We all hear about the side effects of chemotherapy. The hair loss. The vomiting. But I’ve found a few things that I hadn’t heard about.
My hair loss has been spotty. I haven’t lost all the hair on my head. I still must shave my legs but not as often and I think I’ve only shaved my underarms twice in three and a half months. It seems strange that it’s so spotty.
Spring is finally here.
When I had the surgeries, they told me to shower with Dial Gold soap for the two showers before the surgery. After surgery, you cannot wear deodorant or shave until the follow-up visit. Thank goodness my surgeries were in the winter! After the first surgery, I resumed showering with my Dove soap (easier on my skin) immediately. After the second surgery, I had the drain and I thought it would be a good idea to continue with the Dial. The Dial soap did an amazing job of reducing odor and it was much longer than I had to go without deodorant and shaving after the second surgery.
No one told me that my skin would feel like it was soapy – like when you wash in soft water and aren’t used to it – whenever it was wet. It doesn’t feel quite the same and sometimes almost paper like. I was afraid I was going to tear it at first.
The most disturbing to me is that I always smell medicinal, especially now that it’s getting warmer. It was worse with the first four treatments and now has subsided a bit with the second type of medicine but still, I always smell it. I’ve had others tell me they can’t smell it and the oncologist said he had never had anyone tell him this. So maybe it’s just me.
I’ve also discovered a superpower – sleeping. I take steroids 12 and six hours prior to treatments. I’ve had many nurses tell me that they might make it so I can’t sleep. Depending on the time of treatment I’m taking at least one dose in the middle of the night. And I usually don’t have any trouble going right back to sleep. I’m also pretty good at napping. So, sleeping is my superpower.
I wasn’t prepared to create the bucket list. I’ve always wanted to go on a photo safari in Africa and to Europe. Now I have a written list of places I want to go and things I want to do, it’s a work in progress.
I’m finally getting back to some of the things I love to do. Photo credit: Roderick Bloom
My vision, that I wrote when I started the Touched By A Horse Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® program, now includes more about my health. And I am more aware of protecting my health while I’m in the metal shop.
Since the latest trip to KU Med Center for Mike, I’ve been back in the metal shop creating gifts for my fellow TBAH grads. I’m off to my last TBAH Core and Graduation tomorrow (Thursday, May 17). I’m so looking forward to being certified and sharing the healing gifts of my horses with my corner of the world, doctors, caregivers, and patients to help them improve their relationships.
I feel that the TBAH program, Melisa Pearce, the horses, and my herdmates have put me in the very best place mentally to deal with the breast cancer diagnosis as well as help me to be a better caregiver for Mike and a better parent to my children.
All I Want To Do Is Have Some Fun. So I’m glad this isn’t slowing me down too much.
Onward! Graduation
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