I had a much better week this week. Several things happened that make me know I am moving forward:
1. I smiled for real. Not the fake one I have been showing for months, but an actual, face is a representation of what I am feeling on the inside, smile.
2. I stayed out late. We went to the Spurs game, compliments of a sweet friend (thanks!), that didn't even start until after my normal bedtime. I made it all the way to through the 3rd quarter. Big progress. This was also the first time in a long time that Paul and I have been out at night past 8:30. A big step!
3. I wore a bra, for most of the day. I have been braless since the beginning of my radiation in February so this was a milestone.
Now the bad news, after days of smiling, yesterday I felt the hormone monster start to rear its ugly head again. Today I am edgy and cranky, as in, watch out if you leave your sock on the floor cranky. I am headed to the oncologist later this week, so I will definitely be having a talk with him about this issue. Along with managing my hormonally challenged emotions, right now I am trying to take it easier on myself and not be upset if I need to rest or sit down. I just do it. No more fighting and crying because I am not better instantly. (Ok, so that last part goes up in the good news section, don't you think?)
Next week I am planning to get my chemo couch potato self back to exercising regularly. This may prove to be very challenging. Many of my muscles seem to have gone on vacation due to significant lack of use. Wish me luck!
"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to kill (cancer) and a time to heal...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1,3,4
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I had to change the picture because all I do when I see the one below is admire my hair. In this picture you can really see how I was mistaken for a teenage boy in a store one day.
In Hawaii in May. Ben is checking out a lizard.
Snorkeling anyone?
This is our dog Pip. The cat and the lizard are not very photogenic.
We celebrate Andrew's 13th Birthday at a luau.
This is the story of our family's journey through breast cancer. Wondering why we think our life is wonderful? Read the very first post. Thanks for joining us. ____________________________________ cara.wittmaier@sbcglobal.net
I had to change the picture because all I do when I see the one below is admire my hair. In this picture you can really see how I was mistaken for a teenage boy in a store one day.
In Hawaii in May. Ben is checking out a lizard.
Snorkeling anyone?
This is our dog Pip. The cat and the lizard are not very photogenic.
We celebrate Andrew's 13th Birthday at a luau.
It's a Funny Thing About Cancer - Things That Make Us Laugh
- Your husband freaks out when you say that a back scratch might be better than sex...but have you ever had an itch you couldn't scratch for two months?
- Paul stated the other day that he felt "mentally disfigured". So true!
- The special mixture of creme to heal my radiation burns is provided to me in a lovely urine specimin cup.
- Your mom standing with her boob in the freezer: just another thing you don't see in public school!
- After I commented that I missed my brain, my friend responded, "I guess stupid people just don't know what they are missing."
- Informative diagrams on prescriptions that very clearly detail how to administer a suppository. And yes, you have to keep it in the fridge. Praise God, I never actually had to use that one!
- Hair grows back baby fine. Not funny, you say? It is when it is your leg hair and you don't notice it until it is 3/4 of an inch long!
- If you wear a stocking cap to bed, is it considered lingerie?
- Reassurance by a helpful cancer book that certain body hair (you know what I am talking about) usually grows back. Usually?!?
- My haircuts now involve stylist Paul and a beard trimmer.
- Texting when drugged up on Benedryl - definitely a don't!
- I need to choose my head scarf carefully to avoid unflattering comparasions to pirates and being mistaken for a teenage boy. The second one actually happened. Boy, was that lady embarassed.
- When your hair falls out, in the morning you look like you have wrestled with a cat.
- My armpits can now fit in anywhere. One is a hairless American model; the other one (with the scar) is a very hairy European style.
- My friend commenting that I have a beautiful set...of scars!
- The armless trash bag poncho Mom invented to wash my hair without getting the bandages wet. Very hot and afterward I always felt like ripping it open like the Incredible Hulk.
- "Open breast" surgery is not as scary as open heart surgery. - Andrew
- Everyone, men and women, staring at my boobs. Trust me, this is a very new thing for me.
- Uneven pit stains - The underarm where I had surgery no longer sweats. What a savings on deoderant.
- Paul saying, "You had better hurry up and go get ready. You still have hair (to fix) you know."
- Lymph fluid looks a lot like snot. Sorry that's gross! -- Andrew
- Ben gagging theatrically everytime he sees my incision
- If one bra doesn't hold 'em still, two will
- A return to humming every VBS song you know during doctor's appointments
- A breast MRI - lay down like superman, breasts flying free underneath, shoes on??
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