Hair loss

Wednesday July 2nd ,Grace went for Labs to see if she needed a transfusion. Her counts were within range for a patient going through chemo. This appointment we had to go to the hospital for (I hope I remember this correctly) because 7 days after the first dose of chemo is when her numbers drop the lowest. So if she needs a transfusion she is right there ready to get it. Her numbers were good, no transfusion needed. This will happen with every cycle.

Wednesday July 9th , we were able to go to a closer branch of the hospital to do labs because it was less likely that she would need a transfusion but they still need to track her numbers.

So it’s chemo on week 1 , then labs weeks 2&3 . Then the cycle starts again. On Wednesday, July 16th she will go in again for cycle 2 of chemo.

Wednesday, July 9th is also the day she noticed her hair starting to fall out. You know how it feels when you have a random hair on you that is annoying you but you can’t seem to see it to get it off. That’s how it starts, except times 20. When she brushes her hair the brush fills with hair enough that she has to empty it twice before she’s done brushing it.

This started Wednesday, she went to camp Thursday and when we picked her up, the hair loss was noticeable to us. You can see her scalp. The poof of curls and sides are so much thinner.

She jumped in the shower and came out with her night cap ( curly hair needs a silky night cap) on already. I gave her a quizzical look, she said,” I hate this part” as she took off her cap and started crying over the amount of hair loss. So my 12 year old daughter who is taller than me, crawled on my lap as we both cried. She doesn’t want to go to camp now. She doesn’t want people staring at her or making fun of her or avoiding looking at her at all. I remember this part. The awkward stares , the cashiers who won’t make eye contact , the little kids,” mommy look at the bald girl” Last time she was SUCH a trooper. She didn’t want to wear the wigs. They are hot and itchy. She just said this is me…it’s a little different in 3rd and 4th grade than now that she’s entering seventh grade . It’s hard even for tough cookies… it’s hard….

this morning she woke up with a huge knot in the back of her hair. When I went to look at it, I could lift it up off her head like a toupee. I have never seen anything like it. We tried for about an hour to get it untangled before she decided. Let’s just shave it.

It just started Wednesday and iead completely noticeable 24 hours later. Begin to expect hair loss 2-4 weeks after chemo. So here we are week 3.. right on track…not just with hair loss but now bald.

I want to thank everyone who bought her chemo hats. Thank you , Thank you ,Thank you to everyone who is helping out . From gas gift cards and protein shakes, to watching the girls or sending articles about foods that fight cancer. Thank you so much . We appreciate it all and everyone of you!