So what did I do with all my hair?

And now for a Chemo update from yours truly.

Had the 4th session yesterday. Therefore by the 19th when I see family at the annual Christmas gathering, I should be feeling pretty good.

I have a busy several weeks coming up with the treatment. Beside a few blood tests, I am scheduled for a CAT-scan on the 22nd, a PET-scan on the 30th. These should indicate how well the chemo toxins are attacking the cancer cells. Cross fingers that they are doing the
job. I will know the day of my next and 5th chemo on Jan. 5.

My red blood cell count has improved same with the white blood cells (although still low). I have returned to my library circulation job on a very part time basis. They keep me in the back room checking books, answering calls, and other odd jobs that don't require face-to-face with the germy patrons.

Side effects besides no hair growth, is some nerve damage to my finger tips, thin, peeling finger nails, and tingling into my hips and upper outer thighs. The doctor may alter my chemo doses if it gets any worse during this 4th session recovery time . . ...because some of this nerve damage is permanent. Just something to live with, like putting earrings on is a bit of a challenge; my fine motor skills are slightly affected.

Good news seems to be during the later half of recovery time, the 10 days after a chemo, I feel better than I have in months and months . . . .could mean all of this isn't for naught. Oh and my weight is almost back to what it used to be . . . .nearing 105 again. Now I'll have to watch what I eat .. . just in time for Christmas feasting (drats!).

Went to a ski club Christmas party last night. Had to avoid the raw fruits and vegetables, the food that can be easily man-handled without tongs. But having arrived at the party first, I filled my little paper plate before the throngs closed in on the feasting table with their collective germs.

It was good to get out and see people, especially sitting with one writer friend (Donna) and blab most of the evening away.

My only "Old Lady" faux pas was putting a headband over the edge of my wig (the stylish one) and not realizing I'd pushed the wig back a bit, exposing a sure band of baldness. So the top of my head was striped: a layer of dark-hair wig, a band of naked scalp followed by the head band....must have been disconcerting to the few party guests who saw this. My daughter mentioned something to me about the wig being shifted back...I didn't realize just how far back. At least this was at the end of the evening as I was leaving, not a clownish vision for the whole evening.

People kept telling me I looked good...if only they knew how much make up I was wearing (I hardly ever wear makeup, but it was a special outing). One dope at the party approached my husband and said something about, "What did she do with all of her hair?" It wasn't worth a comeback line as, stated earlier, the guy's a dope....we laughed about it on the drive home. There's always one of these guys no matter where you go......comic relief?