Hair We Go!

Last night, my whole little family took a ride over to Cayce, SC to a very kind man's shop called "AHC (Alternative Hair Clinic)".  Ken is the owner and stylist and I am so thankful that a friend, Mary Anne, recommended him. 

I met with him last Friday, and he helped me come up with a plan for taking control of my hair loss.  He has helped many, many people through this difficult part of cancer treatment.  I like everything that I know about him....his kindness....his calmness....his humor....his talent...the fact that he refers to shaving your head as "planing" in honor his grandfather who was a master woodworker....like my Dad. 

He is humble, you can tell, but he has made a name for himself among survivors in our area.  When I went for my chemo education class, the nurse Ann spoke highly of what he is able to do so creatively for chemo patients.   Then, when I went to the Look Good, Feel Better class, he was mentioned by the instructor.  I eagerly interjected that Ken was helping me, too!

When I met with him last week, I asked if he felt comfortable with Charles and the girls coming to the next two appointments (short hair cut) and then the appointment where he will "plane" my head.  It is funny, my sister used to always look at my outfits and say, "Is THAT what you're gonna wear?" as she continued to call me "Plain Jane"....now, I'm gonna look like G.I. Jane!

So, all of us went to his shop and it has already become one of my favorite memories....one that I will treasure.  I'm so thankful that Charles worked it out to be able to leave work a bit early to join me.  I was nervous about the idea of getting my drastic hair cut and then going home for them to see.  I was very glad that we could all be there together....and especially, I am glad that Charles was there to take in the process and mentally prepare for the next step.

The first step was to put my hair into many tiny ponytails....and then cut them off....Ken calls this "donating" your hair.  But in my case, I am donating to myself.  Ken will create a headband of my own hair that I can wear under hats.  He also was able to cut enough to make a ponytail that I can use with baseball caps.  My own hair, recycled.  Pretty cool.   The black cap looking thing on my head is how he marks measurements to create the headband of hair.

While Ken worked, Macy played "peep-eye" with us...she LOVES her blankets now, so much!

Molly explored Ken's shop and the girls took turn in the stroller....my lap....Charles' lap. 
I am so glad that Ken was not only comfortable with my family being there, but he encouraged it,
and included them in conversation, using the girls' names and having a good time with us.

This is what I looked like after Ken cut all my ponytails off. 
One thing I really appreciated was that before he started cutting, he said, "You are in control of how much we cut."
And then he explained what my options were based on how much was cut. 

Meanwhile.....back on the ranch....Charles did a great job of keeping the girls occupied.

Peep - eye!

I only put this on here so that you can see Ken....I realize it is not one of my best moments.  :)

So, here's my temporary new look.....maybe for the next 10 days or so.
It is much shorter than I had envisioned before I met Ken.
But, knowing he was creating something from my hair made it a much easier
decision to go soooo short! 

And, guess what....the girls never looked at me like they didn't recognize me.
I had concerns about that because of how they look at me a little odd when I have a towel on my head after a shower.
When I turned back to look at them in the car, to see if they'd have the same reaction (big smiles) when I whip my head around to surprise them.....Macy did....and Molly....had her finger in her nose.  Well, that lightened the mood and brought me back down to my normal place on earth.

When we got in the car, Charles leaned towards me and said, "I think you look great."  I cried.  He has a lot to deal with and I could see from time to time that he was really taking it all in and realizing that the hair loss is coming on quickly.  He told me on the way home that he would rather 'plane' my head instead of having Ken do it.  We'll see! 

After working through seeing myself look so drastically different, I started worrying about what my Dad would feel when he first laid eyes on me.  Daddy has always loved long hair for women and never liked it when I got my hair cut.  I had told him a while back that I'd need to have a few hair cuts progressively shorter.  So, I wanted to prepare him on the phone before he saw me.   But........... tonight, Daddy and Mrs. Mary drove up in our driveway unexpectedly .... we were sitting under the tree in the front yard swinging Macy and Molly.   My reaction was not good.   I panicked and asked Charles to please hurry to the car and prepare Daddy.   When they opened their car doors, I started crying pretty hard.  Mrs. Mary came and hugged me and said all the right things.  I cried.  Then Daddy walked over and I couldn't look at him.  I just cried.  I stood up to hug him and told him I knew it would be hard to look at because, "You've always liked long hair."  He said, "Well, I like YOU more than the long hair and I'm just sorry you're having to go through this."  I cried some more and didn't let him stop hugging me.  I promised them that I would prepare them before they saw me at the next stage.

Speaking of which....I ordered four hats today from the American Cancer Society.   Charles picked one (it is kinda crazy) and I picked the others. 

Picking out my wig is next.  Pressure!

I really am ok with my new looks.....and I know I'll come to terms with being bald, too.  Summer time in South Carolina is a pretty good time to go bald, eh?  My tears, mentioned earlier, were because I know it must be hard for a parent to watch their child go through chemo or anything difficult, really.   I hate the fact that my loved ones are going to go through the stages of having to look at me as I go through these next few months.  I am sorry that they'll have to try to not react so that they don't hurt my feelings. 

I truly hope that if you come to see me, you'll be open and up front with questions or thoughts you have.  I do not want my bald head to be the "elephant in the room".  Shortly after I announced at school about my cancer and upcoming chemotherapy, I was sitting in a teacher's meeting and the teacher next to me said, "When's your first treatment?"  I loved that.  Because most people don't know what to say, but she went straight to it.  I like that! 

Thanks for reading my blog.  Hope you are doing well!  :)

If you know of someone who is beginning their chemotherapy journey in South Carolina, telling them about Ken's services would be a gift in itself.  His shop is located here:

Alternative Hair Clinic LLC         501 Poplar St        Cayce, SC 29033        803-936-0112

Dates and Times

Hi all,

Here are the dates and times that I know so far that I will need help.  In the past few days, I have been reminded by my emotions and some pretty strong back spasms that I cannot do this by myself.  Phew. 

These are going to be some of the harder days of my next treatment cycle (the treatment is on June 6) and I may need to be in the bed due to pain medications, etc.  It is always easier and more fun to have 2 people at a time to help with the girls....so if you have a friend who could come with you, that'd be more fun for you. 

June 8 - from 12 - 3 and 3 - 6 (Charles will get home around 6:30 that day.)
*Taken care of --- thank you TS & TB!!
June 9 - from 12 - 4 and 4 - 8 (Charles will get home around 8:30 that day.)
*Taken care of --- thank you (12 -4) LR, NC,  and (4-8) JW, MW, and maybe TW !!
June 10 - from 12 - 3 and 3 - 6 (Charles will get home around 6:30 that day.)
*12 - 3 is taken care of by KO and TO --- thank you!
*3-6 is still a need
Email me if you would be able to help, please:  thehappyclicker@gmail.com
**I'll update this post as people let me know if they are able to do a shift.
**If you - or a family member - happens to get sick around the date you are coming, please just let me know so that I can find someone to fill your spot.  I have to be very careful about being around illnesses.

Since I may need to be in the bed, I'll need all sorts of help with the girls.......from diaper changing....to feeding.....to playing and cuddling. 

I am very thankful to you for considering the times above!

MANY THANKS,
Angela

Look Good - Feel Better Program by the American Cancer Society

After school today, I went to a program called "Look Good - Feel Better" hosted by the American Cancer Society and sponsored by hundreds of cosmetic companies.  This is a fantastic time for a person like me who is facing hair loss and negative skin effects due to chemotherapy. 

When you walk in, you are greeted WARMLY by the ladies who lead the class....they treat you very special....serve you drinks and cookies....and sit in front of you a big bag filled with make up donated by various companies.  There is a folder of many pamphlets and handouts with helpful tips, specific websites and other resources from which you and your caregiver can benefit.

Have you donated to the American Cancer Society?  If so, you helped to make this possible for people in my shoes!  Thank you!! 

Most of the people in the room were breast cancer survivors, but some had other diagnoses.  It was funny how you feel so comfortable and settle in to a shared language when you know the people you're talking to have walked in your shoes.  "Where do you get your treatments?"  "SCOA?"  "Have you had surgery yet?"  "How many treatments have you had?"  "Who is your oncologist?"  "When did you lose your hair?"  "Constipation  or diahhrea?" "Do you have a port?"  "Mine is still not very comfortable."  And we pulled our shirts to the side, showed our ports and gave each other knowing looks.  I thought that was neat.  We were in a room full of people with ports.  And people who are getting that stinkin' Neulasta shot.  I hate that shot.  Nancy, you were right when you said your suspicions were that it may not have been as difficult if it wasn't for that shot.  UGH.  Something's not right about paying $8,000 to get a shot that you know is going to cause you pretty bad aches and pains.  Isn't that crazy?

We learned lot of things.......eat off of plastic ware if you're struggling with the metal taste.....use hand sanitizer that has 0% alcohol.....eat yogurt with live cultures.....cut off t-shirts can easily be turned into a head covering that looks kinda cool......wigs can get singed easily......remind visitors not to come if they have sniffles or are otherwise sick or have sick family members......wash your hands often......avoid hydrocortisone........tips for applying make up......and lots of other things. 

One of the questions somebody asked me was, "How difficult is it to get treatments and continue to teach?"  I smiled and said that my job as a Mom of twin 1 year olds was the challenge.  Teaching school?  Seems like the easy part.  Today, my teaching friends probably thought I was faking getting chemo because I felt so much better today than this weekend.  It was like I was a different person today. 

I kept thinking while I was at the two hour class, that I couldn't believe that I wasn't being called by 5th graders or 1 year olds or the office or my husband.  It is funny how strange it feels to spend 2 hours on yourself when you're used to the 90 mph pace of everybody's daily life.  It was so nice that Charles was supportive of me going to this program....and that there is such a program to help you focus on yourself and give you tips to help with the appearance type issues a chemo patient deals with......

Ode to my Hubby
On a different note, even though my husband, Charles, doesn't read my blog....I just feel compelled to sing his praises.  This weekend, on Sunday, I was pretty emotional and overwhelmed by the idea of being home alone with the girls during the tough times....especially on his long days when he doesn't get home until 8:30 or 9:00.  He has done so much, even in the space of this one weekend....folding clothes....putting away dishes.....changing babies....grocery shopping.....many, many things to make the load lighter on me.  After reading that list, you probably think, wow, Angela...you were able to just rest this weekend.  But, as you can imagine, there's never a dull moment when you have twins who are able to get into E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!   I have only slightly dared to imagine what this cancer journey would be like without Charles.  It is too scary to entertain the idea.  I'm so thankful that he is responding in such a wonderful way. 

I'm getting my calendar figured out so that I can post some times that I really will need lots of help.  (An indicator:  This weekend, four friends came at different shifts on Saturday...and they let me take a shower....and a nap....and believe it or not, it was STILL a difficult day, physically....despite all that they did for me.  I didn't really realize it until after the fact.)  So, I thank you in advance for emailing if you are interested and able to help me out this summer. 

This Lucky Duck looks forward to your help!  :)

Each Day of My First Round

Each Day of Treatment - Cycle 1
*You're encouraged to keep a journal of how your first treatment affects you because it is indicative of how your others will go. 

Day 1  (May 18, 2011)
Very medicine head feeling....hard to focus
Very woozy - pretty much cleared by the end of the day
Neulasta shot given in the morning

Day 2  (May 19, 2011)
Achy - lots of places, even my teeth
Loose bowels
Loss of taste
Eyes drying out
Groggy, very hard to drive near the end of the day
Fatigue

*Sweet friends came and watched the girls so that I could go meet with Ken @ AHC to come up with a plan to deal with my hair loss.   THANK YOU!

Day 3  (May 20, 2011)
Achy but not as bad as day 2
Headache pains occasionally
Aching of scalp
Loss of taste
Fatigue
*Dear friends came and helped with the girls and let me take a nap - THANK YOU!

Day 4  (May 21, 2011)
Mostly fatigue - I hate fatigue - I HATE fatigue
Emotional and overwhelmed
Sporadic aches

*Major realization of my appreciation for Charles...."in sickness and in health" went through my mind many times today. 

Day 5  (May 22, 2011)
Pretty good day....felt almost normal.....except for fatigue - I hate fatigue

Day 6  (May 23, 2011)
Started off pretty good.....we had a field trip at school....and around 1:30 my back started having spasms that were pretty intense at times.  I thought they had subsided, but actually, they continued through the afternoon and evening and resulted in me being somewhat weepy, exhausted and CRANKY.  I took a strong pain pill when I got home around 9 pm and it helped.

Very bad cranky.  Pray for Charles....please.

Day 7  (May 24, 2011)
Tired
Very dry mouth
A few back spasms...but not as many....just a few really strong ones

Day 8 (May 25, 2011)
Tired
Dry mouth, dry heels, sore tongue, dry nose
Food doesn't taste right, but appetite is fine

Day 9 (May 26, 2011)
Tired
Dry mouth, dry heels, sore tongue, dry nose
Food doesn't taste right, but appetite is fine

Day 10 (May 27, 2011) Last Day of School
Tired
Dry mouth, dry heels, sore tongue, dry nose
Food starting to taste right

Day 11 (May 28, 2011) SUMMER!!
Feeling pretty good! 
First day of SUMMER VACATION!

Days 12, 13, 14, & 15
I feel completely normal...except my memory is bad
As I type this, it is day 15, and I still have my hair.....it is quite a feeling to be waiting on your hair to 'let go'.
Supposedly, your skin starts to tingle before your hair starts to fall out....I will let you know!

Day 16  (June 2, 2011)
My head is tingling a little and sore on top....

Day 17 (June 3, 2011)
Hair is coming out in 5 - 10 strands at a time
Ken's advice is to not run my hands through it and spray it with hair spray
Today was my wig fitting session at Becky's Place
....I bought two hats, a scarf and some earrings made by a fellow survivor
Plan is for Charles to cut/plane/shave my hair on Monday

Day 18 (June 4, 2011)
Lots of hair coming out....fist fulls
Day 19 (June 5, 2011)
Hair continues letting go

June 6, 2011 - Treatment #2
Charles shaved my head after he got back from Charlotte and I got back from chemo
Then, to my surprise, he shaved HIS head to support me in the fight :)

1st Chemo Treatment

Hi all,
Phew...glad to be sitting here with the first chemo experience behind me and it is so crazy to think that such strong medicine is coursing through my veins.  C-R-A-Z-Y but like I told my students the medicines are a blessing because it give me kind of like an insurance policy to keep recurrence at bay.

Well, I can tell this post will be a long one because I want to journal it....but also fully describe it for a future friend or anyone who will go down this path.  So, if you're thinking...ugh...."I hate long posts..." I totally understand.  Sorry :)

You know that saying, "I'm going to be late to my own funeral?" .....wellllllll.  We left a little late to get to the appointment on time....our time was 10:00 am.  So, I was thinking about that quote as we backed out of the driveway.  But then, as we got almost to SCOA (South Carolina Oncology Associates), Charles just happened to roll down his window, and there was a strange sound.  I said, "What was that?" and he said he thought it was a motorcycle.  I looked around but didn't see one...and then that was when we realized it was a FLAT TIRE.  

So we got out and couldn't believe just how flat the tire was!  Wow.   I usually have the paperwork in my lap so that I can be ready ready when it is time to get out of the car.  My friend Sharon taught me that.  She also helped me graduate from college (little bit of an exxageration...but not much). 

I reached into my pocketbook to find..............................................................................................
....................................not my cell phone.......................but, my camera.  HA!  This blog post was born there in an abandoned parking lot.  I snapped a few shots and then got serious about figuring out how to get to the treatment place.  As a country girl who grew up on dirt roads and knew there were tons of family to help with all transportation problems, calling a Taxi is absolutely just not in my brain as an option.  So, I called to ask if SCOA had a shuttle (because of a picture and explanation on their website).  But, turns out that I misunderstood.....so, I called  a Checker Yellow Cab.....I lucked out and got the most vivacious driver in the fleet.  NOT.  I laughed at my county bumpkin' self as I opened the door and said, "Hi there!" in a chipper voice which was met by a thud.  But, thankfully, he knew how to get to SCOA and all was well.  Charles was staying behind with the car while AAA came to help since I didn't have a jack in my car for some reason.  So......anyway, I made it to the place....waited in a long line to register....and then went downstairs to the Infusion Reception area. 

     First step was lab work....just one stick and quick and it was over.  Then more sitting and waiting.
During that wait time, I talked with the lady beside me who happened to be a mom of a 5th grader at my school....she was there with a family member.  Nice family.   Then a lady who was wearing a beautiful wig came down and asked about my quilt....and made nice conversation.  She's been through a great deal during her three years of treatments.  I thought that was so nice that she came down to talk with me...especially because so many times the people in waiting rooms look like robots....

     Then, get weighed - ugh - and have your blood pressure taken....then you're escorted back to a recliner in the area that your nurse team services......kind of like a waitress's area in a restaurant.  They were very kind to Charles...and tried hard to make him feel comfortable, too. 

I'm holding cards made by Mrs. Dixon's
class and my Lucky Duck given to me by
Carla Lowder and enjoying my quilt
made by Martha Stuart Wiseman.

      "Accessing my port" (euphemism) was a scary little moment for me, but she did it quickly.  I just have a weak mentality when it comes to all these needles and procedures.   So, it took me a while to look down and check it out.  It was fine.  But relief came immediately because that part was over....a part that I had dreaded...I teared up because I was relieved, but also so happy that Dusty is the kind of nurse she is.....she said everything right and was so fun and so comforting.

    Charles was amazed that Dusty was able to access the port as quickly and easily as she did and he told her that.  She said that she purposely waited until after she finised to tell us that this was her first time ever doing chemotherapy.  She said that last night, she was working at Waffle House.  

     She has the perfect temperment to do what she does.

     My nurses are Dusty and Ann.  Dusty did all my stuff for me today and she is skilled and funny and wonderful.....funny....so funny.  She sat with us for a little while at the beginning and went over important and helpful details....let me ask questions, etc.  The first bag of fluids on my Infusion Pole was saline....nothing special there..........then Ativan....and then it was alllllll different after that.  I'll have to look back again about that medicine, but I believe it was for nausea and maybe anxiety.  It quickly had an effect on me and I was able to go to sleep easily.  That was wonderful!!!!  I had my two quilts (Jakki and Tanja made me amazing quilts) and a recliner and just let my basket full of thank you notes and magazines sit by the way side.  I slept.  Did I mention that yet?

     Charles went and got us lunch from the cafe' upstairs....the BLT was really good!  I was thrilled.  Then, I was asleep.  Ha!  Can you tell I enjoyed that?

    So, overall, I had different medicines go through my port including nausea meds, and two chemotherapy medicines. 

     Tomorrow, before school, Charles will give me a shot called Neulasta.  If you ever see a commercial for it on TV, please watch the entire thing.  Because I think I paid for it.  The nurse explained to us that this one shot costs $8000.  She wasn't being funny then.  Eight thousand dollars.  Mercy.

     In my bag, I had so many things with me to remind me of your support....a cross that Amy Lane Germano's Daddy made--sent to me by Mrs. Lane.....and many, many other thoughtful items.  As I look at them, I can hear your voice saying you're cheering for me. 

MEANWHILE, back on the ranch.....my Doby's Mill Family all wore pink and 'fight like a girl' tshirts to show support for my first chemo treatment.  Amazing to me.  Amazing.  WOW  Thank you Betsy for putting together this collage!!!  I love it.
    



Doby's Mill Elementary "PINK OUT" on my 1st Chemotherapy Treatment Day
May 18, 2011



I know you're thinkin' 'bout me....

Hi everybody,

I know many of you are thinking of me because you know that tomorrow, May 18, is my 1st chemo treatment.  I am ready to get the show on the road!! 

Thank you for your cards, emails, texts, prayers, and countless (truly) acts of kindness.  I am amazed by how many people have remembered that tomorrow is my first round.

Today, I got just what the doctor ordered when Mrs. Dixon brought her class to my door and they were holding signs that said "We Love You Mrs. McCall" and they read me journal entries and one sweet boy sang a song to me in my ear!  Mrs. Dixon's Mom just finished her chemotherapy and so she knows what I'm headed for....that was a great way to prepare my heart for tomorrow.  

I have a handmade quilt by Martha Stewart, aka, Jakki Wiseman...that many of my colleagues signed with inspirational quotes, verses from the Bible and other encouraging words.  My school colleagues, led by my principal, are doing a "Pink Out" tomorrow (they're all going to wear pink) in order to show support for my treatments.  WOW, as Macy would say.

I am not scared....so do not worry.  My fear is the fatigue hitting me and needing to take care of Macy and Molly - whose BIRTHDAY IS TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wooooo hooooo!  Thanks to Tanja Vance who brought them to my school so I could see them in the middle of the day!  We celebrated with Mac-n-Cheese and Fudge Rounds.  All is well in the world.  :)

I'll update again soon.  Thank you, truly.

Anyone, Anyone? :)

Hi everybody,

I'm in need of someone to watch the girls from 4:00 - 6:30 PM on Friday, May 20.  I would meet you at my house that afternoon, go over things with you, and need to leave shortly before 4:30. 

This is the day that I was able to schedule a consultation with someone to help me make decisions about my hair loss.  His name is Ken Dennis and he is a cancer survivor as well as a cosmetologist!  He came highly recommended by a friend.

If you are interested and able, please email me: thehappyclicker@gmail.com

My chemotherapy starts next Wednesday, May 18 and will continue through September.  I'll be keeping a log of how each day of that first cycle goes so that I know what I'll need and when.  They say that the first cycle is a good indicator of how the future cycles will be, with regards to which days are the hardest.

The surgeon checked my incisions yesterday and said all was well.  The nurse/angel/Daphne told me that you're actually inclined upside down during the port surgery.....so that your jugular vein bulges to help them with placement of the catheter.  Isn't that a crazy thing to think about?  Don't you want to know who was the first one to suggest such a thing?  :)

Hope you are doing well.  It is so nice of you to check in. :)

***UPDATE - A good samaritan has taken care of this need.  YAY, thanks KW! ***

First "Relay for Life" for me.....

I learned a lot as I was walking around the track with a survivor and then talking to others about chemo:

• It is allllll your hair that you lose....including your eyebrows and eyelashes!  Yikes!  Didn't know that!
• It will likely fall out around the 14th day of treatment.  That's sooner than I thought....I had read more like the 21st day.
• Ken - local survivor and cosmetologist -recommended by a friend - his tip....bring your husband for the day you need to have your hair shaved so that you can share that moment together and not have to go home and have a big moment again....makes me think I may want the girls to be there too...   Ken will handle that appointment beautifully it sounds like.
• As you lose your hair it will start to 'mat' with the hair that is still attached...it will get to a point where you want to shave it
• Baseball caps and Sunhats may be more comfortable than wigs....
• I'm probably going to need to eat more fiber as I go through the treatments...sounds like my system will need it.

I got my first of probably two hair cuts yesterday.  It was time, regardless.  I like it.....nothing drastic.  But you know, I do feel lots of emotions about the hair loss.  For anyone, I think it probably is one of the biggest mental hurdles that there is during the treatment part of things.  I have almost always had long hair....back when I was younger, my hair was one of my better features.....it kind of has been a big part of my identity....and to think of it all being gone, and my loved ones having to see me bald, and having to put them in the position of figuring out how to respond to my new look is something I wish I could spare them......Charles waking up to a bald wife.....my girls trying to make sense of such a different looking Mommy.....looking in the mirror at myself.....how long will it take before it starts to grow back....what will it look like when it does grow back.....all those things and more are in my thoughts. 

BUT, I do feel a STRONG sense of strength drawn from the indescribable support network that I have and the foundation of love and friendship in my life.  I know that this is temporary.  I know that I am loved.  I know that there is much more to me than my hair.  I know that I will be stronger on the other side of this.  I know that I am so very thankful that I get to LIVE and being bald is a small thing in comparison to what so many other people have to deal with in their life.  So, I share these thoughts NOT to elicit sympathy -REALLY.  I share them because I want to one day provide some comfort and comradery to a future friend, loved one, or stranger who will face these moments.

I have been SO comforted by talking to Pam, Mrs. Sandy, Mary Anne, and Aunt Jan.  To know these strong women and hear from them helpful and informative tidbits (big-bits) is priceless. 

As I type this, my girls are crawling around on the floor....10 days away from their 1st birthday!  They have both been saying "mama" all morning.  Tomorrow's mother's day.  Do not feel sorry for this lucky duck.  I am truly having a wonderful morning!   Love to you allllll.

Great Resources for Cancer Survivors

One reason that I am really interested in raising money for the American Cancer Society is because I have benefitted first hand from the publications and programs that ACS provides funding for.....not to mention that the money will go to research which I know I have benefitted from!

One day, if one of my loved ones finds out they have breast cancer, I want them to be able to read this blog and benefit from the things I've learned.  I'll come back to this post and add more resources when I can.

Becky's Place - this is where I'm going to get fitted for a wig
http://www.lexmed.com/medical-services/womens-services/beckys-place-faq.aspx

Look Good - Feel Better :  this is a workshop I'm going to which will help boost my self esteem as I go through the chemo treatments
http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/

American Cancer Society - I have a basket FULL of information that the ACS has provided to me - I have devoured the information in them and am thankful to have more booklets than I can handle right now...
http://www.cancer.org/

Cleaning for a Reason - 1 cleaning every month for 4 months for chemo patients
http://www.cleaningforareason.org/index.html

When I went in for my chemo education class, I remember the Nurse, Mrs. Ann, opening a cabinet that had over 20 boxes in it....each one was labeled with a type of cancer - thyroid, breast, bone, etc., and they were filled with brochures and information for patients....it feels so good to know there's such a network out there....funded by donations. 

Wanna donate?  Today's the last day to get your donation to count for this season's big event!
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=21195612&fr_id=33073&pg=personal

Let's Make Some Lemonade!

Okey dokey - I'm excited!!
There's only 1 1/2 days left to donate to the Relay for Life (American Cancer Society).
The link below is to my little fundraising page for cancer research.
If you can donate $5 or $10, that would be wonderful.
I'm sure you know someone, maybe even yourself, who has been touched by cancer in some way.

Here's a chance to do something in their honor.  You can donate or buy a "Luminary" and their name will be read aloud at the event this Friday night.

Angela's Relay for Life - Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society - Page
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=21195612&fr_id=33073&pg=personal

There is a teacher at my school who has been fundraising for this cause for so long since her victory over thyroid cancer.....something that one of my dearest friends just recently dealt with successfully.  I am happy to finally understand "what this is all about" and try to do something to help the cause of finding a cure for cancer.

Not Much of an Update....

Hi everyone :)

Couple 'o reasons for this post:

• The request I made for help for Saturday, May 21 has been taken care of by several folks and I truly appreciate it!
• Some people have wondered why I chose this way to post my needs for help....and it truly is intentional.  I don't want to put people on the spot....and I know that enough people have told me that they read the blog on a fairly regular basis.....so, I know that it is very likely that when I post a need, that a good Samaritan will happen by and help me.  This way, if you're thinking you may have some time to help me, you can just check in to see if there's a need.
• The chemotherapy education nurse said to keep a log of how I did and was feeling each day after the first chemo treatment because that was pretty much what I could expect for the rest of the treatments.  So, I plan on using that as a predictor of future times of need. 
• Update on how I'm doing because I know those of you who don't see me on a daily basis are sometimes picturing me as a pathetic soul (just kidding).  Today, I feel better than I have in a good many days.  That "port placement" surgery was rough.  My shoulder still hurts and the port area is very sensitive, especially when bumped by toddler heads.  But, I could tell a difference when I woke up this morning.  Yay!
• I have an appointment coming up with the surgeon, Dr. Sweatman, to check on the surgery sites....I'm hoping that can be this coming Monday, May 9.
• 14 days til Macy and Molly's birthday....15 days til the first chemo treatment.....25 days til the end of school!

I'm hoping to make an appointment to get help selecting a wig.  I know I'll need to find someone who could stay with the girls.  I need to do that before the end of May because that'll be when the hair loss will probably begin.....stay tuned for more fun info!  :)

Oh!  Here's a picture of my little family taken yesterday by my sister in law, Krissy.  I wanted pictures of us before the girls turned one (!!) and my hair turned loose.