To shave or not to shave

NO...not my legs or other areas.
I do that routinely.

Rather, my quickly balding scalp. These strands of hair are bothering the crap out of me. They fall out and stick to my skin and clothing.

I guess it's time for a buzz.

Any thoughts?

(And so my online cancer journey journal continues)

Vietnam War vigil stirs emotions

I attended a Vietnam War vigil Saturday sponsored by No Vet Left Behind, Inc., a non-profit organization based in our hometown of Ansonia, Ct.
Founders George and Mary Porter of Derby, Ct. have made it their life's work to do what they can to assist needy veterans.
The vigil was part of the non-profit organization's Memorial Day weekend celebration, which included a six-mile "Warrior Spirit/Ruck March."
I wrote a story about the event, which you can read here. I took several photos, and the one above was published with the story.

Below you see the solemn ceremony held when the first "POW," portrayed by a Vietnam veteran, was replaced by a second "POW," who also served in Vietnam.
They sat blindfolded, on the ground in a replica of a bamboo cage for an hour, in memory of POWs from Connecticut.
When the second man started his hour-long term, participants joined hands and formed a circle around the cage. They swayed back and forth as Billy Joel's 1982 song, "Good Night Saigon" played.

...or maybe not

I took a picture of the top of my bald head to post here.
It was depressing so I decided not to use it. I'll just keep that one to myself.

I wear hats all the time. Not sure yet about the wig idea...maybe I need to be talked into wearing one.

In happier news, I bought a pink ball cap at Wal-Mart today for only $2.50.

My collection of chapeaux continues to grow!

I've neglected this online journal of my health journey. Must get back on track.

Kickin' kemo in the butt

That's what I'm doing.
I had the second of four treatments yesterday. So far I've taken two of the three extremely expensive anti-nausea pills. Thankfully I have no nausea, so I'm able to function.
I actually have a big appetite.

That's about it from here.


And so my online journal about my health journey continueth...

Down the drain (almost)

This is what happened when I washed my hair yesterday morning.

The good news is I'll be saving money on shampoo and conditioner. And on water for that matter.

I bought a second hat; it's a red cloche-style chapeau. I need to take pix of myself in the hats and post them.

Today Ralph, Allegra and I are meeting Duchess Linda of Norwich-Upon-Thames for lunch and laughs. At least I hope we laugh!

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ spring evening

I snapped these as we made our way to an art gallery reception on Elizabeth Street in Derby, Ct.

The theme was Art Takes Wing, and I just happened to have a photo (see below) that I took in February 2010 that kinda fit the theme.
So I made an 8 x 10 enlargement and framed it and it has been on the wall there for three weeks. I think the exhibit is coming down today.

As you can see I did a lot of tweaking, to give the photo that 'artsy' effect. haha

See lots more shadow shots at our awesome Aussie friend Tracy's Hey Harriet blog. And join in the shadowy fun!

The cat and the hat

I posted this photo of my new hat on Facebook Tuesday when it arrived. Next I will have to model it and pose for a photo...bwahaha.

Keeping a sense of humor as multiple strands of hair continue to fall out of one's head is a necessity, at least in my book.

A close friend wants to buy me a wig. It's a wonderful offer, but I'm not sure if I want one yet.

If anyone has any suggestions/opinions on wigs, give me a holler. And I may give you a dollar.

Hat's off to online shopping

I ordered a hat Sunday night and it looks like it is going to arrive via UPS today.

Woo hoo.

It's one size fits all. I hope I like it.

I'm shedding!

I now understand our cat's situation this time of year. We are finding tufts of his feline fluff all over the house.

Although I knew it was going to happen, now that my hair is actually coming out in clumps I'm getting a bit freaked out.

Oh well...it will come back. I keep telling myself that.

Hair today, gone ... tomorrow?

So the hair is gradually thinning ~ you can read yesterday's post about this latest side effect here.

Soon my thick tresses will be history, I imagine. At least temporarily.

To be honest I have been more anxious waiting for this part of my new health journey to unfold than I was when I was facing the two surgeries I underwent in March.

Sounds silly, but what can I say?

Oh, and did I mention I've become an eating machine? Well I have. It's the prednisone I was given intravenously, I'm told. I had no idea this would happen.

Pass the tortilla chips and salsa, please.

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ ooh la la

I'll call this one "April in Paris." I left the date stamp on it so you can see I'm not making it up.
haha

If you like shadowy photos I urge you to visit our awesome Aussie friend Tracy's blog, Hey Harriet. And join the weekly fun!

Here's to hair

I have a lot of it, but yesterday it started coming out. When I comb my fingers through it, loose strands come right out.

Boo!

But 90 percent of what is coming out is the gray!

Yay!

My breast cancer saga continues.

* 25 Years *

Twenty-five years ago today Ralph and I tied the knot. Where does the time go?

At least we seem to get along pretty well. ;-)

I guess it wasn't a McGoofy idea after all!

I met McGoofy in May, 1986 on my first and only visit to Disney World.

Thoughts on care: giving and receiving

So now with my status as someone undergoing chemotherapy (I had my first treatment a week ago today) we sorta have adopted new roles in our household.
The caregiver (that would be me) has become the caregivee.
And the caregivee (that would be Ralph) has become the caregiver.
Sorta.
Kinda.

Ralph says it's a symbiotic relationship. He's right about that.
Now I get to play both roles: I still have the role of caregiver for him, but I am also getting a chance to be the one getting some care. Even if it's only lots of emotional support!

Oh, the challenges. But thus far we are are up to them.

Tomorrow we mark a major milestone. More on that later...

Nauseous? Not really, just a bit woozy

Not sure if woozy is a word. In an effort to not be graphic, and lose the few dear readers I do have, this online journal will remain rather non-descript.

I hope. ;-)

I have some minor flu-like symptoms, as I was told to expect. Slightly achy and tired.

Would love to go back to bed for a few more hours before facing the day.

But I've got things to do and people to see (or at least call).

I am trying not to take any pills. I do have an appetite..trying to figure out what is for breakfast.

Happy it's Friday!

More later..

First one's the charm

First side effect I've noticed is wakeupinthemiddleofthenightitis.

For the past two nights I slept for four hours and woke up. Me no likey.

It took so long to get back to dreamland. You know how your brain starts working overtime and keeps you awake?

Me no likey.

OK, I'm done with this morning's complaining. Let the day begin!

Things I don't want

1) Chemo brain. Several people have mentioned it to me. I don't want to develop it!

2) Nausea. I knew about that side effect decades ago..no need to warn me about it. I'm keeping fingers crossed...and taking medication.

3) Hair loss. I have a lot of hair, thick tresses for sure, so maybe it will take a while to thin out. I was advised to get it cut really short, so that if it does start falling out I can get it shaved off easily. Woopee!
~~
And so my online journal about my breast cancer journey continues..

First treatment went really well

My journal about having breast cancer continues...
I got home an hour ago from my first chemo treatment. I was so happy that it went well. I was really hungry so I had to eat lunch before sitting down to write a quick post, and before I take a nap. haha
Eating and sleeping. What a life! For today anyway. Tomorrow back to work.

I don't feel nauseated. I have been given lots of anti-nausea stuff today, both orally and intravenously. I hope that it does the trick.

Tomorrow afternoon I go back for a shot to boost my white blood cells.

More later. Time to rest.

Sweetness

Presenting the newest member of our extended family. Isn't she precious? She looks like she is about to sing.
She's our great-niece, born on March 25. We met her on Easter and I had the fun of holding her.

They say she cries..but we never heard a peep out of her.

A new chapter starts Monday, and I'm rather anxious

I found out today that my chemotherapy starts Monday.

I got a call this morning to tell me that an appointment that I didn't know had been scheduled would need to be postponed. That was confusing!
The secretary said delivery of the drugs was delayed because of the terrible storms in the South.

A few minutes ago I got a call saying that the medicine is there and I can start Monday morning...

My online journal about breast cancer doth continue.

Happy Birthday to my guy

Today is Ralph's birthday. Yay! I think he's 39...

Oh, if that were only the case!

I'll post this for him in case he stops by:


If You Were Born Today:

"You are a very fixed and determined person. These qualities help you to determinedly focus on a goal and patiently see it through to fruition. However, at times you can be one track minded and stubborn! Change and instability tend to bother you more than most. You can also be an exceptionally good worker with excellent work ethic and a strong sense of responsibility. Others know they can depend on you."

Happy Birthday, my Airhead 55!

A re-post from last Easter ~

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter fun

Posted by Patti at 7:38:00 AM

Whole lot of twinging goin' on ~ and a programming note

I'm getting lots of *twinges* these days as my upper body heals from surgery.
I can't wait for them to stop. One of them today really jolted me as I sat in front of the computer. It was almost like an electrical shock.

I am trying to stay positive, and keep my spirits up any way I can. Having nonsensical one-way conversations with Linus (our feline) seems to help. He's definitely my comic relief.

Now I'm afraid if I let myself feel sad for more than a few minutes I will be hurting the healing process. Sounds silly, but it's true.

So tomorrow (this is the programming note) is the "Ghost Hunters" episode in which the investigators visit the Sterling Opera House in Derby, Ct. The show will be on at 9 p.m. Eastern on the SyFy channel.

I was one of five witnesses interviewed about paranormal activity in the historic opera house. Woo hoo! But did my interview end up on the cutting room floor? We'll see.

Our docent

When I was stopped at a light the other morning I was able to catch a photo of our daughter Allegra in Colonial garb doing her docent thing.
She loves teaching the fifth graders who visit the Gen. David Humphreys House in our town. Humphreys was aide-de-camp to George Washington and his boyhood home is now the headquarters of the Derby Historical Society.
The 18th century house in the photo is for sale, as you can see by the sign that kinda ruins the scene.
Allegra portrays Elizabeth Clark Hull, who was the paternal grandmother of Commodore Isaac Hull, who fought in the War of 1812.

Spoiled, I am

This lovely arrangement arrived on Thursday afternoon. And that's after I received a bouquet on Wednesday.

A girl could get used to this treatment!

Yesterday I had a port placement procedure (how alliterative) and wasn't up to writing my online journal of this cancer journey, so I am showing this off today.

~ ~ ~

More flowers and a small request

A sweet friend who gave me daffodils several weeks ago gave me these pink blooms yesterday. Aren't they pretty?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

To whom it may concern:

I know you like me and all, but could you please not squeeze my left shoulder and upper arm when you ask how I'm doing?

Aieeeeee! Yowch.

Thanking you in advance,

Patti

Sweet gift

It's cool having a friend whose husband co-owns an ice cream shop. Look what she brought me!

Vanilla and chocolate. Yum. Thanks, Evie!

Not what we had in mind

Nope. No way, no how.

Just learned this morning that I need more surgery. At least it's same day surgery and Ralph will be able to bring me home afterward. I don't have to stay overnight at the "hotel," as it were.

Getting a port implanted to use for upcoming chemotherapy treatments. Woo hoo.

And my online journal about my cancer journey doth continue...

Ruby Tuesday

My surgeon brought me this balloon just hours after surgery two weeks ago. It was a fun surprise as I was lying there waiting for the effects of anesthesia to subside.

I thought it was sweet of her! It made me smile, and it made my overnight stay at the hospital more pleasant.

Ralph (Airhead 55) suggested I use a photo of it for Ruby Tuesday, since I haven't participated in RT for quite a while. Just can't seem to get organized!

See lots more photos featuring the color red at Mary T's Work of the Poet blog each Tuesday.

Out of the ordinary, for me anyway

Yesterday my darling daughter and I engaged in something we rarely do: retail therapy.

We went to Kohl's and we each bought a top and some undies.

As a bonus for myself I bought a pair of silver earrings with a blue stone similar to my December birthstone.

Woo hoo!

Are we wild women or what?

Malpractice?

I went in for surgery March 28 but I didn't know it was going to be Botox surgery.

Zoinks!

Mark your calendars

Today I'm taking a break from talking about medical issues to share some exciting news: the air date for the SyFy channel's "Ghost Hunters" episode featuring the Sterling Opera House in Derby, Ct. is 9 p.m. April 20.

Yippee!

I for one cannot wait to see what the paranormal investigators may have found in the historic (and haunted?) opera house. I blogged about the show's visit here.

I was one of five" witnesses" interviewed for the show (see photo from taping below), but my brief part may have ended up on the cutting room floor.

Nevertheless it will be exciting.

More to come ...

Must've been the morphine

When I woke up in the recovery room Tuesday afternoon I looked at my dear hubby Ralph (Airhead 55) and he had two heads!

Guess that's better than half a brain.

Bwahahaha ... and the adventure continues.

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ my pal

Linus enjoying the morning sunshine today...
I was going to use a lighthouse photo for Shadow Shot Sunday but when I got up this morning I found our Linus "posing" for a shadow photo.

I'll save the lighthouse for a future post. ;-)

Join the fun and see lots more shadows from across the globe at our awesome Aussie friend Tracy's fun photo meme on her Hey Harriet blog.

Aren't they beautiful?

I got this lovely arrangement from a friend and her husband yesterday.

Thanks, J. and G. ;-)

Linus likes it too. Below he's checking out the different scents. =^ . ^=

On friends who are visiting, visiting nurses, cards, and flowers

More musings as I use writing to keep my spirits high.

Linus the cat (my baby) has been getting scared. Every time a visitor stops by he runs and hides behind the water heater.

This afternoon two friends brought over food. What a nice surprise. Tonight's menu will be homemade chicken pot pie (thanks, Virginia!) and freshly baked lemon cookies (thanks, Beth!).

We still have lots of leftover lasagna and salad greens, grape tomatoes, and a red pepper (thanks, Barb!) and coconut chocolate chip cookies (thanks, Amy!) We're going to freeze the lasagna. No way we can eat all that now.

Wow. I'm going to gain weight unless I start moving around more. But I'm supposed to rest.

Tomorrow a friend from church is stopping by with dinner. I'm totally overwhelmed.

Today I got a lovely get well card and note from a Facebook friend I've never met. And a beautiful arrangement of flowers from a friend and former co-worker and her husband.

This Ace bandage I am wearing is the longest bandage I've ever seen. The tiny nurse who has visited me twice so far has to wrap it and wrap it around me. That takes longer than taking my vitals.

Some of my lovely parting gifts from the hospital:

Wanna see my scar?

Just kidding!

Trying to keep my sense of humor here and I believe I'm doing a pretty good job of it.

Instead of some old scar, I'll show you a dramatic floral arrangement I got while still in the hospital.

The nurses and other assorted health professionals all ooohed and aaahed over it and one of them took a photo of it with her phone. She said she was going to use it as her phone background pic/wallpaper or whatever you call it.

They all went crazy for the exotic-looking Bird of Paradise flowers. It certainly is a unique arrangement, from a really unique friend.

I was trying to be artsy yesterday morning and I snapped photos without the flash. I just used the sun coming through the window.

Below find close-up of one of the Bird of Paradise blooms.

Oh! and I didn't even have to go on a cruise to get a towel animal. This little guy greeted me when I arrived in my room after surgery.

More musings on life and cancer

This was the scene Saturday from Fort Nathan Hale Park in New Haven, looking toward the Elm City's skyline. The wind was blowing and it was really chilly there.

In contrast to the cold temperatures, I snapped this photo as I basked in the warmth of a true friend.

Linda O., author of Are We There Yet? and Duchess of Norwich-Upon-Thames (or NUT) treated me to a fun Saturday afternoon to get my mind off my mastectomy tomorrow.

She wrote an incredibly detailed post about our fun here. If you read it you'll feel as if you were with us. We took photos, ate lunch and had a lot of laughs!

Below Linda is taking a photo of the beach and stuff. Boy that lighthouse looks big!

And finally we have Duchess Linda in the IKEA parking lot holding an aardvark, or dog - or wolf as her daughter Jamie called it - that she paid 49 cents for at IKEA. As a bonus we learned some Swedish as we shopped. We had a grand time.

She gave me a cancer card..leave it to good old H******K to come up with a card featuring cancer. Too funny.

Thanks, Linda, for everything.

Linda and "Wolfie"

Shadow Shot Sunday

As I was walking up Main Street back to my car after covering an intergenerational event at the senior center I spied this knight in shining armor.

Mind you I don't need a knight in shining armor, I have one already. His name is Airhead 55.

But I liked the way he was hanging out on the sidewalk on a sunny afternoon and the shadows that were surrounding him. The first thing that came to mind was "Shadow Shot Sunday!"

Join the shadowy fun at our awesome Aussie friend Tracy's Hey Harriet blog!

I've gotten so much support ~

It's truly more than I ever imagined.

There have been several offers to drive me to and from chemo when Ralph is at work, phone calls, e-mails, a plan to go out tomorrow looking for photo opportunities with my favorite Duchess, hugs, kisses, daffodils...

Last night I went to my first support group meeting. The ladies were wonderful. They ranged from an 18-year breast cancer survivor to an almost two-year survivor.

I met a woman who was diagnosed a few months before I was, and we are both having procedures done Monday morning by the same surgeon.

We joked that we may be roommates Monday night.

We'll see.