I have endured a week of daily injections of Neuprogen to boost my white blood count. I have read those shots are suppose to burn going in, but the student nurse at the doctor's office gives them to me nice and slow and they have been painless.
The downside of the Neuprogen is the way it makes me feel after I take it. Every bone in my body aches! My hips, my knees, my shoulders. Luckily Tylenol has helped with those symptoms. I am not finished with the Neuprogen. Because my counts dropped so low, I have to continue taking Neuprogen after each round of chemo.
Today, Wayne and I was back at North Kansas City Hospital (early I might add) to have a PICC line put into my arm. My doctor's current recommendation; PICC line to do the next dose of chemotherapy and then another Groshong after that.
I had the same two nurses as I did for the dye study. I almost feel like I should be inviting them out for happy hour at this point. They once again took very good care of me and the PICC line went in with NO complications. I was awake for the whole thing, have been in very little pain, and walked out of there with a small dressing on my upper right arm.
MY plan differs from my doctor's. I am going to advocate that they use this central line for the remainder of the chemo. Apparently, it only needs to be flushed once a week when it is not in use and it seems so much easier to maneuver than the Gronshong. There also just appears to be less to get tugged on.
So, as of right now, I am ready for treatment Monday morning.
The other thing I have had to get ready for is my hair loss. Three days ago I noticed that more hair than normal was coming out of my head. Yesterday it was even more. Today, lots more. Losing your hair is a very interesting process. Your head tingles. I would not say it hurts, but it is not comfortable either. You women will know what I am describing here. It is that feeling you get when you have had your hair up in a ponytail too long. When you take that ponytail out, your head tingles and enjoys a good massage. Well, it is kinda like that. Only all over.
I have decided it is very powerless to watch your hair fall out one brush stroke at a time, or in my case, one pass of the hand through the hair. I will be taking my power back and cutting my hair off. My favorite stylist and I have a date for Monday.
With the help of my mother-in-law and her sister, I went wig shopping yesterday. Inside Metro North Mall is a Wig Shop. It has been there for years. Even as a teenager, I would walk by the store and never want to go in there. Well, most things have left Metro North Mall but not that Wig Shop. I told the owner yesterday that I was thankful she was still there when I needed her.
I had to purchase a skull cap for sanitary reasons and then she set about pulling wigs off and trying them on. RED, BROWN, BLONDE, LONG, SHORT, STRAIGHT, CURLY. WOW!! Finding the right one, was like finding the right wedding gown. You know it when you see it. So, I have purchased my very first wig. I can critique it to death, but here is the bottom line: It is not my hair. It is a substitute. I think it is a pretty good substitute. Or at least it is one that I can live with for the next several months.
The downside of the Neuprogen is the way it makes me feel after I take it. Every bone in my body aches! My hips, my knees, my shoulders. Luckily Tylenol has helped with those symptoms. I am not finished with the Neuprogen. Because my counts dropped so low, I have to continue taking Neuprogen after each round of chemo.
Today, Wayne and I was back at North Kansas City Hospital (early I might add) to have a PICC line put into my arm. My doctor's current recommendation; PICC line to do the next dose of chemotherapy and then another Groshong after that.
I had the same two nurses as I did for the dye study. I almost feel like I should be inviting them out for happy hour at this point. They once again took very good care of me and the PICC line went in with NO complications. I was awake for the whole thing, have been in very little pain, and walked out of there with a small dressing on my upper right arm.
MY plan differs from my doctor's. I am going to advocate that they use this central line for the remainder of the chemo. Apparently, it only needs to be flushed once a week when it is not in use and it seems so much easier to maneuver than the Gronshong. There also just appears to be less to get tugged on.
So, as of right now, I am ready for treatment Monday morning.
The other thing I have had to get ready for is my hair loss. Three days ago I noticed that more hair than normal was coming out of my head. Yesterday it was even more. Today, lots more. Losing your hair is a very interesting process. Your head tingles. I would not say it hurts, but it is not comfortable either. You women will know what I am describing here. It is that feeling you get when you have had your hair up in a ponytail too long. When you take that ponytail out, your head tingles and enjoys a good massage. Well, it is kinda like that. Only all over.
I have decided it is very powerless to watch your hair fall out one brush stroke at a time, or in my case, one pass of the hand through the hair. I will be taking my power back and cutting my hair off. My favorite stylist and I have a date for Monday.
With the help of my mother-in-law and her sister, I went wig shopping yesterday. Inside Metro North Mall is a Wig Shop. It has been there for years. Even as a teenager, I would walk by the store and never want to go in there. Well, most things have left Metro North Mall but not that Wig Shop. I told the owner yesterday that I was thankful she was still there when I needed her.
I had to purchase a skull cap for sanitary reasons and then she set about pulling wigs off and trying them on. RED, BROWN, BLONDE, LONG, SHORT, STRAIGHT, CURLY. WOW!! Finding the right one, was like finding the right wedding gown. You know it when you see it. So, I have purchased my very first wig. I can critique it to death, but here is the bottom line: It is not my hair. It is a substitute. I think it is a pretty good substitute. Or at least it is one that I can live with for the next several months.
Hi there! Sorry, I've been out of touch for a bit and just read 1 + weeks of your blog. Sorry to hear that you've been having such a difficult time. I still commend you for your trooper attitude. The pictures you've been posting of yourself are beautiful. Your smile is priceless and will hopefully be there even while your hair takes a vacation! You are an amazing woman and I am proud to call you my friend! I hope you enjoy this weekend before the next round begins! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
Great updates to your blog. Love the colors and the music.
ReplyDeleteI am sending all of my good vibes your way for next week.
Hang in there... You inspire me with how strong you are.
I can't wait to see the new hair! I will be looking for you this week. I am in classroom training all week.
ReplyDeleteYou will still be beautiful no matter what style/color you pick, or if you decide not to wear a wig. Reading your blog brought back a whirlwind of emotion from 5 years ago when Kevin was diagnosed with cancer. The best advice I can give you is to take it one day at a time and try to remain positive. Cherish the days that you feel good and take it easy on the days that you don't. Your anxiety and anger will diminish in time, and before you know it the painful part will be over. I am thinking about you during this trying time, but I know you are strong and you and your family will get through this. Love, Kristin G.
ReplyDeleteWow, your blog looks awesome. I should have went with you to go wig shopping, it's the "IN" thing. Really! If I put all the hair on my bathroom floor in a pile, I have a short hair wig. Hum..I say it's sympathy pain that my hair is coming out but my beautician says that I need to see her more often. I can't wait to see the new do. Pam, know that you are a beautiful woman and "This too shall pass". God has his Angel encamped around you, countinue to lean on them during those times you need an extra push. Love you lady!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have really made some changes to your page and it looks awesome. I should have went wig shopping with you. I have enough hair on my bathroom floor to make a short wig. I say it's sympathy pains for my friend but my beautician says that I need to come see her more often. I can't wait to see your new do. Pam, though it all, know that you are a beautiful woman of God and "This too shall pass". God has his Angels encamped around you, lean on Him and them when your path seems dark. I love you lady!
ReplyDelete