Not a "Hair" in the World

Well, it's done. My head is shaved and I'm OK. Actually, I don't look half bad if I do say so myself. I'm shocked at how dark the hair I have left is. Thank you to Donna for keeping my hair colored so well - don't lose your notes!

My hair was already coming out. Not in clumps yet, but in handfuls of strands. After showering this morning it looked like I had a small kitten in the trash can. Once it dried, it was getting everywhere. Even in my oatmeal. I decided that was the final straw. Alexis had to show me how to tie the bandana on my head to keep it somewhat confined for most of the day.

The shaving party began after Scott got home at 5 and Becky and my parents came over. We met the neighbors outside and went to work.

This is me right before. By this time I desperately needed my hair cut and color, but what was the point? And think of the money I'll be saving on cuts, colors, and even shampoo! Getting ready in the morning will be a breeze!

Each of the girls and some of the neighbor kids got in on the act. Alexis had a great time cutting my hair and helped everyone else take a turn. They gave me a mohawk first and we had a good laugh before Scott shaved everything off.


Here's a shot of the family right after.






When we first found out I had to have chemo, Scott said he would shave his head too. I told him, "absolutely not!" So instead, he shaved his mustache. This is only the second time since we met that he's shaved it. What do you think? I talked him into growing it right back. Just looks too different for me.





The final shots are close-ups of Scott and I - what a pair! And we even went out to dinner just like this!




We're picking up my wig tomorrow. I'll have more pics then!

Chemo #2

The second chemo is over and today I feel pretty good.

It took the nurses quite a long time to find a vein that would work. They ended up sticking me three times before they finally got it to work. The bad news is that now I have to get a port--another surgery. I know it will be better in the long run. But it really sucked to hear it yesterday.

This time Charlene (my wonderful nurse) started with the A drug. Its the red one administered by syringe through my IV. After that was the C drug. It was a slow process and I'm glad I've got two under my belt.

When I got home I did some work at the table and then moved with my computer to the couch where I sat until Scott got home. I took some anti-nausa medicine as soon as I started to feel a little bad. After that I went to bed for a bit. When Scott got me up for dinner, I was feeling OK and then much better after eating. I took a sleeping/anti-nausa pill and slept really well.

On another note, my hair is falling out pretty rapidly. Not in clumps (at least not yet), but in many strands. It was hard to eat breakfast without getting hair in my food and that's just gross. So tonight I plan to say goodbye to my hair. Don't worry, we'll take pictures!

Hair Today, Gone...

It started last night. After my shower I combed out the knots in my hair. I noticed a huge amount of hair in the comb.

This morning as I ran my fingers through my hair I ended up with another mass of hair in my hands. I put my hair up in a clip hoping to contain it for the day. It seemed to work.

Evidently this is how it begins.

Tomorrow at 10 a.m. is chemo #2.

I'll keep you updated.

The Itch

You know the feeling you get when you really need to wash your hair? The itch. That only gets better with a good scrub to the head.

Well, I have it. And I shower everyday!

It's starting. And I'm dreading it. Know everyone will know. There's no way to hide it.

I'm struggling again with this issue. I know I'll get used to it, just as I've gotten used to seeing myself without one breast. I know it will be OK. Eventually. But right now it's hard. I only have about a week left of hair. I don't want to do this anymore. And I know I don't have a choice and that sucks.