the latter. Peace out.
March will be a turning point of sorts. I just finished the last treatment (#6) of my second cycle which means next week I will go in for a CT scan and breast ultrasound. This will tell us how the cancer is responding to chemo. Some people have asked me about my tumor/cancer markers. In simple terms this is a number that can be determined by the blood test at each treatment that tells you how the cancer is responding. However, for my case this number doesn't reveal anything, I need the actual images to tell us anything. Bummer, but what can ya do. Anyhow, I will meet with my oncologist on March 8 to get the results. This may be the teller if I need to have surgery, keep going with treatment, or possibly to change me to a different drug. Honestly, I don't know or even really have a feeling of what might happen. I just pray and hope for the best. I do not want to have surgery, but if that is the best option, so be it. Wouldn't it be nice to go and have him tell me that the cancer is gone? That is every cancer patients dream. Cancer patients don't like cancer. We'll see, and I'll keep you updated on the big stuff.
Tim and I were sitting on my couch the other night and I decided we needed to come up with a top 5 reasons being bald rocks. Here goes:
#5-Getting ready time=cut in half. I was in and out of the shower in 4.5 minutes the other day. Tim said he could do it in 3, which means my next shower will be in 2.5...We're not competitive at all.
#4-I don't find hair in the sink anymore. No clogs. No hair in the drain at the end of the shower. Dream come true! I also don't find hair on my legs or under my arms. Are you jealous yet? You should be!
#3-Wigs. I can have short hair one day and long the next. I can wear hats, scarves, and funky do-rags and no one questions me. I can go bohemian one day and G.I. Jane the next and people think it's cool. Wow, I have too much fun with this!
#2-Hair doesn't get in the way when I throw something over your shoulder like a backpack or purse...unless I'm wearing my long hair, then it just shifts.
#1-Shock factor. I was in institute the other day on the back row and my friend Josh had the thought. I also had a thought. It was really warm in the room, I was wearing a hat, I took off the hat, I was bald. I was smirking a little and half expected him to start laughing. He looked at me for a minute and I don't think he knew what to think if he wanted to laugh he did a good job suppressing it. It was funny for me, sorry Josh.
I bet you all wish you were bald now, I don't blame you. My cancer card states that bald chicks are sexy, so now you know what to do if you are a girl and want to be sexy. You're welcome. Well I could go on and talk about nothing like most bloggers, or I could fold the laundry on my bed so I can get into it and sleep. I think I'll choose the latter. Peace out.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Alopecia
My dear friends, I have been struck with alopecia, or hair loss. One reason I dyed my hair bleach blonde and whacked it off was because I knew it was going to fall out anyway. I will say that it was a lot easier to see short blonde hair fall out than my natural color. It began over a week ago and only got worse. At first it wasn't so bad, but it finally hit me that I was losing my hair. I was planning on shaving my head at some point but didn't know when, where or with who. I decided last monday that it just needed to go, so I called my best friend and we went and did it. Honestly, it wasn't that difficult to see it go. It was more difficult to see a trail of hair wherever I went. It was EVERYWHERE, so I am now bald. Whooda thunk?! I will admit, I always wondered what I would look like bald but would never under any other circumstances take that step. Before shaving my head I feared I would find some weird birthmark under my hair, or my head would be a weird shape. Luckily I do not have a weird birthmark and am told that my head is quite round...I guess that's a good thing. All you people with hair on your heads, enjoy it! I'm not missing mine too much right now because being bald really is low maintenance, which cuts my getting ready time in half! I know I will have days where I miss it, but I have lots of cute hats and a wig. The day I shaved it I bought a cute purple beanie. Emotional purchase...definitely. But I don't regret it one bit.
I just want to take a second to thank my wonderful family. They have all been so supportive. Every step of this journey I have had someone, or multiple people at my side. My loving mother, my silly sisters, my dedicated brothers, my endlessly adorable nieces and nephews who pray for me and tell me consistently, "I'm sorry you have cancer." Coleman, in 1st grade, drew me a picture that said "I have cancer and it is fun...Shot (with a pic of a needle coming towards me) cancer isn't is fun as I thought." We were all rolling on the floor laughing when he gave it to me. Then they showed him a picture of me bald and he said, "I think she should wear a wig." This kid has some serious opinions about girls' hair, he cracks me up! I asked my family to not treat me any differently and by golly they haven't...well I think they make fun of me more, but that is to be expected. How could they pass up the opportunity to poke fun of a 23 year old with a handicap pass that walks like a grandma and can't bend over. Yep, I've heard it all. Teasing is a form of love in my family. I am lucky to have such a great support system. Love you family!
I just want to take a second to thank my wonderful family. They have all been so supportive. Every step of this journey I have had someone, or multiple people at my side. My loving mother, my silly sisters, my dedicated brothers, my endlessly adorable nieces and nephews who pray for me and tell me consistently, "I'm sorry you have cancer." Coleman, in 1st grade, drew me a picture that said "I have cancer and it is fun...Shot (with a pic of a needle coming towards me) cancer isn't is fun as I thought." We were all rolling on the floor laughing when he gave it to me. Then they showed him a picture of me bald and he said, "I think she should wear a wig." This kid has some serious opinions about girls' hair, he cracks me up! I asked my family to not treat me any differently and by golly they haven't...well I think they make fun of me more, but that is to be expected. How could they pass up the opportunity to poke fun of a 23 year old with a handicap pass that walks like a grandma and can't bend over. Yep, I've heard it all. Teasing is a form of love in my family. I am lucky to have such a great support system. Love you family!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)