Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Beach '09 - Good Times in Nags Head
The Stevens Family finished another wonderful week in the Outer Banks. There was not a drop of rain, the breeze was steady and the ocean ever-changing. We had warm, calm seas the first few days, and then gradually the water temperature dropped and the waves grew. By Friday evening, we were awed by the fifteen foot surf. It was a thrill!
I wish I could say my trip started as calm as the ocean. After last Thursday’s big chemo treatment, it took me a little longer to recover than I thought it would. I was not feeling well (achy, tired, little nausea) until about Wednesday. My brother, Maurie, thankfully drove my car to the beach, so I was able to rest a bit on the trip. At the beach, I took naps, snacked on things I thought would make me feel better, and just tried to enjoy the family activities as best I could. I kind of wish I had another few days to be more ‘myself.’ But alas, reality awaits and all good things must come to an end, so I took the reins of the car this morning, and drove all the way back home.
A few highlights from the trip:
· My mom shaved my head on Sunday morning because my hair was falling out like crazy. My brothers affectionately called me ‘Ripley’ or ‘G.I. Jane’ the rest of the week.
· I rocked out in bandanas and hats on the beach – with no scalp burn, and they stayed on in the ocean!
· I am now a champ at injecting myself with the Neupagen shots. Gimme a needle and I’ll jam it in my stomach. No sweat.
· Chris and his kids survived the crazy Stevens clan – which is no small feat. They enjoy the beach as we do – OR maybe it was their fried pickles and breakfast ‘puffs,’ that won everyone over. Just keep ‘em coming!
· Matt and Dana Miller rode up in their Harley’s to visit our beach front house. It was great to see our long-time friends and my parent’s favorite neighbors.
· Mary Ann and Mike Zorio and Susie Rozell also stopped in for a visit (after a few trips trying to find the place). They drove all the way from the wine and cheese crowd in Duck to visit the beer and chips crowd in South Nags Head.
I have to give a big blog HUG to Amy, who watched Lance while we were gone. And if that were not enough - I came home to a bigger surprise – she stained my entire deck! It looks amazing. Amy – you are the BEST!
Another blog GROUP hug goes to my family – who continually impress me by their kindness and love. I was VERY grateful for spending time with everyone this week – especially seeing nine cousins laugh and play together, and everyone helping me when I was not feeling great. THANKS for making the beach trip so special for me!
Me and my bro, Joe!
I wish I could say my trip started as calm as the ocean. After last Thursday’s big chemo treatment, it took me a little longer to recover than I thought it would. I was not feeling well (achy, tired, little nausea) until about Wednesday. My brother, Maurie, thankfully drove my car to the beach, so I was able to rest a bit on the trip. At the beach, I took naps, snacked on things I thought would make me feel better, and just tried to enjoy the family activities as best I could. I kind of wish I had another few days to be more ‘myself.’ But alas, reality awaits and all good things must come to an end, so I took the reins of the car this morning, and drove all the way back home.
A few highlights from the trip:
· My mom shaved my head on Sunday morning because my hair was falling out like crazy. My brothers affectionately called me ‘Ripley’ or ‘G.I. Jane’ the rest of the week.
· I rocked out in bandanas and hats on the beach – with no scalp burn, and they stayed on in the ocean!
· I am now a champ at injecting myself with the Neupagen shots. Gimme a needle and I’ll jam it in my stomach. No sweat.
· Chris and his kids survived the crazy Stevens clan – which is no small feat. They enjoy the beach as we do – OR maybe it was their fried pickles and breakfast ‘puffs,’ that won everyone over. Just keep ‘em coming!
· Matt and Dana Miller rode up in their Harley’s to visit our beach front house. It was great to see our long-time friends and my parent’s favorite neighbors.
· Mary Ann and Mike Zorio and Susie Rozell also stopped in for a visit (after a few trips trying to find the place). They drove all the way from the wine and cheese crowd in Duck to visit the beer and chips crowd in South Nags Head.
I have to give a big blog HUG to Amy, who watched Lance while we were gone. And if that were not enough - I came home to a bigger surprise – she stained my entire deck! It looks amazing. Amy – you are the BEST!
Another blog GROUP hug goes to my family – who continually impress me by their kindness and love. I was VERY grateful for spending time with everyone this week – especially seeing nine cousins laugh and play together, and everyone helping me when I was not feeling great. THANKS for making the beach trip so special for me!
Me and my bro, Joe!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Big Dose Yesterday
I had the triple threat injected yesterday - carboplatin, taxotere and herceptin - oh my! I am feeling a bit run down and groggy, but no nausea. I thought a positive side effect of this process would be that I would lose some weight. So far, that is not the case, darn it.
During my treatment yesterday, I had a visitor pop in, Chrissy (Cakourous) Rash, who is a family friend back in grade school. Chrissy works in the same building as my oncologist. She was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago, and went through chemo, surgery, hair loss, etc. It was great to hear her advice, positive outlook, suggestion for group therapy and the fact that she is a thriving survivor. Thanks so much for the visit - you gave me hope!
My close-cropped hair is shedding steadily now. Our dog, Lance and I have a contest - who can leave the most hair on the couch. I think I am winning. My prediction - total baldness in less than a week.
Kids and I are almost done packing for the beach. Saturday will not be here soon enough. My family is helping me drive my car and distribute the packing and the kids in the car caravan. At peak time, we'll have 17 people in our beach front, South Nags Head house, Chris and his two kids in another house, and a visit from Matt and Dana Miller later in the week. We all can't wait!
Cancer fan shout outs go to those who fed my family recently - Teri Flach and my sister Jenny each both brought over delicious pasta meals, salads, bread, etc. last week. Talk about a treat! It is no wonder I am not losing weight! I love all the cards --the funny, senitmental, positive messages really keep me 'up'. I could not ask for a better support group!
During my treatment yesterday, I had a visitor pop in, Chrissy (Cakourous) Rash, who is a family friend back in grade school. Chrissy works in the same building as my oncologist. She was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago, and went through chemo, surgery, hair loss, etc. It was great to hear her advice, positive outlook, suggestion for group therapy and the fact that she is a thriving survivor. Thanks so much for the visit - you gave me hope!
My close-cropped hair is shedding steadily now. Our dog, Lance and I have a contest - who can leave the most hair on the couch. I think I am winning. My prediction - total baldness in less than a week.
Kids and I are almost done packing for the beach. Saturday will not be here soon enough. My family is helping me drive my car and distribute the packing and the kids in the car caravan. At peak time, we'll have 17 people in our beach front, South Nags Head house, Chris and his two kids in another house, and a visit from Matt and Dana Miller later in the week. We all can't wait!
Cancer fan shout outs go to those who fed my family recently - Teri Flach and my sister Jenny each both brought over delicious pasta meals, salads, bread, etc. last week. Talk about a treat! It is no wonder I am not losing weight! I love all the cards --the funny, senitmental, positive messages really keep me 'up'. I could not ask for a better support group!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Hair Today - Gone Tomorrow
I knew it was going to happen. I mean, it was inevitable. And when it finally started this weekend – I had no idea it was going to affect me the way it did. I am referring to (dunt dunt duh) HAIR LOSS.
On Saturday morning, I woke up, brushed my hair, and sure enough, the hair started dropping. When I saw the hair in the sink, and in the brush, and felt it falling on my back, a sad and sickening emotion took over me. This was becoming the real deal – there is no more hiding my condition or my cancer treatment.
Throughout the day, when I touched my hair, more strands fell out. It was not coming out in chunks, and not making bald spots or anything. I have a lot of hair. Still, it was very disturbing. I made up my mind – I was not going to keep watching it fall out. I wanted it gone and I wanted to be the one to make it go away.
So, tonight, with the help of Chris and his electric clippers, we went out on the deck and did the deed. Grace and Jake were a captive audience. Erin was working at the pool. All three were uneasy about the process for sure, and they were not alone. After the first few passes of the clippers, seeing the locks fall to the ground, I actually started to relax and even laugh. I mean, here’s yet another experience that I NEVER thought I would go through. And as the hair came off, my head became cooler. Everyone was very encouraging and positive about my new G.I. Jane 'look'. I knew I did the right thing. It was liberating.
Here are the before and after pictures:
On Saturday morning, I woke up, brushed my hair, and sure enough, the hair started dropping. When I saw the hair in the sink, and in the brush, and felt it falling on my back, a sad and sickening emotion took over me. This was becoming the real deal – there is no more hiding my condition or my cancer treatment.
Throughout the day, when I touched my hair, more strands fell out. It was not coming out in chunks, and not making bald spots or anything. I have a lot of hair. Still, it was very disturbing. I made up my mind – I was not going to keep watching it fall out. I wanted it gone and I wanted to be the one to make it go away.
So, tonight, with the help of Chris and his electric clippers, we went out on the deck and did the deed. Grace and Jake were a captive audience. Erin was working at the pool. All three were uneasy about the process for sure, and they were not alone. After the first few passes of the clippers, seeing the locks fall to the ground, I actually started to relax and even laugh. I mean, here’s yet another experience that I NEVER thought I would go through. And as the hair came off, my head became cooler. Everyone was very encouraging and positive about my new G.I. Jane 'look'. I knew I did the right thing. It was liberating.
Here are the before and after pictures:
So blog watchers - I will be covering my head with a variety of head gear options. I've never been a 'hair' person, and I'll guess I have to be a hat person. Or wig person. Or scarf person. As my NY sister in law says, "whatevs!"
Sure, looking weird will bring unwanted attention that I typically do not encourage, but going bald is a small price to pay for killing cancer. Thanks to the love and support of many, many people, hopefully the weirdness of it all will fade.
Monday, August 3, 2009
No News is Good News
For the blog-record, I'm in a feeling-OK holding pattern. I am eating well, sleeping so-so, and my energy is below normal but not ‘I can’t get out of bed’ lethargic. I still have all my hair (even though Jake thinks I am losing it because he saw a strand of my hair on a pillow. I typically lose dozens, if not hundreds of strands a day!). I am working full-time now, and my next dose of chemo is this Thursday, and it is a 30 minute one like last week.
While starting a blog is a good way to inform people about my progress, sometimes I find all this public 'sharing' a bit narcissistic. So read on if you care, but please don’t feel obligated. There will be no blog tests to see if you are keeping up. I will not write an article unless I have some news to report (thus the title of this post).
I am continually touched by all the cards, blog comments and the fact that people are reaching out to me with such warm wishes and prayers. Cancer fan, Stella – I enjoyed your card about how Gemini’s are fighters who love life. I totally agree!
While starting a blog is a good way to inform people about my progress, sometimes I find all this public 'sharing' a bit narcissistic. So read on if you care, but please don’t feel obligated. There will be no blog tests to see if you are keeping up. I will not write an article unless I have some news to report (thus the title of this post).
I am continually touched by all the cards, blog comments and the fact that people are reaching out to me with such warm wishes and prayers. Cancer fan, Stella – I enjoyed your card about how Gemini’s are fighters who love life. I totally agree!
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