Monday I drove to Spokane for a consultation with a well respected Oncologist and Tuesday I drove to Seattle to see a surgical oncologist. I have learned a lot and have had some questions answered, but there are still many more that will be unanswered until I finish meeting with all of the Doctors I have appointments set up with...and choose a team for my treatment.
One thing that has come up from both appointments is that they both recommend doing the HIPEC (heated chemo surgery and procedure) as well as 6 months of regular chemo as a follow up, so I am trying to preprare myself accordingly. The key here is doing everything I can to give myself the LOWEST chance of reoccurrence, no matter how challenging it is.
It is ironic, that I have never liked hats, they never looked good on me...but I think I will very soon change my mind on that. I am grateful...so grateful that these options exist and I am really focusing on that...not the side effects or possible complications. (but I admit that they do cross my mind...) And now when I go to stores, I will stop and look at HATS!
13 comments:
Yes, you have hit on a topic that I wondered about as well - but I did find a really cool hat that had those fake braids, were pink and a "poof" on the top! I wore that forever, but I also found that I actually liked walking around bald (the hats tend to itch at times!). Hang in there and stay positive! Do what you need to do get through this - you will be amazed at how quickly the time will fly by. One suggestion is to keep a calendar of all your dr visits and treatments, surgeries, etc.. I did and it was AMAZING to look at all that I did a year later and very positive as I was glad that I made it through! There are much brighter days ahead, just chin up and stay strong! Thinking of you always!
I cutom made you a hat a Zazzle. Check it out.
http://www.zazzle.com/skunks_cancer_stinks_hat-148933119886842577
You have an awesome attitude - believe me, it will help you through the treatment. I just finished 8 cycles of chemo and have just begun radiation (stage 3, triple negative breast cancer). Your posts sound much like mine and I KNOW that my faith and my positive outlook (and aggressive treatment protocol) are what helped me get a clear PET scan result this week. You can do it! :) I'm rooting for you! Julie
Your attitude is amazing :) I have a calendar right here that I will make pretty for you :D ...and I think you will look good in hats - Love U Shanda!
You may not lose your hair - I didn't, and I don't know of anyone who did lose it from Folfox/Avastin (the standard systemic chemo) or from the HIPEC. I had IP chemo, but not heated, through a belly port that was supposed to have been placed laparoscopically, but due to finding more cancer, he did a laparatomy. I lost body hair, eyebrows and eyelashes; the hair on my head remained intact, but changed consistency (straight hair? Never in my life!)
Good luck. It's a very rough road, but I'm doing well on the other side. Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix, with extensive peritoneal seeding, diagnosed in April, 2007.
I would think you could totally pull off hats! Everyone in Canada wears hats, so being up there & all, I've added a couple to my wardrobe. I like hat shopping, so call me if you want a shopping buddy!
you are awesome! you'll rock those hats!
well, shanda, I've never seen you wear anything that you didn't pull off, so I think hats will look awesome on you :)
so glad to hear that the appointments went well-still thinking of you!!!
I think I could live with losing my body hair....my showers would be so quick! As for the hats, so not my specialty, but I would be willing to learn to crochet something cool. Oh, Lexie told me about a AC walk in Cleveland...I'll so walk or run, but I think you should join me.
Shanda- I've been following this whole thing, and I just want to say you are one of the most AMAZING people I know. Your attitude is incredible, and you are SO strong- you'll beat this thing! We keep you and your family in our prayers constantly. I know we don't know eachother SUPER well, but we're family-so I can get away with saying WE LOVE YOU!!
Positive affirmations are a wonderful thing.. Keep positive.. with the strength of the Lord move foward. He will guide you every step of the way.. Hats are a great idea;also, I suggest wicks... They are more fashion than need this days ladies with hair wear them..
It was so good to talk with you the other day and I'm glad that you are learning so much from your doctor's visits. I love your "happy hearts!" My cell phone is having trouble with service because of the storm, but Todd's co-worker's dad was just diagnosed with the same kind of cancer (strange, eh?). Anyway, if you're not sick of talking to fellow patients about it let me know. By the way, I rarely wear hats either so I know what you mean, but I think you will look fabulous in them! Keep up the happy fight! You are a survivor.
I bet you will be so cute in a hat! So many cute ones out there, if I find a cute one I will send it your way:)
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