Wednesday, July 21, 2010

What do ANTICIPATION and CONSTIPATION have in common?  Both words share the same letters, but the real answer is WATER!  I’m a little lazy and cut corners sometimes, not deliberately, but more out of ignorance.  Drinking lots of water happens to be up at the top of the “to do” list of things that I’m responsible for during the time that I’m in chemotherapy.  The main reason for drinking 8 - 10 glasses a day is to “help your body eliminate toxic metabolic substances” and to have nice veins so they can find a good spot to insert the IV. So, I chugged 72 oz. of water before leaving for chemo and my veins were lookin’ good by the time we arrived in Newport!   I’ve been a slacker, but I’m working on it! 

   A pretty good drive on the way - Terry is realizing how the driving commentary really gets to me and makes my blood pressure climb.   The treatment was only about 2 1/2 hours long, so he got me tucked in, took my picture, and sent an email about “this is Jayme before she loses her hair or while she still has hair {or something along those lines}, so for those of you who received it and were a little confused, you just need to know that sometimes what’s going on in his mind and what goes into print can be two totally separate things!  Before I start my 2nd round of chemo, I may notice some hair loss - not a guarantee, but a good possibility.

  I do have really thick hair, but know that my current crop is starting to look a little tacky color-wise and my doctor has advised not to get it colored again as it will break off before I leave the salon.  I got a good gene from my dad and really don’t have grey hair, but it’s dark, so the contrast with the color I have woven into it makes for a real dark/light situation.  {Sorry about the dumb girl talk!}  SOOOOO, I decided that I’m going to handle things by ultimately getting my hair cut really short and just wearing a wig for public appearances.  If I lose my hair, then so be it!

  Blair picked me up from chemo and we went to Jenny’s Wig Center, which had been listed on a sheet that I picked up while at the doctor’s office.  Her place is on Tustin in Orange, and located closest to home, so I figured we could start there.  I’ve never been the type to dress up for Halloween, and the thought of wearing a wig is like dressing up to be someone that I’m really not - maybe you can relate?  A wig to me is like something green and shiny that could work with a costume.  But, this is going to be REAL LIFE!  Anyway, Jenny has a nice shop and she’s a cancer survivor, too, so she relates.  She helped me with several wigs and I chose one that looks a lot like I wear my hair now - {no Renee, nothing long and red!}  The color’s a little different, but I will have my new wig in a week!  We have “cannon ball” bedposts on our antique bed, so we already have a place for it when it’s not in use. {kidding}  Buttons should love it -   Oh, and Jenny goes to our church!  What a surprise, but then, not really.  God is always ahead of me!

  We moved on and got a quick lunch and went for pedicures; I had given serious thought to having my acrylic nails removed, but then reconsidered.  The doctor said that they are okay to have, so I’m keeping them.  I will just wear a mask in the salon.

  From there, we went to Blair and Justus’ apartment, where I had promised Blair that I would help her organize her workroom.  We got a whole lot accomplished and left there around 11:00 p.m.  Mind you, I’m still sort of buzzed by the steroids that they’ve given me and it’s way past my normal bedtime.  Got home and Blair helped me finally launch this blog.  In bed by 12:30 or so, but it was another great day, I felt full of accomplishment, and was so thankful to be functional during this new trip with chemotherapy!!!!  God is so good!