May 4, 2014

May the Fourth Be With You

 

 

Welcome Back Friends and Family,

 

Thank you to everyone who has checked in or messaged me this week.  It means so much to me to hear your support.  It's great to hear about life outside this cancer world.  Sometimes, its the interesting stories from work, or its the general comedy that is our children and friends.  This week, its a silly pink mustache on an old friend, a picture of a another beautiful bald breast cancer survivor, and flowers from Utah. And, as always, its the regular conversation about baseball, the Kentucky Derby, basketball playoffs, and college softball. 

 

On Wednesday, I had Cycle 2 of my first (and hopefully, only, single Round) of chemotherapy. I was accompanied by two of my favorite funny ladies, who made the time fly by.  My side effects have been manageable, mostly fatigue and lightheadedness. My body is responding well to the medications, and I am listening to my body when it tells me to rest.

 

Its been one month since the treatment plan began and I still have five months to go.  That means Cycles every three weeks, and I can only hope each Cycle continues to work on destroying the cancer in my body.

 

This week, I experienced significant hair loss, and shaved my head.  As I said in the last blog post, my hair loss was significant and continued to progress rapidly.  I had discussed the issue with my friends and I was growing more frustrated with losing hair all day long.  On Saturday, after measuring my growing frustration, I made the decision and called a local barber shop. 

 

While it was stressful, two of my friends joined me and made it a lot easier.  I was already feeling overwhelmed from chemotherapy.  But it had to be done.  It is about being empowered, and about feeling better during the hardest times.

 

I do not want anyone to shave their head "in solidarity." I have plenty of friends who are already bald and beautiful.  This week, the "Team Sosa" shirts began delivery, and I am asking for photos of my supporters with their shirts.  I feel the support and appreciation every day in so many ways, and I am truly blessed and grateful.

 

Love you,

Sosa