And then it was gone...

One of the last big unknowns that comes with my experience with chemotherapy was the hair. I never wondered IF it would come out, but wondered when & how it would come out. Last night before bed I gave it my ritualistic tug and was surprised to have a handful of hair. It didn't hurt and it didn't leave a bald spot... but it definitely wasn't normal.

I went to bed wondering what to do. I knew I didn't want to let it fall out on it's own. I've talked to too many friends who have been through it and the advice to shave it was something I was definitely going with. Tonight we talked to the boys and decided that sooner would be better than later, so we set up the barber shop in the bathroom and went to work.

Ryan took the first swipe. He didn't get much but thought it was pretty cool. Zach was our official photographer (you may get to see those someday). They were both interested in helping for about 45 seconds and then it was old news. I knew at that point that they weren't too traumatized by the whole thing, kind of a relief to have them climbing in the tub and touching things they shouldn't... just like any other stay in my bathroom for them. Michael finished up and he did a great job. I didn't even sense any revenge for the haircuts that I've tried to give him over the years. :)

Ryan's first comment was "Mom, you look pretty"... soon followed by "Mom, you look crazy". Zach was full of hugs and immediately wanted me to try on my wig. I think he's been curious about that since the first time he saw it. Michael was a great supporter, as always. He even mentioned that my head wasn't as oddly shaped as we suspected it might be. As funny as it sounds, he knew I needed to hear it. One of the big fears I had was wondering what this head would look like with nothing to cover it up! Overall, all 3 of my boys helped me realize that this was another part of the journey... no freaking out - we just did it together and it was okay. After we finished, we cleaned up & tucked the boys in just like any other night. A true example of how our "normal" has changed over the past month!

Now I'm trying on my hats & learning to tie scarves & bandanas. I'm glad that one more unknown isn't a mystery any longer. I do miss my hair and I'm not going to pretend that I'm completely okay with this new look. It will be fine and I'll figure it out... to put Ryan's thoughts together, tonight I just feel like I look pretty crazy.

Amazing Friends

I knew that I worked in a very special place that was filled with wonderful people. I knew that they were taking care of everything while I was away and I was already so touched by the emails & cards that had come home with Zach. Yesterday was a day that I will never forget... one of those days in which the support that I felt from my friends reached an entire new level.

Kim picked me up around 4:00... I knew I was going somewhere (Michael told me to shower and clean myself up- ha) but I had no idea what was about to happen. She drove me to the neighborhood near my school and as we turned a corner, I saw a house with tons of people standing in the front yard. They were holding a big yellow banner that read "So Long Lumpy" and I couldn't believe that those were all of my friends from school, standing there cheering for me! The word overwhelmed comes to mind, but I don't even think that word can explain the way that I felt. I had been worrying about school, worrying about little things... and here were my friends, letting me know that they were behind me in true Martha Reid Elementary fashion.

Each team took on a different "theme" and the gifts they gave were unbelieveable. We are all set now with gift cards for meals, entertainment for the boys & reading material for me, scarves for my bald head, money to have someone clean my house, and even gas money for our drives to Dallas. I am humbled by their generosity. They have taken care of everything.

Last night I couldn't stop thinking about how blessed I am. I feel that God put me in such a special place at this point in my life and sent these wonderful people to help me through. They were doing what they are best at... taking care of others and somehow knowing exactly how to help. Even in the midst of this obstacle, they make me feel like a very lucky girl.

Waiting.

I felt like I needed to wait to add anything after Michael's post, he's tough to follow. I also waited to add anything because there hasn't been anything to add! :) I had labwork done yesterday to check my cell counts but haven't heard anything yet. Usually no news is good news... we'll see if that holds true.  UPDATE!  All labs are normal, wonderful to hear.

I'm getting used to my new routine and I'm finding that I do need time during the day to rest. My side effects are still pretty minimal... some nausea and fatigue, but I'm learning how to manage that too. Amazingly, "lumpy" is already MUCH smaller than it was just a week ago. I can't believe how quickly the medicine destroyed that tumor. I can still feel it, but I would guess it's less than half of it's original size. Good to know it's working!

I have a long-term substitute coming into my classroom on Monday and that has been a huge load off my mind. Zach has become my courier and takes papers back & forth to school every day, I think that will be a permanent job for him. Thanks to all of you for the cards & emails that you have sent... your words are precious to me and have come just when I needed them!

One more thing. The hair is still there. I'm thinking that I have about one more week, but every day I give it a few tugs to see how it's holding on. ha