4 Months Post-Treatments

Can you believe it? Four months have gone by and I already feel like cancer happened ages ago. This time last year I was getting my biopsy done and just about to discover that the lump growing in my chest was actually a cancerous tumor.

I got my first follow-up CT scan done this past Monday. I'll have to get one of those about three times a year for the first couple years after my treatments. The worst part of that is just drinking the barium sulfate liquid that coats my intestines. Don't let the flavored "smoothie" fool you. My GOD those are disgusting! I had the vanilla flavored one this time, which was a tad better than the mocha flavored one I spoke about earlier on in this blog (for those of you who have followed this all the way though, remember "mocha flavored semen"?).

Things post-treatment have been pretty good so far. My hair is growing back in slowly but it's been fun rocking a little pixie cut! It's finally at a length that is starting to look a little shaggy. It's been difficult adjusting to having short hair, but it definitely beats having none at all! And I don't need to wear a wig anymore in order to feel normal. I can't complain about that option - it's 95 degrees in New York City right now and even the thought of me wearing a wig makes me sweat! But the short hair is kind of cute, right? Check me out in my hospital garb to the right a couple of days ago...

Aside from the hair, it's been a process just getting back into the daily swing of normal life. Working full steam and paying all my medical bills and trying to answer that questions of "what's next?" is tough after such a long battle with Alice. I'm finally on my own ready (and strong enough) to take on new challenges, but it's a little daunting! But let's be real - I can do it, right? ;)

I need some black friends STAT!

One of my best friends from Miami told me that I should date a black guy because "they're used to dealing with wigs!" Haha! (For the record, she's black.) I'm trying to get used to this wig thing. I don't know how to wash it. I don't know how to wear it. I don't know what to do if it rains. I don't know how to approach the thought of hooking up with a guy and telling him to stay the hell away from my hair if he is in a "hair-pulling" mood. (Hey! It'll get messed up!). Hence, the comment from my friend. Haha. I need some black friends in New York, SERIOUSLY, to explain this all to me! I'm a lost little white girl!

I'm quite fond of my wig though, but when I hang out around my apartment I'm usually in my Michael Phelps gear, a.k.a. my "swimmers hat" a.k.a. the stretchy thing I'm wearing over my head in the video. It's super comfy! And it may be the perfect indicator that I'm a young cancer patient, but SCREW THAT! It's 90 f***ing degrees in New York City and I need to keep cool!

Toodles!

Taking the plunge: Bald and Loving it!

I DID IT!! I CHOPPED MY HAIR OFF! AND I FEEL FABULOUS!!! It's incredible that I've been able to maintain my self esteem. If anything, I feel even MORE confident and beautiful than ever! Was definitely not expecting this.

Take a look at my photos below:

Just chopped all my hair off... ready to get buzzed!

All my hair. It looks so sad.

For fun I had the stylist give me a mohawk during the buzzing process. Probably won't have that opportunity again, so why not!?

Enter G.I. Amanda. I'm actually kind of digging it!

And finally...

Final decision: FEELING FIERCE AND BEAUTIFUL!

Meet Jessica.

The one thing I'm truly not looking forward through in this whole cancer debacle is losing my hair. No woman wants to go through it, especially not me! I've always taken pride in looking good and feeling sexy and getting attention from men. But THIS is a whole new story. For the first time since I was a baby straight from the womb, I am going to be bald.

As depressing as this is, I've decided to prepare by buying a wig. I went to this fancy wig salon mentioned to me by my oncologist, called Bitz and Pieces (Check out their website here). The staff was really caring and helpful and knew all there is to know about losing your hair during chemotherapy. They gave me a consultation in a private room so I didn't feel uncomfortable.

The owner of the store, Barry, has made wigs for a bunch of celebrities (including Madonna, Mariah Carey and CHER. All Hail!). There's a whole wall of signed photographs from celebrities thanking him for their beautiful hair. So right off the bat, it's a pricey place! Thank goodness I got a prescription for my hair prothesis. And what a sexy, fabulous one it is!



Enter Jessica.

I decided to name my wig for a couple reasons. First of all, she has personality. And I am a different person when I'm wearing her. She has style, sass, and looks like vixen hair! Plus, I just like to name things. So I decided to name her Jessica. There ya go.

Getting Jessica is a huge relief. Not only do I feel comfortable knowing that I have the opportunity to look normal throughout my treatment, but I also feel HOT too! Jessica is even better than my normal hair! I feel like a diva. Plus, it's great having long, thick hair that can curl (unlike my fine, straight hair I've always had).

I haven't the slightest clue how to wash her or wear her, but I'm ready for it! Once my hair starts falling out I will begin to wear her. But until then, I kind of look forward to knowing I can still have a full head of hair (kind of) throughout my treatment.