Chemo Round 1

Today was my last day of round 1 of chemo. Now, I have 2 weeks off. I go back the first week of October September & we will re-evaluate. My port was de-accessed after chemo today. Yesterday was the last day of IV therapy after 5-1/2 weeks & the drain was pulled from my back. I can finally have a shower! Woo hoo!!! I have not had a shower since the last of July. Dr. Beckstead told me I could go swimming if I want to. LOL. He hasn't seen me in a swimming pool. I drop like a rock.

Mother had her pacer checked yesterday. She has from one to 9 months left on the battery. I wish they'd just replace it & get it over with, especially since she is totally dependent on it.So, here is where the first week of October comes in. Her next check is the first week of October.

Oh, & I have discovered pinterest.com How addicting is that? Very addicting, hehe, & I LOVE it.

Gratitude 2011

It was fun to look back at 2010 to see what I was thankful for last year. I started a separate page this year, Attitude of Gratitude, 2011, so I can just keep a running list. My first entry last year was Don. Interestingly enough my first entry this year was also Don. I am indeed thankful for my husband.

Wednesday, Nov. 2, I put Kindra (Palmer), the home health aide. Mother doesn't qualify for home health paid for by Medicare. It's private pay & Mother thinks she can only afford a shower once a week, so Kindra comes in once a week to give Mother a shower. I tried giving her a shower & it just doesn't work. I do not know the drill. So, I am truly grateful for Kindra.

Thursday, Nov. 3: It is hard to decide what specifically to be thankful for. I am thankful for everything.

Today, Friday, Nov. 4, I put hair. It might sound funny, but I am thankful for my hair. I am thankful I HAVE hair. My hair came out when I had chemo in 2007 & it is just starting to come back in good. I had my hair cut & a shampoo/set yesterday. It looks cute. I paid for it though with a bad headache. There is no bone where the craniectomy was done to remove the tumor in 2001. And even though Marcella was very careful in washing my hair, I got a headache. Mother's sister Onda, her husband Keith, & Mother's brother Larry came to visit Mother today from Blackfoot & Pocatello (Idaho). Mother's hair is still dark & thick. She has her hair done every week on Thursday & it stays in almost all week. Of course, people can't believe Mother doesn't dye her hair, so her hair is always a topic of conversation. Mother is the oldest sister & the other four have thin, white hair. My hair is thin & fine, but not white yet.

Baldness

I came home from Ogden, & the first thing I did was sit down at the computer to read my scriptures. I read 2 Nephi 11-13 tonight. In the summary for Chapter 13 it says:

The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness

Then down in verse 24 it says:

and instead of well set hair, baldness;

This rather disturbs me. I guess because of my hair loss. I know I officially lost my hair because of chemotherapy, but it hasn't grown back in very thick. I have thin, wimpy hair. I have never been officially diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but have a lot of the symptoms, one of which is "male-pattern baldness or thinning hair." I guess I'll just call this an "ah-ha" moment. Every time I read the BOM, I find something new.