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Friday, March 22, 2013

Bald is Beautiful


I held on to my hair longer than I thought I would.  I made it almost through my first chemo treatment before it starting falling out.  Once it started, it didn't stop.  I still hung on for awhile, even as it fell out in chunks.  I would wake up in a pile of my hair own. I would pull clumps out when I showered. 

My breaking point came when I was trying to eat breakfast and I looked down and I couldn't eat for all of the hair covering my food.  I told the nurses it was time and they came in with clippers and buzzed my head.  I was really worried how I would handle seeing myself in the mirror in the first time as a bald woman, but I was ok.  I knew it was coming and I think I had been mentally preparing for it for some time. 

My next worry was how my husband was going to feel. Would he still be able to look at me as an attractive woman? Would be look at me differently now?  I asked him this very question and he responded with, "I can tilt my head and look at you if you want." 



The next thing to enter my mind was the worry I would embarrass my son and husband.  Let me add to this that I also have to wear a mask whenever I am in public to protect myself from germs.  I can handle the stares and people avoiding me as if I have the plague. 



It amuses me how people automatically assume when you see someone wearing a mask, the person wearing the mask is wearing it to protect the public.  They don't seem to understand that the person is wearing a mask to protect them from the public.  The mask is there to protect ME from YOU, not you from me.  But, I am getting on my soapbox and away from the point.

This is my mask and the one I have to wear in public.

I made the choice that I do not want to wear a wig.  I am perfectly fine with pretty hats and scarves. 

When I am at home or at the hospital, I don't wear anything and just let my bald head shine.

My husband shaved his head.  He said he couldn't have hair longer than mine.


It took me awhile, but I did share pictures of me on Facebook and the response from my friends and family was so welcoming, it made it that much easier to handle and accept.  I have also come to view my bald head as a symbol of strength, hope, and endurance.  Its not something I should be ashamed of, but a way to show that I am a fighter.  I am a winner.  I will not let cancer beat me.

And with that, I am going to share my pictures of me and my bald head, for I am not ashamed or embarrassed. 

Bald is beautiful.





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And this shall be the norm...

I am home, for now.  



I am finally in what is to be my "normal" routine.  I will be home for two weeks and then I will be admitted to the hospital for a round of chemo, which will last for about a week.

I have a bone marrow biopsy and a spinal tap on the first day I am admitted and on the day I am discharged. 

The two weeks I am home, I have to go every morning to my local hospital and get a complete blood count done (CBC).  If my counts are low, I have to be given blood and platelets. Luckily, that can also be done here at my local hospital and I don't have to make the four hour round trip to the leukemia hospital.  It takes almost five hours for the blood and platelets to be transfused. 

Every morning, I have to take three pills and give myself a shot.  Every night, I have to take three different pills and give myself three shots. 


This is going to be my life until they can find me a donor and do a bone marrow transplant. 


I am scheduled to be readmitted for another round of chemo on the 27th.  After it is done and I am home again for my two weeks, my goal is to announce the winners of the last necklace and purse giveaway.  I am also planning on starting up the necklace giveaway next month on the 15th, with the understanding that things can change at any time and there might be a delay in mailing the prize or I might have to end the giveaway early. 


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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

More Catching Up

It has been my intention to blog more about everything, but it has not been easy. 

There are so many people in and out of my room all day, checking, poking, prodding listening...   it makes doing much of anything impossible. 

I know for sure I will have to be in the hospital at least another 14 days. After those 14 days, I will be evaluated to see if they feel like I can go home for a little bit before my bone marrow transplant stuff starts.

I sure hope so.  I'm going stir crazy!!!  
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Puccini Tie Review




I was given the chance to review a wonderful designer tie by Puccini.  





**Please note:  I made the promise to review this before I got diagnosed and I am not one to go against my promises.  I took this pictures with my camera phone from my hospital room, so it is the greatest pictures. My apologies to Bows 'N Ties.**

**Please note:  I made the promise to review this before I got diagnosed and I am not one to go against my promises.  I took this pictures with my camera phone from my hospital room, so it is the greatest pictures. My apologies to Bows 'N Ties.**

**Please note:  I made the promise to review this before I got diagnosed and I am not one to go against my promises.  I took this pictures with my camera phone from my hospital room, so it is the greatest pictures. My apologies to Bows 'N Ties.**

**Please note:  I made the promise to review this before I got diagnosed and I am not one to go against my promises.  I took this pictures with my camera phone from my hospital room, so it is the greatest pictures. My apologies to Bows 'N Ties.**

**Please note:  I made the promise to review this before I got diagnosed and I am not one to go against my promises.  I took this pictures with my camera phone from my hospital room, so it is the greatest pictures. My apologies to Bows 'N Ties.**






The pictures do not do the tie justice, but the color of the tie is a bright, bold color and perfect for Easter.

The tie is extremely well made and will last for many years. 

Check out their website Bows 'N Ties (ties starting at only $9.90!!) and like them on Facebook.


image taken from Bows 'N Ties

image taken from Bows 'N Ties

They also have beautiful woman scarves starting at only $9.90. 


image taken from Bows 'N Ties







I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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Tunes on Tuesday: The Promise by Tracy Chapman

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