Update+Preparing to Lose my Hair
First of all, I want to say how absolutely overwhelmed my family and I are from all of the love and support that we've already received the last few days. I can't even put into words how grateful I am feeling right now... despite having this stupid cancer in my boobies. We've had quite a few people reach out wanting to know how they can send us donations, so we have gone ahead and created a GoFundMe that will help relieve some of the financial stress that goes hand in hand with cancer.
The GoFundMe for my battle against breast cancer: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jesses-fight-against-breast-cancer
A quick update on my breast cancer journey from the last fews days:
Yesterday I had an electrocardiogram so the doctors could take a look at my heart and get a baseline of it prior to me beginning treatment later this week. They will monitor my heart throughout/after treatment and compare it to the baseline to make sure I have no/minimal damage to my heart from the medications I will be taking.
Today I had a COVID test that was needed prior to my surgery on Thursday and then I just wrapped up a breast MRI, which will help my team of doctors to measure the size of the cancer, look for other tumors in my breast, and to check for tumors in my right breast. I will hopefully have the results from the MRI back from my doctor in 24-48 hours. Trying to remain optimistic that it will be good news!
Up next this week I have: PET scan, surgery on Thursday to put my port in, and last but not least... chemo round #1 on Friday! I am nervous but eager to get started with my chemo infusions. The sooner we start, the sooner we start to kill this cancer and the sooner we can take the next step on this journey.
As it is really starting to set in with me that I will be starting chemo this week, it is also setting in that my time with my long natural hair is likely going to come to an end very soon. The reality is that in just a few short weeks I am going to begin losing my hair. My hair that I love more than anything. My hair that I have used as a security blanket to cover and hide my insecurities for a very long time. I was sure that no matter what kind of hat, wig, scarf, etc., I wore I would still be insecure and not feel as beautiful or like myself. On a whim today, I stopped by a local KC wig shop just to check it out.... and I am SO glad that I did. I didn't realize how much fun wigs could be! I left the wig shop not feeling as scared about losing my hair because the wigs I tried on today showed me that I can still feel beautiful and confident without my natural hair.
I've added some pictures of the wigs and hat wigs I tried on today. Sorry that they are all sideways! Not sure why they won't rotate, but I gave up after about 15 minutes of trying! 😂
All in all, it's been a good week so far and I plan on riding these good vibes all the way through this battle against breast cancer.
Fiercely,
Jesse 💖