Welcome to my blog!   Thanks to my niece, Niki, for encouraging me to to do this and also to Merry for helping with the set up.  So, looks like I am on my way.  Thought this might be easier for all of you to "check in on me" at your convenience.  As most of you know, I had to shave my head on Tuesday.  I awoke to a "nest" of hair on my pillow.  I had already had my hair cut super short which was a shock in itself but then the next step came pretty quickly.  I called Sue right away to ask her to shave it for me.  She didn't hesitate and said she would be right over.  So, Sue and Pres were with me for the big step.  Pres, god love her, was amazing - comforting me when I broke down.  Sue is one of the STRONGEST women I know and got me through each step.  So, it is done.  It is over.  Another step.  I am happy that I at least had reference of the coneheads from Saturday Night live because I could fit right in to that script!  Pres called Mark and told him to give him some warning.  Of course, he was steady and strong and totally not put off by my shaved head.  He told me I looked like Jamie Lee Curtis!  That is why I married that guy!

I was well prepared with scarves, hats and a wig.  I wore a scarve and hat my first day OUT with no hair.  Stopped at the gas station and felt like I had to explain to the guy that I see every morning that I was going through chemo and had to shave my head.  He could have cared LESS!  Another lesson, don't feel like you have to explain everything to everyone!  I have a very supportive group of women that I work with and they all told me how chic I looked which helped.  I none the less felt like I was "dressing up" in a costume for the day and tomorrow I would go back to normal - not the case.  I wasn't able to look at myself in the mirror totally bald since Tuesday but this morning I put my make up on sans hat and I really am getting use to it.  Today, I wore my wig which I had worn a couple of times this week with my short hair.  One of the girls I work with said "Joan, you have a tag sticking out of your hair".  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!  They put TAGS on wigs????  For gods sake, so another lesson.......snip out the tags.  I was so worried that people would know it was a wig and I might as well had a sign on that said "Yes, I'm wearing a wig"......

So, this is my first entry......I think this will be very cathartic for me.  Occassionally, I am sure it will be TMI but you are my friends, my family, my support so I know you will stick with me.  I will play with the fonts and colors later.   I hope to end with an occasional inspirational quote each time from a friend who is sending them to me in her cards.

Pic is of me and my inspiration, Jake!


"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ....Charles Austin Beard