Bald is beautiful, part II

kikz · May 2013

Well ladies, my hairdresser is coming to my house tomorrow to give me a buzz cut. Thirteen days from my first chemo infusion, like clockwork my hair is falling out. Exact number of days as 2010. My scalp started hurting over the weekend so I knew what was coming. There is no hair on my pillow but today I pulled on my hair and several strands came out. I called her right away. I can't deal with the shedding.

I am also still waiting for my appointments for an ultrasound and cardiologist visit. I am still unable to do much, even stand or sit for very long, because of the atrial fibrillation. I emailed my primary today asking if the appointments for the Picc line and next chemo are still on. I can't believe it has been a week and I hadn't heard anything from her. I had the cat scan on Thursday and also heard nothing. It's like deja vu from 2010 before I was finally diagnosed.

The hard part is that I am feeling good, only sick for two days from chemo and yet I cannot enjoy this time between chemos because I am like an invalid. I have been cooking dinner and tidying up a bit (OCD) but don't have energy for much else and they did say I could have a stroke. I am scared that feeling this way already and having chemo I will really have a difficult time.

Karen

Alexandra · May 2013

Hang in there Karen

Sorry to hear about the hair starting to fall out, it's upsetting of course, but it's only hair. You're right to get it chopped off; next time I have chemo I would do the same thing.

Don't overexert yourself and risk a stroke, tidying up can wait till you feel better. No one in history of mankind has died yet from the dust on their furniture.

Did they offer you any treatment for atrial fibrillation? I read in the link below that there are electrical treatments to restart normal heart rhythm and drugs to prevent blood clots. I am not sure if it's compatible with chemo, but your doctor would know. I hope they get back to you soon.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atrial-fibrillation/DS00291/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Lotsa' love, - Alexandra

lovesanimals · May 2013

Alexandra said:
Hang in there Karen
Sorry to hear about the hair starting to fall out, it's upsetting of course, but it's only hair. You're right to get it chopped off; next time I have chemo I would do the same thing.

Don't overexert yourself and risk a stroke, tidying up can wait till you feel better. No one in history of mankind has died yet from the dust on their furniture.

Did they offer you any treatment for atrial fibrillation? I read in the link below that there are electrical treatments to restart normal heart rhythm and drugs to prevent blood clots. I am not sure if it's compatible with chemo, but your doctor would know. I hope they get back to you soon.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atrial-fibrillation/DS00291/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Lotsa' love, - Alexandra

Dear Karen

I wish the hair didn't have to come out with chemo but a buzz cut sounds like a good move. One consolation is you don't waste time and money with shaving and hair washing. Keep us posted on your appointments. Too bad you're not a TV-holic like me. After my surgery and during chemo, I spent tons of time on the couch watching my favorite shows. I know you want to keep busy but just don't overdo it.

Hugs,

Kelly

wholfmeister · May 2013

Taking control

Good for you, for taking control of one of the things you can control! My hair came out so quickly, there wasn't time to do much. Now I am nearing the other end of chemo ( I hope), contemplating how to handle the re-growth. Will it come in evenly? How long to let it grow before a visit to salon for shaping? Is the new growth going to interfere with my wig? I love my wig. My natural hair never looked this good.

I am really sorry you are feeling so weak. Did you have the atrial fib before the cancer or is this a new development? I had an episode of AF about 6 weeks before my OCa symptoms started. I have always wondered if the AF was related to the cancer. I was treated with Cardizem with good results, all thru diagnosis,initial chemo, and surgery, for a whole year. I never had another episode. I sure hope your cardiologist can recommend something to control the AF and restore more quality to your life!

Gray Hair Gypsy · May 2013

Forget the dust Karen!

Don't worry about the dust. I use, then I found a sign that reads, "You can touch the dust, but please don't write in it". Your family and friends won't come to see the dust, but you only! And they are the only ones that matter! If you have the energy to do a little bit around the house, OK! If not thats OK also! Remember you need that energy to fight cancer and to heck with the dust bunnies! And if it does bother some one else, tell let them to grab a duster and go for it! Let you family and friends help in any way they can. It will be good for them as well as you.

I know this is a very scary time for you. But just take the days as they come. and yes some will be better than others. Remember a lot of prayers are coming your way! Please keep us posted. M

kikz · May 2013

Gray Hair Gypsy said:
Forget the dust Karen!
Don't worry about the dust. I use, then I found a sign that reads, "You can touch the dust, but please don't write in it". Your family and friends won't come to see the dust, but you only! And they are the only ones that matter! If you have the energy to do a little bit around the house, OK! If not thats OK also! Remember you need that energy to fight cancer and to heck with the dust bunnies! And if it does bother some one else, tell let them to grab a duster and go for it! Let you family and friends help in any way they can. It will be good for them as well as you.

I know this is a very scary time for you. But just take the days as they come. and yes some will be better than others. Remember a lot of prayers are coming your way! Please keep us posted. M

You know I don't really care that much

about dust or pristine floors. I am more about tidiness, everything in it's place. I get comfort from that. A few years ago when we did some remodeling and the house was upside down and totally dusty, a friend asked if I wanted her to help me get it back together. That evolved in her coming in every other week to clean. It was my treat to myself. I was still working at the time and it was a big help. I don't do much in between except daily chores like dishes. I have mostly all white tables and such that don't show dust and since we are three adults the house doesn't get too bad between cleanings. My son and my mom don't share my ideas of tidiness so I am afraid I am the vigilant one. I am sure I am quite annoying to them. But like I said it gives me comfort. I am a homebody. I take great pleasure in my home. It is a modest home but people tell me it is so inviting. My fifty-three year old cousin John told me, "Your house looks so nice but you still feel like you can touch everything." I jokingly said, "No, you can't"

My decorating style is part Martha Stewart, part shabby chic and a little retro forties and fifties thrown in...I guess what is called eclectic. I love green so that is the predominant color in accents. My family room is painted green and is so pleasing. I spend a lot of time in there when I am going through treatment. It has two big windowns that face the backyard.

Funny, a couple of years ago when the hall toilet flooded and we had to do extensive repair, I had my bedroom painted purple and have a kind of Paris theme going on, a total departure from the rest of the house but it's fun.

I don't have expensive furnishings. My living room and family room furniture are JCP online and all my white tables are from catalogs as well. I have a thing for tables. I always say I wish I had more rooms so I could buy all the cute tables I see. They are not even real wood. When guests grab a coaster, I tell them, don't worry it's not real wood.

I also decorate extensively for almost every holiday. Right now I have spring/summery theme going and thenk God I won't change that until Fall. I don't do 4th of July. It's a job and sometimes I don't feel up to it but I love the outcome.

Sorry for rambling ladies, I am feeling kind of crappy, it's day 3, so I am trying to distract myself. I wish you could come and visit me. It's been kind of lonely this time around. I don't think people can take it again.

Always grateful for you

Karen

Alexandra · May 2013

kikz said:
You know I don't really care that much
about dust or pristine floors. I am more about tidiness, everything in it's place. I get comfort from that. A few years ago when we did some remodeling and the house was upside down and totally dusty, a friend asked if I wanted her to help me get it back together. That evolved in her coming in every other week to clean. It was my treat to myself. I was still working at the time and it was a big help. I don't do much in between except daily chores like dishes. I have mostly all white tables and such that don't show dust and since we are three adults the house doesn't get too bad between cleanings. My son and my mom don't share my ideas of tidiness so I am afraid I am the vigilant one. I am sure I am quite annoying to them. But like I said it gives me comfort. I am a homebody. I take great pleasure in my home. It is a modest home but people tell me it is so inviting. My fifty-three year old cousin John told me, "Your house looks so nice but you still feel like you can touch everything." I jokingly said, "No, you can't"

My decorating style is part Martha Stewart, part shabby chic and a little retro forties and fifties thrown in...I guess what is called eclectic. I love green so that is the predominant color in accents. My family room is painted green and is so pleasing. I spend a lot of time in there when I am going through treatment. It has two big windowns that face the backyard.

Funny, a couple of years ago when the hall toilet flooded and we had to do extensive repair, I had my bedroom painted purple and have a kind of Paris theme going on, a total departure from the rest of the house but it's fun.

I don't have expensive furnishings. My living room and family room furniture are JCP online and all my white tables are from catalogs as well. I have a thing for tables. I always say I wish I had more rooms so I could buy all the cute tables I see. They are not even real wood. When guests grab a coaster, I tell them, don't worry it's not real wood.

I also decorate extensively for almost every holiday. Right now I have spring/summery theme going and thenk God I won't change that until Fall. I don't do 4th of July. It's a job and sometimes I don't feel up to it but I love the outcome.

Sorry for rambling ladies, I am feeling kind of crappy, it's day 3, so I am trying to distract myself. I wish you could come and visit me. It's been kind of lonely this time around. I don't think people can take it again.

Always grateful for you

Karen

Do you like Bombay Co?

They have tons of hall tables, side tables, coffee tables and such... http://www.bombaycompany.com/furniture-store/living-room-furniture

I bought an office set (writing desk, computer desk, desk chair and chest of drawers) from them. It's made in Vietnam but it looks heavy and rich. They also have nice jewelery boxes and picture frames.

How is your cousin Marsha doing?

kikz · May 2013

Alexandra said:
Do you like Bombay Co?
They have tons of hall tables, side tables, coffee tables and such... http://www.bombaycompany.com/furniture-store/living-room-furniture

I bought an office set (writing desk, computer desk, desk chair and chest of drawers) from them. It's made in Vietnam but it looks heavy and rich. They also have nice jewelery boxes and picture frames.

How is your cousin Marsha doing?

Thanks Alexandra

but I have no place for any more tables. Just wish I did. I was thinking maybe I should start from scratch but that would be silly at this point. I like what I have.

Marsha is still at the rehab center but is doing well, thank you so much for asking. There are two other women in her room and I told my mom they are like coeds living in a dorm. They all know each other's familiies, etc. Marsha is very outgoing and social. She is doing well, her incision is healing but slowly. I am kind of afraid when she goes home. She is getting everything done for her and this won't happen at home. Her son lives with her and is very attentive but he works and has a girlfriend. I hope Marsha tries very hard to do things for herself. She has been in ill health for so long and is very overweight which caused her to shut down and depend heavily on help. She has lost about fifty pounds during this ordeal and I hope that will help give her the mobility she needs to take care of herself. She had COPD and asthma which impact her breathing but even that seems much improved.

We are the same age and it was hard for me to see her decline especially since she was always the one on the go. I have taken her to her appointments for the last several months and it was hard to be pushing my cuz around in a wheelchair. Her body is strong enough to walk but the breathing holds her back. I am so hoping there is improvement in that. I want her to go back to having a good life. She has been so unhappy with her condition. I hope she keeps the weight off and loses more but I understand how hard that is as I have fought that battle all my life as well.

Karen

wholfmeister · May 2013

kikz said:
You know I don't really care that much
about dust or pristine floors. I am more about tidiness, everything in it's place. I get comfort from that. A few years ago when we did some remodeling and the house was upside down and totally dusty, a friend asked if I wanted her to help me get it back together. That evolved in her coming in every other week to clean. It was my treat to myself. I was still working at the time and it was a big help. I don't do much in between except daily chores like dishes. I have mostly all white tables and such that don't show dust and since we are three adults the house doesn't get too bad between cleanings. My son and my mom don't share my ideas of tidiness so I am afraid I am the vigilant one. I am sure I am quite annoying to them. But like I said it gives me comfort. I am a homebody. I take great pleasure in my home. It is a modest home but people tell me it is so inviting. My fifty-three year old cousin John told me, "Your house looks so nice but you still feel like you can touch everything." I jokingly said, "No, you can't"

My decorating style is part Martha Stewart, part shabby chic and a little retro forties and fifties thrown in...I guess what is called eclectic. I love green so that is the predominant color in accents. My family room is painted green and is so pleasing. I spend a lot of time in there when I am going through treatment. It has two big windowns that face the backyard.

Funny, a couple of years ago when the hall toilet flooded and we had to do extensive repair, I had my bedroom painted purple and have a kind of Paris theme going on, a total departure from the rest of the house but it's fun.

I don't have expensive furnishings. My living room and family room furniture are JCP online and all my white tables are from catalogs as well. I have a thing for tables. I always say I wish I had more rooms so I could buy all the cute tables I see. They are not even real wood. When guests grab a coaster, I tell them, don't worry it's not real wood.

I also decorate extensively for almost every holiday. Right now I have spring/summery theme going and thenk God I won't change that until Fall. I don't do 4th of July. It's a job and sometimes I don't feel up to it but I love the outcome.

Sorry for rambling ladies, I am feeling kind of crappy, it's day 3, so I am trying to distract myself. I wish you could come and visit me. It's been kind of lonely this time around. I don't think people can take it again.

Always grateful for you

Karen

Passing the time ideas

Google yourself!

Or, google some of us!

Or, go to your county auditor's website and look up all your friends'properties, or houses that you have admired from passing by.

Those are my three best ideas for when I kneed to just veg out on the sofa.

Hope you feel like yourself quickly.

Alexandra · May 2013

wholfmeister said:
Passing the time ideas
Google yourself!

Or, google some of us!

Or, go to your county auditor's website and look up all your friends'properties, or houses that you have admired from passing by.

Those are my three best ideas for when I kneed to just veg out on the sofa.

Hope you feel like yourself quickly.

Passing the time...

Before I went back to work I was watching every bridal show I could find: "Say Yes to the Dress" (New York & Atlanta), "Rich Bride Poor Bride", "Bulging Brides", "Four weddings", "Bridezillas", etc. I don't know why I liked them so much. You don't have to think about the plot, you see pretty dresses and there are some touching moments.

Now I am obsessed with "Duck Dynasty". I find it the funniest reality show of all time. One day I will go to Louisiana and meet them bearded dudes in person. Especially senile uncle Si, who frequently stars in my wet dreams.

Looking up (and occasionally buying) stuff on eBay can occupy hours if not days.

I am also kinda a big deal on Car Tuners' forums, known as dyslexic "sexykitten1993" - "Bros, yesterday behind my pops trailer I seen dat sweet dropped evo with sick turbo, big mo-fo'ing spoiler and 20" chrome spinners. WTF? Low'n'slow. I wants me some of dat."

kikz · May 2013

Alexandra said:
Passing the time...
Before I went back to work I was watching every bridal show I could find: "Say Yes to the Dress" (New York & Atlanta), "Rich Bride Poor Bride", "Bulging Brides", "Four weddings", "Bridezillas", etc. I don't know why I liked them so much. You don't have to think about the plot, you see pretty dresses and there are some touching moments.

Now I am obsessed with "Duck Dynasty". I find it the funniest reality show of all time. One day I will go to Louisiana and meet them bearded dudes in person. Especially senile uncle Si, who frequently stars in my wet dreams.

Looking up (and occasionally buying) stuff on eBay can occupy hours if not days.

I am also kinda a big deal on Car Tuners' forums, known as dyslexic "sexykitten1993" - "Bros, yesterday behind my pops trailer I seen dat sweet dropped evo with sick turbo, big mo-fo'ing spoiler and 20" chrome spinners. WTF? Low'n'slow. I wants me some of dat."

My friend came by

and I was complaining about the stubs on my head poking me when I lay down. She asked if I wanted her to shave it so I said yes. I had been sloughing off hair everyday but there was quite a bit of stuble on the back. Now I am clean shaven and it feels better. Well, actually when I first touched it, it reminded me of one of those hairless cats. It feels weird but it is much more comfortable.

Funny you should mention Duck Dynasty, Alexandra. My friend that I mentioned above watches it with her husband and she said there is a guy on there for me. I've never seen it. I actually watch a lot of reality shows (all the housewives) cooking shows and HGTV but I don't watch much tv during the day or try hard not to.

Karen

lovesanimals · June 2013

kikz said:
My friend came by
and I was complaining about the stubs on my head poking me when I lay down. She asked if I wanted her to shave it so I said yes. I had been sloughing off hair everyday but there was quite a bit of stuble on the back. Now I am clean shaven and it feels better. Well, actually when I first touched it, it reminded me of one of those hairless cats. It feels weird but it is much more comfortable.

Funny you should mention Duck Dynasty, Alexandra. My friend that I mentioned above watches it with her husband and she said there is a guy on there for me. I've never seen it. I actually watch a lot of reality shows (all the housewives) cooking shows and HGTV but I don't watch much tv during the day or try hard not to.

Karen

Hi

I'm behind on this string of postings but wanted to say that your house sounds very homey and comfy. I wish we could all visit you and give you a hand (or at least lend you an ear) as you deal with the chemo side effects. Our home is also modest, actually small, but just the right size for two adults and one bossy cat. If you can distract yourself with things other than TV during the day, I think that's good. I myself love TV and watch way too much of it, like HGTV, CSI, NCIS, Mike and Molly, the Big Bang Theory, and repeats of Frasier and Everybody Loves Raymond!

I'm so glad that clean shaven feels better, and I hope that each day is a better day for you!

Kelly

Bald is beautiful, part II

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