7+ Months post-chemo

I had my 6 month follow-up today and all is good. My bloodwork is 100% back to normal (finally!!) My oncologist will continue to monitor me, he'll see me in 6 months and do bloodwork again. He ordered a bone density scan (I have never had one yet). I'll have annual mammograms. And just keep my fingers crossed.

Here's my hair - I'm going to keep it this short through the summer and then we'll see. This is my natural hair color, but I'll probably get some highlights soon. It sure is easy!

As for side effects, I still have some numb toes, but not all 10 anymore. They do drive me crazy some days. It still hurts where the original surgery was, but I've stretched enough that my fingers don't fall asleep or get numb anymore. My taste buds are pretty normal, although coffee has never been quite right again. I've pretty much given up on it and mostly drink green tea now.

My eyebrows didn't come back the way they used to be. They're very light and patchy, but that's what eyebrow pencils are for!

My port incision is healed, but still is sore to touch. It took a long time for the last little stitch to come out.

I still have an ache in my lower back and my right hip. It's faded, or I've just gotten used to it. But if I think about it, it's there.

I've been back to work 7 weeks now, full time for the last 3 weeks. I'm tired in the evenings (so are most working people!) It's manageable. I'm enjoying being back, its gone a long way to making me feel 'normal'.

That's all for now. Take care...
Beth

Some of my new friends

Here's a pic of some of my new friends. Six of us met in the summer as part of a 6-week support program, and have continued to meet weekly (usually 4 or 5 can make it each week). It is so great having each other just a phone call or meeting away. We can talk about anything, including our hair, our aches and pains, how we are dealing with our relationships, our kids, our plans to go back to work (or not). All of us had the same chemo, but different surgeries and radiation doses. Here you can see 3 post-chemo hairdo's and 1 wig (and our Tim Horton's coffees).

First Haircut! 6 months post-chemo

Okay, there wasn't much to cut, but it's much neater now! And while you might think all of your hair grows in at the same time after chemo, it doesn't. It was getting long over my ears, and still just coming in at my bangs and the very back.

5 months post-chemo

And almost 3 months post radiation (followup with radiation oncologist tomorrow). I'm definitely feeling stronger and thinking more clearly. My new exercises from the physiotherapist have really helped my right arm. My fingers are no longer going to sleep so much.

I'm planning for starting back to work March 1st. I think I will feel much more normal once I'm back at work.

And the 5 month hair update...

Hair - 4 months post chemo

Happy New Year to everyone! I am now 4 months post-chemo, 2 months post-radiation. Gradually regaining my energy, feeling pretty good overall. Toes still tingly, right arm tires easily and the fingers go numb. Quite sore under my arm. Minor complaints compared with what I've been through.

My hair is coming in, my eyelashes are good, my eyebrows are still a bit patchy but that's what eyebrow pencils are for!

Hair update

It's been 3 months since my last chemo. I thought I would have had more hair by now, but that's okay, I can be patient, it's coming. I'm very excited to have my eyelashes back!

me and my dad - matching hairstyles

really, my hair has started growing back, you just can't see it in the picture...

Do I Dare... (No Hair)

First is one my mother-in-law made for me


This is another favorite...

I just bought this beautiful one at the street festival ($10!)


This just shows my new daisy necklace from my sister

It's been a good week

I walked every day. Our summer weather has finally arrived!!

Here are some pics with the wigs. My sister is modeling the fun ones. She shaved her head a couple of weeks ago to show her support for me and to get an idea of what I am going through. She is very handy with the scarves (she is the queen of accessorizing). One thing I've noticed is that her hair is growing back and mine isn't :(

I will be sticking to scarves and the hats my mother-in-law made for me (pics of those coming soon). Much more comfortable, although the wig made me look so 'normal'!!

Tuesday - bloodwork for chemo

Went to get the bloodwork done for chemo this morning (wearing shorts and sandals, it is starting to feel like summer!) Had a nice lunch with some of the ladies from work yesterday (first public outing with my headscarf). Was okay, didn't feel like anyone even noticed. I'm busy today getting organized so I can do nothing except rest after chemo...

Have a good day everyone!

My hair is gone...

Well I had 2 grumpy days while my hair was falling out. We went out for dinner last night and I had to wear a hat because I couldn't do anything with what hair I had left. I don't wear hats. So this morning, my friend Kathy (Carter's friend Sam's mom) came over and buzzed off what was left. I immediately felt much better. It does make it harder to be in denial though...

It started falling out exactly 2 weeks after my first chemo.

LGFB - Look Good Feel Better

I went to the LGFB session at the cancer centre last night. Wow, what an amazing program. It was great to meet some other people at the same stage as me. The volunteers that show how to apply the makeup and how to wear different head coverings were just great!! (Thanks Aly and Sunny!!)

Everyone was there to have a good time - you would never know these are cancer patients going through treatment - everyone was smiling and chatting. Most of us don't wear makeup which made it more fun to play. Did I mention you get a box full of brand name product to take home?

The timing was great for me, as my hair started falling out yesterday. I'll leave that for another post, all I'll say is my head started tingling and the hair comes out when you run your hands through it. No bald spots yet but my friend is on standby with her clippers...

Wig Shopping

In anticipation of losing my hair, my sister and I went "shopping" (free) for wigs and head coverings today. We started at the Vic since I needed to get blood work done anyway. Picked up 2 wigs and a couple of different hats. Then went to the Guardian Angel room at HSC. They have a full time volunteer in the wig room, and she was wonderful (even though we hadn't made an appointment). Left there with a long curly red wig and a couple of hats - one of which is really a one-of-a-kind. My mother-in-law sews blankets that she donates. I will see if she can re-create a pattern for this hat and make some more... I also have some cute hats and bandanas from Karen's mom - donated by her friends down in Texas that missed her in their winter-getaway trailer park this year.