"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's possibly the most important thing in a person." - Audrey Hepburn
I'd love to say that I'm having an exciting week, but I think I'm spending more time in bed than I am up and about. I'm back to work on Tuesday and have a completely normal week at work. Busy doing all of the things that I regularly do, but not working the large amount of hours that I have for years. After an 8 hour day i am pretty much exhausted. I plug on a little longer, but just can't rack up the hours that I like to. My mouth is dry from treatment, my throat is sore most of the time, my nose is constantly running, I have taxoTEARS, food tastes terrible, Diet Coke tastes like medicine, etc. :( I love food and I love my Dt. Coke. I'm eating a ton of watermelon and drinking chocolate milk. Well, eating and drinking a lot of chocolate and chocolate milk. The steroids are making me fluffy and my poor diet isn't helping. I need to get back to exercising and eating healthy, but I don't have the energy and I'm craving all the bad stuff.
On Wednesday I receive a couple of notes from my "Chemo Angels". I'm not 100% sure where they got my info, but it is kind of a cool situation. I may have registered for the program somewhere along my journey. Two women that I do not know will be sending me weekly notes through out my treatment. They volunteer to brighten the day of a chemo patient. One is from Texas and one is from Missouri. They both write notes about their daily lives and wish me well with my treatment. It is amazing to get support from so many people, even some that know little to nothing about me. http://www.chemoangels.net. It is encouraging to know that there are strangers out there that will help so many if they may go through the same thing.
Another cool item that I received this week is a "hug for my head". Seriously, I am going to have to continue to reevaluate my view on hugs. This is a great head wrap that is specifically made for women who lose their hair from chemo or other medical issues. You can order one for yourself if you are in treatment or you can send one to another person who may be going through illness. When you go online you pick three different color options and then one is sent to your home with a note card that is signed by those who made the "It's a Wrap" possible. My wrap is white, pink, and yellow. It is a fun and funky design and the material is really comfortable. Here is the great story behind the wrap:
"As a CEO of my own company and 20 years of experience in the fashion accessories industry under my belt, one of my most memorable moments came with a simple question asked by a loyal customer, Hillary, who had recently undergone chemotherapy. What did I have for someone who had lost the very thing that I had built much of my business around: Hair. I apologized and told her we did not carry anything of that nature, and then it hit me. Why not offer her something that in my view was arguably even more vibrant and beautiful? For years I had worked with the finest cotton and silk fabrics with the most beautiful and inspiring colors and designs. I offered to send Hillary a scarf at no charge. It was the least I could do for this woman who was just looking for a little something to make her feel pretty and feminine during a difficult time. At our staff meeting later that week, we took a moment for Hillary and we sent our very first scarf along with our good wishes for a quick recovery. It was at that time that the Good Wishes program was born." - Laurie Erickson, CEO/President, The Finest Accessories™ Inc.
I love to hear a story about someone who sees a challenge and quickly comes up with a solution. If you find yourself in need of a "It's a Wrap" or if you have a friend that is facing treatment that may cause them to having thinning or complete hair loss, please consider this product. I have already passed this info on to a few friends, but I like to pass it along to you. Here is the link to the website. http://www.goodwishesscarves.org/index.html
I had lunch with Rebekah (Bekah) and Bean on Thursday. Just a simple lunch at Panera. We sat outside, chatted and relaxed for a while. Tay wanted to leave for most of the lunch, but settled in nicely when she started going through all the jewelry that they had just purchased at Charming Charlie (aka. Crack Cocaine). Even at her young age she is loving all of the jewelry. It was great meeting them out. We talked about the restaurant they are opening, the kids going to school, the house they are building, etc. Rebekah is juggling so much right now and I appreciate that she has taken a small break to join me for lunch. She always has a great "kick ass" kind of attitude...the attitude that I need to remember to keep during the next several months.
Later in the evening I went to see my chiroprator. I haven't been to see him in months. I did tell him that I was going through chemo and bald when I made the appointment because I didn't want to shock him when I walked in the door. He was very funny about the whole thing. He made me comfortable the entire time that I was there and he was gentle on my body. To be honest, I'm not sure if I should have gone, but after 72 hours in bed I needed an adjustment. It's now on the list of things to ask Dr. Robinson when I see her next week.
Mom and I made a trip to Kohl's after my appointment. If you know my Mom, you know that her solution for all that ails you is a trip to Kohl's...especially when she has a 30% off coupon. Mom, there's a blizzard...oh, ok let's go to Kohl's. Mom, I'm short on money....oh, want to meet me at Kohl's? Mom, it's Monday...oh, Kohl's will solve the Monday blues. Mom, I'm feeling badly from chemo...oh, Kohl's will fix that. I'm getting to the point that I do not possibly need anything from Kohl's, but she buys often, so I can't resist the opportunity to shop! Maybe, Kohl's does fix somethings. And it is fun to see her face light up when the cashier tells her how much she has "saved". I think our trip tonight had a savings of $125 dollars when she spent $52! Big winners at Kohl's. It has also gotten to the point where Stephanie just looks at something I'm wearing and says "That's cute. Did you get it at Kohl's?" Yes, it's a Lauren Conrad, Jenny From the Block or a Vera Wang that was probabl 30% off!
Friday is spent working and then I head to the Pink Tea at Harrah's Casino. My friend Mary works there and has invited me to sit at her table. I had considered going earlier in the week, but I was afraid that it would be too emotional for me. I full two hours about breast cancer is not exactly what I feel like I need, but I decide to go. Well, Zara and I decide to go. It is always fun to go back to Harrah's for a visit. After 10.5 years of working there I get to see so many familiar faces, get lots of hugs, see people I haven't seen in a while and see friends that I still see but not enough these days. The event has even more familiar faces in attendance. Volunteers from ACS, survivors that I know from my journey, girls from TMMA, etc. More hugs! Zara is a huge hit. Everybody likes her and a few people had no idea that I was wearing a wig. The event had a great educational feel to it. A young breast cancer survivor for the MC, and two oncologists that talked about breast cancer, risks factors, new treatments, etc. I took some notes about things that I have not heard of. My body was hurting sitting in the chair. It seems that the longer I sit, the harder it is to get moving. The event lasted a couple of hours.
After the event, Mary and I head over to The Department to meet a friend, Phillip, for a drink. He's in town from Cincinnati. It is a beautiful day so we sit outside on the balcony, relax, catch up, and laugh. You can never laugh enough! Mary travels so often and I don't to see her enough. The beer tasted good, but my body didn't agree. I stayed for a little while and then headed on my way.
When I left the restaurant I had a call from the other Mary in my life. She has made me dinner and was going to stop by. Since I was out I decided I would stop by quickly. I've spoken with Mary, but I haven't seen her since I was diagnosed. Mary has been fighting cancer, so we understand each other. It is great to see her and catch up. She just returned from Florida with her kids, grandkids, etc. A big family trip that meant the world to her. She had been nervous about going, but said that she had a wonderful time. I didn't stay too long because I wasn't feeling great and I couldn't wait to take Zara off! I big hug from Mary and I was on my way.
It was a good end to a week. Tired, but spent with people who care about me and who I care about deeply! I laughed a lot this week...Laughing is out weighting crying, so that is a huge PLUS!
XOXO,
Sue
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| The "Hug for My Head"...I'll try to post some of me wearing it! It is much cuter on! |
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Pink Tea
If you or anyone you love is facing cancer PLEASE reach out to the American Cancer Society. Nobody should face cancer alone. http://www.cancer.org/ or 800.227.2345. 24 hours a day 365 days a year. WE are here for you.
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