Chemo - Round 5

I'm writing this at the end of week 5. I'm also writing this on my birthday. I've wondered up until today whether I should place more significance on this day, maybe I should have taken on more of the invites to do something, instead of staying in and waiting for the kids to get home. I feel sorry for myself, the "me" from last year, I didn't know yet, I didn't know about the cancer. I would like to think I'm going to have a great year ahead, but I am cautious to expect that I will.

Chemo didn't leave me bedridden for a week or weeks, in fact, I did pretty good this time. I still am quite weak and slow moving, but that's been me for awhile now. I still have some nausea issues and some other quirky side effects, but all in all, coming back from my 5th chemo wasn that bad. Now...I just have one more to go....

I went on an adventure. My mom and I went to Regina for a book launch. More importantly, my father's book has been published and some of his good friends from where he used to work arranged to have a book launch. He was writing a book on the history of child and youth mental health in Saskatchewan, before he passed away. My mom and our family friend finished the book, edited it and got it published. We are all very proud. If you are interested in the book, it's called "Growing Pains" by Dr. Terry Russell, you can buy it on Amazon.

The book launch was a huge success, it was great to see some old friends of my mom and dad's, and it was really nice to see the hard work, that both my parents put into the book be recognized in such a great way. I'm so proud of both of them.

Regina was where I grew up, I have not been back there in 25 or so years. I had contacted a few friends before I went to see if we could do dinner or visit (thank you Facebook)....and there we were, the three of us, time played no part once we were reunited, it was wonderful. My friends, Lisa and Denise and I talking like we had just seen each other yesterday. I think I smiled thru my whole meal. We basically were the last ones in the restaurant that night, and since we still had catching up to do, we had lunch the next day. I loved it.

Before we got to Regina, we had a layover in Calgary. I knew a friend who worked near, so I thought I would check to see if there was a chance for a visit. I was lucky he said yes, Braden and I had about an hour to ourselves, not nearly enough time to catch up on everything, but it was so amazing to see a dear friend.

When we left Victoria, I felt discouraged almost right away. I was unable to walk any type of distance. I thought that would be the easy part, but I was so wrong. I needed a wheelchair for all the airports we were in. My Supermom pushed me everywhere. I didn't expect that...the wheelchair thing, thank goodness they were there.

I have my last chemo in 2 days. I hope my side effects aren't that bad. You will hear it if they are!

‎Special thanks go to my Supermom, my sister Kate, Laura C, Wendy S

xo

s

**Braden, Lisa, Denise...I am still smiling from our visits, no amount of medication could make me feel as good as I did when I was with you....thank you for the wonderful visits xoxo

Wiggling Out...

There I stand. I'm in front of the mirror and I don't recognize the person looking back at me.  Could it really be me? I raise my hand to touch my head, yup, stranger in the mirror does too. Staring back at me, is me...just different, just without hair. I still have wisps in some places, totally bald in other places, and growth in small patches....real cute.

I hide under a black touque at home full time now, it makes me feel safe and comforted, but it was getting to that point a few weeks ago that I had to start shopping around for wigs. Obviously I was not going to be able to rock a bald head during treatment, but kudos to those who do.

My mom and I went with a name she got from a friend. I was not looking forward to the appointment, I didn't want to try on a bunch of wigs to try and mask my hair loss, I just wanted my hair back. When we got to the studio, I was pleasantly surprised, we were given a lesson more on what type of wig we should get rather then try on pink mohawk wigs. From what I learned that day, there is no excuse for bad wigs people....no excuse.

Once we decided from the choices, hand sewn, machine made, laced panels, real hair, fake hair, we then had to decide on color. Since I still had some of my hair left, we were able to match my color perfectly, the selection of natural colors for the wigs were great, there weren't 5 to choose from, there were 25. I was really impressed. We decided on a rather universal style of wig, an inverted bob that looks good on everyone. I could have gone for longer, but why lug all that hair around if it wasn't mine? I was happy with my choice, happy with what I learned, even happier that I would have my new wig in a week.

When I went back, I was nervous of course. I was looking forward to "looking" like I had hair again, but I was nervous that it was going to look fake or just not me.

If you haven't heard the news of the hot blonde with an awesome hair do walking around Victoria....then you must be reading the wrong stuff!

I'm really happy with my new wig. It's something to get used to, that's for sure, but I'm really happy I have the option.  

Happy hair do's people!

xo

s