Well, my hands and feet are almost healed from the allergic reaction I had to my previous chemo treatment on Sept. 5. All the skin has peeled off the palms of my hands and my toes and heels. I am happy to report that the plagues of Job appear to have left the Patton household. Believe me, it was a tough couple of weeks but I am so much better.
Yesterday I had my first chemo treatment with the new drug called Taxol. It is an eight-week program, and I take this treatment every Friday afternoon for seven more weeks now. Since I take it weekly, the drug is obviously milder, and I have already discovered that the side effects are so much milder than what I have experienced with past drugs! They gave me Benadryl during my treatment, to prevent an allergic reaction to the drug, so I actually napped through the last half of my treatment. But I was fine by the time I got home and just spent a relaxing evening in my recliner.
I have to take steroids with this drug, so the worst was last night - I wasn't able to fall asleep until 2:00 am. But I slept in this morning and had a great day. I actually ran errands and did some chores and had one of the most normal Saturdays I've had in a couple of months. It was lovely.
So I have a good feeling about this new treatment plan, despite the fact that I have to go every week. The main concern is that my red and white blood cell counts remain within range so that I can take my treatments on schedule, so please pray specifically for this for me. I want to be FINISHED with chemo on November14 if at all possible, so we will pray toward this goal.
I want to thank so many of you, my sweet friends, who are serving the Lord by sharing His love with me. Your weekly cards with notes of concern and love, gifts, food, prayers, and many other kind acts humble me, and I pray that you, the giver, will also be blessed for your obedience to serving God by serving others.
It's funny...I fought so hard to avoid taking this weekly chemo drug because I just didn't think it would work well for my schedule, etc. But God's plan is so perfect and I am amazed at how good I feel - at least so far - and I am reminded, once again, to allow Him to be in control. He is good...all the time.
Sep 27, 2008
Sep 10, 2008
God's Timing
A lot has happened since my post over the weekend, so let me just fill you in. I had an allergic reaction to the new chemo drug I received this past Friday and the past few days have really been pretty unpleasant. The palms of my hands turned bright red as if burned and felt that way too. My feet, mostly along the sides of my heels, also appeared red and burned and slightly blistered. I also developed a rash on the tops of my hands and under my arms. Oh, yes, the plagues of Job are alive and well and living at the Patton home! Keith took me to see my oncologist on Tuesday and she confirmed this was one of the worst allergic reactions she has seen to this chemo drug, so needless to say I won't be taking it anymore. They treated me with steroids via an IV on Tuesday and again today, and fortunately that is beginning to work and I am slowly seeing some relief today.
So...all my excitement about "only 3 more treatments" has gone by the wayside. I have two more weeks off to recover from this reaction, but will resume chemo treatments with yet a new drug on Sept. 26 - and this is the one that I must take every week for 12 weeks. I had so hoped to avoid this, because EVERY WEEK seems so daunting. But as Keith reminded me while we were spending Tuesday afternoon in the doctor's office, this IS a part of God's plan, and we will trust His perfect timing because it is perfect and not daunting.
I've had a couple of really tough days this week - it's not fun when you can barely walk or hold a fork in your hand. But Keith takes such sweet care of me and I have a great doctor who is guiding us through this. And my coworkers have been so wonderful to help me in so many ways. Fortunately I can work from home on my laptop and I have been able to keep from falling too far behind.
Paige is coming home Friday night to spend the night and some quality time. She started a new job this week with Curves and I'm so proud of her for her new opportunity. She is so precious to bring me little presents when she comes home to see me, just to lift my spirits. Last time she brought me a beautiful designer lip gloss from Nordstrom, and I got all teary-eyed, because she is so good to me. I told her I didn't know anyone but me who cried over lip gloss! Check me out next time you see me; I have the shiniest bronze lips around!
I mentioned the plagues of Job earlier, so went to that book and found my favorite verse there: "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10) God is good all the time, even when I'm having a tough day here. Enough said.
So...all my excitement about "only 3 more treatments" has gone by the wayside. I have two more weeks off to recover from this reaction, but will resume chemo treatments with yet a new drug on Sept. 26 - and this is the one that I must take every week for 12 weeks. I had so hoped to avoid this, because EVERY WEEK seems so daunting. But as Keith reminded me while we were spending Tuesday afternoon in the doctor's office, this IS a part of God's plan, and we will trust His perfect timing because it is perfect and not daunting.
I've had a couple of really tough days this week - it's not fun when you can barely walk or hold a fork in your hand. But Keith takes such sweet care of me and I have a great doctor who is guiding us through this. And my coworkers have been so wonderful to help me in so many ways. Fortunately I can work from home on my laptop and I have been able to keep from falling too far behind.
Paige is coming home Friday night to spend the night and some quality time. She started a new job this week with Curves and I'm so proud of her for her new opportunity. She is so precious to bring me little presents when she comes home to see me, just to lift my spirits. Last time she brought me a beautiful designer lip gloss from Nordstrom, and I got all teary-eyed, because she is so good to me. I told her I didn't know anyone but me who cried over lip gloss! Check me out next time you see me; I have the shiniest bronze lips around!
I mentioned the plagues of Job earlier, so went to that book and found my favorite verse there: "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10) God is good all the time, even when I'm having a tough day here. Enough said.
Sep 6, 2008
"Come and Listen"
"Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me." Psalm 66:16
The past week has been a memorable one and I have much good news to share. First, I spoke with my lead doctor/surgeon, Dr. Clifford, on Tuesday and learned the results of my genetic testing - the BRCA1 and BRCA2 test. NEGATIVE! I must tell you that even the doctor was surprised by this result; we were all assuming I would be positive due to my strong family history (all 3 of my mom's sisters have had breast cancer). This fabulous news means that I am not carrying a gene that makes me highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, as well as several other cancers. It also means that my sweet daughter is not a potential carrier of this hereditary gene, making her a much higher risk for cancer in her lifetime. So we celebrate this unexpectedly joyous news and praise God for the blessing.
Now that I am halfway through my chemo treatments - YES, it's true! - I had a sonogram on Wednesday to determine how much my tumor has decreased in size. It was apparent to my oncologist that it was shrinking simply by physical examination, but we wanted a true report. Amazingly, my tumor has shrunk by 80%!!! It has gone from 4 centimeters to 1 centimeter in the 2 months of chemo treatments. Obviously the chemo is working and we are all so thrilled with this wonderful news.
Now that I have shared all the great news, I have to admit that the past month - my last two chemo treatments - were pretty tough. After breezing through the first two treatments with minimal side effects, the bottom pretty much fell out. The nausea increased quite a bit so my eating decreased quite a bit. I've lost the weight I had been trying to lose pre-diagnosis - but I wouldn't recommend the chemo diet to anyone! But the worst side effect I encountered was the drop in my red and white blood cell count. This is something that simply happens as a result of chemo, and there are shots they give me to bring the blood counts back up. However, when those red cell counts drop, I feel like I have a roaring case of the flu - zero energy - taking a shower to get ready for work wears me out, etc. Since it takes a few days for the shots to kick in, I spent a couple of weeks feeling pretty miserable between the nausea and the weakness.
But -- I am now finished with the first round of medication that was causing all these nasty side effects and yesterday I began the second half of chemo treatment with a new drug that may be a bit milder on my system. I actually feel pretty darn good today, all things considered! Other than taking a little nap this afternoon, I've been up and about all day. The side effect of this drug that is miserable is that it affects the skin on my hands and feet. It causes sensitivity, peeling, and some tingling/burning feelings at times. So I am keeping Vitamin E oil slathered on my hands and feet. With chemo, there's always something...but I only have 3 MORE TO GO!
I will most likely finish chemo treatments on November 7 if all goes well. My surgeon wants to wait about three weeks before surgery, which takes me through Thanksgiving. Do you think we might have a lot to be thankful for this year!? Then in early December I will have surgery. I'm not too sure what that will entail yet because we won't meet with Dr. Clifford until chemo is complete, and there will be another MRI to give us good information about the current status of everything, but I know I will have a mastectomy and reconstruction of the right side. I don't have enough information yet to determine whether I will also have the left side removed too. This is such an important decision, but my doctor tells me now is not the time to worry about this, so I will commit it to prayer and know God will lead me to the right decision at the right time.
During the past few weeks, there is only one thing that kept me going: YOU. My family and sweet friends who have done so much to lift my spirits, encourage me, and most of all, continually lift me to the Father, from whom I receive my strength. I continue to receive your cards and emails of encouragement and love, our YAMs Sunday School class brings us meals, friends have delivered thoughtful gifts, my friends at work have brought food, sent me flowers, allowed me to slip out early on those days when I felt so bad, so many of you find me on Sundays to make sure I receive a hug and words of encouragement, and the list goes on.
My family is my greatest source of daily strength and encouragement. On August 23, Keith led me, Paige and Chance in an anointing service , and it was such a special time of worship for our family. He used James 5:13-16 and 2 Corinthians 12 as his text and we focused on verse 10: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." He anointed my forehead with oil in the sign of the cross. Then Keith, Paige and Chance each prayed over me. I can't find words to describe the peace and hope God gave me in those moments as my husband and sweet kids demonstrated their faith in God and in His healing power - and their incredible love for me. We made a memory that night and God is answering our prayer of faith and making me well (see James 5:15)!
Please keep me on your prayer list in the coming weeks as I don't know yet how this new chemo drug is going to affect me in the days to come. Please pray for my strength and healthy blood counts. Most of all, please pray that, even as the chemo temporarily weakens my body, I will be strong in my faith and hope and witness as the Father leads me to wholeness.
God is good...all the time!
The past week has been a memorable one and I have much good news to share. First, I spoke with my lead doctor/surgeon, Dr. Clifford, on Tuesday and learned the results of my genetic testing - the BRCA1 and BRCA2 test. NEGATIVE! I must tell you that even the doctor was surprised by this result; we were all assuming I would be positive due to my strong family history (all 3 of my mom's sisters have had breast cancer). This fabulous news means that I am not carrying a gene that makes me highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, as well as several other cancers. It also means that my sweet daughter is not a potential carrier of this hereditary gene, making her a much higher risk for cancer in her lifetime. So we celebrate this unexpectedly joyous news and praise God for the blessing.
Now that I am halfway through my chemo treatments - YES, it's true! - I had a sonogram on Wednesday to determine how much my tumor has decreased in size. It was apparent to my oncologist that it was shrinking simply by physical examination, but we wanted a true report. Amazingly, my tumor has shrunk by 80%!!! It has gone from 4 centimeters to 1 centimeter in the 2 months of chemo treatments. Obviously the chemo is working and we are all so thrilled with this wonderful news.
Now that I have shared all the great news, I have to admit that the past month - my last two chemo treatments - were pretty tough. After breezing through the first two treatments with minimal side effects, the bottom pretty much fell out. The nausea increased quite a bit so my eating decreased quite a bit. I've lost the weight I had been trying to lose pre-diagnosis - but I wouldn't recommend the chemo diet to anyone! But the worst side effect I encountered was the drop in my red and white blood cell count. This is something that simply happens as a result of chemo, and there are shots they give me to bring the blood counts back up. However, when those red cell counts drop, I feel like I have a roaring case of the flu - zero energy - taking a shower to get ready for work wears me out, etc. Since it takes a few days for the shots to kick in, I spent a couple of weeks feeling pretty miserable between the nausea and the weakness.
But -- I am now finished with the first round of medication that was causing all these nasty side effects and yesterday I began the second half of chemo treatment with a new drug that may be a bit milder on my system. I actually feel pretty darn good today, all things considered! Other than taking a little nap this afternoon, I've been up and about all day. The side effect of this drug that is miserable is that it affects the skin on my hands and feet. It causes sensitivity, peeling, and some tingling/burning feelings at times. So I am keeping Vitamin E oil slathered on my hands and feet. With chemo, there's always something...but I only have 3 MORE TO GO!
I will most likely finish chemo treatments on November 7 if all goes well. My surgeon wants to wait about three weeks before surgery, which takes me through Thanksgiving. Do you think we might have a lot to be thankful for this year!? Then in early December I will have surgery. I'm not too sure what that will entail yet because we won't meet with Dr. Clifford until chemo is complete, and there will be another MRI to give us good information about the current status of everything, but I know I will have a mastectomy and reconstruction of the right side. I don't have enough information yet to determine whether I will also have the left side removed too. This is such an important decision, but my doctor tells me now is not the time to worry about this, so I will commit it to prayer and know God will lead me to the right decision at the right time.
During the past few weeks, there is only one thing that kept me going: YOU. My family and sweet friends who have done so much to lift my spirits, encourage me, and most of all, continually lift me to the Father, from whom I receive my strength. I continue to receive your cards and emails of encouragement and love, our YAMs Sunday School class brings us meals, friends have delivered thoughtful gifts, my friends at work have brought food, sent me flowers, allowed me to slip out early on those days when I felt so bad, so many of you find me on Sundays to make sure I receive a hug and words of encouragement, and the list goes on.
My family is my greatest source of daily strength and encouragement. On August 23, Keith led me, Paige and Chance in an anointing service , and it was such a special time of worship for our family. He used James 5:13-16 and 2 Corinthians 12 as his text and we focused on verse 10: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." He anointed my forehead with oil in the sign of the cross. Then Keith, Paige and Chance each prayed over me. I can't find words to describe the peace and hope God gave me in those moments as my husband and sweet kids demonstrated their faith in God and in His healing power - and their incredible love for me. We made a memory that night and God is answering our prayer of faith and making me well (see James 5:15)!
Please keep me on your prayer list in the coming weeks as I don't know yet how this new chemo drug is going to affect me in the days to come. Please pray for my strength and healthy blood counts. Most of all, please pray that, even as the chemo temporarily weakens my body, I will be strong in my faith and hope and witness as the Father leads me to wholeness.
God is good...all the time!
Aug 4, 2008
Be Still
This has been a week for catching up with long-lost friends and hearing from people from my past. They say good news travels fast, but I say bad news travels even faster. As the news of my breast cancer has spread through the grapevine, I have begun to receive messages of encouragement from so many wonderful friends, relatives, and even acquaintances with whom I had lost touch. I find it quite amazing that, in the family of God, you can go years without seeing a friend, and when you do meet up again, you are able to pick up right where you left off. Sharing a common faith and future binds us together forever.
This week I am feeling pretty good, although I continue to be so tired. By the time I get home from work and have dinner - I'm toast. I doze on and off until bedtime, then start the process over again the next day. I have one new side effect that I'm not too happy with -- mouth ulcers. I don't mean an irritating ulcer like you sometimes get, I mean one entire side of my mouth is covered and it hurts to talk, it hurts to eat, whine, whine. You know, the chemo destroys the bad cells (yay!) but also some of the good, and that's where this mouth issue comes in. Apparently this is a common side effect. My doctor gave me a prescription for a liquid I can swish in my mouth to help with the pain, but it's seriously called "Gross Cocktail" -- if that gives you any idea how it tastes!
I am beginning to see that with each chemo treatment I am slowing down more and more. I have been going along, living my life as usual, living like I'm not sick. But I am, and I am understanding the importance of slowing down and letting my body rest. So here is my new verse for this week. I didn't search the concordance for it; it just came to me as I was sitting here contemplating my need for rest: "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Wow. The Lord just told me that I need to be still, slow down - and let HIM be in control of my life. Of my cancer. Of my side effects. OF MY HEALING.
I'm pretty certain I am not the only one racing through life today, trying to do it all, pretending there's not really anything wrong, needing to just BE STILL and allow God to be Lord of my life. So join me this week and let's be still in God's presence. I look forward now to a peace-filled Friday at chemo, knowing I am going to be spiritually prepared. I'll let you know how it goes.
This week I am feeling pretty good, although I continue to be so tired. By the time I get home from work and have dinner - I'm toast. I doze on and off until bedtime, then start the process over again the next day. I have one new side effect that I'm not too happy with -- mouth ulcers. I don't mean an irritating ulcer like you sometimes get, I mean one entire side of my mouth is covered and it hurts to talk, it hurts to eat, whine, whine. You know, the chemo destroys the bad cells (yay!) but also some of the good, and that's where this mouth issue comes in. Apparently this is a common side effect. My doctor gave me a prescription for a liquid I can swish in my mouth to help with the pain, but it's seriously called "Gross Cocktail" -- if that gives you any idea how it tastes!
I am beginning to see that with each chemo treatment I am slowing down more and more. I have been going along, living my life as usual, living like I'm not sick. But I am, and I am understanding the importance of slowing down and letting my body rest. So here is my new verse for this week. I didn't search the concordance for it; it just came to me as I was sitting here contemplating my need for rest: "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Wow. The Lord just told me that I need to be still, slow down - and let HIM be in control of my life. Of my cancer. Of my side effects. OF MY HEALING.
I'm pretty certain I am not the only one racing through life today, trying to do it all, pretending there's not really anything wrong, needing to just BE STILL and allow God to be Lord of my life. So join me this week and let's be still in God's presence. I look forward now to a peace-filled Friday at chemo, knowing I am going to be spiritually prepared. I'll let you know how it goes.
Jul 29, 2008
Wonderful News!!
We received such wonderful news today!! I had an appointment this afternoon with my oncologist, Dr. Juvvadi, and she confirmed that the tumor has significantly shrunk in size after only two rounds of chemo! We are just ecstatic. Keith's prayer that the chemo would be "hard on the cancer and easy on Val" has been answered.
Before my treatment began, the doctor told us that this particular cancer drug is very effective on my particular type of cancer, and that it was possible that my tumor would completely disappear. Well, we are on our way to that end.
This news does not change the treatment plan long-term, but it encourages us that the chemo is effective and that the cancer is being eliminated.
God has blessed me in so many ways - I am experiencing minimal side effects to the chemo, and now this good news. Please join me in thanking our Lord for answering our prayers. I continue to be blessed beyond measure by your prayers.
"On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:10-11
Before my treatment began, the doctor told us that this particular cancer drug is very effective on my particular type of cancer, and that it was possible that my tumor would completely disappear. Well, we are on our way to that end.
This news does not change the treatment plan long-term, but it encourages us that the chemo is effective and that the cancer is being eliminated.
God has blessed me in so many ways - I am experiencing minimal side effects to the chemo, and now this good news. Please join me in thanking our Lord for answering our prayers. I continue to be blessed beyond measure by your prayers.
"On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:10-11
Jul 26, 2008
Chemo #2 (How Great Is Our God)
One of my favorite praise songs is "How Great is Our God."
.jpg)
CHORUS Name above all names, You are Worthy of all praise, and My heart will sing how great is our God //CHORUS How great is our God, Sing with me, How great is our God, and all will see How great, How great is our God.
My heart is singing this song of praise this morning as I share the Amazing news of how the Chemo #2 experience played out for me yesterday. First of all, I had been through it before, so the anticipation and fear were gone, and I was much more relaxed and knew what to expect. When I first arrive, they do my bloodwork, and then we have to wait for almost an hour for all those results to come back. If all the bloodwork is good, then I can have chemo. Well, all my bloodwork was excellent yesterday! So we (Keith, Mom & Dad) went back to the chemo room and they got me ready to go. The chemo process takes just over two hours for the various drugs to drip through the IV. People were commenting on how perky I was when I arrived - but about an hour into the treatment, Little Miss Perky danced away and I turned into the little limp dishrag that is part of the first week of chemo treatment. I actually drifted off to sleep for about 10 minutes. It's just amazing how those strong meds zap your body so quickly.
But I enjoy parts of the event, too. I brought my prayer quilt for warmth - my daughter, Paige, commissioned some ladies in our church to quilt me a prayer blanket for my treatments, and it's just beautiful. There are threads tied throughout the blanket at the corners of the patches; each knot represents prayers they said for me as they made the quilt. Wow, what a treasured gift. I also brought my soft, cozy lavender house shoes Paige bought me - such a comfort while cuddled up in the chemo recliner. My daughter has it ALL going on when it come to pampering her Mom.
My mom came prepared this week with a goodie bag for us. My favorite bottled water, homemade cookies and brownies, PayDay candy bars, Cheet-Os, all the things she knew I liked to munch on. (No, I don't usually eat such junk food, but on chemo days, anything goes!) Since my appointment begins at 11:30 and goes until 3:30 or so, I miss lunch, so she came prepared with treats. It was so nice to have my favorite snacks there. THEN, she brought me some homemade chicken noodle soup last night for snacking. Yea, Mom!
Keith was able to bring his laptop and do some work while we sit and watch the IV drip. He also blows me lots of kisses (blush). And of course my Dad is always there for his wonderful moral support. I have such an amazing family to support me through this process and I love them so much for being with me through the tedious times.
Last night Paige got into to town just in time for dinner, and she is spending the weekend with us while Chance is floating the river in New Braunfels for a bachelor party for Mark, who was Chance's best man back in May.
Speaking of dinner last night - let me give a HUGE thank you to Shelley and Kelly Carson of the YAM's Sunday School department at Plymouth Park Baptist for our amazing dinner. Our SS department has graciously offered to bring us a meal on the Fridays when I have chemo treatments- this group of young people are obviously very special to me and Keith and I know the Lord will honor their giving hearts and acts of service. Anyway, Shelley and Kelly arrived with a huge pan of homemade lasagne, Italian-style green beans, gourmet salad, and two desserts - a cherry dump cake and a blackberry dump cake! Can you imagine? It was the most delicious meal and I want to say "I love you" to Kelly and Shelley for the time and love they put into our meal.
So, now to the AMAZING news about our GREAT GOD I alluded to back at the beginning. After my chemo round one I experienced a lot of fatigue (to be expected) and nausea, but the nausea stayed under control - I felt queasy and was only able to eat small meals, but I could live with it. The nausea lasted from the day of chemo (Friday) through the following Wednesday. The fatigue gradually improves but never entirely goes away. But I'm told the effects of chemo become cumulative, so I was expecting Week 2 to be tougher.
Here comes the miraculous, God is SO good part. After I left the hospital late yesterday afternoon, the nausea never appeared. I was able to enjoy Kelly and Shelley's dinner to the fullest. Of course, I was pretty zapped with fatigue, and spent the evening in my recliner, but I felt pretty darn good. I slept well last night, and this morning, I have only a slight smidgen of nausea hiding in the background. I am taking the one nausea drug that I am required to take today and Sunday, but not any of the other two or three backup nausea drugs - because I don't need them!
NOW, let me explain why I believe I am doing so incredibly well despite the fact that I am undergoing chemotherapy. Since my diagnosis on June 24, I have received 35 greeting cards and 15 emails from friends and family with such encouragement and promises of prayer for me in these days of treatment. Countless other friends and acquaintances at church are also praying for me. In addition, I have friends and family praying for me throughout Texas and in at least six other states. I believe that the prayers of the saints (YOU!) are lifting me up to the Father and he is honoring the prayers of the faithful.
James 5:15-16: "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up....The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
It is with a humility of heart I cannot begin to describe that I thank you for caring enough for me and my family to cover us in your prayers. And I ask you to continue to do so! I have chemo scheduled again for August 8 and August 22 - assuming my blood counts remain high and healthy. So please pray for this specifically. After August, they will change me to a differnt chemo drug and the schedule will change - hopefully to every third Friday.
Paige created a prayer calendar for me for July and August, and we can mark out in a big red X the days I complete chemo treatments. But the verse for the coming week is a great verse for all of us this week:
Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Let's remember to take time this week to be still and quiet in His presence and simply allow Him to love and rejoice over us, because He loves us so very much.
Just like I love each of YOU so very much. God is GOOD...All the time. And all the time...God is GOOD.
Jul 23, 2008
The Wig Shop
Last Friday was Keith's birthday, so we both took a vacation day and spent the day together. What fun! Keith planned a list of errands, including the Harley shop for some birthday shopping. But it was our trip to Mimi's Wig Shop that was really an experience. Yes, I need to be prepared for my hair to fall out, so Keith drove me over to Richardson to this awesome little store.
We walked in and immediately I wanted to leave. The reality of needing a wig, the thought that I might soon need to wear a wig, was just overwhelming. Of course, Keith walked in and took charge. He immediately found me a "doo rag" (a little scarf that ties in back) that I just HAD to have - animal print no less! While he was having a big time, I could feel myself getting emotional, so I asked for directions to the ladies' room. I walked in and found the entire wall covered in little framed Bible verses - and right there in the middle of the wall, staring me in the face, was one of the verses a friend gave Keith right after my diagnosis - a verse that has been so encouraging to me: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3
My desire is to find the joy in my current "trial" of breast cancer, and it's amazing how much joy God will give me when I am willing to look for it. But that's another story for another blog. Anyway, I stood in that little bathroom and wiped away two or three tears of self-pity, walked back out into the wig shop, and tried on the "Dionne" wig. Oh, my goodness. It looks EXACTLY like my current haircut. So Keith renamed the "Dionne" the "Valerie." Then we shopped some more for scarves and Keith asked all the right questions -- how do you wash the wig? how often? how do you style it? He was simply amazing and his fun, positive attitude made wig shopping a success - and reminded me, yet again, why I love him so much.
In the meantime...my hair seems to have started falling out today. While I was fixing my hair this morning, I kept feeling hairs hitting my shoulders. Sure enough, a pretty good amount came out while I was doing my hair. So, I guess the "Dionne" --oops, I mean the "Valerie" -- may get a debut sooner rather than later.
Please think about me as I go through this process. Losing my hair will make having cancer just that much more real. You know, I don't look sick and don't think of myself of sick, so looking in the mirror at myself with no hair may be tough. But this is only for a season, and there is an end in sight, so that's what I'll focus on: the successful end of chemo! Please pray for this success with me!
We walked in and immediately I wanted to leave. The reality of needing a wig, the thought that I might soon need to wear a wig, was just overwhelming. Of course, Keith walked in and took charge. He immediately found me a "doo rag" (a little scarf that ties in back) that I just HAD to have - animal print no less! While he was having a big time, I could feel myself getting emotional, so I asked for directions to the ladies' room. I walked in and found the entire wall covered in little framed Bible verses - and right there in the middle of the wall, staring me in the face, was one of the verses a friend gave Keith right after my diagnosis - a verse that has been so encouraging to me: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3
My desire is to find the joy in my current "trial" of breast cancer, and it's amazing how much joy God will give me when I am willing to look for it. But that's another story for another blog. Anyway, I stood in that little bathroom and wiped away two or three tears of self-pity, walked back out into the wig shop, and tried on the "Dionne" wig. Oh, my goodness. It looks EXACTLY like my current haircut. So Keith renamed the "Dionne" the "Valerie." Then we shopped some more for scarves and Keith asked all the right questions -- how do you wash the wig? how often? how do you style it? He was simply amazing and his fun, positive attitude made wig shopping a success - and reminded me, yet again, why I love him so much.
In the meantime...my hair seems to have started falling out today. While I was fixing my hair this morning, I kept feeling hairs hitting my shoulders. Sure enough, a pretty good amount came out while I was doing my hair. So, I guess the "Dionne" --oops, I mean the "Valerie" -- may get a debut sooner rather than later.
Please think about me as I go through this process. Losing my hair will make having cancer just that much more real. You know, I don't look sick and don't think of myself of sick, so looking in the mirror at myself with no hair may be tough. But this is only for a season, and there is an end in sight, so that's what I'll focus on: the successful end of chemo! Please pray for this success with me!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
.jpg)