It's finally happening. The hair is falling out in droves. We were trying to have some fun with the whole thing - competitions every morning to see whose pillow had the most hair on it. When Jana started winning, the novelty began to wear off. When she tried to wash her hair and found a dead wombat in the shower, well, game over.
We are now on to hats and scarves. Jana has always been gorgeous, but who knew she'd look so good as a pirate?
Hair issues aside, Jana is doing great. She's feeling well and still has a lot of energy. It's a constant battle for me to get her to slow down and rest - but I'll take that over bed-ridden any day.
Thanks for all of the good thoughts and prayers - keep 'em coming.
P.J.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
2nd Round of Chemo Down
Hello y'all. Sorry for the lack of blogging for the past few weeks. Someone complained to me recently that they hadn't received a blog entry for a long time. It's because I've been enjoying myself since I've been feeling really good. I've been super busy with several out-of-town guests, the last days of school, Georgia's birthday, getting her off to a good start at camp, our anniversary, spending time with my book club friends and others. Basically, I've been pretty much back to normal and it has felt GREAT!!!
For the next few days, I expect to be homebound while the chemo works its way through my system and I recover from the steroids. P.J. thinks I'm crazy the days I'm on steroids with my fanny pack Adriamycin infusion. During that time, I am hyper and can't stop myself from organizing the house, unpacking boxes, dragging out new projects, etc. I'll crash this weekend and spend a lot of time laying in bed reading and watching movies. P.J. will still have a "honey do" list to pick up my slack until my next burst of energy expected early next week.
What I've dreaded the most is finally happening. I AM LOSING MY HAIR! It's horrible. I thought I would be so bummed when I had 10 inches cut off - but surprisingly, I was relieved. I've enjoyed my new sassy haircut these past few weeks and the ease of care. Since last weekend, I have been shedding big time. This morning I had tons of hair on my pillow and my hair has continued to shed all over my clothes (and food) all day long. I guess I may have to shave it off pretty soon. My cute hairdresser has offered to come to my house and do that for me. At least I have a nice collection of cute scarves and hats now to wear. If you see a mysterious woman around Lake Forest wearing big sunglasses, earrings, hats and scarves - it's probably me.
All in all, I'm doing great. My good days far outnumber the bad ones. We are surrounded by loved ones who constantly go out of their way to make sure we have lots of laughs, good meals, thoughtful gifts, help with Georgia and much more. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have. This has been a invaluable experience. One we never would have asked for but was clearly part of God's plan for me/us.
Enjoy every day!
xxoo
Jana
For the next few days, I expect to be homebound while the chemo works its way through my system and I recover from the steroids. P.J. thinks I'm crazy the days I'm on steroids with my fanny pack Adriamycin infusion. During that time, I am hyper and can't stop myself from organizing the house, unpacking boxes, dragging out new projects, etc. I'll crash this weekend and spend a lot of time laying in bed reading and watching movies. P.J. will still have a "honey do" list to pick up my slack until my next burst of energy expected early next week.
What I've dreaded the most is finally happening. I AM LOSING MY HAIR! It's horrible. I thought I would be so bummed when I had 10 inches cut off - but surprisingly, I was relieved. I've enjoyed my new sassy haircut these past few weeks and the ease of care. Since last weekend, I have been shedding big time. This morning I had tons of hair on my pillow and my hair has continued to shed all over my clothes (and food) all day long. I guess I may have to shave it off pretty soon. My cute hairdresser has offered to come to my house and do that for me. At least I have a nice collection of cute scarves and hats now to wear. If you see a mysterious woman around Lake Forest wearing big sunglasses, earrings, hats and scarves - it's probably me.
All in all, I'm doing great. My good days far outnumber the bad ones. We are surrounded by loved ones who constantly go out of their way to make sure we have lots of laughs, good meals, thoughtful gifts, help with Georgia and much more. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have. This has been a invaluable experience. One we never would have asked for but was clearly part of God's plan for me/us.
Enjoy every day!
xxoo
Jana
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Crying in front of my daughter's entire school
It's official - I'm turning into a cry baby. I guess it was about time. I've barely cried since my diagnosis on February 20 - the entire week leading up to it, I cried nonstop through every test. Since then, I've been too tired or busy to cry or trying to be strong for someone else. Crying takes so much out of you. Oh, I've had some private pity parties - but not major public crying ... until yesterday.
My daughter's 2nd grade teacher, Kelly Huetteman, received the Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award yesterday. The entire student body (k-8) and faculty at Lake Forest Country Day School was gathered for the assembly. I already knew she was going to win it because my nomination cinched it for her. Other parents submitted nominations for her regarding Kelly's remarkable ability to connect with their child, but I felt compelled to write about what a difference she has made for my daughter, especially in recent months. So, I knew what was coming when the award was announced, but I couldn't stop what was coming out of me - big, fat tears!
Here is a portion of my nomination letter for Kelly Huetteman:
"Since the beginning of the school year, Kelly always made sure that all her students could come talk with her privately about anything. Kelly has especially made sure that Georgia knows that she can always talk with her about her fears and worries about my health. When I was diagnosed and didn't know how to tell Georgia, Kelly researched age-appropriate books suitable for her and even purchased them for us. Those books were extremely helpful when I couldn't come up with the words and was too emotional to tell my daughter that I had breast cancer and would have a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Georgia and I cuddled many days and nights and read these books over and over. "
"Kelly is already anticipating the challenges Georgia may face when I lose my hair from chemo, which coincides with the end of the school year. I know that I'm really anxious about that part of my treatment because then there is now denying to anyone that I have cancer. To help Georgia and remind her that she can always talk with her, Kelly is planning to take her one weekend to spend a special day together doing anything she wants."
"Dealing with all the emotions of cancer is extremely difficult, but having to care for your young child who is smart enough to ask the tough questions and want every detail makes it even harder. We could not make this cancer journey without Kelly. I consider her as much a part of my team of caregivers as I do my oncologists, surgeons, internist and other medical support staff. Kelly deserves to receive this award because she cares about not only the student's academic performance, but her whole being."
P.J. and I are eternally grateful to Kelly and all of Georgia's teachers (and school nurse) for helping her through this challenging time.
________________________________________________________________
Today is the day of our big haircuts. Will share my thoughts on that later. I'm off to take a nap now. I tossed and turned all night with dreams/nightmares of losing my hair. My cold is still lingering and the Benadryl is making me drowsy and my eyes are still swollen and puffy from yesterday. Maybe a rest will help me keep the tears in during my public haircut at the salon this afternoon.
xxoo
Jana
My daughter's 2nd grade teacher, Kelly Huetteman, received the Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award yesterday. The entire student body (k-8) and faculty at Lake Forest Country Day School was gathered for the assembly. I already knew she was going to win it because my nomination cinched it for her. Other parents submitted nominations for her regarding Kelly's remarkable ability to connect with their child, but I felt compelled to write about what a difference she has made for my daughter, especially in recent months. So, I knew what was coming when the award was announced, but I couldn't stop what was coming out of me - big, fat tears!
Here is a portion of my nomination letter for Kelly Huetteman:
"Since the beginning of the school year, Kelly always made sure that all her students could come talk with her privately about anything. Kelly has especially made sure that Georgia knows that she can always talk with her about her fears and worries about my health. When I was diagnosed and didn't know how to tell Georgia, Kelly researched age-appropriate books suitable for her and even purchased them for us. Those books were extremely helpful when I couldn't come up with the words and was too emotional to tell my daughter that I had breast cancer and would have a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Georgia and I cuddled many days and nights and read these books over and over. "
"Kelly is already anticipating the challenges Georgia may face when I lose my hair from chemo, which coincides with the end of the school year. I know that I'm really anxious about that part of my treatment because then there is now denying to anyone that I have cancer. To help Georgia and remind her that she can always talk with her, Kelly is planning to take her one weekend to spend a special day together doing anything she wants."
"Dealing with all the emotions of cancer is extremely difficult, but having to care for your young child who is smart enough to ask the tough questions and want every detail makes it even harder. We could not make this cancer journey without Kelly. I consider her as much a part of my team of caregivers as I do my oncologists, surgeons, internist and other medical support staff. Kelly deserves to receive this award because she cares about not only the student's academic performance, but her whole being."
P.J. and I are eternally grateful to Kelly and all of Georgia's teachers (and school nurse) for helping her through this challenging time.
________________________________________________________________
Today is the day of our big haircuts. Will share my thoughts on that later. I'm off to take a nap now. I tossed and turned all night with dreams/nightmares of losing my hair. My cold is still lingering and the Benadryl is making me drowsy and my eyes are still swollen and puffy from yesterday. Maybe a rest will help me keep the tears in during my public haircut at the salon this afternoon.
xxoo
Jana
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I was a little too optimistic
Last week during chemo, the worst part was carrying around the pump. The steroid I was given made me feel AWESOME! I had a lot of energy and thought this isn't so bad. What are they talking about - fatigue, nausea, headaches? I experienced none of that. Well, once I was off the steroid, I crashed so hard. After a good morning on Saturday with my mom and family, I spent from midday on in bed for the rest of the weekend. I experienced the "chemo hangover" with the excrutiating headache and extreme fatigue. I had nothing left to give. And on top of it, I caught Georgia's cold - fever, cough, sore throat, ears, teeth. I'm still recovering today (Tuesday). Wow. I was kidding myself thinking this was easy.
Today was the day I've dreaded since my diagnosis ... I handful of hair fell out. I've been so gentle with it for the past week and today I wore my cute hot pink enamel J.Crew rubberband to pull it back. When I took it out, about 50 hairs came with it - not normal (5 or so is usual). Maybe it was just because of the rubber band - or maybe because it was going to happen anyway. So - tomorrow I plan to wash and style my hair - go get that passport picture made since my passport expired in January - and enjoy the final day of swinging my long hair. I now understand why everyone recommends patients with long hair get it cut short before it falls out on its own.
I just picked up a cute book called 'Crazy Sexy Cancer.' It's a fun read and is inspirational.
Found out today that a friend pursued a MRI and biopsy following a suspicious mammogram. She's fine, but they will keep a close eye on her breasts from now on. She told me that she only did the tests because my cancer was a wake up call that it could happen to anyone. I'm proud of her for getting checked out and know in my heart that she will be fine.
Thanks for listening. Write me sometime. It means a lot to hear from each of you!
xxoo
Jana
Today was the day I've dreaded since my diagnosis ... I handful of hair fell out. I've been so gentle with it for the past week and today I wore my cute hot pink enamel J.Crew rubberband to pull it back. When I took it out, about 50 hairs came with it - not normal (5 or so is usual). Maybe it was just because of the rubber band - or maybe because it was going to happen anyway. So - tomorrow I plan to wash and style my hair - go get that passport picture made since my passport expired in January - and enjoy the final day of swinging my long hair. I now understand why everyone recommends patients with long hair get it cut short before it falls out on its own.
I just picked up a cute book called 'Crazy Sexy Cancer.' It's a fun read and is inspirational.
Found out today that a friend pursued a MRI and biopsy following a suspicious mammogram. She's fine, but they will keep a close eye on her breasts from now on. She told me that she only did the tests because my cancer was a wake up call that it could happen to anyone. I'm proud of her for getting checked out and know in my heart that she will be fine.
Thanks for listening. Write me sometime. It means a lot to hear from each of you!
xxoo
Jana
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