Not whining, just letting you know I'm still around. Surgery went well, healing beautifully. I had my first chemotherapy treatment yesterday, the 26th, feeling a little wobbly, VERY headachy, just a little tummy upset. I realize I could never have looked after at Dan here home...would not have been possible. Even though it isn't an ideal situation, I realize that things have fallen into place just as they were supposed to. I can't really keep a close eye on him, but I try to keep in touch as I am able. Son & I will probably go to to see him on Memorial Day - I want Jim to drive as I wouldn't trust myself to drive right now with the way I feel!
I haven't been on the computer much, just doesn't seem as important or as much fun right now, but I am still around!
Good to hear all is progressing along. Praying the chemo continues to go well. Remember you don't always loose your hair. My friend who had been on chemo for 1 1/2 years for ovarian cancer has never lost her's despite at time getting 3 different drugs. Her's was advanced and they can't get her CA125 numbers down but her MRI is clear.
Thank you Lindylou. Dan is doing okay, under the circumstances. I'm finally planning on going to see him, just have not been able to until now. First chemo treatment kind of did a number on me. I thought I was doing great, then Memorial Day weekend was spent in the hospital! Some weird reaction, ER was an absolute comedy of errors, without the comedy. Doing better now, just feeling very tired. It's surely going to be a different road than I have ever traveled before...like everyone, I've had my ups & downs through life, but this is a BIGGIE!
I honestly feel differently toward Dan now that the pressure of in-home caring has been removed from me. I am anxious to see him! I had a conference call last week with the staff at the nursing home, it all went well, but now I'm hearing a couple of conflicting reports. Need to be on my best game tomorrow (or Wednesday, depending on how I feel)
Continued thoughts & prayers MUCH appreciated (if I knew how to make a heart symbol here I would!).
Hi Mim, Thanks for letting us know how you're doing. I'm glad you are hanging in there and I hope that the rest of the chemo is not as fraught with problems and you are able to stay out of the ER. Good luck with your visit to Dan.
Wanted to let you know Mim I am thinking about you and praying the chemo is going well. Maybe you will be lucky like my friend that has been doing chemo for almost two years for ovarian cancer but has never lost her hair.
Charlotte, what a coincidence...haven't been doing much on here lately, but decided to check in for a moment. Second chemo treatment done, they tell me four more to go. I can't imagine two years of this! Oddly enough, my hair is GONE! Came out by the handful. Looks really strange, but with a pretty scarf or hat, I'll manage. Considering the tiredness,weakness,loss of appetite (although that could be considered a plus!), the hair loss is not that important....I keep telling myself :(
My poor husband seems to be okay, as little as I can tell with as little as I am able to see him. I keep in touch though, & they keep me informed as to what might be going on. Our son is going to see him for Father's Day tomorrow, so that will help. Sometimes it bothers me that I feel like I've just thrown him away, but right now I guess it really IS all about me. No way could I feel like this & have him to look after here at home...would be just impossible.
Thanks to all once again for your kind thoughts & prayers....
Hi Mim, I also think often of you and Dan, as I'm sure many others do, too. You have a lot of spunk and guts. Hoping that things improve, and wishing you both the best, Love, Margaret
Sorry about the hair loss, Mim. Charlotte had her fingers crossed for you but it wasn't to be. Though in the scheme of things and all that you are going through,it probably is not that important (as you said.) You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, Mim and I really wish you well as you go along this difficult road. Glad to hear that Dan is doing ok and that you are able to stay in contact with him. All the very best, cassie.
Mim, now you have something to look forward to. I know women who have gone through chemo, lost their hair and was surprised how it came back in. My SIL had chemo twice for breast cancer. At the time she was head of children's ministry at her church, so when she bought wigs she bought colorful clown type. The kids loved them. When her hair came back in her previously salt and pepper hair was all brown and wavy except for one round gray patch in the back the size of a silver dollar. Eventually it went back to s/p so she started coloring it again. So now we will all be waiting with you to see what your hair is like when it comes back in!
You are right - right now it is about you. Dan is being taken care of so try not to worry about him.
I remember my mother coming home from the hairdressers because they couldn't work on her hair because it was coming out in clumps when they combed it. So I am sorry for your hair loss.
Some women I know enjoyed the wigs they wore during therapy.
The American Cancer Society has a Wig Program that in some areas can provide a free wig. (Mim, I'm emailing you.)
I remember that when a friend of mine was dealing with chemo 12 years or so ago in NY, she got a couple of wigs in her own hair color, but two different hair styles. They looked really nice--more trendy and youthful than the way she usually wore her hair. Everybody knew they were wigs, but so what...they still looked nice.