Houston We Have a Date!

After playing let’s make a deal with my Oncologist I have an official start date -- 5/2/12. She of course wanted me to start this week but I have my 10 year reunion so that was a No Go.  Even though I’m cancer free and just doing a preventative measure, it’s not going to be a cake walk. My doctor is optimistic that I’ll handle the side effects like a champ J. I’m doing 4 infusions of Cytoxan and Taxotere, once every three weeks. I don’t have an official end date but I should be done somewhere around August.  When you do Chemo they usually put a port in your body. Think of a port like a direct line to your heart!  Typically the port is put in your chest but mine is going in my arm. You all know I’m fancy and the regular wouldn’t do! My doctor says that it’s a little less invasive this way and wont scar like the one on my arm. So the day before my first session I’ll be getting the port put in.

Yes my hair is going to fall out! I think that’s the suckiest part of this whole situation. The same drugs that kill the Cancer cells also kill good cells hence the hair falling out.  I had a year of I’m not my hair right after I went natural. I just straightened my hair for the first time in over 6 months. So let’s say my hair is going out with a bang, because it looks awesome!  I’m not sure if I will want to wear a wig or what. I have a vague mental plan on what I’m going to do (because you know I love planning), but we’ll see what happens. I watched this video of this lady with a rare type of cancer shaving her hair. With her husband and daughter there to give her kisses and cheer her on it was so sad but cute at the same time.

                Tomorrow I have a busy cancer day. Fills first followed by a “Chemo Teaching”. The teaching is a 1:1 with my doctor’s assistant to discuss what chemo is going to be like and side effects. Of course I’ve already asked if I need to stop doing my nails. .. because that’s what is really important...LOL. In any case my reunion is on Friday so I’m having an AWESOME weekend before everything gets put on a pause for 3 months. It’s not like I can’t go out and etc but when you do chemo your white blood count drops because of the drugs attacking your system. When the count is low you are more susceptible to illnesses. A common cold while you’re on chemo could put you in the hospital. Anyone who knows me knows that I am already careful when it comes to germs. I’ll put another post after I learn more about chemo tomorrow. In the meantime sending lots of love and laughter :). Below is a picture of me after my hair is blown out and pressed.