Many younger readers won't know that line but it is from a show in my childhood named Kojak. The actor was a bald man and he always had tootsie roll pops and said "who loves Ya baby"
The New Year has come with me feeling much better than at Christmas. I am encouraged with renewed confidence that I can survive chemo. While being told that I would feel bad for several days then start feeling better 7-10 days before the next round it is hard to believe in that while in the first round. I felt so bad and was concerned that I would feel that bad during my entire 4 treatments. Praise to Jesus I reached the feeling better stage on 12/30 and have improved daily. If you are embarking on the chemo journey yourself, keep faith it will improve!
I praise the many fighters who have tougher and longer chemo and radiation regimens ahead of them. You are true heroes.
I had my blood levels checked on 12/31 and my white count was up to 2600 from 300. This was a good jump which was in part to being on antibiotic and steroid for sore throat and continued hives from the chemo. The meds are also part of the boost in my energy level too. I will take that!
This week I see Dr. Medling for a last fill up of expanders then have my next chemo on Thursday 1/8 (Happy Birthday Elvis!). Then Friday I will go back in for a Neulasta shot because of how my WBC dropped with the first treatment. That will leave me feeling pretty well until about Saturday or Sunday then likely another 5-7 days of fatigue or maybe NOT. God will give me strength to endure this and at that point I will have chemo half over!
Everyone deals with the hair loss in their own way. I was told that I would lose my hair and it usually happens between day 7-14. I like to consider that I am not a vain person but let's face it a woman with no hair! I haven't been emotional about losing my hair but it did scare me a little bit. Before my first treatment I went and had about 3 inches cut off of the length. On day 13 there was quite a bit of hair falling out but not in the "clumps" like should be expected. Since my hair was coming out I called up my sister Frieda and asked if she would like to come over and give me a "pixie" for old times sake. This is humorous to me because when growing up, Frieda would always cut my hair in a pixie. There are 6 of us children and that's a lot of haircuts. No Frieda isn't a trained or professional stylist but she does a pretty darn good job and had cut my hair many many times and given perms! Frieda said sure and came right over.
Day 14 I get up and get in the shower. As I began to wet my new hairstyle I feel a strange soreness while wetting my hair. I look at my hands and there is clumps of hair all over. Talk about timing! So I manage to shower and control the hair everywhere. That was a mess I will say. My dear Abi had said all along that she wanted to be the one to shave my head so I got out of the shower and told her if she really wanted to be the one to shave it she had to do it right then. This made her get off to work late but we managed. This was a special time for her and I which made it less emotional and we could laugh through it. Of course I gave her the clippers with the shortest guard as she had never used clippers before.
Later that evening my dear Steve clipped my hair without the guard as he has lots of clipper experience!
I must say I am loving the variety of hats, scarves, beanies and open baldness. Those of you who know me know that I am a bit of a rebel and won't be surprised when you see me with my head uncovered. I have a couple of wigs but head covers are just hot and make Ya sweat. I will wear them when needed but won't sweat it either. Today the stubble was irritating so I took to the razor and shaving cream and got rid of the stubble. It was falling out anyway so I spared it the trouble!
Much Love and Health to all!
Please pray for those new to this journey and for those who are about to embark!
Sherry
Always an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteInspired by many including you! Hope you are feeling mucho better!
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