Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hair. Show all posts

Friday, May 4, 2012

GI JANE: Failure Is Not An Option

Today was GI Jane Day!  The hair was shaved in true warrior fashion and I am writng about our friend Gail because I am so damn proud of her.  She wanted to make it through ALL her radiation treatments with her hair still attached to her head.  It was one heck of a goal and she made it.


Personally, I wasn't sure what my emotions were going to be today, but no matter what,  I was going to a positive machine.  What I never expected to experience was watching as this strong woman began to emerge as her head was shaved.  It was an amazing experience that neither one of us expected.  One of the hair stylists even walked over at the beginning and said, "Oh no, why are you shaving your head?!"  Obviously, our girl did not look a person fighting a serious Bug!  I ask you, how much more positive could it get at that moment?!

Was I worried?  Yes.  I was scared I was going to cry, I've known this hair for years!  I've seen it through a ton of ups and downs and many a time I've secretly wished mine looked that good.  So yes, I was worried I might not be the strong shoulder I needed to be today.  Did I let her know that before hand?  Heck no, but as her head was getting shaved and her eyes started to become bigger and her teeth started to look whiter and her neck started to look longer, I sure babbled it all out and let her know what I was witnessing.  We had turned Gail away from the mirror so only I saw her hair fall away.  As it was happening, I realized this was no longer Gail's beautiful hair that was falling to the floor.  What was removed was something fried and damaged.  It was physically a weight that was being lifted off her shoulders.  She actually started to look healthier.  In hind sight, I wish she had seen the incredible transformation that I witnessed because all she saw was the end result.  It was a shock and there were tears.  We hugged hard, cried some more, and then I shook her and made her look back in that mirror to see that strong person I was seeing.  She does NOT look like someone that's fighting the Bug.  She looks like someone that said, what the hell, I'm tired of my hair and I'm shaving it!

Today was a beautiful day, one of the best days I've had in a long time.  It was a gift to be along for the ride.  It was a total girlie day, we got rid of some serious bad hair, picked up some fabulous new hair, and had a blast.  Ten dollars to rid yourself of a serious bad hair day.  And she doesn't need product?!  What girl wouldn't be jealous of that one!!

She's probably not going to show anyone that beautiful shaved head, but I loved it.  Loved it so much, that I told her I was a bit jealous of the power, strength and freedom that shaved head was just radiating.

Just to let ya know, she has a good head, no strange bumps or dimples...

-Megan

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Last radiation

Last day of my 3weeks of radiation!

I have been really tired, sleeping, a doing a lot of cooking and eating trying to keep my weight up.  That is one perk, I love to eat.  Effects from the treatments have been fatigue, some headaches, and burns on the skin, not too bad, but they do tell me the effects get worse after the treatment is over, hopefully not. The effects of the Chemo pill I am on every day are not too bad, pimples and rash all over my face, small price to pay for it to be working.
Hair today, gone tomorrow
I look at it as becoming GI Jane preparing for battle!!


There is a USA Today magazine on stands now:
CANCER
PREVENT-CONQUER-HEAL
I suggest everyone to pick it up and start learning how we are all being affected by the bug.
The numbers are staggering.
 
Lung: new 226,160
           deaths 160,340 

Breast: new 226,870 women
                      2,190 men              
              deaths 39,510     
  
Melanomas: new 76,250                  
                      deaths 9,180                

Prostate: new 241,740
                 deaths 28,170
  
 Bladder: new 73,510  
                deaths 14,880  
       
Kidney: new 64,770                         
 & renal deaths 13,570 
                                      
Colon rectum: new 143,460                 
                        deaths 51,690

Non-Hodgkin: new 70,130                   
lymphoma       deaths 18,940

Pancreas: new 43,920                          
                deaths 37,390                        
  
Leukemia: new 47,150
                 deaths 23,540

 Oral cavity: new 40,250
 & pharynx deaths 7850




New Orleans Jazz Fest!

Normally I would be packing for my 5th annual 5 day trip to
 

NOLA

Van the Man
Best food, music, friends, and family!
Next Year!



Thanks for all the prayers, support, and love!
It takes a team to fight.
Love, Gail