Showers, acupuncture, and coconut head 🥥👩🏼‍🦲

I finally started to feel better about a week after my first chemo and the past few weeks have been terrific. So while every chemo infusion could result in a different experience, if my next one is anything like the first one, it will go something like this:

Days 1-2: 🙂 feel great

Days 3-7: 😩 extreme bone pain

Day 8: 😏 starting to feel good again

Days 9-22: 😁 feel great

I’ve had a few massages which have helped and experienced my first acupuncture treatment. I don’t think I realized some of the needles might hurt – like, a lot. Overall, I felt great afterwards and will continue acupuncture and massage therapy next week in hopes of helping to lessen/ease my pain and discomfort throughout chemo. That, and lots more showers and walks around the hood.

Just as I knew it would happen, I started to lose my hair around day 14. A few days prior, I remember my hair looking lifeless and limp and realized the roots must have died! I texted Esther who has been cutting my hair for over 20 years and we scheduled “the big shave”. My sister-in-law Jessica came with (who ironically has also been going to Esther for over 20 years) so it felt like family affair 😉 For anyone who has shaved their head (or thinking about it), it was incredibly liberating in a weird sort of way. I actually love being bald, but the looks that people give can be a little uncomfortable. It’s not common to see a bald woman so I understand why people either feel 1) bad for me assuming I’m bald because of cancer or 2) confused with my choice to go bald if they assume I’m otherwise healthy. I’ve also noticed how many bald MEN there are walking around. Like a lot. And it’s totally acceptable and mainstream. As with everything in this adventure, I’ve fully embraced my bald head👩🏼‍🦲 and have been either wearing a little cotton cap since it’s still freaking cold in Chicago or wear nothing and just be bald. I have lots of tiny pieces of buzzed hair that are falling out and I can’t decide if it’s creepy or cool to be able to pull them out. I’ll be happy once all the little hairs fall out because it’s looking a little ratty right now LOL. I’ve also been using coconut oil in lieu of lotion and it’s great for the scalp, too. The only downside is that I end up smelling like a macaroon and Buddy can’t help but try to lick my head 😂.

Monday, 5/6 is chemo #2 and I’m ready. I’m hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and excited to get one step closer to having this part of my adventure behind me.

I thought I was pretty resilient for being able to tackle this, work and keep my life together, but I’ve been more impressed with the people in my support network who have been unwavering with their non-stop reach outs, gifts, meals, prayers, etc. For a solid 4 months you’ve been determined to ensure I’m feeling constant support and love and for that I’m eternally grateful.

Wish me luck next week and I’ll try to blog again during or after this next round.

xo

. . . . .

This is a peek at my little diary (AKA a note on my phone). The shower 🚿 symbol literally means I took a shower as it was often the only thing that could provide immediate distraction/relief from the pain. I took lots of showers during the later stages of my pregnancies when my back muscles were spazzing out, so it’s always a good go-to for me when nothing else works. Don’t ever underestimate the power of a warm shower!

With Esther after the big shave 🙂

Still have eyebrows and eye lashes for now – and praying I keep at least some of them throughout treatment!