Who or What does your God look like?

In "It's Not About the Hair", Debra Jarvis describes her vision of God the Father as a combination of Martha Stewart (before she was a felon) and Mr. Miyagi from the "Karate Kid". Wax on, wax off. What is your vision of God? Do you have a clear image of God? What do you think of Debra's version?

Cocktails Anyone?

1 down, 3 to go (scheduled for 12/4; 12/25ish, 1/15ish-Done!).

I started chemotherapy on Madeline's birthday, a day chosen for it's life-giving symbolism, and I am happy to say that I am tolerating it well so far. Preparations for it began the day before, with steroids to be taken-this helped to ameliorate the effects.

The day started around 9:15 with lab work to make sure my blood was up to snuff.  I met with my doctor about 10:15 and she went over my treatment plan and answered questions.  She said the steroids had done their job - my lab work showed my white blood cells had increased and I was good to go. 

I was brought back to the chemo treatment room about 1:00.  It was a smallish private room with an institutional recliner and two chairs for Eileen and Tom.  It had a small TV that only accepted VCR tapes (we had brought DVD's of "Sister Wendy" to help Eileen study for her teaching Praxis today).  I thought a CD player would have been available, but no; I'll bring my own next time.  We ended up entertaining ourselves with our knitting and being entertained by my "chemotherapy Social Worker" and an elderly volunteer.

My first IV was a small cocktail mix of Steroids, Benadryl, Pepcid and anti-nausea (15 minutes).
After that had a chance to absorb (about a 1/2 hour) the first chemo drug: Taxotere (1 hour).  Before administering this IV, my nurse gave us a play by play of what to expect in the event my body had an allergic reaction to the drug.  She gave Tom and Eileen instructions to stay where they were no matter how intense the scene may get, and explained that she had everything ready to go in case this might happen. She explained all of the actions she would take before calling a "Code Blue".  I visualized a scene straight out of ER, but knowing what might happen, and knowing that she was ready for it, really put me at ease.  She was all business.   She said we would know within the first few drops - and she watched those first few like a hawk, and then watched a little longer, just to be sure.

The next bag contained Cytoxan, and ran about 1/2 an hour.  I believe we were done around 3:30-4:00- all in all a pretty long day. I have to say that it was not as uncomfortable as I thought it might be.  I feel "full of drugs" and a bit "foggy" and I did not sleep much the first night, but otherwise I feel pretty darn good.  They really seem to have the cocktails mix pretty well figured out.

The day after chemo I took steroids again at home, and 24 hours after my treatment I gave myself a shot of Neulasta (to encourage my bones to step up production of white blood cells again).  I am starting to feel a little achy, but I'm taking that as a good sign, because it means that my bones are workin' overtime.
I'l keep ya'll posted!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Eileen and Kate?

Kate and Eileen?

While Mom pays for her wig, Kate and Eileen Play!

I voice my approval to Donna

Ta Da!

All Wigged Out

My hairdresser, Carmella,  at Raun is the kindest, funniest, most down to earth person that you could ever hope to meet.  She is beautiful inside and out.  I know that besides cutting important client's hair (like mine and newscasters working in the Cleveland area) she also has a great passion for working with children and adults suffering from hair loss. I often joked that I would be sticking with her in case I would ever need those services. When the day came that I told her I might, her tears solidified our ten year friendship. She then did research for me and scheduled an hour of her own time at no cost to sit with me and Tom and give us a complete tutorial about wigs; what was available, how each type was constructed, and what the basic costs were.  

My choices were: 

Synthetic (reasonably priced, easy care and style-the downside-comfort)

Human Hair (the type Carmella works with-realistic, beautiful hair - downside - a little more expensive and requires regular styling and care just like regular hair- no permanent curls available)

Cyber Hair (the best of all worlds-beautiful, realistic, strong, easy care- downside starting at 1,500.00) 

Knowing that I am not really into styling my hair, and knowing that my insurance was not footing even part of the cost, Carmella suggested I go to a trusted wig shop owner that carries synthetic wigs: Donna, the proprietor of Eve Loren at Shoregate.  After that decision was made, I asked Carmella if she would cut my hair into a short style to help ease the transition.  Her eyes teared up as she asked "Are you sure you are ready for that?" When she saw in my eyes that yes, I was ready, she set up her work station even though the salon had emptied out and locked the doors.  Her 1 hour consult turned into 2 and 1/2 and at 8:30 on a Friday night, Carmella lovingly gave me a great short haircut that I can enjoy for the next few weeks. 

The next day, Tom and I went to Donna's shop and had a blast trying on all sorts of wigs.  With Donna's caring attention (her own sister is undergoing chemotherapy as we speak for a much more advanced uterine cancer), I transformed myself to grey, blonde, and red (simply to try a particular style that was not currently in stock in my color of choice-and yes- for the fun of it) and finally back home to brown.  We whittled it down to a few contenders, but I decided I needed input from my girls before  could make a final decision. And help they did.  We went back Monday and together settled on a fetching little number not too terribly different from my own new short haircut.  Eileen and Kate brought along a camera and had a little fun too!    

    

IT IS ABOUT THE HAIR

Hi Sisters,

I am getting the book "Its not about the hair", and I thought we could all get a copy and discuss it .......whatcha think?????? We are all gonna be busy with the holidays and all, but maybe we can commit to reading a chapter by a certain date, and then talk about it. Let me know!