I’ve come to accept my bald head. While I’m don’t exactly feel like “Bald is Beautiful” on me, I feel like “Bald ain’t so bad.” Every time something is taken away from me (my breasts, my hair, my dignity), I am more grateful for what I still do have, like a positive attitude. THAT is… Continue reading Scarf Stares
Treatments – Chemotherapy & Radiation
Complementary Therapies During Chemotherapy
Complementary Therapies During Chemotherapy Two days out from round two of intravenous TAC (Taxotere, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide) Chemotherapy. And I have a cold. OY. I sure could use just a little break. Even a teeny tiny one. I know that Silver Linings are lurking. Come on out, wherever you are! Oh, here’s one: I’m officially 1/3… Continue reading Complementary Therapies During Chemotherapy
Breast Cancer Chemotherapy – 2nd Round
Breast Cancer Chemotherapy – 2nd Round Good Morning, Chemo. Let’s go kick some FBC tush! …and one small favor: could you avoid nearly destroying me this time? This is my 2nd of 6 doses, meaning that I’m 1/3 of the way there. About my highest capacity for math, but I’ll take it! As you may… Continue reading Breast Cancer Chemotherapy – 2nd Round
A Very (Un)Hairy Situation: Losing Hair After Chemo
Losing Hair After Chemo Because I seem to be the poster child for chemo side effects (i.e., ALL of them), it didn’t come as a complete shock to me that hair loss was next on the list. The second (or maybe the third or fourth) shoe has dropped… For the past 3+ years, I have… Continue reading A Very (Un)Hairy Situation: Losing Hair After Chemo
Mouth Mishegoss
Next up: Mucositis, a/k/a Mouth F-bomb Sores. I’m not kidding. I wish I were, but I’m not. Three months ago, even if I had tried really, really hard, I couldn’t have made up all of this S**T (pun intended and unintended). In case you are unfamiliar (why on earth WOULD you be familiar?), let me… Continue reading Mouth Mishegoss
Globe-Trotting FBC
This time yesterday, I was running (actually more like crawling) around the neighborhoods of Los Angeles looking for bathrooms, lavatories, powder rooms, restrooms, toilets, salle de bains, washrooms, and water closets. My only requirement: a solid flush. I was NOT picky. Last night, I spent the entire night on the floor of the hotel bathroom….did I mention that time and location… Continue reading Globe-Trotting FBC
Commodes…Addendum
I admit that I’m still obsessing about a potty. If you had been with me for even 20 minutes of this day (equivalent to about 7 stops), you would understand why. In my last post, I asked if someone would create an iPhone application to direct a desperate user to a toilette. Great news (SL):… Continue reading Commodes…Addendum
Commodes I Have Known
Today, The Husband and I are in LA for an appointment with my plastic surgeon (lady lumps still looking good, by the way!) and to do some FBC errands. Sounds nice, right? A little sleepover getaway. Could it possibly be that easy breezy? Naaaaaaaah. Not a chance. As you all may remember (or willfully have… Continue reading Commodes I Have Known
Brookside Scheduling and Testing
Many people have asked questions about the timing of my chemo schedule and testing (thanks for caring and being interested!). So, I thought I’d lay it out for you to show you exactly what the plan is. May I diverge for a minute? Speaking of schedules (and schedule-keeping), I have to confess that the last… Continue reading Brookside Scheduling and Testing
Brookside Middle-of-the Night Musings
Thanks to Decadron, I am up again in the middle of the night (again) and I thought I’d offload some of the random musings in my nutty-spinning-mushy-feeling brain. As you may recall, Decadron is used: To treat or prevent (potential) allergic reactions to chemotherapy. To treat nausea and vomiting associated with some chemotherapy drugs. To… Continue reading Brookside Middle-of-the Night Musings