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Scary! Boo!

31 Oct

Pink Ink…

Happy Halloween!  As the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I would give you a few bonus Chemo Beauty Tips!

It’s all about the head!

That’s right! THE HEAD!  What do people think about when you mention chemo?  First, the nausea.  Then, the hair falling out!  Everyone has their own take on what to do when the hair begins to fall out.  Whether you decide to wear a wig, turban, scarves or go bald there are some things you should know.  But first, the basics.

What to expect:

Any doctor will give you the disclaimer:
“ Your hair may not fall out.”

I have yet to meet the breast cancer patient whose hair hasn’t fallen out, so we will move on.  If you are like most of us, the hair will start to thin after the 2nd treatment, and completely fall out by the 3rd.

Tip: Go wig shopping BEFORE your hair falls out!

This allows the wig fitter to see what you look like with hair.  This is helpful especially if you want a wig to match your real hair.  But don’t be afraid to use this time to sample new hair lengths, and colors!  Take a friend with you, and have fun trying new looks! Take pictures!  PS: Don’t forget a wig cap!

Bonus tip: Take your wig to your stylist.

Don’t you hate to see wigs…that are clearly wigs!  Don’t be that gal!  Ask your stylist to trim your wig or put in some highlights! It makes a difference!

Tip: Take control of the balding:

Off with the hair!

When I started to see me hair really thin out, I decided to be in control of my situation.  My family and I had a shaving party…on Halloween!  If you think you are going to be emotional over losing your hair, shave it before you wake up and find it on your pillow! Watching my hair swirl down the shower drain was much more stressful than shaving it off! Once it’s off, don’t forget to moisturize the scalp…EVERYDAY!

Bonus tip: Use conditioner on your scalp when you shower!  Also Moroccan Oil is a great product to keep your head moist and with a very light sheen.  Nothing is worse than an itchy scalp.

Tip: Have fun!

That may sound crazy.  But if you are going through chemo, you are going to be bald for a while.  Why not switch it up?

  • Rock the Baldy.  It may sound daunting.  But after the 1stfew days, you forget that you don’t have hair!  It is a great feeling to get in the shower and have the water roll off your head.  BUT if you decide to rock a baldy, don’t forget your face! (See previous post!) Also, don’t be afraid to dust some bronzer on your head!  Then wear your baldy with pride!  Don’t use the excuse “I don’t have the head for it.”  As hard as it may be, celebrate the fact that you are still alive and kicking cancer’s butt!

    Bald & Beautiful

  • Scarves are a good alternative to wigs! They come in all shapes and sizes.  You can wear them like bandanas, turbans, or JLo style!!  Throw on some big earrings and BAM! It takes some practice. Check out YouTube or practice in the mirror.

    Wrap it up!

  • Hats!  Again, don’t be afraid to switch it up!  Don’t feel like putting the wig back on to go to the grocery store.  Grab a hat!  Add earrings, some lip-gloss, and go!

    Wig it out!

Hope you enjoyed this Halloween treat!  Remember, being bald doesn’t have to be…scary! Boo!

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Essentials

25 Oct

Pink Ink…

Day 3 of Chemo Beauty Week!

So we know to hydrate inside and out.  We know that you can still have fab nails.  How about make up?  As chemo starts to affect the body you may see some changes in the texture of your skin.  I developed dark circles under my eyes, and lost my eyebrows and eyelashes.  Before Chemo, I wasn’t a “full face” kind of gal.  But I soon realized that this was not the time to go without make up or skin care.  So to avoid looking like an alien, I put together my make up first aid kit.

Tip #3: Don’t forget the face essentials!

Below are MY face essentials.  Use what feels right to you!  But remember, every gal benefits from some concealer, bronzer and lip-gloss!

My face essentials!

  • Oil of Olay Complete: This is a great moisturizer that also has SPF in it, to protect the skin.
  • Fiberwig Massacre:  My eyelashes didn’t fall out immediately.  I put a very light coat of massacre on when they started to thin.  Be careful when washing the face, so you don’t inadvertently pull them out!   (Available at Sephora or Ricky’s)
  • Stencils by Anastasia: RUN to get these stencils even if you aren’t going through chemo!  The pack comes with several sizes and shapes.  They are easy to use and don’t give that “drawn on” look.  I now use one of the shapes for my real brows!
  • Baby Tip: Use a pencil to draw them on in SHORT strokes.  Then blend in powder after you get the shape.  The pencil helps it look natural.
  • MAC Prep & Primer:  Use this after your moisturizer and before your blush/bronzer. It helps set your make up and extends the wear.
  • MAC Bronzer: For that all over glow.
  • MAC Lip Glass:  I kept a Lip Glass or Lustreglass with me at all times. There are too many shades to count.  It doesn’t wear off and adds a light sheen.
  • Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener: A must for ANY gal!  No better product to cover those under eye circles.

So there you have it!  These products will work if you are going through chemo or not.

Remember, every girl needs her…essentials!

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Do Something

23 Oct

Pink Ink…

Day 2 of Chemo Beauty Week!

There is nothing worse than a person who has raggedy nails!  Ok, not really.  But who doesn’t want their hands and feet to look nice?  Even before I started chemo, I struggled to keep a nice manicure.  I blame 15 years of piano lessons! Over the years I have learned to tolerate my short nails, but I make sure my toes are always done.  Always!  So imagine my chagrin when my nails were destroyed by chemo.

Nails are attacked by chemo in the same way that hair is attacked.  It’s the destruction of the cells!  So nails dry out. They become discolored, or black. They become ridged or can even fall off!  They even become a nesting place for bacteria! So what do to do?

Tip #2 Take care of your nails!

This is the time to pay particular attention to your nails.

  • Keep your hands CLEAN!
  • Cut your nails short.
  • Moisturize your nail bed to prevent drying or peeling of your cuticle. BUT…
  • DON’T cut your cuticles!  Use cuticle cream to GENTLY push back the nail.
  • Bring your own tools to the salon!  This is a must!
  • Forgo the callous remover! The skin is too sensitive, dry and thin! Try lathering up in lotion or vaseline,  and sleeping in socks.
  • Say NO to acetone polish remover! It also dries out the nail ad makes them brittle.
  • Time to say goodbye to the acrylic nails or gel nails!  They are a breeding ground for bacteria.
  • Wear gloves while doing chores or washing dishes.

The good news is that you can still wear polish! In fact, try to keep your nails polished because it can help make them stronger and protect the nails from splitting and germs. 

I preferred darker polishes as my toe nails got darker.  I kept my hand nails simple with just a pale pink.  Fortunately they didn’t get too dark, just covered with lines and deep ridges.  By the way, it can take months after chemo to grow out the darker pigmentation and ridges.  I ‘m still at it six months later!

If you get nauseous and are worried about the smells of a salon, ask a friend to come do your nails!  So many people say they “don’t know what to do” for someone who’s getting chemo.  Well here’s your answer!

At the end of the day, getting a manicure or pedicure may seem frivolous or too much work when you are fighting for your life!  That’s ok.  I never felt that way.  It helped me feel “normal”.  It helped me feel pretty.  I saw women who had designs on their nails, and others who just wore clear.  Going through chemo is tough, so it’s up to you to decide what makes you feel good.

Just remember to…do something!

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Refresher of the world

22 Oct

Pink Ink…

It’s Chemo Beauty week!

Newsflash!  Chemo stinks!  It wreaks havoc on your body mentally and physically!  But are there things that can be done to help you feel or look better?  Of course there are!  So check back each day for a new chemo beauty tip!

Tip #1: MOISTURIZE AND HYDRATE!

This is probably the most important tip to those going through chemotherapy treatment!  Water is your friend!  Drink as much water as possible to help flush the drugs through your system.  The recommended amount is 2 quarts a day.  I drank a bottle on the way to the hospital to get me going.  Then I forced a bottle down on the way home.  After that, I tried to drink a bottle every couple of hours, making sure I did a full bottle before bed.  There were times when the nausea really made it difficult.  But this was one tip all the doctors agreed on.  Hydrate from the inside out!

Don’t forget to also MOISTURIZE the skin!  Chemo skin tends to dry out, which could lead to itchiness or peeling.  Using a mild, unscented, non-alcoholic moisturizer or cream can work wonders.  Look for lanolin in the list of ingredients, as it “locks in” moisture.  Baby oil is another good suggestion.

Don’t forget sun block! Chemo can affect the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Try to avoid lengthy exposure to the sun!

Finally, try cool showers.  Chemo is not the time for long hot baths or showers!

Water is the 1st step in looking and feeling better during chemo! Try it!

Remember.  “Water is the mother of the vine…the adorner and…refresher of the world.” -McKay

 

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We Laughed

11 Oct

Pink Ink…

Chemotherapy is the use of strong drugs used to stop the growth of tumors.  Chemo also kills cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.  The length of the treatment and the drugs given, depends on the type of cancer. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, early menopause, mouth sores, weight gain, and memory loss (chemo brain).

This is about all the information that a person diagnosed with cancer, receives.  And really, what more do you need?  Yes, I did hear the names of medicines I was given, but to this day, can’t pronounce them.  Yes, I had all the side effects, and them some!

Are you a caregiver, friend or family member who wants to do something to make chemo “easier”?  I’ve got the answer!  Create a chemo bag.  One of my closest friends gave me a bag that I took to every chemo appointment, and every surgery.   Often, people who have had chemo say they don’t want to keep anything from their chemo days.  Not me.  This bag has come to represent comfort for me, and my family.  Perhaps you can give someone this gift.

Inside the bag?

My chemo bag!

  • Blanket: It gets cold in the chemo suites.  Warm sheets don’t cut it.
  • Socks: Helps the feet stay warm.
  • Lemon or ginger sucking candies:  These help with the nausea.
  • Magazines: I could barely stay awake during chemo, but the magazines came in handy.
  • Potpourri bag or small scented pillow: This was the best thing in the bag.  My bag was filled with eucalyptus and lavender.  When a person gets chemo, the nurses must “flush” the needle with saline.  For some, the saline can cause nausea. (Me!)  The solution is usually holding an alcohol wipe under the nose.  The potpourri works MUCH better.  I still use mine whenever I have to have blood drawn, or an IV is inserted.
  • Journal: As the drugs course through the body, random thoughts come…and GO! Chemo brain kicks in pretty quick.  The journal is a place to collect random thoughts, make lists, etc.  I love to look back and see what I wrote during those 1st few treatments.
  • Small picture frame or book:  Most chemo suites discourage the use of cell phones. (so no pictures, or internet!)  I kept a picture of my husband and daughter with me.  Their smiles gave me strength.
  • Lotion and lip balm: Skin gets really dry!

 

Over the months, I added things like crackers, and my Ipad.  It may seem like a lot.  But chemo can last anywhere from 2 -6 hours, or longer!  Mine averaged 4.5.  Anything that can make the time go faster, or be more comfortable, is a bonus.

One more tip for the caregiver.  Immediately re-pack the bag when you return home.  Then the bag is ready to go the next time chemo rolls around.

I started chemo a year ago yesterday.

Time flies when you are fighting!

Tip for the Survivor:Don’t forget to thank your Chemo Crew!  They work hard to make a bad situation…tolerable!  Yesterday I took treats to thank my nurses for all the care and attention they showed me last year!  These are the people we scowl at, and throw up on.  Many times, the nurses are literally wiping up our blood, sweat and tears! By the time we are done with chemo, we just want to run and not look back. The least I could do was thank them for their care!

My Chemo Crew a year later!

Yesterday, as I walked away, I turned and said, “I hope I never see you again.”

Together…we laughed.

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