Thank You...for Shaving My Head

I woke up on Memorial Day and decided that enough of my hair had fallen out, been pulled out (both by me and my nephew Eddie - not every ten year old can say he pulled his Aunt's hair out) and enough hair had clogged the shower drain. I asked Wayne to call my brother Joe and ask him to call his good friend Traci Carmignani, who luckily for me is a professional hair stylist, and ask her if she would have time to shave my head. Traci called me moments later (seriously it was about 2 minutes....how awesome is she?) and said come on over.

This is the third time in 35 years that my hair has fallen out. I mean are you kidding me!!

The first time was 1993 - post radiation and only the underside, lower portion of my hair fell out (it never came back). My sister Katherine and I were working downtown at a doctor's office. My hair was really big (it was the 90's - big hair was in) and it was falling ALL over the place. Katherine was following me around sweeping up my hair and patting me on the back trying to distract me so I didn't know. SUCH a big sister!

The fist time that I had the pleasure of deciding to shave my head Wayne and I were on Marco Island after our 2007 wedding reception.....being on Marco softened the blow.

Memorial Day 09' was the second time that I had the pleasure of deciding to shave my head and I can not express in words how much it meant to me to be able to go to Traci because she is someone who knows me and cares about me. I explained that my head had been hurting since my hair started falling out so she was extra gentle. She took her time and was thoughtful about every move she made. The moment the hair was gone my head started to feel better and the nagging headache began to subside. I looked in the mirror and felt a a sense of self that I hadn't felt in weeks.

You never know when or how you will have the opportunity to impact another person's life. Traci has impacted my life more than she will ever know. She made a difficult day easier and really what more could I want? When I recall the second time I had my head shaved I will now recall it as the day we decided to go to Traci and Scott's house.

The third time I lost my hair will always be a good memory....
Thank You Traci!

Special Delivery - Secret Pal

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Today I received beautiful flowers and the card read...
"Hang In There - You Are Loved! Your Secret Pal"

Well...Secret Pal - thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The lovely flowers and the fun of your secret identity have cheered me up more than I can say!

Chemo #3 - Wayne

Today was a long day...

Got to the hospital had blood draw then waited for about 40 minutes to start chemo. I thought I was seeing the doctor today, but I was informed that I am actually seeing the doctor next week. My bad.

I have to tell you about an experience that upset me this morning - I mean aside from the fact that we were at chemo. While we were waiting there was this woman just abusing the front desk personnel because her 10am blood draw was probably not going to actually happen until about 10:30am. She complained and complained and then kept going up the ladder to complain and I just wanted to shout "WAIT YOUR TURN, SIT DOWN, RELAX WOMAN." How a person can sit on the 21st floor of the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center and freak out about a late appointment is amazing to me. How can someone be so self-absorbed? There are really sick, sad looking people all around and you are going to be all put out about a 30 minute wait? I wanted to yell at this woman, but I didn't. I just ate my muffin and prepared myself for chemo. OK all better - thanks for letting me vent - I feel much better now.

About 10:45am they started the prep drugs (no problem) then the Avastin (no problem), which they started at the quicker pace than in the past and then the Taxol (no problem). About 1:45om we headed to a new Dermatologist that specializes in treatment related skin issues - a - Dr. Mario Lacouture. His name alone is worth going to see this guy - all I could think about was is he Spanish, Italian, does he were couture clothing (answer is 50%) - I digress. The appointment went well and now Wayne is at Walgreen's filling a large number of prescriptions the most important one being my Ambien CR - I am going to sleep tonight.

The chemo is doing a number on my skin, my stomach and my ability to sleep. So now that we have Ambien, Dr. Lacouture, and my nutritionist working on my - - sleep, my skin (I can't stand when I have bad skin) and my stomach I am extremely hopeful that the issues will subside.

Next week is an OFF week so NO CHEMO - YEAH ME!!!

Chemo #2 - Katherine

Wayne is out of town this week so my sister Katherine (K) had the pleasure of escorting me to chemo. It was a lovely day, which always makes a trip to the doctor better for me. When it rains I curse and say "what God can't throw me a bone and at least have the sun out" - I think Wayne thinks I'm nuts.

I digress....

We arrived at Northwestern on time and much to my surprise the hospital was running on time. I had blood draw, my pre-meds and then found out that I only had to have 1of my 2 drugs. The Avastin is every other week (yeah for me). So I had the Taxol - finsished up and Ka and I were on our way. OK - well on our way after she realized she lost her parking ticket. She says she has sympathy chemobrain and I must admit I think she does. Of course she was honest (always) with the lady behind the desk and she gave us the discounted parking anyway and then K realized she recognized her from when she worked downtown a long time ago - unreal.

Away we went back home to La Grange. I had the pleasure of picking up the youngest Campbell's at school and got to see the oldest when they got home.

That evening my dear friend Emily came over and we had dinner and girl talk. What a wonderful way to end the day.

No major issues this week just tired and having a great deal of trouble sleeping, my scalp is starting to hurt so I know my hair is going to start falling out next week. Once I get the sleep issues resolved I will feel 100% better.

Chemo #1 - Wayne

I don't remember much about chemo #1 because I fell asleep about 5 minutes into it. I had just returned two days prior from the COMMON Annual Meeting (via train - yes train) from Reno Baby, Reno (so much to say about Reno so little time)and I was beyond exhausted. So this was actually a great chemo - as chemo goes.

What I do remember is that my nurse Laura was AWESOME so keep Laura in your prayers. She will be my nurse throughout chemo, which is so nice because you want people who care and will remember you for more than your patient number.

So we finished #1. Starting chemo is the hardest part (for me). So now we have begun the mission to battle this thing one more time.

No crazy side effects - just the typical stuff. So good first week.

Chemo Schedule

FIRST CYCLE
#2
Tuesday, May 12
8:45am

#3
Monday, May 18
9:45am

SECOND CYCLE
#4
Monday, June 1
10:30am

#5
Monday, June 8
8:45am

#6
Monday, June 15
9:00am

THIRD CYCLE
#7
Monday, June 29
11:30am

#8
Monday, July 6
10:00am

#9
Monday, July 13
9:00am