I started losing my hair today.

For the past couple of days, my scalp has felt “tingly” and when I brushed my hair, or ran my fingers through it, the hair “hurt”. So I wasn’t really shocked during my shower this morning, when I went to scoop the wet hair off my face and a clump of hair stayed in my palm.

But I won’t lie. There were tears.

Then I started chanting to myself, “It’s OK. You knew this would happen. It will grow back. Now, suck it up.” After a minute or so, I got myself under control.

So what if there are clumps of hair on the floor of my shower? Seriously, if this is the worse thing that happens to me this week, I’ve still got it better than 75% of the other patients at the GHS Cancer Center. And I’ve already started collecting cute/funky caps to wear when all the hair is gone. (More on that in a future post).

So from that emotional low, the day definitely got better.

Had my “pre-chemo” blood work today and saw my GYN Oncologist for a 5-week post-op exam. Blood work looks great, so I’m set for my second round of chemo on Thursday (Feb. 15).

The doctor was very pleased with my progress, and even told me he was proud of me for being such a compliant patient. (As part of the post-surgery protocol, I had to inject myself in belly twice a day to prevent blood clots. Sure, it isn’t my favorite thing, but I did it! I guess some of his patients wimp out halfway through.)

Looking ahead, I’m scheduled for round three of chemo on March 8. Mom and I are talking about doing a “halfway” celebration, a trip to Savannah, Ga. for St. Patrick’s Day weekend. I should be through the worst of the chemo side effects by then and ready to check off one of the trips we’ve planned to take ever since we moved to SC.

I’ve also started thinking about treating myself to a spa weekend after I finish both chemo and radiation — most likely in early July. The Camelback Inn and Spa in Scottsdale is calling my name…

It really helps to have these goals. Honestly, I don’t know how other people cope with this type of illness, but as long as I have something to work towards, something to plan for and anticipate, I can get through the little daily bumps in the road and deal with the hair clumps on my floor.

So after 19 days, it’s Susan – 1, Cancer – 0. Suck it, cancer!