Bandana or Wig?

Photos copyright: Maggie May

After the terrible itchiness and skin rashes that I endured following the last few sessions of chemotherapy, I find my skin is still extra sensitive, so I have been wearing colourful bandanas rather than my itchy wig, which I save for Church and then immediately take off when I get home. Why ever do I do this?

I find that I can endure a false fringe if I pad it with tissue under the base of it to stop itchiness and that fits under the scarf and keeps in place.

I think this arrangement suits my personality better too as I feel more artistic when wearing a bandana. I can colour co ordinate my clothes and ring the changes.

I asked myself recently, "Why do I feel I have to wear a wig anyway?"

The answer seems to be because other people think its more normal to wear one.

I have come to the conclusion that next time someone remarks about it again, I will say,"OK then, YOU wear it!"

I am really enjoying the prospect of not having to have any more chemo for the next 3 months. I think that is why I have got over the after effects of my last one so quickly, because I don't want to waste any of this time feeling ill.

I have a CT scan booked for the second week in May. This is for staging purposes and I have been assured by Oncology that they are not expecting to find anything bad on the next scan. After the three months are up, I will have another CT scan. I might allow my self to be worried about that one....... but not yet. I am enjoying my newfound freedom too much.

However...... I am not going to get too obsessed by hair..... just in case I have to have more chemo some time in the future.

Head Wear, Friends and Ice

Photos copyright: Maggie May.

I am wearing scarves mostly because my hair is still shedding very slowly though the scalp has now settled down and is not hurting. However, it is still very itchy and I definitely haven't got nits. Everything is about to change very soon as my son seems to think that he is going to shave my head, for some reason. Maybe it will be payback time for the days when I had to say no to him as a child! What better way than to shave off a mother's hair for revenge! I am waiting for news that he has landed at Heathrow.

I had quite a selection of scarves in my wardrobe, so these ones will *see me through* chemo I should think.

I did buy the little hat from a company that supplies chemotherapy patients with head gear. It comes with different bands to clip round the edge to make it look like I had a few different hats.

Of course wearing a winter hat, no one knows what is under there, hair or no hair.

The weather is still too icy for me to go out but yesterday I had three visitors during the afternoon.

The first was from my lovely young neighbour across the road (who has 2 young children) and who I have never really got to know very well because she has only been in the house a relatively short time and I have always been scurrying here, there and everywhere on my way to work and ferrying the grandchildren to some place or other. However we have always passed a few words of greeting on our brief encounters and it was really lovely to get to know her better and she brought me a delicious banana cake, still warm from the oven.

The second visitor was a good neighbour and friend from along the road. When we both had cats (two each) we used to look after them for each other at holiday times thus saving ourselves much money in cattery fees. As our cats sadly died of old age, one by one, we were still available to house watch for each other. So I was fascinated when C brought a long a stick with a spike on the end, that she had bought for rambling. It was an expanding stick with different heights for different sized walkers and C said that if she felt she was slipping, the stick would hold her up.

C also was willing to shop for me if I needed anything and I know that I can always ring her if I have a crisis of any kind.

The third friend (N) is the mother of my youngest granddaughter's best friend. She has been a great support to me, calling round and listening to me moan and sharing my fears about my disease and treatment. The school had opened again yesterday, so N popped in to ask if I needed anything on her way to school to collect the children.

All these three friends are much younger than me. In fact they are young enough to be my daughters and I am for ever grateful that they are not put off by me being so much older than them.

When I was younger I used to do the same and adopted several older people who I had regular contact with and was extremely upset when they inevitably died because they seemed to have much to offer me by their friendship and I can honestly say that I still miss them.

It was great to have a good natter to these lovely *youngsters.* I know two of you read my blog, so thank you very much for your kindness and for thinking of me.

Next winter I am going to be better prepared. A friend in Canada Mary G told me about some ice grippers to fit on the end of my shoes. They have spikes or studs. She recommended a firm in the UK where I could get them.

Next year I will be prepared and will not be housebound again. I will get a stick with a point and with my ice-grippers secured to my feet, I will be darting her, there and everywhere. I will not end up being a prisoner like this again.

I will be completely fighting back.

If we get a heat wave next winter, then you know the reason why! Its because I am prepared for snow.

My sister in law told me that I could cut the sleeves off an old pullover and put them over my shoes. She said that this would grip the ice and told me to practice going up and down the road and see if I can balance. I will be doing this, I can assure you. Maybe this will get me to church tomorrow. If I get there, I will wear my wig and shock everyone.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Much appreciated.

Well I tried out my sister in law's idea about putting something over my boots...... so I cut up a M&S Tee shirt and folded a large piece under each boot, tied in knots at the top. Do you know? I walked round the block no problem. I felt like whooping for joy. When I got home I was whooping for joy. I guess I will be going to Church tomorrow after all....... in my wig!