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!  :)