Look Good Feel Better

This week I attended a Look Good Feel Better class (http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/) sponsored by the American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org/). There were seven of us in the class - five with breast cancer, one with colon cancer, and me with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It was neat to see other warriors each at a different place in her journey. Some had not lost all their hair yet, some were completely bald (like me), and one had finished treatment and was beginning to grow new hair!

We each received a bag of make up based on our skin tone - light, medium, dark, or very dark. No two bags were the same as all the products are donated - and most are high end products! It was fun to be pampered, try out new make up, and learn some practical tips that apply to being a chemo patient (losing eyelashes and eyebrows, skin changes, etc).

After getting our makeovers, we learned tips on selecting and taking care of a wig, some tried on wigs, and we learned about some head-covering options. Did you know you can cut off a t-shirt under the arms and use the bottom tube for two different types of cute turbans? 

 Pirate & Turban






SIDE EFFECT UPDATE: Since my Vincristine was cut in half, I've had NO jaw/nerve pain!!! I came across another blog where the patient described his jaw pain exactly like mine! So, I thought I'd write a little about it in the hopes it may help someone else - at least in knowing he/she isn't alone. It started with the back of my tongue feeling tingly on the afternoon of Day 3 after the first chemo. Then when I started to chew a bite of cheese stick, a weird sensation went through my gums and teeth with a shooting pain that went through my jaws and up into my ears. For four days my jaws hurt constantly and the shooting pain occurred when I chewed or even swallowed water. The strange thing about it was that once I got past the first bite or swallow and kept eating or drinking, things weren't so bad. But if I stopped and then started again, the pain was intense. I did my best to get enough nutrition on those bad days, but I sure didn't eat anything for fun (like the lime green jelly beans from friends).

I would probably choose the jaw pain over nausea and vomiting (thankfully, I haven't had those), but I sure am glad I don't have it this time! It's nice to be able to eat whatever I want whenever I want and not have excruciating pain!

I still have the indigestion feeling and tummy issues, but it's nothing I can't deal with. Again, no nausea or vomiting, so it's all good!

I'm still amazed at the support we are receiving from family, friends, and even strangers! It sure makes this journey a lot easier!

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Your justice like the great deep.
~ Psalm 36:5-6