Day 6, Part 2: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Exercise… YES!

Never underestimate the power of positive endorphins. When I was moved to a new (BIGGER!) room yesterday with an
exercise bike I had requested, it was a huge boost to my mental health. I was going pretty stir crazy in my previous room, not a lot of room to walk around in, so I tended to just stay in bed. Today was SUCH a different story. I didn’t actually get into be until my chemo treatment at 5:00. But I digress… So on Day 3, when my oncologist came into my room to confirm my diagnosis and review treatment, I asked him about physical activity. Those of you who know me well, know that I cannot sit still for five minutes. I was really thinking more along the lines of yoga, thinking that would be good for the mind *and* the body. He said, “Sure, that would be fine. You can do as much as you feel up to.” Jokingly, I quipped back, “Cool, can I get a treadmill moved in here?” and he laughed. But his answer was serious, “No, but how about an exercise bike?”

OMG, really?!?? Long story short, a bike was donated by an oncologist’s office a while back, and it was sitting in a closet on the Oncology floor, unused. Well we can’t just let that happen, now can we?? So the doctor talked to my nurse about getting the bike moved into my room. Next thing I know, I’ve been upgraded to a bigger room… with a bike. 🙂 Managed to do 15 minutes on it today, felt like I could go longer, but decided to easy into it a bit.

Three Down, Four to Go…

Today was the last injection of the Daunorubicin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daunorubicin) – Chemo drug #1. It is the oddest thing, I can *feel* it going in my body when the nurse pushes it through the central line. It’s cold, sometimes stings a little bit. But today is the last dose for the induction chemotherapy regiment. Am so glad that’s over. Now, just 4 more days of the Cytarabine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytarabine), and I am done with “Round 1”. Fingers crossed.

And now, the hair . . .

My oncologist told me that it is a certainty that I will lose my hair during the induction chemotherapy. That news might just have hit me as hard as the Leukemia diagnosis. Well… almost. 🙂 I *love* my hair, and have had long hair for years and years now. As a child, I hated my curly, red hair. It was wild and unruly. My best friend growing up once said, “Girl, you are the only white woman I’ve ever met with an afro!” But over the years, and through the patience of one hairstylist, I figured out how to tame the curls, and make them work for me. I really don’t want to lose my hair, but need to face reality. So I’ve been thinking about what I was going to do once the hair was gone. I’ve never been a fan of wigs, so that’s out. I really hate hats – I don’t even wear them when I go running, I just do not like the feeling of having anything on my head. Except my hair. Hmm… could paint my head like an Easter egg, in honor of the upcoming holiday. Or maybe get a cool tattoo on my noggin. No one would even know once the hair grows back!!

While all good (sort of) options, I’ve finally decided on scarves. Simple, elegant, feminine. I have a feeling I’ll need that – to remind me that I am a girl.

I also decided that I wanted to get my hair cut off before it begins to fall out in clumps. I think that would be really hard to see and deal with. So I arranged to have someone come in to cut my hair off, and am going to donate it to Locks of Love. Tonight, my friend and her niece (who cuts hair) came to my hospital room, and cut my hair off in long ponytails to be sent off. I was left with a bit more than I originally thought, so have a nice, short haircut for a while. I’m so grateful for the two of them helping me by doing this. But I have to tell you, it was not easy seeing myself in the mirror. I don’t look like what I’m used to, and that’s a bit of a challenge. But, at least someone else can benefit from my hair. And in the meantime… mine is much easier to maintain. 🙂