The Family

The Family

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Relief!

I have a video for you to watch. I had my head shaved on Saturday. So if you want to watch, there are some ground rules. 

1.  No crying, pitying, or feeling sorry for me.

I guess that's just one basic ground rule. So if you want, go ahead. It was a great moment for me...total relief!




Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Symbolic

OK, walk with me on this one. I am not one for getting all deep and seeing a lot of  symbolism in life, but this is just too obvious. You see that dumpster in my front yard? It means that my old decrepit floors are being removed and the concrete slab will be ground down to be clean and smooth. You see that little bathroom selfie of me? That marks the day in which my hair has begun to fall out. At least 5 strands every time I pull my hands through it...not a lot yet considering how much hair I have. But how ironic that  after 6 months of floor issues and nonsense, they are all finally coming out at the very same time as my hair. And it's perfect timing. These floors are an exciting distraction for me...I can't wait to show you the end result!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Chemotherapy

SO, everything and everybody had me prepared for chemo. I was curious as to how I would handle it. I am such a newbie to all of this and everyone is so reassuring (even doctors, patients, etc...) that the fear wasn't there. Nerves, yes, but not fear.
So in I went on September 11th, the day of destruction, to kill all of the little cancer cells that may be lurking inside me. As they hooked me up, I became more and more anxious of the whole procedure. For instance, they draw blood out of my chest. Yes, there is a port in my chest and they draw blood from it. THAT is wrong. They have to check my blood every time, so there is that to look forward to. Then, I get a patch for nausea and two other medications intravenously to combat nausea. I'm thinking that I'm going to be set! Then there are a few meds they have to push through and another that goes on a drip. By noon, I'm done. Sounds easy, right? I've also been given two other anti-nausea meds to take home with me, so I've got my bases covered!
Not so...a few hours later, I have acute nausea. So BAD. I have tried everything. I came home from the appt. feeling good, just a little tired. But by that night, I was begging Adam to give me a blessing and resorted to the final anti-nausea pill that causes drowsiness. After the blessing and the final pill, I slept that night. I've pretty much done nothing BUT sleep since Thursday. There is a metal taste in my mouth all the time and an aversion to food, but today the nausea is lifting. So I'm going to expect this every time and be a little more prepared.  I guess I'm the "special one" who nausea enjoys to torment, but at least I may have found the magic sleepy pill that works on me. Here's the awesome news...only 5 more to go! Then I'm done!!!

Before and After

I know that it's been awhile, sorry about that. But I'll catch you all up on stuff. First, here is a quick before and after of my hair. I was supposed to wait until the day before chemo to get it cut, but I couldn't handle thinking about it anymore, so in I went and off it came! It's not my favorite and not even what I actually asked for, but the stylist took 2 hours trying to get it just right. The lady waiting after me was so sweet and patient as well, so here you go! It's fine, and if it was staying then I'd probably go back. I'll enjoy it for a few weeks!