Cancer Musings (the first haircut)

Tonight I got my hair cut for the first time in 14 months. It's a strange and fascinating thing to watch your hair grow back from scratch. It's very different from getting a haircut you didn't like and then waiting for it to grow back out. When it's growing out from nothing, it takes whatever shape it wants to and you can't do much about tt. It took seven months to get it to its current length. The back of my hair was growing faster than the front, and I could tell if I didn't do something soon, I would be heading toward mullett-ville. 

The hairstylist who cut my hair was very kind and understood my story when I told her about it. However, she did ask me a question that mystified me, and my confusion showed on my face. She said, "Do you want to keep the layers in there?" It was a very strange question to me since I had done nothing to cause any layers in it up to this point. I said, "I guess I'm not prepared to answer that question." She giggled at that response and told me my hair did have layers in it now, which makes sense considering the possible mullet action happening. I left the final decision in her capable hands and came away with a haircut with which I was pleased.

Before 

After

Cancer Musings (Oncology Appt-Cycle 7)

I have now completed cycle 7 of drug X and today I met with the oncologist to get labs done and talk about the next steps. Tomorrow I will start cycle 8 of drug X, which will be the last cycle in this course and the last in my chemo treatments. I am scheduled for CT scans of the chest, stomach, and pelvis on February 28. I will then meet again with the oncologist in early March to review the results and see if any further action needs to be taken. In theory, this was my last oncology visit for treatment courses in this journey. 

As I was standing in line to get checked in to my appointment this morning, I struck up a conversation with the lady behind me. She looked to be in her 30's . I could see that she came with her parents. They were all carrying bags and looking a little unsure. I asked her if she was getting treatment done that day. She said, "Yes. It's my first treatment." She asked me a few questions about my own diagnosis and if I had lost my hair. When I asked her about her diagnosis, she said it was breast cancer and admitted that she barely remembered what it was called and didn't understand much about it. She said, "It's a subject I never wanted to have to know about. I just want it out of my body". I can relate to that. The cancer journey and treatment process is all so overwhelming in the beginning. Information is coming at you fast and furiously, and most of it seems like a foreign language.

After we both checked in and sat in the waiting area, I searched my purse for a blank piece of paper (seriously searched for about 5 minutes--how can there be so many things in that small purse and nothing to write on?) I finally found a small card and wrote down my name and number and told her to call me if she ever just needed an ear as she navigates through this journey. I think it meant as much (if not more) to her mother as it did to her. I'm grateful to God for every one of these unexpected encounters with other lovely human beings along this journey. And I remember how helpful it was to me when someone reached out to me in an unexpected way during an appointment. 

Greg wasn't able to join me at this visit, so I flew solo for my last appointment for drug X. I've been so grateful for his support and companionship all along the way.