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Monday, March 30, 2009

Joining the Marines????

I never thought I'd see the day when I would have a hairdo like a Marine!!!!! But I do have to say. . . . I've never been so happy to see HAIR!!!!




Today was the first day I ventured out WITHOUT my cancer hat! It's just getting too hot anymore to wear that thing. And since I've been on the Arimidex (the hormone blocker), I have been one HOT MOMMA, with the crabby sweats! No kidding, I've been sleeping with those ice packs that you put in your picnic coolers. It's that bad.
I go from ice cold, cuddling in quilts, to throwing them off, declaring to the whole world (mostly just Buster as he is the only one who will listen) that I'm dying of the heat! So hats are gone! If you want to call me "sir", a marine, or whatever, I'll put up with it until I get some more hair. Funny how it's growing in. white around the edges, black on top. And it's as soft as puppy fur --- everyone wants to rub it like you do a puppy's belly!!!!!

So I saw the Dr. today. Or should I say the nurse practioner. Does anyone ever see a Dr. anymore????? But. . . . I must say, I REALLY like this lady! She takes a lot of time, cares a lot, asks a million questions, etc. Blood Pressure is down, so that is one worry off the list.

Came home, only to wait a little and head back out for the radiation treatment. #21 today. Again, everyone wanted to rub my head!!! It was like some kind of celebration. But a few hours after the treatment, I noticed blisters!!!! Those dreaded blisters have now appeared. I'm glad, though, that I only have a few more weeks to go with this and it will all be getting better again. I keep telling myself that I had the all time worst sunburns when I was a kid and lived through double peelings, horrible pain, etc., so I can get through this, too. What's the worst that could happen. . . . I whine and moan a little to whoever will listen.

By the way, have you ever seen a mastectomy scar that has been radiated, heated up repeatedly, slathered with grease, and recooked????? If you don't want to look, quit now! But here it is! Mind you, this is from the center of my sternum to my armpit:




In another month, this will all be forgotten and behind me. At least that is what I keep telling myself! Don't you just love that old song, "We've come this far by faith. . . ."

42 comments:

Patty Sumner said...

Cora,
You never cease to amaze me. You are such a motivation to me. Thank you for being so real and honest about what you are going through, The good Lord always uses your blog to remind me to put things into perspective and to stop whinning about my petty little issues. Keep on keepin on and God bless you and your blisters.

Daria said...

Cora,

The hair looks great and I bet it feels great too!

How exciting is that.

Daria

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Cora,
You are one BEAUTIFUL
(& very STRONG) Lady!!
I admire your courage and fortitude!
...and I like that short doo! ;)
hugs & Prayers[every night]
Kath

Deb said...

Hi Cora! I took a long, long, look at your picture, and you look beautiful! The hair looks beautiful! And you look happy! Even the scar looks great, I would say that you have crossed every road! The Lord is GOOD!!!! May the sweet, sweet, taste of His name never leave our mouth!!! Deb

Deb said...

Hi Cora! There's no special recipe for the cornbread patties. I just used my regualar recipe for cornbread and just cooked them like pancakes for (quickness)! LOL!!! Deb

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

Cora~ I would venture to say your tough as a marine yet can sport the softness of newborn hair! Glad it's coming back in and hoping it grows so fast you'll soon be making hair cutting appts!
:)Ginger

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

WooHoo your hair is back!! I am so glad to see your humor is still intact my friend!!! Your still in my prayers!! You look so good!! Take care!!~hugs~Wendy

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Sis,
Yay!!! Hair whooo hooo!!! Can I feel it too (smiles). You are such a beautiful sistah inside and out and I'm so blessed to be part of your journey. You inspire and encourage me to always have a positive attitude, and even when some days seem darker then others, it's okay to vent, and just go on lol. I love that song "We Come This Far By faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his holy name, he never failed me yet!!!. Can't turn around...
We've come this far by faith!!

Luv Ya Lorie

Pink Princess said...

You look great! Congrats on the new hair. You are an inspiration to others ♥

Many hugs and prayers from the Netherlands

KathyB. said...

I think your hair looks great and so do you! I also think you are very brave to post the picture of your scar and your honest feelings throughout this challenging time of your life...and that also means you are encouraging others in whatever challenging ordeals they might be going through. Thank-you!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Yeah to being able to go out without a hat. One more step behind you. Sorry about the hot flashes though - those aren't fun for any reason.

I hope the burns and blisters are the very worst you ever have to face again. You have come so far and endured so much.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

hugs, Linda

CathyJean said...

Cora,
Your strength is inspiring to me!!
Praying for you, my friend :)
Hugz,
CathyJean

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Hello Cora!
I'm happy to meet you through your most wonderful comments to me and my husband who is just out of the hospital after having open-heart surgery! Thank you for your great support.

I just visited your blog for the first time and must tell you I am so inspired by your courageous humor and beauty! You are a powerful woman! Thank you for sharing your personal experiences.

LisaShaw said...

I think you look beautiful! You are FREE and that is awesome! Free to be the beautiful woman of God that you are and YES SOON all of this will be behind you IN JESUS NAME!

I celebrate and rejoice with you IN ADVANCE!!! God bless you dear sister.

SweetAnnee said...

oh your hair is as long as mine

I've given my hat up, I'm proud
of my sprouts..

Love ya..
Deena

Anonymous said...

so glad to see your hair again, Cora...you look so free and happy...I am just so happy too....and you are so brave to show the scar...it is healing so well!

Toni said...

Cora,
I`m so glad your hair is coming in!I think you look beautiful.
Thanks for keeping things real.You are an encouragement to so many.
Love and blessings,
Toni

Unknown said...

Bless your heart, you are amazing! Your hair is beautiful! Thanks for stopping by but be sorry for not visiting, your plate has been full! Blessings!

Deborah said...

Hi Cora, You make a lovely marine!

Ruthie said...

You're looking great. Soon you'll have a whole head of hair!
Smiles.

Paula said...

Oh Cora, I LOVE seeing pictures of you and your pretty smile! And the color of your hair is going to be gorgeous!

LindaSue said...

You look fantastic, your perspective continues to impress me with how grounded and realistic you are - and how wonderful it is going through with faith! If someone mistakes you for a man - they need optometric care immediately!

Ann said...

That is not a scar it is a badge of honor. Your are beautiful!

Debra said...

Cora,
You were on my heart this morning during my prayer time-I'm so glad to see that smile! You are beautiful!
Tell Buster I said "Woof!"
Love ya, Debra

Mandy said...

I think you are just beautiful . . . inside and out!

(I've been following your story, I just don't always comment!)

Blessings,
Mandy

nancy huggins said...

I am happy that your hair is growing back Cora. Nellie has a room mate that only had 1/2" of hair when they rented the apt together (she just turned 27 and had Hodgkins) and it is so funny to see her playing with her hair now that it is getting long and she doesn't care if it gets windblown or messed. I bet Buster is happy now too and he can tell that you are getting well and can play catch with him again soon.
My friend had surgery on Monday and had a lump removed from her breast ...they told her they didn't think she should worry about it and was probably a sist but she made them take it out NOW..horray for anyone that goes through that...and Cora.."My Hats off to YOU" as they say....I want the old Cora back too :)

Jill said...

Oh Cora, I love your hair...it's about the same as mine now and sounds like the same color.What is it that when we start to get the hair back everyone wants to rub our heads, lol.Be proud of yourself as you have earned every pretty little hair on your head and need to show it off now.I know I am and now go everywhere without a hat.
Jill.

Leaon Mary said...

You are thee most incredible woman MISS CORA!
Your hair looks beautiful and I'm reachin all the way from Arkansas coz I wanna see how soft it is too! heehee
You look BEAUTIFUL!
Your scar looks really good too! WOW!
I'm truly amazed.
THANKS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and ...GOOOO GIRL, CORA!!!
EAGLE WINGS,
N CRUMB CAKE
Love ya
Lea

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

You really are a beautiful person, inside and out as Mandy said. I think you are an inspiration to many....you are an amazing person with amazing faith, Cora! What a testimony you are to people!

Tammy

Nicole said...

I love the hair. It must feel so good to have some back. So glad you are almost done. Yay! Way to go sister.

Love ya,
Nicole

QuiltedSimple said...

You are such an uplifting influence to me and how you have stayed so positive! Love the hair!!! I am so glad you are almost done.
Kris

Daria said...

Cora,

I'm replying to a comment you left on my blog.

Yes I do think you and the other ladies are holding my hand as I go through this journey. I can't tell you how appreciative I am of this as it really is the support I need to get through this.

Thank you for your support!

Daria

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Oh Cora, I loved seeing your photo! I think the new "marine" do is kinda sexy :)

You are such a trooper! And you just continue to amaze and inspire me at every step of this journey.

I'm glad that you found a professional that seems to fit your needs. Can you continue to see her? It is such a blessings to find a doctor/nurse that is compatible with your personal needs. I'm so glad for that!

Well I'm off to take care of some craziness outdoors. A bunny ate all of my broccoli and cali. Can you believe that? And I was worried about the deer. I feel a bit like Mr. MacGregor from the tales of Peter Rabbit. And my chickens are eating their own eggs??? I need to ask Juri about that. Well I'll write you an email later.

Love you,
Lea

*Linda Pinda* said...

Cora!
You look so chic!!!

If I were to ever join the marines, I'd feel a whole lot better fighting side by side with you.

Love, Continued Prayers, and {Hugs}... *Linda*

Oma aka Meme said...

you are looking great with your new hair do- I know gals who pay to get their hair done like yours and wow- so far- all you had to do was chemo--LOL
so glad to see you and yes- soon just a memory but not one to repeat-
praying for you and sending hugs

Cedar Hill Chronicles said...

Hi - just dropped in on your blog via another blog you were posted on. Just read your About me and wanted to say I have an elderly second cousin ( my dad's cousin ) who was an Art Teacher at Prairie Bible Institute for many years prior to marrying in her 50's then going to Chad as a missionary. A dear friend of ours went there for 3 years and even had her for a teacher. Take care and pray you continue on well with your treatments. Pamela in Kansas

Renna said...

Cora, you look great! I saw your picture and blog post title in the sidebar of someone else's blog, and had to rush right over here. I couldn't believe how good you looked (considering what you've been through)!

Michelle Goforth said...

Well, it sounds like your gettin' alot of lovin with the new puppy fur. I probably wouldn't stop rubbing your head. I love pettin puppies bellies. HA. Your doing great and I love reading your blogs. You are a blessing.

Kay-The Rustic Cottage said...

I love your hair!!! You look so pretty!! I am so sorry that your skin is starting to blister and burn. I am working on your cream as fast as I can.

Love you,
Kay

Stacy Lambert said...

You are absolutly beautiful. That is just about where my hair is now. A little thinner on top. I still wear a hat when I leave the house. You are such a strong woman. I love your courage and inspiration. I have my surgery scheduled for Thurs. 4/16. Breast Surgeon says chemo shrunk it enough for a lumpectomy. I feel good about it. I have some doubts, but I think that's normal. Then I get to do radiation. Taking the same path as you are with the exception of the change in my surgery. thank you for being such an angel that I can turn to through all of this.
I love you,
Stacy

ByLightOfMoon said...

Cora, You LOOK BEAUTIFUL!

Smiles, cyndi

PJ said...

I know what you mean about seeing hair at long last. I never felt better than when mine grew back. I didn't have radiation, just the mastectomy and then chemotherapy. But I've heard the radiation stories. Bless you. I'm glad it's almost over for you. Mine was in 2006-07. I've been finished with chemo since may of 2007. Prayers for your complete recovery!!