Coping With Cancer
Hair Watch Week 2
Nope. No sign of hair. However, I used my 3X magnification make up mirror and found two stragglers that somehow escaped the lint roller. One is on the top of my head and is about 1/4 inch long. The other is above my left ear and is nearly 1/2 inch long. Neither is...
My New Tattoos
I had my radiation simulation done today and it was quite interesting . . . you might even call it life altering. The staff introduced themselves and showed me to a room where I was told to remove everything from the waste up. They provided me with a chic, soft pink...
Ringing the Bell
Mom is with me as I ring the bell at chemo to signify the end of phase II.March 28th was my last weekly chemo in phase II and my Mom was here from Texas to celebrate with me. It was a fun day at chemo as everyone came in to congratulate me. The nurses try to...
Chemo Cocktail
Each week, I receive a complicated mix of pre-meds and chemo meds. I watch as the IV bags arrive and the nurses sort them out. Some IVs last five minutes, some last 30 minutes. The nurses keep them straight, checking and double checking them, and I no longer worry...
Phillip
Phillip launches balloon #4My cousin Phillip came to visit me from California this weekend, and I let him release balloon #4 for the fourth week of chemo. It was so nice to visit with him and talk about our childhood memories. Shared visits to Grandma's house, and...
The Red Balloon
Those of you who know me, know that I love symbolism and a good theme. While I have enjoyed blowing things up after each chemo round, I find the temperatures in the single digits take some of the fun out of it. So I have had to come up with something symbolic to do...
Breasts Come in Hat Boxes
I decided it was time to go get fitted for a prosthetic breast. I have been using the inserts that the hospital gave me which are made of quilt batting and a piece of Velcro that slip into your camisole or bra. The problem with the inserts is that they don't stay in...
Cyber PJ Party Reminder
Just a quick reminder that we are having a cyber pajama party tonight. Danielle and I will be in our PJs eating chex mix and watching chick flicks. A neighbor dropped off a lasagna for us, and if I'm not mistaken, it has REAL cheese on it and meat! Send me a note...
Courage
I keep hearing the words "courage" and "bravery" associated with me and find that ironic because I actually feel selfish. I'm not brave in this battle. I'm fighting for my life. Bravery is that which you sacrifice for others. Our soldiers are brave. Our firefighters...
Losing Hair Hurts and Other Things They Don’t Tell You!
Just when you think you have suffered enough, chemo adds another insult. It turns out that losing your hair hurts. Actually hurts. I read up on it and it seems that the hair follicles are the root (get it?) cause. I have read up on remedies and I welcome any...
The posts on this page were added at the request of several of my readers who wanted “the fun stories to continue.” Some are dedicated to a friend in her last weeks of life. These posts are a mix of travel adventures and random experiences and are in date order with the newest post on top.
Help Support Breast Cancer Patients
All proceeds from book sales are donated to two local non-profit funds to help breast cancer patients afford diagnosis and care. Virginia Gay Hospital Gifts of Hope provides free mammograms and diagnostic services and is supported by the Benton County Survivors Group; and the Hall-Perrine Hope Fund helps cancer patients pay for emergency needs.