2nd chemo

So much of what you say resonates with me Jen.I am so ok without reconstruction!I have almost forgotten my mastectomy and I have no pain or anything else to mention.Just back to normal minus my boob!I too have/had small breasts,and I think in this instance it has been a blessing.lol.I hear what you say about the hair ,and I understand exactly what you mean.I went the week before chemo and my hairdresser shaved my head. it is good to do it before it starts to fall,because even now, with my shaved head,I still have bits of hair falling out! On my pillow,in my hats etc.I never got a wig,and I am happy with all my hats,turbans and scarves:)Let us know how you go Jen.Cheers Robynxox

Hi Robyn

I'm following you intently...so keep documenting your detour for me! You are 3 weeks ahead of me so I am keen to see where you're at before I get there myself!

I am like you Janey....my hair has always been part of my identity...I know it is just hair, and it will grow back but still.....this is totally foreign for me not to have it - I've spend $$$$ on products, hair styling, hairdressers my whole life! My hairdryer has been my best friend since I was 15! 

I totally understand it will go....have decided to go #7 next weekend...my kids are going to play hairdresser! But....still....it's going to very weird...I hardly think of my boob not being there......and prob ok without reconstruction due to my A cup! Have scarves ready....wig ordered....and then wait for the hair to fall out completely! 

Yikes.....like my gorgeous husband says, not having hair doesn't change who I am....true...but still weird to think about!

xx

I found it was a fantastic way to cope with my Chemotherapy, and this was my diary form.  It has been a great help for my sanity and also as a communication tool.  Others will really value what you write.  You wont be judged and you will get wonderful support and encouragement.  BCNA is a friend, a therapist and  instant feedback when you have a question.

I wish you well Robyn.  Chemo is a challenge, but if you take all the great advice and play by the rules, I hope you too will cruise through with mild discomfort and inconvenience.

X Bel

I'm sure you documenting your chemo experience will help those that are following. But it's great to keep up with your progress too as one who has gone before. Sorry that the yucky mouth has returned though. I remember that! And my taste disappearing, most things tasted like cardboard and very bland so I craved salt like it was going out of fashion. Tomatoes were one of the few things that I could taste so I ate them by the bucket load. It's funny that my sense of smell didn't disappear though. I could smell food and wanted to eat it but when I did I could taste it :( Hair loss, hmmmmm. I'm in two minds about that. It's been great not to have to bother about cuts and colours and I haven't used a blow dryer in ten months. Saved a lot of money. I didn't bother about a wig either which is one of the first things I went out to buy before I started chemo but ended up not getting any at the time. I didn't feel I looked like me at all and this made me feel uncomfortable somehow. I ended up just wearing scarves and made them look as interesting as I could, contrasting colours and making nice flowers by curling up the ends. I won't know what to do with all my scarves once my hair has grown enough. It's growing in nicely but it's still too short for me to feel confident about going without. My husband says the scarves are like a security blanket, I'll probably trail them about behind me before I am weened off them :) I said I didn't like the wigs because I didn't look like me but now that my hair IS growing back, I still don't look like I did before so I do feel the loss of my hair and probably grieve for that more than my breasts oddly enough. I guess for me my hair was my identity. Well I'll just have to get used to the new look won't I. Hopefully you'll be on the up in a few days Robyn and not feeling so tired even though your immunity will be down. Then the next week will be even better just in time for your next round! Oh well, you can look at it as 'another one bites the dust'. Rest up, take care and be kind to yourself. Love Janey xxx