Thank you for thinking of me...December 2010

 I have been receiving so many thoughtful gifts to remind me that I have many prayers being sent Above and many people who are here for me anytime.  I've had two chemo treatments this month, and I am really tired now.  Feels like I have the flu.  I am trying to make this as easy as possible for everyone around me, and I know I should not feel like I need to do so.  There are certain people who truly do not understand that being so uncaring and mean really is wrong.

Left:  key chain and car magnet from my mom and dad

Right:  insulated tote and bottle to take food and Gatorade with me to my chemo treatments

 

Left:  Inspirational bracelets from the girls at work (Laugh, Hope, Courage)

Right:  Ornament from Dr. Scott (my boss)

Left:  My cousin Kaitlyn got a breast cancer pin to put on her work nametag

Right:  My etched wine bottle Kelly gave me at the surprise party

 Left:  Mug with coaster and stirrer from the Williams family (hot cocoa will go in here!)

Right:  Notecards from Kim Vier

Oh where, oh where, has all my hair gone

I had been told from the first appointment I had with my oncologist, Dr. Volas-Redd, that my particular chemo would certainly cause hair loss.  David who did my wig confirmed this reality.  It usually starts around day 15-17 after the first chemo treatment.  Mine started on Christmas day...which is also the day before I got my wig.  What timing, huh?  This is what my shower drain looked like.  I actually handled it really well.  Now my only concern is what my head will look like when I lose the majority of it.  Did my mom and dad lay me around on the floor a lot where I will have a flat spot...like the back end of a Honda CRX?

My next round of severe hair loss happened on December 29 after David cut it super short.  Now I look like one of those boot scrubbers.  Don't tell Jeremiah I said that about the boot scrubber.  It really aggravates him.  Hee hee!  P.S.  Thanks mom and dad.  I don't have a flat head!

Chemo #2 / Lisa brings supper

Now that I know how this chemo infusion goes down, I was a little bit more relaxed about it.  

I had my blood work done first to make sure my white blood cell count is o.k.  Then I headed to the battle field.  It went the same as last time starting out with the i.v. antibiotic and steroid.  I just had to count down the seconds until my date with the Red Devil, the nickname for my particular chemo.  It makes me nauseated just looking at the syringe.  I had a new comfort item with my this time.  A very sweet friend named Christy Bennett brought me a bracelet that her mom wore when she had breast cancer...coincidentally her name was Dana as well.  What a beautiful thing you did for me, Christy!

 

                                            The port where the chemo                                The Red Devil

                                                           goes in.

 

                                                    Christy Bennett                       The bracelet she gave me is the one       

                                                                                                           with the breast cancer ribbons.

 I did have some entertainment while at my chemo infusion today.  There was a man here getting his infusion as well.  He was quite a bit larger than the t-shirt and flannel shirt 'jacket' he was wearing...so his stomach was very visible.  He spent two hours in the room with me belching over and over without even saying, "I'm so sorry" to those of us in the room with him. Yuck!

When I got home from chemo, my new friend Lisa Taylor brought supper for us. I have gotten to know Lisa more through the Bible study group I joined recently.  Even though I knew I would start being sick tomorrow, it was nice to know we would have enough left over for Jeremiah to have a few more meals.  Thank you so much for putting so much love into the meal you brought.  It means more than you will ever know.

Nutmeg stayed with me 24/7...even while I was in the bathroom sick. 

 

McGuirk (below) joined in when it was time to snuggle on the couch.

 

Time to get my wig

Today is the day I get to bring my wig home...and get my hair cut even SHORTER.  My mom (Merlene), niece (Jana), and husband (Jeremiah) went along for the event.  David first showed me how to wash and dry the wig.  He had the color finished and the initial length cut on it.  He waited to do all of the final cut until I was there and wearing it.  We had to start by cutting my hair really short all over.  Just to have a little fun, before David cut the top part he made a mohawk just for laughs.  I am so glad I had cut my hair 2 weeks earlier.  I handled this part of my cancer journey well because of it.

 

 

 

 

David's sweet little dog, Dexter, kept us entertained during the appointment.  Here is my wig after all of the cut and color was finished.  Thank you so much J.F. and P.F. for your wonderful gift that made it possible for me to get my wig earlier than I would have.  We are so lucky to have you as our friends.  God bless!

MeRrY ChRiStMaS Everyone

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior...and the #1 team member in my fight with breast cancer.  It is through his grace, love, and tender touch that I have made it this far with hope still in my heart, laughter in my soul, and my sanity in tact.  What a gift He is to everyone on Earth.  I hope you have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart.  My life is so much richer with Him in it.

Jesus gave me a beautiful gift when I woke up this morning.  Snow flakes!  What a beautiful thing to see falling out of the sky.  When I stand on my porch listening to each unique one float to the ground, a since of peace just washes over me.  It's white color very carefully decorates the bushes, flowers, and ground around our house.  Thank you Lord for knowing what would brings peace to my soul.

It was only a matter of time December 24, 2010

I knew with the chemo I am on that I would eventually lose all of my hair.  Both the oncologist and David (the 'artist' who is doing my wig) said I would start really noticing around day 15.  They should bet on the horse races!  My first experience with hair loss from the chemo wasn't so bad.  It happened on Saturday, December 18.  Having thick hair, I'm use to my shower drain being overrun with my hair...however, this is more than usual.  I'm so glad I got my hair cut short.  I believe I will be able to handle this better with shorter hair.

A little elf

On Monday night when I got home, I headed straight for the bathtub to soak my worries away.  While up to my neck in bubbles, I noticed how clean my bathroom looks.  Not that it's ever filthy.  It just looked tidier than it did when I left this morning.  I learned that my mother-in-law had come to the house while I was at work to clean some for me.  What a blessing.  Remember my December 19 post about how wonderful moms are?  Here is another example of that.  Thank you so much for all of your hard work at the house, June.  Love you.

Love from Belgium

Our friends Patrick and Rita (and their son Rylan) moved to Belgium.  When I got home today, they had sent a little box of love.  Belgium chocolate!  Woo hoo!  I want to eat it so badly, but I can't taste anything!  Even if I had tried, you see who I would have to fight for it, don't you?  Thank you so much Patrick, Rita, and Rylan.  I cried for about 5 minutes because you thought about me half way around the world.  HUGS!

 

Weekly Bloodwork, yadda, yadda, yadda

Today is my weekly appointment with Georgia Cancer Specialists to have my blood, heart rate, blood pressure, weight, and temperature checked.  I typically go on Thursday or Friday.  However, since Christ's birthday is this week, their office will be closed so I'm having to go on a work day.  Thank you Dr. Scott for letting me leave for a few hours...especially since this is one of our busiest times of the year. So far, everything is staying stable.  Thank you Lord! Now for a restful Christmas at home to stay away from anyone who might be sick because I have chemo treatment #2 next week.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend with family and friends!

2nd Wig Appointment

Tonight after work, I went to David's house for my second appointment for my wig.  I'm so sad to report that I didn't choose any of the three wigs I was originally considering. (click here to see my original options)

When I walked in, he had the wig on a head form sitting in the room.  It was kind of freaky.  He had the hair color and length perfect.  It was so perfect that it looked like I had been scalped and put on display.  You are an artist David!  I understand why Sharon, Barb, Kelly, and Jessie recommended him.  I will be seeing him again on Sunday, December 26 to learn how to wash, dry, and style.

After being at work from 6:30 am - 5:30 pm, driving to Sandy Springs for the wig appointment, and then driving home...I can safely say I am really tired.  Time to turn in for the night.  Thank you everyone for your constant prayers, well wishes, support, and love.

Moms are wonderful

Moms are so very special.  They are the glue that holds a family together, know exactly what it takes to make a boo boo better, are our emotional cheerleaders, and would go to the moon and back for their child.  My mom was such a blessing this weekend.  Not only did her presence at our house while I felt so bad make me feel better, but she has the same Type A personality when it comes to having a clean house.  So she knew what stuff would be bugging me that I couldn't do. 

Thank you so much for everything you did this weekend mom.  I love you very much!