Chemo #15
I feel lucky that I haven't missed a chemo yet. Apparently it's unusual to sail through chemo with no delays. I see other people getting sent home based on their blood tests. "No toxins for you!" The nurses will also send you home if your temperature is over 100. Every time I pick up Claire from preschool, there is at least one kid covered in green snot, so it's pretty freakin' miraculous that I've been healthy throughout the entire winter and spring. I hope I didn't just jinx myself.
On Friday I saw my oncologist. She reviewed my recent CT scan, and all of the suspicious spots from my first PET scan were normal-looking. When I didn't react, she said, "To be clear, this is the best possible outcome." But I refuse to be too happy. The mastectomy pathology report is the definitive measure.
And now, a serious question: if you only have 4-6 eyelashes left, should you still wear mascara? Maybe I should pluck the last few for the sake of symmetry. I tried applying fake eyelashes the other day, and for some reason the adhesive glue is black (why?!), so I ended up with black glue all over my face, and the lashes were still in the wrong place. I wiped it all off and lined my eyes with a black pencil instead. Without eyeliner and brow pencil, I really do look like a cancer patient. I draw something on while I'm still half-asleep in the morning so I won't scare the children. Then I redo it after I've had coffee. When I leave the house and see women everywhere with effortless eyebrows and eyelashes, I want to punch them in the face. Not really. Just a little bit. Cancer definitely messes with your self-esteem. Julia told me my wig looks like straw, and it actually bothered me. (Later she told a mom at school, "You have white stripes in your hair." And then I felt better.)
Speaking of hair, my mother-in-law was inspired by my post about the Magic Yarn Project and sent wigs for the whole family. I feel a Disney-themed Christmas card coming on!
One more to go.
On Friday I saw my oncologist. She reviewed my recent CT scan, and all of the suspicious spots from my first PET scan were normal-looking. When I didn't react, she said, "To be clear, this is the best possible outcome." But I refuse to be too happy. The mastectomy pathology report is the definitive measure.
And now, a serious question: if you only have 4-6 eyelashes left, should you still wear mascara? Maybe I should pluck the last few for the sake of symmetry. I tried applying fake eyelashes the other day, and for some reason the adhesive glue is black (why?!), so I ended up with black glue all over my face, and the lashes were still in the wrong place. I wiped it all off and lined my eyes with a black pencil instead. Without eyeliner and brow pencil, I really do look like a cancer patient. I draw something on while I'm still half-asleep in the morning so I won't scare the children. Then I redo it after I've had coffee. When I leave the house and see women everywhere with effortless eyebrows and eyelashes, I want to punch them in the face. Not really. Just a little bit. Cancer definitely messes with your self-esteem. Julia told me my wig looks like straw, and it actually bothered me. (Later she told a mom at school, "You have white stripes in your hair." And then I felt better.)
Speaking of hair, my mother-in-law was inspired by my post about the Magic Yarn Project and sent wigs for the whole family. I feel a Disney-themed Christmas card coming on!
One more to go.
I'm so excited to be there with you for your last one!!!! I may just have something in tow to help with your brows and lashes!! Love ya!
ReplyDeleteThose wigs are amazing. Jeff has never looked better!
ReplyDeleteThese wigs are incredible! You make a beautiful Belle. :)
ReplyDelete