It's Only Hair - Part 3

Check out the first installment of  It's Only Hair

and It's Only Hair Part II

This morning I was losing lots of hair so I decided to get it cut. I grabbed a scarf  on my way out the door and got in touch with Kristen, the cosmetology teacher, as soon as I got to school. I told her I had a "teachable moment" for her students and wondered if they would cut my hair. She was happy to do this for me and we arranged to get together at 1:00. When I got to my classroom I realized I didn't have a camera. So I called Jennifer, the journalism teacher to see if they had a camera and needed a story idea. Of course!

At 1:00 I arrived at the Tiger Salon and there was a student waiting with a typed list of questions and a camera. We chatted for a few minutes while they were getting ready for me. When I got in the chair I asked if we could brush my hair to see if it should be cut in a cute short style or cut really short (there is a difference). Lots of hair was come out. I reached up to check it myself and clumps kept appearing between my fingers. I cried. The teacher took the lead and consoled me. She then asked if I wanted to make the first cut myself, so I could be more in control. For some reason, I smiled and that was all it took. I made about 3 passes and then let the Allison take over.

This is before the cut

I cringed as I made the first buzz through my hair.

The journalism teacher held my hand. It's the first time I've ever
really talked to her. She was so nice.

Allison seemed like a pro with the clippers

I'm actually smiling at my new look!

Allison watched some You Tube Videos to prepare for
"this special client" and arranged the scarf perfectly.

I will always remember this day for many reasons. But more importantly, the students have experienced a life lesson.   I love my new look!

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Chemo Brain

Evidence of 'chemo brain' verified by researchers

By Loren Grush

Published November 27, 2012

FoxNews.com
 

• 

For many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, memory problems and a general mental haziness often plague them during and after treatment. The condition – known as‘chemo brain’ – has only been a reported phenomenon, without ever having been fully verified through scientific measures – until now.


Thanks to new research utilizing positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), researchers have identified physiological evidence of chemo brain, proving it to be a very real medical condition.

According to the study’s lead researcher Rachel Lagos, all of the previous research that has been done on chemo brain has used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine changes in the brain during chemotherapy. However, this method only allows medical professionals to see changes in the brain’s appearance – which are usually very small.
By choosing to examine PET/CT brain imagining, Lagos said she was able to see how chemotherapy affects changes in brain function over time.

“With MR examination, we’re able to see structural change in the brain – areas that get broken down over time,” Lagos, a diagnostic radiology resident at the West University School of Medicine and West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown, W.Va., told FoxNews.com. “But with PET/CT imaging, we’re able to see how the brain is using energy. So you get an earlier glimpse of areas of the brain which are being affected by chemo, as they’re starting to use less energy, and then eventually you would see the structural changes in MR examination."

PET/CT scanning is a type of nuclear medical imaging, which allows doctors to diagnose and understand the aggressiveness of certain kinds of cancers. People who are diagnosed with cancer regularly get PET/CT scans so that doctors can better exam other areas of the body where the cancer may have spread. One such area that is observed through PET/CT imaging is the brain.

To gather their findings, Lagos and her colleagues analyzed PET/CT scans of 128 breast cancer patients who had undergone chemotherapy treatment under Lagos’ care. This helped her findings to come at a relatively cheaper price, because the PET/CT scans were already a part of her patients’ therapy; Lagos was simply reviewing the information from the scans to better understand changes in the brain’s metabolism.

The data from the imaging scans ultimately provided physiological proof to support chemo brain’s anecdotal history. Overall, key areas of the brain showed significant decreases in metabolism.

“We’re seeing changes of metabolism in areas of the brain that control problem solving, organizing daily events, sequencing, as well as long term memory,” Lagos said. “These seem to be the areas that chemo patients are complaining about. They have this haziness and can’t make plans or carry out simple tasks throughout their day. This corresponds to what we’re seeing in the research.”

While the data confirms chemo brain to be a real issue, the researchers also found the condition to be temporary – as the effected brain regions eventually regained their metabolism. Now armed with proof of chemo brain’s existence, Lagos hopes to expand her research to a national level, as well as prompt treatments to help those with the bizarre memory condition.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of chemo brain can include anything from difficulty multitasking and learning new skills to trouble with recalling conversations and even recalling words. Lagos suggested that group therapy and help from peers can resolve some of these issues.

“Members of [the patient’s] family or support groups can give these patients lists of things to do when they wake up in the morning, that way they have the plan for the day,” Lagos said of one treatment option. “They don’t have to make the plan themselves. They have no problem doing the tasks, it’s making the list – they can’t get past that step.”

Along with more therapeutic treatments, Lagos envisions a potential pharmaceutical medication that can be developed to help treat chemo brain. While that scenario is a way off, Lagos hopes in the meantime cancer patients feel more assured that the symptoms they are experiencing have a verified medical explanation.

“There’s a tremendous need for more research in this area,” Lagos said. “The people who are experiencing this are experiencing something real.”

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It's Only Hair - Part 2

So, this morning my hair started falling out! I know! Right?
Not all at once, just a few strands at a time.
When I got to school I looked up from my desk and saw this sign I have in my classroom:

I decided that I shouldn't be pouting about losing my hair. I'm lucky because it will grow back and be even more beautiful like Carol's. 

I heard from many of you today, received extra hugs because I needed them and again I counted my blessings.

At a meeting this evening my friends suggested that I try out the scarves before I need them. When I got home I decided to brush my hair to see what would happen. No surprise - it's still falling out.

So, I finally looked in the bag of scarves my sister brought over and watched some great You Tube videos on how to tie scarves.

I'm going to be fine!

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It's Only Hair

Yesterday, Doc Esther asked me if I got my wig yet. I told her I wasn't going to wear one. I thought I should try to be like all the other club members, many who have told me that having no hair was liberating.

Thanksgiving - Day 6 after chemo.
Felt bad but hair looked good

It's been 11 days since my first chemo and I still have hair. I think it's getting thinner but I'm not finding clumps anywhere.

I have to be honest with you...the hair loss....it scares me the most.

I have been obsessed with my hair for my whole life. Just ask any hair stylist in Summit county who has had to deal with me. Ask my current stylist-former student- adopted daughter-Lora about that time I came to her Beauty school class for a cut and insisted on the "Diane Keaton" look from the movie Something's Gotta Give.  I would take several years worth of school photos to Lora, pleading with her, to make me look the way I use to. LOL.
My husband will tell you that for the 26 years he's known me I have never come home from a hair appointment without going straight upstairs to re-work the hair.

Soon, any day now, I won't have any hair. I'm afraid of how I will look. I won't even recognize myself.

My sister pulled off the scarf-look beautifully. And even without anything on her head she was confident. I would reach up and touch her smooth, perfectly round head, rubbing it like a Buddha belly. She bought fabric and I bought a new serger machine to make several scarves for her.

I found a bag by the front door after Thanksgiving, looked on top and saw the familiar fabric. She is passing them back to me to use.

I might chicken out and go get a wig. I'm just sayin...

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My Doc is a Rock Star

When Doc Esther stepped into my suite during my first chemo I picked up a little notebook and pen, handed it to her and said, "Can I have your autograph? You must be a rock star because when I mention your name everyone knows you!" She laughed and said, "that's a new one", as she scribbled her name.

Case in point: This morning I had an appointment with a doctor (about acid reflux) and when he asked who my other doctors were I opened my binder to the first page and said, "This is my team." He was impressed that I had an actual list and told me that Esther was the best. (more about that binder in another post).

This afternoon I had my 10 day checkup with Doc Esther and brought a list of questions (in that same little notebook she autographed).

1. What about this lump on the arch of my foot? Doc - "Can you walk? We can't do any surgery on your foot while on chemo. Cute shoes, by the way."
2. This rash on my chest? Doc - "That's a skin irritation because you have no immunity. Keep it clean."
3. Will I be in pain like my sister, Carol? Doc - "Most chemos don't cause pain. If you ever need Neulasta then you may feel more achy"
4. Should I stop getting my nails done? Doc - "No. They are fine and look nice."
5. What about this taste in my mouth? Doc - "Try lemon drops."

See what I mean? My Doc Rocks!

The best news is that the auxiliary node under my arm decreased in size so chemo is working!

Bad news...my white blood count is lower than it should be so I will be getting a shot of Neulasta 24 hours after the next chemo. (see above question #3)

They also scheduled the next two treatments for December 6th and 27th. I am going to get the "working woman's special" now. I will have chemo on Thursday's so I can potentially make it to work on Friday and then recover during the weekend. I saw this first hand with my sister so I know the drill.

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The Windex Theory

Photo by Rosina Huber

This evening, as I was trying to think of a brilliant new post, my son came to me complaining that we didn't have any Windex in the house. "How do you people clean glass around here?", he asked.  It reminded me of the Windex Theory that I share with my students when they are contemplating some big issues in their lives and need to see the big picture. Sometimes the window through which we view our lives becomes cloudy. We can get lost and distracted while trying to find our way. Then life throws us some Windex and provides an opportunities to wipe off portions of the window to get a better look at our future and what direction we should go. Naturally, you have to stop what you're doing and concentrate on the job of making things clear again.
I've just received a huge dose of Windex and I think it's exactly what I needed.  I've been trying to reinvent myself for years now, trying to figure out what I will be when I grow up. My window had become very mucked up with layers of disappointments and losses. 
But I'm already starting to see my future as a cancer survivor. I will be a stronger, more compassionate person, with a mission to help others through their own journey. This clearer view gives me peace of mind and something to look forward to.

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A Blur

OMG! I can't believe it's been a week since my first chemo! Seven days - a blur.

I started getting a cold the day after and I'm still coughing.  In addition to this cold I was nauseous and had to take meds that made me groggy. Today is the first day I haven't felt like barfing. Going to work on Monday was out of the question. I planned on going Tuesday and made several attempts - got a shower, rested. Got dressed - rested. Ate a bite of toast - rested. Got back into pj's - rested. Richard took me to work on Wednesday. I was there long enough to check the email and visit with my students and friend, Ellen. It was so good to get those hugs!

Wednesday evening my sister, Carol, and niece came over for a pajama party. We watched movies and ate junk food (phenergan helped keep it down).

We all awoke to the delicious aroma as Richard prepared his perfect turkey. There were plenty of hands to help get all of the remaining dishes ready for a Thanksgiving feast. I was tuckered out and had to nap while everyone enjoyed dessert. I have so much to be thankful for and it was wonderful having our family together.

We've been checking my temperature often. It's been hovering between normal and 100.3. The problem is that if it reaches 100.5 then I have to go to the emergency room because an infection is extremely dangerous for someone with decreased white blood cells. Last night, just as Katie and Richard were planning their Black Friday shopping spree, my temperature was 100.4. I took Tylenol, drank water and we checked every 15 minutes. Tommy and Katie finally decided to go shopping without Richard as he stayed home to take care of his patient.

It's been 98.6 all day!

I sure appreciate all the hugs received by mail, virtual and in person. I am so lucky to have so many people who love me. Here, I am sending one back to you! ((HUG))

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Herceptin #16

Guess what I forgot to do? Put numbing cream on my port! Geez, I did that one other time and swore that I would never forget to do that again!  Oh well .... chemo brain.  Nurse Karen is an expert and I dealt with it easily.  After the numerous tests and pokes this past year, what's a little pinch in the arm?

The parking lot was bare as the only ones in the building were the chemo nurses.  I felt bad that they didn't have the day after Thanksgiving off like most folks.  Bless them!

Today was my next-to-the-last-one Herceptin drip.  Yay!!

December 19 is my "annual" mammogram (NOT looking forward to this)
December 21 is my follow-up with the surgeon

Nurse wants me to follow up the Doc about the pain behind my knee and the pea-size bump I feel.  Plus, the intense pain in the lymph node sections in both my underarms/breast.  I will take care of that Monday.

Christie had a hard time Thanksgiving day.  When I spoke to her today, she said that she is feeling better.  Her nausea meds might need to be changed if it has taken this long to feel better. 

Isn't she pretty?!

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Thanksgiving Day



Me & Casey



Thanksgiving is a special day to thank our Lord for the blessings we have and for the relationships that are deep within our hearts.















Casey & Christie

I am so grateful for family.
















Katie & Casey

 My niece is the youngest in our family unit.  She is a wonderful young lady and my only niece.





 

 

May our Lord Jesus Christ comfort you, guide you and bring you peace every day ~





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T'was The Day Before Thanksgiving ....

I'm getting excited about Wednesday night!  We are having a pj and movie nite at Christie's.  We've picked out movies and bought junk food and Casey & I plan to invade their space tomorrow afternoon.  Once we get up the next day, we will help prepare the Thanksgiving meal :)

It seems our clan has decreased in size.  Two nephews live out of state and my youngest is MIA.  Life never stays the same.

I came across this photo from Christmas 2010.  Christie had made us matching aprons.  It is nostalgia from our family roots.

For awhile, we did have some family traditions....like baking Christmas cookies.  Even though most of our traditions have changed, we do enjoy time together.

We had a lot of meals in this room!

 



This was 1993 or 1994 ~ I'm in my early 30's

I'm just happy to be spending time with Christie as she is getting through the "bad" days of her 1st chemo session.  She hasn't felt like writing in her blog, so please be patient.

I will be having my treatment the day after Thanksgiving.

Who would have thought all those years ago, what we would be facing now?

Since no one knows what tomorrow will bring, be sure you get those hugz in while you can ~

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