And the follicles reunite ...

Here are a few updates on hairgrowth.
The first two pictures were taken May 15th-- approx. 3 1/2 months post-chemo.
The second two pictures were taken June 1st--approx. 4 months post-chemo.

Follow-up Appointment #1 ... Eek

As if I did not have enough on my plate post-chemo, my first check-up snuck up on me very quickly. I had been trying to push ideas associated with that appointment as far away from my mind as possible. What is the point in worrying about something you have absolutely no control over? Why spend the time you have worrying about the future, when you can easily spend your time focusing on the present and what is happening now? And, to be perfectly honest, I had a calm feeling of reassurance somewhere within myself that was telling me that I needed not to worry and that everything was going to be fine.



Thinking about the appointment, however, was difficult to avoid, mainly due to the interest of others concerning my progress. For instance, I went to the dentist for my annual cleaning just a few days before the appointment. This was the first time I had been to the dentist since my diagnosis, so she was quite interested in knowing the details of what I had been through. "So when was your last treatment?" she asked. I replied that I received my final treatment in February. "Oh so you must have a follow-up coming soon then, eh?" I nodded my head. "You must be a nervous wreck about that, are you?" she asked. The answer to this question was by no means black and white and I quickly attempted to gather all the little inklings of thoughts together that concerned the appointment to give her a straightforward reply: "No, I think I'm pretty confident about the appointment, actually." I smiled. Am I being braizen?

The day of the appointment was a little different, however. As I went about my usual morning routine, I thought about the possibilities for this appointment. What if they were to say that my tests were not clear? What if I am being too confident? I tried my best to push these thoughts as far away from my mind as possible and soon arrived at the hospital. The usual routine for appointments unfolded-- check in at the front desk, wait, see the nurse to get some routine stuff done (like blood pressure, weight, pulse, etc.), wait ... again. Fortunately, my wait to see the doctor was much shorter this time than previous appointments. However, it was the female doctor who helps Dr. MacCormick who arrived to greet me once again. I thought for sure I would at least see my own oncologist for my follow-up appointments. But I guess not.

The doctor asked me general questions about how I was coming along and allowed me to ask her some questions of my own. She then wrote me a prescription for Tamoxifen and began to gather up her things. Wait a minute ... what about the results for the bloodwork I had done last week? A strange look must have overcome me: "And ... my tests results were..." She looked startled: "Oh yes!!! That's the reason you are here isn't it?!?!" She laughed. "All your test results were absolutely perfect, hunny. You are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside." How nice. I felt a wave of relief overcome me, but at the same time thought the whole appointment was a little unprofessional.

Nonetheless, I was filled with feelings of excitement, happiness, relief, and freedom as I left the hospital. All I can do now is hope that I will be just as fortunate in the future ....