Update: post first chemo infusion

Chemo side effects: outlook pretty decent

Today marks my halfway point between first and second chemo treatments. Good news: Amanda the NP said that I should only feel better the second week — and this first week really hasn't been that bad. Some mild nausea initially (felt like a bad hangover/mild stomach bug) and migraine-esque headaches for a few days after that, but all went away with drugs. I know it could be so very, very much worse.

I do need to remember that there's a cumulative effect, so I may feel lousier in the weeks to come, post-chemo, but all in all I'm very upbeat. And I feel 99% normal this week; only a bit of soreness lingering on my left and right sides from the surgery. I still cannot lie on either side. 

Hair: it’s coming off next week 

Amanda said 14 days post first chemo, my hair is likely to start falling out. For me that’s next Tuesday, June 24.

My plan is to, at the first sign of that happening, get myself to the salon and buzz my head. Why? Because I think experiencing the sad surprise of my hair falling out day after day sounds very depressing and avoidable by getting a buzz cut as soon as it starts. So I booked an appointment for Thursday, June 26 for buzz time. My wonderful sister will be there to hold my hand. 

How do I feel about it? I mean, I wish I weren’t about to lose my hair, but…it’s only hair. It will grow back. Or it won’t. I guess I’d say: it feels natural, and easy, for me to not make too much of losing my hair at this point in time. It’s one piece of a 927483 piece puzzle that I’m working my way through, and while I acknowledge it’s going to be visually surprising to people I encounter, I just don’t feel a need to get too worked up about it. Jazzy scarves and hats, here I come!