So let’s be honest first. We’re in the circle of trust. I mean we should be in the circle of trust by now, I hope. I just came home from an impromptu girls night to celebrate my hair cutting. As I document this experience, know that I am also intoxicated.
Losing your hair during chemotherapy is a well known fact. There are options. I’ve heard of cold packs, which may be covered by insurance, but they’re not guaranteed. I’ve also heard you may lose hair on other parts of you body like eye brows, eye lashes, legs (which I’d be ok with). Point being, if I lose eye brows and eye lashes, why spend money to “maybe” save the hair on top of my head. No cold pack here. I chopped my hair today in anticipation of losing it. I did it early so I could donate healthy hair to, HairWeShare.Org. I could have waited weeks for it to naturally fall out, but if I had long enough hair I felt no other option except to donate.
Funny, when I dropped the package off at the Gilberts post office, the woman working said it was her second hair donation package for the day. Made me smile. Thank you other Gilberts hair donator, for whatever reason you decided to donate.
My chopping of the hair experience was perfect. I had a few people to offer to make the drive with me. I was driving to my sister-in-laws (Stacie Sherman) salon in WI (Salon Salon). I decided I wanted to make this journey by myself, personal. The fact that I had my sister-in-law with me was perfect. Stacie, my sister-in-law, had done research and took polls on the best cut for me. My hair is a beast; thick and curly. I loved the time we were able to spend together. I think she appreciated the trust I put in her. I had no doubts. Proof in the pudding.
Pictures of me with my boys this weekend (goodbye hair dinner) and to today…
So it’s obviously much different than what I’m used to. My biggest concern as is EVERY women, will I be able to style this after I wash it myself. We’ll see.
Tonight, hence the reason I am currently intoxicated and give no apologies for grammar, my neighbors had a girls night for me. The support they offer and give is indescribable. I don’t think I can ever really verbalize how much I appreciate them. It’s a different kind of friendship that you find when you’re going through something like this. Trust me, I have so many other friends that would pull their left toenail out for me, but these girls here, I would give my left or right toenail for. This is just the beginning of my bumpy road ahead. There will be many others that enter my life, that I welcome. They will help me, or I will help them, or we will help each other. However it works out, I hope they like wine.
When was your last mammogram? Boobies first.
Um, excuse me, you are gorgeous!! You’ve always had fantastic hair, whoever gets it next hit the jackpot! You are so inspiring and brave. Andy and I think about you all the time. You’ve got this!
Hope you don’t mind my saying you look beautiful with your new haircut! And you are an inspiration to all. 💌
The chop looks amazing!! So thoughtful of you Katie to donate your hair! Sounds like you had a wonderful evening with some very wonderful friends!! I get mammograms every year as my mom had breast cancer.
Damn girl! You’re rocking the short hair. Love you!
Absolutely Love it! ❤️ Don’t be surprised when then card you for that glass of wine. Thank you for sharing your journey and getting the word out to check your boobies!
I’ve been following along on your journey and I just love your sense of humor through all of this. First of all let me just say your short hair is stunning!
I too was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, it was Friday the 13th 2020. Just when the pandemic hit. . . Reading your blog, I relived my experience. Going through the mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, waiting for the call, the biopsy, waiting for the call. Then the surgery, though I was fortunate enough to have breast conserving surgery, they did take two of my lymph nodes, finding cancer in only one. Then there was the genetic testing. Which determined I did not need chemo but I did have to have 6 weeks of radiation and that wonderful anastrozole estrogen blocker pill for 5 years:
All this to say, I’m with you. Your in my thoughts and prayers. I can tell you’re a strong, bad ass women, just from watching you and Brian on the virtual thirsty Thursdays and the other fun videos you guys would post. . . Hang on. You got this💪🏼
Thank you for sharing Colleen. You’re a warrior! Hoping reliving your experience wasn’t too painful, emotionally.
No, it was cathartic! ❤️🤗.
Thank you.
I love the new cut! You look great in short hair!
Thanks for always telling us to check our boobies….
I love the new style! It is so cute on you!
You look adorable. A new beginning. I am glad you have fellow alcoholics that live in walking distance of everyone’s houses. Gal pals are the best for what ails you. Not saying our men aren’t good but we seem to laugh more, take more risks when it’s just the girls. Especially if alcohol is involved. I will keep you and the family in my prayers. You keep going.