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19 Styles and Counting: Hair Regrowth After Chemo

A year-and-a-half ago I started chemotherapy, and one of the first things people think about when they hear the word “chemo” is hair loss. When I learned I would be losing my hair, I Googled like a madwoman to figure out how to cope. I didn’t want to look sick–mostly because I’m vain, and I didn’t want people to feel bad for me.

During my crazy late-night research I learned about wigs, cold cap therapy, scarves, and hats. Below is a photographic journey of my style ups and downs throughout cancer treatment. I hope this helps someone out there on the Internet. Continue reading “19 Styles and Counting: Hair Regrowth After Chemo” →

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These Boots Were Made for Fighting

Back in June when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, one of the decisions I had to make was, “Should I do surgery first, or should I do chemotherapy first?” Doctors’ opinions and research led us to believe either approach would work well in my case. I preferred neoadjuvant chemotherapy (chemo before surgery), so we went with that. I wanted to see the chemotherapy shrink the tumor. I wanted to hurry up and start a fight with any microscopic cancer cells hanging around. And, at the time, chemotherapy sounded worse, so I also wanted to just get it over with.  Continue reading “These Boots Were Made for Fighting” →

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Surprise Celebrations

On Thursday before I left the house for my infusion appointment, I checked my email. My inbox was glorious. It contained a birth announcement, sent in the wee hours of the morning, from a friend who received her breast cancer diagnosis the same week I did. Yep–you got that right–she’s been pregnant and going through treatment. She had a little boy. I couldn’t have been more thrilled. There were more celebrations ahead. Spoiler: no more chemo.  Continue reading “Surprise Celebrations” →

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The Middle Miles of Treatment

If you’ve run a marathon, you know the beginning is really exciting. You’re in a corral with rows and rows of eager people jumping up and down, stretching, taking pictures, talking race strategy. The event organizers are playing Runnin’ Down A Dream by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. There are balloon arches and cheerleaders. It’s awesome. Continue reading “The Middle Miles of Treatment” →

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Hitting the Wall

1 Corinthians 13:12 (King James Version): For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Being sidelined is challenging.  Continue reading “Hitting the Wall” →

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Pivot! Starting Phase 2 Chemo.

I will write more later, but my doctors and I have regrouped! I’m starting Phase 2 (of 2) of chemotherapy tomorrow, September 29.   Continue reading “Pivot! Starting Phase 2 Chemo.” →

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Giving Thanks

I finished Phase 1 of my chemotherapy treatment two weeks ago! My friend Lauren and my mom were there, and I got to “ring the bell!” (There is actually a real bell you get to ring when you finish a treatment. The infusion center staff comes and cheers. It is cute.)  Continue reading “Giving Thanks” →

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Being a Mom With Cancer

During my college course SMAD 256: Principles of Advertising, our professor organized us into groups and we competed to have our campaign chosen by the University Health Center. I will say that the class was challenging and a little stressful, but in a fun way. Once, as my group (which happened to be comprised of all women) met to brainstorm logos for our “agency,” one woman confessed, “Guys, I don’t know why I’m doing this. All I want to do is be a mom.” I remember looking at her wide-eyed, shocked.  Continue reading “Being a Mom With Cancer” →

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Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Last Saturday morning I took a shower, and I was like, “Oh boy. There it goes.” Lots of hair was coming out in my hands.  Continue reading “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow” →

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