Thursday, July 9, 2009
Big days ahead
It's been nice having a week or so free from major appointments and procedures, especially after that scary experience with the first attempt to have the port installed. But this "break" is coming to an end and tomorrow the craziness resumes.
Tomorrow is my first "tissue expansion" appointment at UCLA where the reconstructive surgeon will inject saline into the breast tissue expanders in my chest to stretch my skin to create more space for the implants that I will get put in after chemo is done but before radiation begins. Apparently there should be a series of these expansions but I'm going in with the thought that one is probably enough haha - it's going to create discomfort and frankly I'm sure I'll have enough discomfort between what I've had thus far and what's to come with chemo and radiation and future surgeries so I'm not about to "elect" for more of it just for bigger boobs after spending most of my adult life wishing my boobs were smaller haha. Hubby doesn't agree with me on this point but I am happy to remind him that it's my body and that he didn't marry my boobs - he married the whole me - and the whole me would be content with a B or small C set of knockers so he'll just have to be content with that too.
Monday I go back to UCLA for outpatient surgery to get a port-a-cath installed.
Tuesday morning I get my first chemo treatment. I met with Dr.B on Tuesday afternoon to have the chemo Q&A which was informative. He said that days 3-7 tend to be the hardest days in the cycle (day 1 being the day you receive the infusion/treatment) in terms of feeling bad. He said I can expect to lose my hair about 3 weeks into treatment so I will look at the calendar and plan a head shaving "party" at around that time so that it won't be a completely sad/depressing experience. I bought a wig, a hair piece to use with hats, two head scarves, and I'm shopping for hats so that I'll have lots of options once the hair is gone.
So...anyway...it's going to be quite the week. I'm ready...I think. haha.
Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and positive thoughts!
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12 comments:
Don't forget that hair is minimal. I freeked out when I was in the shower and mine all started to fall out in big clumps and plug the drain! I should've been more proactive! A hair shaving party sounds way more fun.
Greg
I think you'll look adorable with your head shaved. So in! I had my head shaved a lot before coming to work at PwC. Wear it proudly!
Look on the bright side! I am sure if you had a nickel for every time you dreaded doing your hair to go out, you would be a millionaire! I know I would! In fact, as I type I am dreading "doing" my hair just to go buy some formula. Ugh.... :o)
I can't tell you how many times a day I think about you...just about every time I see pink...and I have a baby girl, so you know how often that it! Each time I think of you, I say a little prayer...
Julie--I LOVE that you have so many options for crowning glory! Very cool and very pro-active! As far as size of the boobs goes, I'm with you. Bigger ones are pain in the back, and frankly, a bother to haul around. Let your comfort level be your guide as you plan. My prayers continue for you, your family, and your medical pros!
I'm praying for you, Julie. I'm sure the thought of starting chemo is scary, but I also know you're ready to blast any and all of this cancer/possibility of cancer out of your body. Hugs to you and little Cooper! My husband was sitting with me while I was reading your blog and he thought Cooper was super-cute. My husband never says that kinda stuff! Cooper IS super-cute!
All the best to you ... you do have a lot on your plate.
Wow, Julie! You are amazing! You are a super-hero! You & Mr Super-Cutie Cooper, too! :)
My thoughts & prayers will continue to be with you.
Big Hugs,
Carrie, Drake's Mom from iv
my girlfriend becky looked great bald and weared it well, as i am positive that you will look marvelous, a shaving party sounds great, and if you dont want to go it alone, let me know, i will do it with ya,you have my full support.. ( roger said he didnt mind either)thinking of you, love missy
I am positive you will be the cutest bald girl around...those freckles kill me! Love you!!
Great Blog! I added you to my blogroll, Cancer Blog Links at www.beingcancer.net. Also... Open invitation to you and your readers to participate in the Being Cancer Book Club. This month we are discussing “The Adventures of Cancer Bitch. “Drawing on a wealth of personal, literary, and historical sources—from Jewish liturgy to the first crude mastectomies, from Anne Frank to Emma Goldman—The Adventures of Cancer Bitch creates an indelible image of a politically engaged, self-aware (sometimes neurotic) woman facing a daunting disease with equal measures of humor, well-founded fear, and keen intelligence.”
Monday is Book Club day; Wednesday Guest Blog and Friday Cancer News Roundup.
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Take care, Dennis
Hi Julie,
I found hats on Etsy.com, but I have no idea if you would like any of them! I searched on 'cloche' + 'cotton'(hey, it's summer, not winter) and found a bunch of cute ones, in case your head gets sunburned from all that struttin around sans follicles!
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