Look Good Feel Better

Today I had the amazing opportunity to attend a free cancer event called "Look Good Feel Better" put on by the American Cancer Society and sponsored by the Professional Beauty Assoc and Personal Care Products Council Foundation.  If anyone is going through breast cancer, I highly recommend this program, it was awesome!  It was 2 hours long, and about 10 women attended of all ages, and stages of treatment.  Nearly all of the women had little to no hair and were wearing wigs.  There were oncology and radiation nurses from the hospital there to help out, but it was led by an ACS Cosmotology Consultant.  We were each given a cosmetic bag full of brand new, name brand make-up ($200-$250 worth), and the consultant took us step by step through each process of make-up application.  Then she went through different ways to wear scarves and head wraps, and proper care of wigs.  I can't speak highly enough about this program.  It is in all 50 states, and in most hospitals near you.  Just go here to check it out and find a location near you.

During the class

All the make-up that came in the cosmetic bag

The Shave!!

   I was told that my hair would start falling out in clumps 10-14 days after my first chemo treatment.  Several survivors as well as my nurse told me that it is better to just shave your head ahead of time, rather than to experience the clumps of long hair on your pillow and in the shower.  So exactly 10 days after chemo, I had it all planned.  My wonderful friend/stylist/childhood classmate volunteered to come over to my parents' house (close by) to shave my head.  This was nice because I didn't have to go into the salon where I was afraid people would be staring at me and making a big deal about it.  I also did not own sheers to just do it myself.
   So, Jessica started by cutting off my hair with scissors, then buzzing it short.  After each step I looked in the mirror so I wouldn't be totally shocked at the end result.  Originally I was excited to get it done, but then when the actual time came, I was super nervous.  When I looked in the mirror after the first step I got really scared!  I had to hide my face when I looked after the final step.  I never did cry (and still haven't), but I was definitely shocked at the final result.  I hate the way it looks, especially with no glasses and no make-up, but it's definitely quicker to get ready in the morning.
   I do have a wig, and wore it to dinner last night.  I used a skull cap under the wig, which turned out to be too tight and uncomfortable.  My Dad was not present when I got my head shaved, and only saw me right afterward with the wig on.  So, when I went to dinner with my parents and decided on the drive home I needed to take my wig off because it was hurting my head, I warned them I was taking it off, so my dad would not be shocked seeing my bald head for the first time. I was sitting in the front seat next to him.  I made sure he heard me and knew I was taking the wig off, but apparently he didn't know I was going to take it off right when I did, because he turned to look at me right after I took it off and screamed out and turned his head the other way and hid his eyes.  It was sooooo funny!  We all started laughing, but I think it was more of a laugh-so-we-don't-cry type of laughing. :)  My Dad was totally freaked out!

                                             My original hair (with my mom)
                                                                                                      

During the first stage (cut)

During the second stage (buzz)

After the shave with Jess

 

My Wig
 

First Chemo

So my usual upbeat and strong personality is now out the window!  My first chemo treatment was Tuesday May 7th, and my parents went with me.  It took 7 hours, because it was my first treatment and also because they were really busy.  They have a pharmacy/pharmacist on site in the office who mixes up all the chemo drugs just before they are needed.  The office was very busy, so I had to wait a while in between medicines.  I am taking Taxotere, and Carboplatin, plus Herceptin.  Two of the drugs take 1 hour through IV, the other takes 30 min., plus they pump me full of fluids before and after.  I did really well on Tuesday and even felt fine on Wednesday, but it hit me hard starting early Thursday morning.  I went in to the Dr's office on Wednesday to get a WBC booster shot called Neulasta.  So, by Thursday I was in a full blown chemo nightmare.  I was having severe bone pain in my hips, neck and back (from the Neulasta), along with severe nausea from the chemo.  Today is Saturday and I'm just now starting to feel better. I am not looking forward to going through this THREE more times!  Today is my first time out of the house in four days. :(