Hair

Updated photo 2 months out from the end of chemo. The pic was taken last week in the radiation oncology changing room after treatment. The hair is coming back... can you see it? Hair on head, eyebrows, eyelashes, yay, hair on legs, under arms, random bizarre chin hair, boo. Ah well, can't have your cake and eat it too.

A difficult week.

I've lost count of the radiation treatments. I'll map it out on the calendar tonight. All is well. No side effects.

Phoebe had a reaction to poison ivy, or oak, or something on our Mother's Day hike up the mountain and was in and out of school last week with full face rash. It's cleared up now. Phew.

And a young Princeton couple was killed in a car accident on Mother's Day evening. They have 3 children, an older daughter and two young boys who are connected to Sander through baseball and school. The dad was one of Sander's baseball coaches. It's such a horrendous tragedy that it's difficult to wrap your mind around it. My heart aches for these kids.

Why we have healthcare...

I just received a bill in the mail yesterday from the hospital. One month of chemo costs $25,465.40 so the four months of chemo treatment would total $101,861.60!!! This doesn't include surgical costs, radiation treatment, or hormone treatment. I received this invoice because my insurance company only made a partial payment so the hospital is looking for me to cover the remaining $18,846.10 - so much for that new car. Each single Neulasta shot is billed out at $9,423.05 - this is for one single 6 mg injection and I had 8 of them. I called the insurance people and have them looking it for me. The rep I spoke to seemed to think it's an invoicing glitch. Man, I hope so.

Update on the crazy eyebrows. I plucked them. Couldn't take it anymore. New baby brows growing as I type.

And, I've been off the sleeping pills for over a week now. I ran out of the pills and was going to call in a refill but thought I'd give it a shot on my own instead. It was very rough the first couple nights but now not so bad. I still wake up a few times a night but seem to be able to get myself back to sleep fairly easily. Yay.

5 down 28 to go.

The first week of radiation was pretty uneventful. I have a great time slot, 7:45 AM, yay! My morning consists of getting myself and the kids up between 6 and 6:30. Making sure they're dressed, then getting myself out the door by 7 AM. James takes care of breakfast and bus, nice. No more detentions for tardiness on his watch. Parking at 7:40 AM is a breeze at UMass. I walk from garage to hospital and go straight down to B-level. Check in at the front desk of Rad Onc, pick up parking voucher (awesome) then go down to change into a gown. Wait and read the paper for a couple min in the patient waiting room before they come and find me. We head in to the treatment room. A couple minutes of small talk while positioning properly using tattoo dots then the nurses leave the room and radiation begins. I lay in place, the equipment turns around me shooting from 3 angles, 4 opening sizes so zoom in on the treatment location. The entire thing takes 5 minutes at the most. Then I go back to changing rooms, slather myself with some Aquaphor, dress, and head back to the garage. I'm to work anytime between 8:30 and 9 AM. Not bad. I put Vitamin E and Aquaphor on again after a shower at night. No reactions on my skin so far and energy level is good.

Every Friday I'll be seeing the Radiation Oncologist after treatment. Yesterday was quick as it's early on, all looks good, no questions. I checked in to make sure my immune system is back up to speed and not at issue with radiation. I've had people concerned about being around me if they're ill. Dr. T. said all should be fine. Don't hug anyone that's obviously ill and wash hands often. I'd say this should be the rule for everyone. I think the problem is that I still look like a chemo patient so people are extra cautious around me. It still shocks me when I look in the mirror. My hair is really just starting to grow back. It's such a tiny amount of fuzz with my scalp still glowing through. The kids like rubbing my head, maybe it'll bring good luck.

I'm starting to see something happening around my eyebrows as well, thank God. I think I missed those more than the hair on my head. I had a few that didn't fall out but they're my crazy long eyebrow hairs, the ones I'd normally pluck or trim. I contemplated pulling them all out but don't think I could face myself with completely naked brows.

I worked a full week last week. The great morning appointment time helps. I left a bit early yesterday afternoon. We raced to see Ironman (Phoebe's new favorite movie) then to the school for Girl Scout Family Bingo. This morning was Sander's first baseball game. It was FREEZING out. Lack of hair is seriously easier to deal with in warm weather than cold. I wore a baseball cap to keep the heat in but needed fleece for ears and neck. I spent most of the game wrapped in a blanket or in James' truck with heat running. After the game it was back to the house for a long hot shower. Ahhh, much better now. Today Phoebe has a massive project in the works and I may clean the kitchen then head in to the studio. The kids want to see Ironman AGAIN with James. Tomorrow we go in to West Roxbury to help Susie celebrate her birthday.

Happy Birthday Sue!