Havin' a Bad Hair Day

Three weeks ago, at her chemo session, Shea announced to her doctors that she wanted to change things up a bit. She has been going for chemo every other week, but truthfully, only has a couple of days every other week that she feels good. We have often talked about the fact that lying in bed all day is really not a real life, and she finally got fed up enough about it to try to make a change. I was down at the U of U, talking to my own doctor at the time, or I probably would have hyper-ventilated, but once everything was explained to me, I became okay with her decision. Basically it goes like this......no more 5 FU, since she would have to have it every couple of weeks. This was also the chemical that she brought home in the chemo ball. Since she is off 5 FU, she is able to extend her chemo sessions to every three weeks instead of every two. She will also increase the dose of Irinatican (do NOT look it up, since I know I totally butchered the spelling of it....but it sounds like Irene A. Teacan....awesome name, huh?) Anyway, we have now gone through the first round of the new system and we have learned a few things. #1. Shea gets way, way more sick the first few days of this plan. Apparently, Irene can really kick your butt. #2. It does seem that once we get Irene under control, Shea does have a few more days that she can run around, see friends, and just be "normal". #3. Shea does have better color in her face and seems to look much healthier by changing this up. #4 Irene wants all of Shea's hair.....and this can only be termed "A Real Pisser" (I am sorry Bishop, but that is an exact description that begins to encapsulate the feelings behind the thought......and I am a Marine, so I didn't have a more appropriate word for it). Anyway, Shea is losing a lot of hair, and this seems to me to be a huge indignity in a long, long line of inhumane indignities that need to be endured. Sooooo......we are going wig hunting, and when it is time to rock the Sinead O'Connor look....we are both going to rock it.....because no woman should ever have to go this one alone. And I can tell you....this one is hard!! Those of you who know me know I have never cared two hoots for my hair, but Shea has always made sure that her hair has been styled, cut and colored to perfection.....and the thought of taking mine off is leaving a huge pit in the bottom of my stomach....so I can't even begin to imagine what my Shea-Shea is going through....can I just say that cancer really sucks? If there is hair loss involved, why can't cancer take the underarm and leg hair....not to mention a bikini line, or in my case, the beard and mustache.....but no......it just likes the hair on your head. Go figure....so, in the next few weeks, we will have new head gear....I'm thinking of something pink like cotton candy....but Shea will probably want me to be a little more "normal".....whatever that means. So if you are out and about.....look for cute hats and headgear.....but no scarves!! I absolutely refuse to look like the overweight, trailer park babushka that I know a scarf will create (hey....I do own a mirror...and yes I've put one on....and yes.....I DID look like and overweight trailer park babushka....not that there is anything wrong with being overweight....or living in a trailer park....or being a babushka, but it is just a bit overwhelming for me to confront the world as all three.....just sayin') Thanks for all your prayers, love and concern....we really do appreciate it....and for the most part....we are all doing fine and we have many more moments of happiness than sad...and that makes any bad hair day a good one :)