Day 254 - Bald As The Prairie

Well, it's done. And dusted. I'm officially bald. Tonight was the big par-tay & I'm pleased to say it was a shaving success! 


Mom ran around this morning like a chicken with its, never mind. Mom was REALLY BUSY this morning trying to help me get as much ready as possible. She ended up leaving for Saskatchewan about 1300. My brother & my Dad were competing in the Maple Creek Ranch Rodeo this year & they haven't done so in a long time. My Dad is also 60 this year, so I don't suppose he'll have many years left of competing! When I rebooked the date of the par-tay, I didn't check with anyone about conflicting events. I would have really enjoyed seeing my Dad & brother in the rodeo, but it wasn't meant to be! 


Mike & Jenn had camped over, so they were helping me throughout the day too. Jenn helped with the food preparation & Mike helped with the yard preparation. Harrison helped everywhere he could! He was pretty excited to be outside & exploring. He didn't care to have a nap, although he was clearly exhausted! Eventually we coaxed him into a nap in the house & he was out cold!


I was a bit panicked over the amount of food & I didn't think we would have enough. Of course, I now have a house full of leftovers! I was so thrilled that so many people were able to make it! They have no idea how much this means to me!


We had a wonderful time with many moments of laughter & smiles. It was so much more than just a bonfire & hotdogs. These people showed up & to me it felt like I had the support of a million people surrounding me. Facing chemo is a massive challenge surrounded by an ocean of fears. Losing my hair is just one of the hurdles to overcome. Tonight, they made it a fun filled evening & it couldn't have turned out any better. 


Thank you to:
- Mom - for all your hard work to set things up before you left
- Mike & Jenn - for all your help with EVERYTHING! The lawn, veggies, lanterns...
- Mom2 - Madelaine - for having the courage & unconditional love to shave your head with me. You never cease to amaze me! 
- Shauna & Scott - for filming & photographing the night's events
- Joe & Dara - for bringing food, chairs & a playmate for Valentina!
- Nathan - for showing up in uniform & keeping everyone well behaved! :oP
- Lara - for being inspiration & bringing Flyn, the Miracle Baby
- Greg - for BBQing delish burgers & getting the fire started!
- Russ - for supporting your sister & getting the fire started!
- Mah-Joy - for doing a smashing great job on our haircuts!
- Diane - for cutting my hair for Locks of Love
- Lawrence - for starting the mullet craze!
- Neil - for bringing the beautiful flowers
- Kristine - for continuing the mullet craze & reassuring me that short hair is beautiful!
- Nancy - for the beautiful pebble & the prayer
- Kevin - for showing up after a long shift & an early one tomorrow
- Vivian - for staying late & visiting with me (& for trying a s'more!)
- Robyn, Ray Ray, & Dez - for all your help getting things set up & hauled out to the fire!


Rather than post a few photos, which would never do the mullet, mohawk & rat tail justice, here's the link to the album on Facebook... 


Bald As The Prairie, Floatin' Like A Fairy


Btw, it feels REALLY GOOD on my scalp. My fingers like the feeling & my scalp does too. It's kinda like the 'shivery's' but all over your scalp... :o)


Love & hugs,
Maria & Valentina
xxxxxxx
ps - I'm sleeping with a toque on! My noggin is cold!

Day 215 - More Information

I met with Andrea today. She's going to think I'm a right idiot. I met with her last summer & pretty much asked the same questions as I did today. Last year I really didn't want to hear it & this summer, I NEED to hear it. 


Andrea had Hodgkin's Disease & was treated with ABVD. Her body didn't respond so well after the first bout of chemo, so they were talking to her about stem cell treatment. She didn't like the sound of that, so she did her own thing. It took her a good six months, but she's never had to go back for further treatments! 


She gave me all sorts of tips, hints & suggestions. It was a great evening for me, as I needed some reinforcement from someone who has walked in my shoes before me. I know we could respond very differently, but just knowing that she has been to the same hospitals & learning how the procedures worked for her... It was a big relief. 


I have some more homework to do & I realize my days are numbered, but I am anxious to do some more research & get crackin' on a plan! 


I left her house 1.5 hrs later & headed to CNF for some supplements. My friend, Zoe, was there & she's pregnant! I thought she was the last time I was in there, but I was too afraid to say something. (I made the mistake of once offering a belly shot to a woman who wasn't pregnant during my ship's Photographer career. It promptly ended any future belly shots!) She's due at the end of August... Phew! It will be a busy month! Krystle, Collet & Zoe! Krystle is having a boy, Zoe, a girl & Collet??? I think it's a girl! :o) Zoe is a sweetheart & I always have a quick chat & hug when I stop in for stuff.


My last stop was Greg & Madelaine's (Mom2). They were busy out front working in the flower beds & doing yard work. You wanna talk green thumbs... I think all Mom2's limbs are green! She always has an amazing yard & garden. Of course, we get to talking & before I know it, it's 2200! WAY past their bedtimes!! They both work around 0530-0630! Yikes! I boogied home & let them get their needed rest! Mom2 is coming to the head shaving par-tay & she is going to shave her head too! Whoo hoo! That takes the bald head count to 3! 


Tired & happy... sweet dreams.
Maria & Valentina
xxxxxx

Andrea & her gorgeous apple tree. She's quite the gal! Gorgeous & gifted! I stepped into her house & felt like I'd stepped into Scandinavia! Architecture & design are her specialties! 

Just the other day, Mom was telling me that Interior Designers ALWAYS work out of their homes. I snapped this on 17th ave.

Pretty little fairy garden!

Greg & Duke - what a handsome pair!