In the midst of all the drama re the cost of herceptin - see previous posting only a few minutes ago - nearly forgot: I am no longer wearing hats! Yesterday at my sister took my hat off for the afternoon, last night slept without any covering (was too cold and itchy before to do so) and today arrived at first gym and now work without a hat/cap (the doctors do not count as they are used to people with/without hair).
It is very short but fine, I think. Might post a pic later.
Last had chemo on Tuesday April 14 so it's nearly three months. And it's still micro short! But in the scheme of things, to use the radiation oncologist's words (again, see previous posting), it's ok. Ag, the hair loss was a trauma, not going to deny it.
I live in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Thursday January 15 2009. This is my journey with cancer and other musings as surveyed - initially temporarily hairless - from under my hats.
Showing posts with label chemo and hair loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chemo and hair loss. Show all posts
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
sunday evening musings
Started feeling ill walking around Pick n Pay supermarket today and I wasn't even wielding a trolley or carrying a basket. My friend said I looked like I was just going to make it to the car, in other words, dreadful.
Spent much of this weekend not feeling so great which meant that apart from the fab dance umbrella gala show on Friday night and brief shopping on Saturday followed by lunch, did not go gallivanting this weekend.
Sipping ginger beer now (think it helps).
But otherwise, weekend was ok. Read more of the paper than I normally do even if much of it was boring, apart from some of Lifestyle and Travel & Food, which is always my favourite section. Mail & Guardian was boring too. Mike spoke this week of the problem of dull, boring and predictable papers.... mmmm.....
Oh incidentally, although am almost bald, finding the hairloss far less of an issue than before. The other side-effects of the chemo are far more debilitating such my still messed up tummy - despite The Tango Man's insistance that it did not seem to be a chemo side effect, not the way I had described it - and also, the dizziness I feel if I exert myself too much.
Oh, and once more bravo to yoga. Was about to take a pill for severe stomach cramps when did the feet up restorative pose instead, and voila! The pain subsided without the need for medication. Ok, it must have taken about 30 minutes but it went and is now gone.
Had some confusion today re whether tomorrow or tomorrow is seven days from treatment which was on Monday. But either way, this week is a non-going out week, apart from work, as my immune system will be compromised from last Monday's chemo. Hope I do some reading. Philip Roth's The Plot against America is darn heavy to keep carting around.
Oh and Friday, or it could be Saturday, marked eight years without smoking. Can barely believe it myself.
Spent much of this weekend not feeling so great which meant that apart from the fab dance umbrella gala show on Friday night and brief shopping on Saturday followed by lunch, did not go gallivanting this weekend.
Sipping ginger beer now (think it helps).
But otherwise, weekend was ok. Read more of the paper than I normally do even if much of it was boring, apart from some of Lifestyle and Travel & Food, which is always my favourite section. Mail & Guardian was boring too. Mike spoke this week of the problem of dull, boring and predictable papers.... mmmm.....
Oh incidentally, although am almost bald, finding the hairloss far less of an issue than before. The other side-effects of the chemo are far more debilitating such my still messed up tummy - despite The Tango Man's insistance that it did not seem to be a chemo side effect, not the way I had described it - and also, the dizziness I feel if I exert myself too much.
Oh, and once more bravo to yoga. Was about to take a pill for severe stomach cramps when did the feet up restorative pose instead, and voila! The pain subsided without the need for medication. Ok, it must have taken about 30 minutes but it went and is now gone.
Had some confusion today re whether tomorrow or tomorrow is seven days from treatment which was on Monday. But either way, this week is a non-going out week, apart from work, as my immune system will be compromised from last Monday's chemo. Hope I do some reading. Philip Roth's The Plot against America is darn heavy to keep carting around.
Oh and Friday, or it could be Saturday, marked eight years without smoking. Can barely believe it myself.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
bullshit shavathons
Yesterday was Cancer South Africa's (Cansa) Shavathon day which encourages people to shave their hair in solidarity of those who have bald heads cos of cancer. I think it's bullshit. Really. My friend wanted to go have his done - his dad is in remission - but besides being busy, I declined to go with him as I think it is total bullshit.
What does it prove?
Rather give money to a worthwhile cause like this DJ who clearly does not have medical aid and needs money to pay for his chemo:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=55582032419&ref=nf
Funnily enough, a friend of a friend at Dance Umbrella last night said: Oh I thought you had taken part in the shavathon, and could not believe it when I heard yours is for real (which really just proves that one might as well go around bald since everyone knows if you're wearing a hat anyway - although did think last night's black and white pin-striped trilby from Young Designers was pretty cool. Oh and apart from that and a few curious questions from friends I had only had internet correspondence with so far, managed to have a fab night without cancer or my hair loss being an issue, although do feel I tend to walk around less and go up to less people at functions now. Must overcome that.
On the other hand, got this broad smile of recognition from a woman at the Listeners' Library today. She clearly had no hair and not from some damn shavathon; she wore a tiny scarf. She was so excited to see me but think I merely gave a sheepish smile back. Smack!
CANSA'S SHAVATHON CAMPAIGN:
http://www.shavathon.org.za/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?c=1890
What does it prove?
Rather give money to a worthwhile cause like this DJ who clearly does not have medical aid and needs money to pay for his chemo:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=55582032419&ref=nf
Funnily enough, a friend of a friend at Dance Umbrella last night said: Oh I thought you had taken part in the shavathon, and could not believe it when I heard yours is for real (which really just proves that one might as well go around bald since everyone knows if you're wearing a hat anyway - although did think last night's black and white pin-striped trilby from Young Designers was pretty cool. Oh and apart from that and a few curious questions from friends I had only had internet correspondence with so far, managed to have a fab night without cancer or my hair loss being an issue, although do feel I tend to walk around less and go up to less people at functions now. Must overcome that.
On the other hand, got this broad smile of recognition from a woman at the Listeners' Library today. She clearly had no hair and not from some damn shavathon; she wore a tiny scarf. She was so excited to see me but think I merely gave a sheepish smile back. Smack!
CANSA'S SHAVATHON CAMPAIGN:
http://www.shavathon.org.za/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?c=1890
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
it is scary
My scalp feels funny but not itchy as I was told. Know one shouldn't wish for time to pass but almost wish this was over, that it was out already. Maybe not. But at work and gonna put on my cap on just now. A white one. To match my t-shirt.
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