Sunday, December 11, 2011

Therapy Doll



So I spent a good part of the afternoon with a good friend of mine Pauline. I asked her for help in creating a therapy doll for my son. We made a "mommy doll" to simulate chemotherapy. She has a port and her own IV. Her hair is Velcro and removable. She has day clothes and pajamas for when she is sick. Pauline was such a huge help, but G3 did not like the doll. He did not like her at all. He asked that she go in the other room. G3 was angry and did not want to look at her or talk about her. I guess that says it all. He is pretty mad at the fact I have cancer and does not need a doll to tell me. I just turned into the therapist on the movie "What about Bob." You know the one who made his family communicate with puppets. I am that person. My poor son.

HairOfying Moment



The hair has begun to fall out. To be honest I have been in denial about the hair loss. I did commit and buy store hair, aka a wig. I thought I could donate it because my hair wouldn't really fall out. If I didn't shampoo my hair for two days, then it wouldn't fall out. If I put a headband on my head, it wouldn't fall out.









So, I had my good friend Deloris cut my hair. She was gracious enough to come to my house to cut it. To help protect me from the pain of losing my hair. The physical and emotional pain. She said it was okay to cry and that she would cry with me. We put some of my hair in an envelope and she cut it the rest away. My hair has not been the short since I was a child. Of course my husband was excited about the new look. Little G3 has not mentioned my new hair cut. He definitely noticed but does not want to talk about it. This morning as I looked in the mirror the reflection took me by surprise. I spent 2 hours crying. I decided to put my big girl shoes on and go shopping. Much to my surprise it was not a glorious experience. As I put my pajamas on the counter a huge chunk of hair fell out on to the counter. The poor girl across from just stared. I explained to her that I had Cancer and that I was receiving chemotherapy. She began to cry too. She finished checking me out and came around the corner to give me a hug. She told me that it was going to be okay. I hope she is right. Victoria Secret does know the secret right?








The Three Cremes For Chemotherapy and Tape For Good Measure

Chemotherapy takes you for a ride. There are three cremes that I must have to survive this grueling process. The first creme is obvious, ice cream. Not just any ice cream, Hagan Daz Dulche De Leche. Must be in single size serving to help minimize the guilt for eating massive quantities. Don't judge. The second creme is Nipple Creme. My skin is is dry. Nipple creme commonly used for breast feeding mom's can fix just about any skin cut, tear, and or dry spot. Love me some nipple creme. The last creme to help with the swelling is hemorrhoid creme. This can reduce swelling anywhere on your body. The wipes are good to keep in your purse for emergency under eye relief. The steroids from chemotherapy can make you look like a swollen chipmunk. Find those cheekbones with hemorrhoid creme. The last piece of equipment is a must have. Medical Tape. During chemotherapy treatments they leave the tubing in your port. My port happens to be in my chest. Those tubes get into everything. It is like having a penis coming out of your chest. It flops left to right. Gets caught in your bra. Flops in the bath tub when you try to shave. Please tape that stuff up when it is not in use.
Survived three treatments. They took my tubing out and my three year old gave me a high five. He was so proud. Little G3 also helps me with my shots. He tells me I am very brave. Now I have a 10 day waiting period before my next treatment. Shots daily to help with my WBC. Lots to do to prepare for Christmas.

That is all I have . Carry on.