So we can stick with the plan to do three more cycles of chemotherapy, which will wrap up at the end of June. They also want to throw some radiation on there. Did I tell you guys about this? I thought I was getting to skip the radiation treatment, but the surgeon and the oncologist have been talking about me behind my back and they've decided that they want to be absolutely sure we've done everything we can to prevent a local recurrence of the cancer. So, okay, I am in agreement with that, but as I told Matt, it's like new vistas keep opening up, new vistas of crap. And he said, "Well, you don't want to half-ass it, now that you've gone to the trouble of having your boob taken off." True. He does have a flair for boiling things down.
So all is well, really, and I am feeling great. The second chemo infusion is one week away. My hair, which has been hanging in there like a champ, has started to shed a little the past couple of days. It is about like the hair-thinning you get after you have a baby, except that I guess it won't stop. It's been two weeks since my chemo and I was starting to think I was somehow exempt from the hair loss, but apparently not.
I'm okay with it. I ordered a wig, and I have some really cute hats. Actually, I've taken to carrying a hat around in my purse, like I'm going to suddenly go bald while I'm out of the house. Silly. It reminds me of how, when you're pregnant, you wonder if your water will break in public. Someone told me that her plan was, if her water broke while she was grocery shopping, to grab a glass jar of something--pickles, she thought--off the shelf and drop it. Then, I guess, she would make good her escape? Maybe I'll carry around some pickles AND the hat in case I need to really create a diversion.
I'll keep you posted on the head situation, you may be sure. Also, Amy is leaving tomorrow. Sad trombone! We have had such a good time. I gotta tell you about our Ikea trip, but that's a different post. xoxox-B
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27 comments:
That Matt, he's pretty funny.
Sorry about the hair loss. I was hoping you'd miss out that part as well. But great news on the PET scan. Go on with your awesome!
What great news, crushing the PET scan! Good for you. Love your blog and am sending positive vibes your way. (I think you'll look great in hats for a bit, don't worry!)
Way to kick the PET scan's ass!! Go, you!
Pickles, good thought. In case the shock of all your hair falling out in one big clump causes you to lose bladder control?
My water broke while on line (the old fashioned kind of on line) to buy my husband pants at Macy's. No pickles there.
Hats, scarves, wigs are all good, but keep wearing your smile and great sense of humor too. Congratulations on besting the PET scan!
My dad just phoned to tell me that you updated your blog. My dad, who sometimes wears mismatched socks. That is the level of market penetration you have achieved.
Your PET scan results bring us much joy.
Great news! Since reading your blog, I feel like we are bestest cyber buddies and I want you healthy!! IMHO, hair is over rated. Think of the money you'll save on shampoo, conditioner and maintence. And maybe you can go to one of those places where they feel your head and do a reading (like a palm reading, but your skull!!]. Endless possibilities of fun!
Hey Gorgeous! I just talked with your Mom and Amy and THEN read tour Dad's e-mail. Praise God!
You and Amy always have looked grat in hats. Hair is kind of a pain in the summer.
Love you. XOXO
Hey Girl. All sounds awesome. I'm totally with you on the preparedness with the hat, though. Can't be too careful!
My cousins water broke in front of her entire company at a sales conference while she was onstage giving a presentation. True story. So I think you should keep the hat in your purse, even though I've never heard of spontaneous shedding of all of your hair at once, although I would imagine you'd get some pretty interesting looks if that were to happen.
So fantastic on the PET! This will all be behind you in no time...carry on with your awesomeness Sub Mat....you are loved by many!
Good news on the Pet Scan. Great news only 4 treatments. The good thing about losing my hair was, I also lost it other places. No shaving legs or underarms YaY!!!
HOOOO-ray on the clean scan! Bummer on the hair, but it will grow back!
I'm recommending you for the honor roll -- nice work!
I read the message from your dad today at work about the pet scan and got chill bumps. I am so very happy that you did so well on that test. But then again, when in your entire life have you not done well on a test??? As always, you and Matt and the kids are in our thoughts and prayers and we love you. Gary sends a shout out to you. Take care
You've now earned a spot on my "friendly blogs" list. And I really look forward to reading your posts. Such fabulous writing.
If the hair thing actually comes to pass, which I'm still not convinced it will, you HAVE to post about how it feels to have the breeze blowing right on your noggin. I kinda always wondered how cool it might be to be free of hair for a bit, just to see what that was like.
My water never broke of its own accord. Always had to be broken by a medical professional. I'm tough that way.
Good to know your test-taking skillz are still working for you!
Great to hear the test went well! I never carried around a jar of pickles, but for the longest time before we even were wanting to have kids I kept a pair of overalls and a roomy empire waist dress in the closet in case I got pregnant. I didn't even like the clothes, but I guess I was worried that I would conceive, start showing immediately, and have to go naked.
Well hey there! GREAT news on the PET scan. Now I know who to sit next to during tests!
Boo-urns on the hair loss. I think carrying around a pickle-jar diversion is just good practice in all situations, really.
Becky, great news on the PET.
Keep the pickle jar handy, though, together with enough $$ to escape in a cab. The thought alone is empowering.
I was so glad and relieved to hear the PET scan report. GREAT NEWS!!!! Lots of love.
I'm so glad you got good news. And that you had the most wonderful time with Amy.
It's not really fair that the hair is starting to go so soon after you did it up gorgeous. Maybe it will grow back in all the neopolitan shades? That might sort of make up for the annoyance of the potential hat emergency.
Boo-rah on radiation.... but hoo-rah on acin' the PET. Happy newz!
Great news about the PET scan - I hate having things like that hanging in the air to worry about. And I'm so sorry about your hair - honestly I was more upset about losing my hair than I was about having cancer, at first.
Sweet Becky, Maria told me about your blog on Twitter (@kimtracyprince) because my dear Aunt Jeannie had her mastectomy yesterday and the sentinel node was positive and she has to have chemotherapy etc. You probably don't want to be known as The Breast Cancer Live Blogger but I want to tell you that you have helped me understand the situation so much better than I did. I called my mom and gave her your URL and said READ THIS NOW.
I know you like to keep it clean around here but I have no such rule for myself so allow me to say that somehow you make all of this seem really fucking funny, even thought it's not.
I'll be back.
I just knew you were the test-aceing nerdy type. Excellent news!
I really thought the hair thing would bypass you, too, but just think of all the fun hairdos you can try as it's growing in. You can rock just about anything, I have no doubt.
Never had my water break til I got there but the pickle idea, or something similar, is intriguing.
IKEA trip!
I KNEW you'd ace it, 'cause you're just that kind of a girl.
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