Friday, July 26, 2013

Kickin' Butt

The Faces of Chemo: Day 85 - Chemo 5 with my Chemo Buddy, Sandee!
Another pic from chemo today.
I'm calling this one, "Nerdy Secretary goes to Chemo".
I know, I'm such a dork! ‪#‎cancerisstupid‬ ‪#‎iheartnerds
Day 86 - Won't back down!

Don't Go!!!

AH MAN!! Looks like my brows and lashes are bailing on me!!! I thought we had a good thing going! Didn't I treat you right? Didn't we have some good times? Remember how we would talk about "Hair" and how she wasn't strong enough to stick around? I thought we were going to ride this out together! I wish we had more time!! You don't have to go!! We can go this!! PLEASE!!!!!!?



The Faces of Chemo: Day 84 - Got in TWO walks.... 4.4 miles total for today!

Cowgirl Haute

The Faces of Chemo: Day 83 - Got new hair! This one's called, "Cowgirl Haute".

Days 80 - 82

The Faces of Chemo:
Day 80 - Who doesn't love a trip to ihop before bed?! 

Day 81 - GI Jane goes walkin'.
PS. I braved crossing Lambert (thanks for the assist, DBW)!
Day 82 - It's National Ice Cream Day!!

Day 77 - 79

The Faces of Chemo:
Day 77 - Back in the kitchen (probably should have taken a nap first).
Day 78 - Chemo 4 of 12!!! With my Chemo Buddy Christine!
Day 79 - Tryin' out a new look!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Hey, let me see your hair!

Bald & Nerdy


So, it’s been 58 days since I said “good-bye” to my hair. You’d think I would have gotten over it by now, right?  I mean, how vain is this girl?!  I never really thought of myself as vain, always thought that I was pretty well grounded, but now I’m beginning to wonder.

It’s not that I haven’t gotten used to being bald. I almost never wear hair around the house and I hardly even think about it (unless I happen to walk by a mirror).  I guess the problem is that now that I’m starting to feel “normal” again, I want to look like the “normal” me again.  Honestly, if it weren’t for my bald head, I might forget sometimes that I’m right in the middle of a battle with breast cancer (well, that and the weekly lab and chemo visits).  Anyway, I wanted to share a “hair” story that happened this morning...

I don’t leave the house without a wig on.  The only time I do is for my morning walk and even then, I’m wearing a hat.  I usually head out for my walk early enough that I don’t encounter many people, just several pick-up trucks filled with tools and men in t-shirts headed to work.  My route goes along Walnut Street, between two busier streets, La Habra Boulevard and Lambert Road.  Each morning I think to myself, “You should go farther, cross Lambert,” but each time I turn around just before I get to the corner.  Why?  Well, because I would have to stand at the crosswalk and wait for the light to change, risking being noticed by the heavier traffic on Lambert. The cars on Walnut don’t stop.  They just pass by.  It’s bad enough that I see their heads turn and their lingering looks as they drive by.  The cars on Lambert might stop at the light - get a better look!  Stupid, I know.

Once again this morning (a beautiful morning I might add), I couldn’t convince myself to go out beyond the safety of my usual route.  Too many cars out,” I told myself.  I turned around and headed back home.  About halfway there, I noticed two men walking ahead of me and talking.  They were older and one had a walker.  I tried to walk quickly around them, unnoticed.  As I passed, they said good morning and asked me how I was doing.  Still moving, I turned slightly, smiled and returned their greeting.  Then the man with the walker yelled out, “Hey, let me see your hair!”  REALLY? Did he REALLY just ask me that?!  I don’t have any hair!” I answered without looking back.  So! Let me see your hair!” was his reply.  By this time, I had picked up the pace and was a good distance away from them.  I quickly pulled of my hat and turned my head to see their reaction.  Walker Man smiled and called after me, “Ah, you’re beautiful anyway!”

Thanks, Walker Man.  Although you are most likely visually impaired, thanks for making me momentarily forget about the uncomfortable stares from the passing cars and remember that I AM beautiful and for now, this IS my “normal”!  There’s a pretty gnarly fight going on inside my body, and I’m holding up pretty well!!  I may not be heading out all GI Jane anytime soon, but if people do see me, I hope they see my strength.  Even if I don’t ever get up the courage to “expose the dome” publicly and in person, I hope I still shine with the strength, grace and joy I’ve been blessed with throughout this journey.  I just need to remember to stand confident in the new and improved person God is molding me into, hair or no hair.

Ultrasound

The Faces of Chemo: Day 76 - Ultrasound Couture!
The tumor is down another half centimeter!!
Take THAT, Supid Cancer!

Faces of Chemo (continued)

Day 58 - Last night with Mom & Dad. Gonna miss 'em!!!!, Day 59 - Aside from Mom & Dad leaving, the pelvic ultrasound, dry eyes, and the heat, this is the best I've felt for a Friday after chemo!, Day 60 - Too HOT for hair OR make-up!, Day 61 - Feelin' good.

Day 62 - Goin' for a ride...., Day 63 - Got my new specs. Look out world, I can see! ‪#‎gettingoldsucks,
Day 64 - 2 Down, 10 more chemo's to go!! Megadose Benadryl kicked my keister again!!!,
Day 65 - Happy Birthday, America!

 Day 66 - Elmo is here!!!, Day 67 - Out like a "normal" person! Cheers! ‪#‎cancerisstupid‬
‪#‎LazyDog‬ #‎twooldladies,Day 68 - Ellyn's last night/Lovely 'Staches Tribute.

Day 69 - Monday, Monday. Going in for labs EVERY Monday kinda sucks (especially
when my alien port doesn't cooperate)!, Day 70 - Out for a little celebratory after dinner walk.
Feeling good!, Day 71 - Chemo #3 of 12. Get 'er done!, Day 72 - Slurpin' on some free Slurpees!

Day 73 - FINALLY BACK AT DLAND (for a short lunch), Day 74 - Took a 2+ hour nap
followed by some Chinese food! Lazy day!, Day 75 - A little wrestling action - WWE Money in the Bank