My saga is currently fighting Triple Negative Breast Cancer with NO Primary Tumor as well as surviving ER/PR+ Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in 2013. I have a twisted sense of humor and have tried to continue that laughter and optimism on my journey.
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giving your 16 year old scissors
New Traditions
Losing my hair - it's going to happen. When I did this in 2013, I waited to cut my hair once I was further in treatment. I didn't want to do that again. I didn't want to do it while I felt sore and bad. This time, I wanted to get rid of my hair before treatment.
Since I will have now done this more than once, it can be considered a tradition: cancer haircuts by my kids. Last time I did this, the kids were 6 and 13. So, this time around my son (23) opted not to cut, but watched some.
However, my 16 year old daughter leapt at the opportunity to cut my hair. Even though 10 years have gone by, she had to adhere to a few basic rules.
Basic Rules:
1. Do not cut my ears.
2. Do not cut your own hair.
3. Do not cut anyone else's hair.
These rules still hold up and are the general agreement we make before I put scissors in my kid's hands to chop on my hair!
And the tradition isn't the same without going outside (weather permitting) and listening to our favorite inspiring rock music. We definitely were rocking out! Remember, hair lose can be fun and positive - this is especially a great way to include your kids (depending on their age)!
She was excited to cut my hair and took it very seriously. Once we had the basics: scissors, razor, rolling seat, portable music, and a bowl... we were ready to go. Trust me, I had the best seat in the house watching her enjoying every minute of giving me a...
Bowl Cut
Yes, she did this to me. And yes, I actually thought it was hysterical. I think this haircut was what she was most excited to do!
I loved doing this 10 years ago - and still loved it. She really did a great job. We spent hours outside - laughing, cutting my hair, and just enjoying the moment.
This is a great way to let your kids feel like they are part of something positive in all the negative things that are coming with breast cancer treatment.
Also, I want my daughter to know she is beautiful with or without hair. Hair has nothing to do with my personality and all the things that make me me. Plus, hair will grow... and honestly, the short looks are working for me a bit.
Every time I see myself, I think of her. I think of her carefully cutting my hair. And smiling. And laughing. And knowing she was styling me to be a beautiful cancer fighter!
Hair Loss Can be Fun
For those wanting to watch another speedy experience of our haircut - here you go:
Get ready boys and girls... today is a doozy. And a long post too! But before we begin on one of the toughest days I've ever done, let's recap. Mon: Irritating Onc day where I was not told about suspicious fluid around lung/heart in time to get a biopsy & I got contradicting info from his NP the week before. Tues: Spending the morning getting Immunotherapy and 2 Chemotherapies before going straight to the airport to fly to Houston and enduring long rental car lines and afternoon heavy traffic. A few more checks off this weeks list... a few more to go: Now back to my Wednesday... the Humpday I would like to forget! So, after 8 hours of cancer treatment, flying, and travel in congested Houston the day before, I didn't have much rest because we had to start Wednesday early. My husband and I decided to walk to the medical center since our hotel was close. However, it was not necessarily the easiest or closest walk - tons of traffic, intersections, and some strange indivi...
Let's rewind a bit and start a few days before my birthday... I had my first cancer treatment day on October 3rd - check it out if you haven't read that blog post yet. Let's just think of it as an early birthday gift since my birthday is October 7th. Great gift, right?!? If I have to hear "Happy Early" or "Late Birthday" from another medical person, I might have to smack someone. Especially, since I have spent most of the weeks leading up to and after my birthday at a medical appointment regarding cancer. Not really loving my birthday this year. Let's just say, on my birthday, I woke up with a special chemo-side-effect-surprise at 2am. That fun surprise I will share later... Rewind a Few Days... Update But first, let's go to October 4th, the day after my grueling 8 hours of immunotherapy and two chemotherapies on the 3rd. I woke up swollen, red faced, and fevering, as well as feeling pretty crummy. I didn't have time to dwell on it since I...
Another week of doctor's appointments and my 2nd week of chemo is complete. I spent about 5-6 hours getting 2 chemotherapies (check me on picture to right, headed into treatment on a very early Tuesday morning). I am super proud of myself. It was a long day, and I have some issues with nausea so they have to push the chemotherapies a bit slower to help me out. And despite feeling pretty tired, right after chemo, I went to the Urologist... well actually his NP. I am not sure if the appointment was successful or not. Mainly, she just prescribed me medicine. Why? Who doesn't want to hear about my pee issues?!? Not that I hold back from the insanity that revolves around my life and cancer. Plus, I think it is good to share that cancer causes crazy side effects - so others know they are not alone. For me, this cancer go-round, I happen to have bladder issues. My ability to hold pee is going haywire... mainly at night. Because why not? It's not like I don't already have enou...
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