Accessories

In a few hours, in approximately 6.5 hours, I'll be going to get my newest accessory. I'll be getting a port inserted into my upper chest wall. That will be the route I will receive chemo for over the next several weeks.

It's starting to become more and more real. I was diagnosed. I had surgery. I know I have to undergo treatment. But deep down in my naïveté (I hope that is grammatically correct) I've been wishing that I would be told "ok Chidi, you've had surgery, you're all done; go on as if nothing has happened".

It's quarter to midnight. I have to be at the hospital by 6 am. I should be sleeping but I can't. I'm not nervous about the procedure. It's minor. I'm nervous about the days, the weeks, the months to come.

I like to dress. T'is the season to be merry. There are parties to attend this month. I'm already starting to wonder how visible  the port is going to be.  I attended the class, it will be a slight induration. I know, I'm being vain; but will I be able to wear a low cut blouse or shirt? My beautiful traditional attires? I already have a scar, am I psychologically ready for this new accessory that is going to be the portal of the substance that will affect how I feel? Change how I look?

I'm trusting. I'm faithful. I'm thankful. I'm trying to hold on. I'm trying to keep my head up. Many before me have travelled down this road successfully. Many more will travel down this road successfully with me. We join together and roar!  We join together as gladiators against this foe. We are conquerors.  WE ARE CHAMPIONS!!

You are the first line of defense in the battle to keep healthy. Love yourself. Love your body. Love God.

As promised, please see the attached Age appropriate health screening recommendations sent to me courtesy of my own personal person Dr. Uche Nwaogwugwu (FYI for those who don't know and think that they have a son who will marry her princess; please back off. My son is being groomed for her. We are going correct!) Shout out to Uche & Chigozirim!

https://www.facebook.com/ajax/messaging/attachment.php?attach_id=fd15bed2-68f3-4096-bb27-20742106a22b&mid=id.182592485275509&hash=AQDfn2MUVG6vXkfo

God bless you all. Love youse!!!!

psst!  Check your breasts. 

 

IT'S ON & POPPING NOW!!

So it's been a hot minute since I last posted something and I will start off by apologizing; I said in my last post that I would post health screening recommendations in my next post.  I don't have the information put together yet.  Sorry.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving, I sure enjoyed mine!!  Looking forward to being with family and friends on Christmas & New Years day.

So, the ball is rolling, things have been put into place and now the challenge really begins.
I've have met with various Specialists regarding my care and it has now boiled down to this;
per the Medical Oncologist, I had a "hyperactive" tumor.  It had "ADHD" (her words.  Not mine).  It was a busy little sucker, it was proliferating like the waist of an Igbo girl dancing "anya nto n'ukwu", or an African girl dancing makossa or soukous, or a girl doing that new dance that they call "twerking" (ummm, not the Miley Cyrus version though).  That has them concerned.  Also with some fancy testing they did, I fall in the "gray area" my case is not typical (I've always been told, I was special; now I'm thinking that it was not always in a positive way).  So the treatment regimen will be Chemotherapy (5 months), then Radiation (2 months), then taking a pill called tamoxifen daily for a minimum of 5 years.

I had chemo teaching today. It hit me that this is truly real and happening.  It involves much more than just having had surgery.  I will receive Cytoxan & Taxotene. I was able to convince them to let me start after Christmas,  so the big day will be December 30th.  I will have to have a minor surgical procedure to implant a port in my chest to receive the chemo infusion, I will have to take steroids before & after treatments, I will have to receive neulasta a growth stimulating factor to prevent my white blood cell count from dropping to low.  Interesting lifestyle changes will also have to occur (much to hubby's chagrin & my delight :) ) 

I attended a class today called "Look Good, Feel Better Every Day; Helping women with cancer" and it was indeed very informative.  I will most likely have skin changes and will need to change skin care products and make-up.  I will most likely loose my hair.  I tried, fitted and was given a wig in case I need it (they don't know what they did, the hair monster from my past is gonna re-surface!  Those who knew me pre my current hair style knew that I could rock the hell outta of a weave).  I was taught how to tie a turban & scarf in a fancy, attractive way ( I know now, I be Naija babe proper, proper.  I already know how to tie one, but hey, I let her use my dome to demonstrate and I sure ohhed & ahhed like other participant's at the end result.  What else was I supposed to do?) I learned that I should not trim/cut my cuticles while on treatment to help prevent infection.  I should make sure I use nail polish that doesn't contain formaldehyde (nna mehn, can you imagine?? I never knew that nail polish contained formaldehyde, and since it does, why the hell does my nail polish not last till kingdom come??).  I was told that my finger & toe-nails may turn brownish-black (seriously?)

I know it is going to be a rough journey, but the end of my story is VICTORIOUS and that is all that matters. TEAM CHIDI is in full effect and they are rocking with me so it's gonna be a'ight!! Like Cece Winan's sang

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone
He'll carry us when we can't carry on
Raised in his power the weak becomes strong
His strength is perfect

His strength is perfect

My journey is well on it's way.  Thanks for taking this trip with me.  It will soon be over.  God bless and Happy Holidays!!

p.s.  It's the holidays.  Gift yourself and check your breasts