31 Days: Sharing "Stuff"

October ~ 31 Days of Breast Cancer Awareness: Day 6

While this may not really be an "awareness" post, it is about breast cancer, but is not something I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do or share with you. You see, I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Not really a close friend, but I am afraid this cancer thing is bringing us closer. And I'm not sure I really like how that feels.

Judy is a high school classmate of mine. We had our 40th reunion at the end of August and it was there that I learned she had recently been diagnosed, already had a surgery, and was about to embark on the roller-coaster ride of chemotherapy just a few weeks later. She has begun her journey, and I am now about to gift to her the two wigs gifted to me by Joan, another friend diagnosed about one year ahead of me. I also have some lovely scarves and head coverings I will pass on. So while it feels good to be able to share with a friend, it does not feel good that yet another lovely woman has been given those words, by her doctor, "You have breast cancer". Another dear soul who will go into battle fighting, frightened, hopeful, and with the love and family and friends by her side.

Fight on, dear Judy, like so many more before you. Be strong, courageous, but allow yourself to cry from time to time. I wish I was closer to help support you. Just know that you have a team in Glen Ellen cheering you on during your journey. We will be with you in thought and prayer ,and here to talk or communicate to help ease your fears.

You too are a survivor already, another warrior.

Hugs,

Debbie... aka the cancer warrior ... AND SURVIVOR!!!

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

Slideshow of Last 10 Days

A fun slideshow of Donna's recent visit, and my transition from wavy locks, to the new Bald is Beautiful look. Enjoy!

Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior; AND survivor 

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

The Time Has Come...

 ... To do something about this mess of a head of hair I am sporting. There is still a bunch there, but I have lost so very much that it has become oh so very thin and sickly. Each time I brush my hand over my head, the hand is full of hair. And when I brush it, well that is another very sad story. Then there is all the hair stuck to my clothing, where ever I sit, my pillow. It is quite disgusting to me right now so it is time!

So Thursday evening was the date. Donna had arrived from Helena the day before. And given her past profession as a hair stylist, we decided we'd start with a short do, since there seemed to still be even coverage.

Before (hair thinning)......................During................Bobo Seesters Have Fun

Photographer & Sweetie..............."Temporary" New Do..............The Trio

But then I showered and so much more hair came out. So I slept on it for one more night with my head tightly wrapped in a scarf. By the next morning I was over it. Mark pulled out the hair clippers and clipping away he went. The bristly bit of stubble that was left felt tender and awkward to the touch.

Bald is Beautiful! (Or so I keep telling myself)

But Donna and I headed out to my Oncology appointment , along with Basooka, with me donned in a bit of makeup, one of Gail's scarfs and Sarah's hand-knit hat. We met up with Nancy and Tina later at Mary's Pizza Shack, Windsor for an impromptu lunch; And I never looked back.

BALD IS BEAUTIFUL!

L-R: Nancy, Donna, Debbie (Tina back to work already)

So now the task is to get the Neutrophil numbers up to a reasonable level before chemo next week, as they are too low right now for treatment to proceed. So it is rest, good food, lots of fluid, and more rest for the weekend.



Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior; AND survivor 

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

Well, Not Exactly Tomorrow...

That is the hair.  as mentioned in my last post.

It is not "gone", but it is coming out in brushfulls, but not clumps. Actually, it just looks a little thinner and shorter. But it shouldn't be much longer before ~ Bald is Beautiful!

I've felt pretty good since the 2nd chemotherapy treatment on Thursday, but not sleeping well at all. Waking at 2:30 am one morning, then 4:30am the next, whithout going back to bed or napping just seems not right. I've been kind of jittery too. I wonder if the hair falling out has any correlation on how I am feeling.  But that seems to have changed  today after I went out to meet up with my spinning gals for part of the day. I was getting kind of anxious around 2:30pm and left a bit early, even though it was a very enjoyable day at Susan's, who is a wonderful host. These gals are all so supportive and such great fiber buddies. But by the time I got home, I was ready for a good hour nap; which I promptly took. Now Mark and I have finished dinner and watched the Academy Awards . And I am about ready to turn in for the day.

But not before sharing with you just how run down and tired I do look. And how much hair is coming out. I'll give it a day or so and I bet it will be time for the old hair clippers to come out. Bet we will be having a head shaving party real soon.

           Before 1st Chemo.       Today - hair thinning after 2nd chemo.       Spinning my hair on a spindle.

So.... I've decided to give it a spin before I get to the head shaving stage. Eat your heart out Rocky!

And as Michelle said, the mystery will be as to how it comes back ~ curly, straight, gray, brown??? At least my dilemma of when or how to revert back to my "natural" color has now been solved. Lemons? Make lemonade!! :-)

Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior; soon to be survivor 

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

Hair Today; Gone Tomorrow...

... Right on schedule -- DARN!   

The doc said it would happen right about the second chemo treatment, which was 2 days ago.

Well, I still have a head of hair, but it is thinning pretty darn quick. Just this afternoon I brushed my hair with a clean brush. It came out full of hair, like you would find after a month of not cleaning your brush. Then I was on the phone and pulled my hand away to find about 20 full strands stuck between the phone and my hand. So it is happening..... 

The itchy scalp has the slight feeling of ants crawling on my head, as my friend Joan told me was her experience. So dear Donna may not make it out in time to help me with this transition. But Mark is good at shaving his head, so I know he can do mine. She will need to help me learn how to be creative with a scarf, or help me paint my head, or something fun and silly, as we sisters can be.

Stay tuned.

But the good news is that the side effects from this second chemotherapy treatment have been very mild and manageable. Now the hair...... Damn it, anyway!!!!

I guess it is all part of the journey and just another way for me to come out stronger.



Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior; soon to be survivor 

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!