hair cutting time

Ok. Since Memorial Day I've noticed that my hair was thinning. After my last chemo, I noticed I wasn't really able to comb it anymore so I had been using my wide bristle brush. Not sure what to call the brush but it's the one that has a black poofy cushion that holds those plastic bristle with the silver plastic bulb on it. Hope that description helped. LOL! Mid last week both my mom, who also cut her hair short with me, and I planned to go get our hair washed but I had explained to her I wasn't sure if I could due to the condition of my hair. By Friday, I called my hairdresser back and canceled... I just didn't think my hair would hold up; it literally was falling out if you touched it. :(

Saturday

Me and my crew; husband, kids, and mom; went to a beauty supply shop to check out some wigs. Guys, other than a fro that I had purchased some time ago for a party I had NEVA worn a wig. The young lady that was there became helpful once I explained my purpose and lack of expertise on selecting a style. We pick several and she helped me try on and fix them. LOL! too funny some of the stuff the kids picked. By the time we were done, my hair was everywhere. On the floor, on the table, in the chair, on my clothes.... EVERYWHERE! I finally asked A.D. to go ahead and cut it. I just couldn't cope with seeing my locks falling out like that.

Sunday

Today is our 12th year anniversary. :) We got up round about the same time. I did a little clean up in the kitchen and he got the supplies together to do my hair. talk about anxiety build up. Trust me... it not that I truly mind but it's the reason I had to cut that got me. I felt .... upset! robbed! hurt!

So, I take my seat, look in the mirror, and sighed. Yea, y'all know my husband encouraged me and told me that "it'll be ok", "you're still beautiful","I love you no matter what your head looks like." He starts by using a wide tooth comb to lift up what was left of my tapered bob. :) He was ever so tender as he handled this now dead hair yet it somewhat withered outta the comb and fell to the floor. I think it shocked him as well. After the longer stuff was gone, the clippers came out. As he gingerly cut away, I couldn't help but shed a few tears... well maybe more than a few. When it was all said and done and I finally stopped bah-hooing, I took a look and decided this wasn't so bad. It was cut on a 2 guard at my request. Needless to say A.D. was right when he suggested the 1. After I showered and washed what little hair I had less, all the loose strand fell out as well... I didn't realize it at first but I did the hold another mirror behind you thing to see the back. Y'all I bah-hooed like a baby. My head was now patchy in the center. Shoulda listened to my husband and cut on the #1. :(

Finally I got it together and went out to breakfast with my wonderful husband. What an emotional day. From one extreme to the other.

2nd Chemo

DING! DING! DING! DING! Ok here I am, up to round two of chemo. Even though tremendous improvements have been made in breast cancer treatment, I'm sooo NOT looking forward to this. This time though... I came prepared. Nope, didn't bring the typical books or my laptop, I brought my blanket and pillow. :) If, your not tired they still gonna make sure you go to sleep with you pre-meds. :)

Hey I found that there actually is one good side effect to chemo. well two.. 1st, LADIES... I don't have to see "Penelope" ;) every month and probably wont for up to 12 months after treatment. I think that's kinda nice :) 2nd is that I wont have to shave for too much longer. From what I understand I may revert to that new baby look with minimal to no body hair. LOL! gotta laugh bout this.

The weekend

I missed helping with the big Choi Kwang Do promotion at AMC this weekend. UGH! A.D. said it went well and looks forward to our student body growing from it.

Saturday- I spent most of the day moving from my bed to the bathroom and to my sofa. Not much of an appetite, just fatigued. For those who don't know, I have a Jamaican mother! She has been sitting with me since Friday and very persistent that I eat something. Guys, nothing taste good after chemo. I figured I would at least drink to stay hydrated but NNNNAAAHHHH she wants to bring me Applebee's Orange Chicken bowl. LOL! Thank God, we agreed on just a salad. :)

Sunday- woke up feeling a bit sick but popped a Zofran, nausea pill, and slept it off. I'm dislike being tired of being tired. Today, my mom makes pork chops and potatoes for dinner, and though I was actually gonna eat that. LOL! Mom's gotta love em.

Some Good News

OK... as you guys know I go to Dekalb Medical every week for treatment. Let me clarify this. Every week they treat me with a drug called Herceptin. It's main focus is to target the specific gene of the tumor I have, HER2. Every 3rd week that I'm there I get my chemo treatments in addition to Herceptin. Trust me, all of em suck but hey, gotta get rid of this tumor. Which brings me to some good new I want to share with you.

Good News

Before my treatment yesterday, I saw my doctor just to discuss my side effects and what to do about them. cool. Then he does an exam and confirms what I thought was happening. THE TUMOR IS SHRINKING!!!! :) YYYEEEAAAA!!!! He doesn't believe it's solid anymore either, meaning the sucka is breaking down. LOL! This is just after 1 chemo and 3 Herceptin treatments. LOL! I'm sssooo Freakn happy. Unfortunately, that doesn't decrease the treatment course I'm on so still got a way to walk on this path.

Not So Good News

OK. I knew this was a possibility but I was praying I would be one of those exceptions. Maybe I still will be. BUT! As I did my hair this morning 06/05/10, I noticed some strands of hair in my iron. Strands that were wrapped around it, it a flat iron, not broken strands. I've already cut my hair to prayerfully make it less traumatic if I do loose it BUT not sure how I'm really gonna feel bout it. Keep praying y'all.