BLUE HAIR

Roena

My Teal Sisters,

The story of the blue hair -

My oncologist suggested I get my hair cut before it just fell out and after my own long silver and black hair was gone (within 2 weeks of my first dose of Taxol & Carboplatin), I was devastated as many are.  I had already prepared by spending exhorbitant amounts on specialty wigs - silver/black/gray are a hard find - the color in most brands is 44. No one at work except for my immediate boss who is a wonderful friend and supporter had any idea that I had done anything other than get rid of the "old lady" hair and got a fresh styling.  My super oncologist - who is a doll even though he looks like he's not old enough to shave - told me he'd like to see me in a purple.  On my 3rd or 4th treatment, I showed up in bright screaming purple!  Everyone in the infusion room had a huge laugh and even though it itched like crazy, I wore it the whole 4 hours. One of the nurses told me her day had been lousy and the purple wig just brighted up her day. The doctor laughed until tears ran down his face and he told his nurse to stock up on Depends if this happens again. 

Now, given that image, how could I disappoint???  I showed up with an electric pink wig the next time and wore that wig to the Levine Cancer Center 13th Survivors Celebration in Charlotte.  Since I am a teal sister, I bought the teal wig (the wig store loves me), did it in pony tails (I call them cocker spaniel ears) and wore it to my final treatment.  Teal is definitely my color! 

My own hair has finally decided to make a reappearance - no change in color or texture but it's only 1/2" long.  Still wear a trendy, spikey wig to work with no one the wiser.  Personal vanity is a ****.  Just wish my BF would stop reminding me how beautiful my long hair was but he didn't have to take care of it with washing, conditioning, drying for hours, styling (a pain with long hair).  Last time I told him if he wanted long hair - he could grow it!

When this untimely recurrence happened, my oncologist's nurse (a true saint on earth) told me patients are still talking about the purple hair and it made so many feel good.  Yup, I felt like an idiot in purple but there is a picture of me (with eyes blacked out) in the infusion room.  Ya gotta have a good time even on the worst days.  By the way, this year I will have completed 70 years of drawing breath on planet Earth.  Looking forward to a whole lot more!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, HAPPIER NEW YEAR AND HAPPIEST NEW YEAR EVER!

Roena

 

 

Hybridspirits

Roena

I loved reading your story.  This is great.  Gave me some ideas on how to make the best of a situation we would all love to run away with.  Your sense of humor is great and I love how you share it with others to brighten everyone's day.  I know you will beat this next round with flying colors!

thanks so much for sharing and now I have something to focus on myself other than starting chemo for the first time

thanks much

Sharon

 

Hybridspirits

Roena

I loved reading your story.  This is great.  Gave me some ideas on how to make the best of a situation we would all love to run away with.  Your sense of humor is great and I love how you share it with others to brighten everyone's day.  I know you will beat this next round with flying colors!

thanks so much for sharing and now I have something to focus on myself other than starting chemo for the first time

thanks much

Sharon

 

Roena

Hybridspirits said:

Roena

I loved reading your story.  This is great.  Gave me some ideas on how to make the best of a situation we would all love to run away with.  Your sense of humor is great and I love how you share it with others to brighten everyone's day.  I know you will beat this next round with flying colors!

thanks so much for sharing and now I have something to focus on myself other than starting chemo for the first time

thanks much

Sharon

 

Chemo - all in the mind

Hi Sharon,

Chemo, at least for me, is mind over matter.  Oh, we all heard about the horrible nausea, night sweats, fevers, yatta, yatta, yatta.  I decided and determined that NONE of it really was important.  Food is a one way trip so nausea is totally out of the question.  Night sweats - well, those have been around for eons.  Big deal.  For me, not being able to find veins was it's own disease.  My Power Port, while ugly as all get out, is liveable and makes going through anything a total snap.  My oncologist gave me Decadron prior to treatment (helped) and two kinds of antacids IV - zip nausea before starting any infusions.  I kept a diary so I already knew (after the first treatment) what to expect.  There were always some variations but by day three the flu-like business got underweigh but I got through it with only Tylenol (I use something called Panadol, not available in the US; I buy it from other places).  Works like a charm.  The Decadron gave me incredible energy.  In fact, there were only one or two days post treatment that my energy level sagged. 

Chemo is your "partner".  Don't let it scare you, it's there to kick some major butt!  If I could remain in remission forever, I'd take chemo just as long.

Loads of good luck with your chemo.  It's your friend and together you will kick the beast to the curb!

Happy New Year!

Roena

plantlady2012

Thanks, Roena!

That was a great story!  thanks for telling us about it!