Winter has hit Cape Breton. Starting at noon yesterday the snow started to fall, and it has continued all night and into today. Our internet went down in the afternoon yesterday and did not return until late last night. We are all settled into the house again, and we are enjoying the tree, the snow and the cats. Michellie took Sam home yesterday after his stay. We had a wonderful Christmas-like dinner with him the night before, and we enjoyed each other's company after finally feeling rested. Michellie rested the afternoon yesterday, and then had a chance to catch up with Justine for a bit.
Michelle finally has the energy to begin the healing work that she can do for the whole family. She began balancing Michellie for hair growth, and minimizing the effects of the chemo. If anyone is interested in knowing more about this, Michelle will be archiving this experience for later. Late in the evening yesterday, Michellie started having pieces of hair descend from her head. This was a little disconcerting, so another balance was instigated to calm Michellie's fears.
Today we headed to Inverness for our first round of the blood tests. They are all set for her and we now know what the drill will be when we head there. Then we headed to the school to give Michellie a chance to catch up with her friends. She was very eager to see everyone, as they were to see her. Michellie wore the hat Hazel had knit for her, and she was all smiles. Michelle and David met with the liason person that will be assisting Michellie with her transitions in and out of school. We feel very confident that Michellie will continue to feel a part of the school and all the friends and teachers that she has gotten to know this fall. Big sigh!
So, home for lunch, vitamins and rest. Michellie is organizing her room to get rid of the clutter (she has always been so organized with her things), and to set up an alter to do meditations at. The back of her head is hurting, and there is hair coming down. We have balanced her again for this. She does not seem so much fearful, as just bothered by the itchiness and the dull ache on her head.
For all of you wonderful souls who have shared healing knowledge, websites, book titles etc. I, Michelle, thank you all for the incredible wisdom you have sent our way. When the internet is up and running, I will be perusing the sites you have sent. I am a voracious reader, and I will try to get through all that you have sent. Any healing wisdom will be applied as needed, and I will be documenting everything to know what may have helped or shifted each of us. All of the wonderful wishes are heard by Michellie and she is always happy to receive any pictures or stories. We have tried to connect with more people by phone as we have felt able, and we thank everyone for messaging, rather than phoning so that we can read and reply as we can. Once again, all of your prayers are making a difference for us, and we appreciate how you have kept us in your hearts.
Hair loss is a tough time,hon
ReplyDelete-been there
-> done that
->didn't like it.
It grows back quickly AND most importantly it means that the chemo is working its magic.
We love you, whether you have hair or not.
Grammy & Grampy
Ah, the joy of being home in one's own space! You can just feel the healing happening in your body.
ReplyDeleteWow, Michellie looks so grown-up in the new do! She and Sam make a cute couple. Does he live at all nearby, I wonder.
Yeah, for some reason, some of us find hair loss itchy and painful in the actual hair follicles, something I never found anything written about in any literature anywhere.
If you can find ways to balance Michellie's soul through the process, that will be miraculous. Hair loss seems to make the whole thing sink in, staring you in the face as you look in the mirror, happening right when the initial shock / adrenalin wears off and high activity settles down. The good news is that these meds are predicted to cause hair loss, just as they're predicted to cure the cancer, and you want them to work as predicted!
So she is reasserting her control over the parts of her life she can control by cleaning her room, pitching out clutter, preparing a safe haven for meditation! Cancer is such a blow to one's sense of control so great that she realizes there are some aspects she can still control. The tangible nature of rearranging stuff is very comforting at these times! (I volunteered at the food bank once I was well enough after treatment and found such pleasure in stocking the shelves and picking the order, jobs I normally would class as boring!)
Your blog is great, Michelle -- the writing style, the detail, the emotions you capture. And we all wait with bated breath for the next post, hoping on your behalf, for healing and light.
I sure wish Michellie was closer...I have clutter!
ReplyDeleteSounds like things have settled down to a routine, that's great. Enjoy the snow, and keep the healing coming.
Hmmm, Susan... you just gave me an idea.... she lives close to me and I have lots of clutter... Michellie, if you read this, give me a call, eh... hehehe
ReplyDeleteSo, so proud of this girl!!
Magic Wand
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a magic wand
To make it go away;
I'd wave my scepter over you
Until you were okay.
I'd think good thoughts; I'd send you love;
I'd transmit healing vibes;
My wand and I would surely beat
Whatever the doc prescribes.
But there is no magic scepter, so
I cannot cast a spell;
Just know you're often in my thoughts,
And I hope you'll soon be well!
Love Grammy & Grampy