Teal Time...taking control of cancer

Yesterday, September 5th was the 3rd annual "Teal Time", a day when everyone was asked to wear teal in an effort to create awareness for Ovarian Cancer. My hubby and I did our part, as you can see from the pics I've included. We looked like tourist at Disney world, which is actually pretty close to where we live. It is the hope of many woman that we can make the color teal as synonymous with Ovarian Cancer as pink is with Breast Cancer. Don't be sad if you missed yesterday's teal, you still have a chance to join in every Tuesday for the rest of September.

You'll see from the picture's that my hair is starting to grow back. It's kind of a tight curly fro, I'm trying to go without a relaxer as long as I can...we'll see how that works out. Once it starts to grow, it moves pretty fast. I went from looking like Yoda to looking like Angela Davis in a matter of weeks:)

Before I was diagnosed I had shoulder length hair. I had been growing it out for a year or so,before then I use to wear it very short and sassy. Truth is I go back and forth, especially when I see someone sporting the opposite of what I have at the moment.

All of the literature I read after my diagnosis said that one way to take control of the cancer was to cut your hair before it starts to fall out. Not ALL chemo will take your hair out. However, the two types that I had(Taxotere and Carboplatin) were not the exception. One of the first things my doctor told me after telling me I had to have chemo was that I would DEFINITELY lose all of my hair.

While sitting in my first chemo, I called my hairdresser to schedule a cut for the next day. I had no idea what side effects chemo would give me, but I knew that I didn't want to see my hair shedding in the shower or laying on my pillowcase when I woke up. My hairdresser speaks Spanish and a handful of English, so I'm not sure she understood what I was saying as I screamed into the phone...I HAVE CANCER, I HAVE TO HAVE MY HAIR CUT!
Armed with my best friend by my side, I walked into the hairdresser the day after chemo to take control...although I was groggy and sleepy I proceeded to explain my story. Next thing I know, the waterworks are flying and my stylist is ushering me in the back. She sat me down and proceeded to pray for me. So now here I am crying harder and harder.

All I can say is thank goodness my friend was there(thanks Tasha). I was in no shape to carry on with my movement. Tasha explained what I wanted done(of course this is all secondhand information, I heard none of this) and my hair cut was complete.

I want to say thank you to a anonymous woman. When I turned to pay my hairdresser, she let me know that someone in the shop had already paid my bill. A woman who didn't know me, but had heard my story paid my bill. A life changing, heart wrenching day, was brought to a close by the beautiful gesture of a complete stranger.