Today was a mix of doctor's appointments and back to work for more interviews.
As I was getting ready, I knew I needed to dress up more than an average Friday (conducting interviews and all). I picked out my outfit first, and when went to my amazing collection of scarves to select a fun color for my head. The choice was easy… a beautiful pink scarf Abby had given me. As I was getting dressed, I decided… I'll bring the scarf to the hospital, but now is my chance to check out being bald in a friendly hospital environment. At the time, I had every intention to wear the scarf to work.
I had my first check-in with the oncology team today. Blood work is normal! No new symptoms of concern. Week 1 check-in, a success. What was so incredible was how the team in the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center greeted us when we walked in. Last week we arrived, and were greeted with congratulations on our marriage. Today, we walked in and everyone was so excited to see my shaved head. Dr. Tjoe's NP, Mae, came running across the office and practically jumped into my arms with a big hug. I feel so fortunate to have all of these amazing woman with me on this journey. While we were waiting for the blood tests, we cruised across the street to meet with a Cardiologist, Dr. Allaqaband. Dr. Flej thought it would helpful for me to get a baseline consult, which I appreciated given my concerns about the heart risk. It was refreshing to hear that he wasn't too concerned about the Adriamycin risk to my heart (Herceptin, given to patients whose cancer tests positive for HER2/neu, is the one he said would be much more of a risk). We talked about my heart performance currently and a couple precautionary things we can do to monitor it a bit more closely to see early signs of a concern through an additional blood test a week after each chemo treatment.
Then off to work. I dropped of Heather at home, and decided… forget putting this scarf on my head, I'm keeping it around my neck. Then I was off to Waukesha for an afternoon of interviews. On the way, I was able to meet with my work friend Katie, who I realized I hadn't talked to since I found the lump. Have to say… the people at Panera in Pewaukee for lunch need to get a clue. Way to stare people… no, I am not a leper and it's not ok to stare at people like that. Good thing I'm stronger than you and I could care less how much you stare. In my head it goes like this… "look at those beautiful blue eye and high cheek bones". Ha! When Katie got there and I didn't care any more… and it was so great to catch up! It was entertaining telling her about all of the GE equipment used during this journey. Katie supports one of the imaging machines in the Nuclear Med business they used to do my bone scan. Before this experience, she's described the machine to me, and it sounded scary. Safe to say… it was more scary to be in the machine.
As soon as I walked into the office, I felt so much love from my new GE Global Services team. I've known many of them for years, but only started working with many them recently. I felt like a celebrity walking around the building… receiving so much support for my shaved head, support for wearing it proudly, and even a few requests to rub it. I feel so blessed to have them as colleagues. The interviews were a success… and my unexpected rock'n it bald to work was too.
After a day like that, I had all the courage to head out to dinner in our lovely neighborhood of the Third Ward, wearing my work outfit. It was great… and now I know I have the strength to do this whenever I want. Thank you mother nature for giving us 40 degree temperatures today, so that the experience wasn't as cold as it could have been.
As I was getting ready, I knew I needed to dress up more than an average Friday (conducting interviews and all). I picked out my outfit first, and when went to my amazing collection of scarves to select a fun color for my head. The choice was easy… a beautiful pink scarf Abby had given me. As I was getting dressed, I decided… I'll bring the scarf to the hospital, but now is my chance to check out being bald in a friendly hospital environment. At the time, I had every intention to wear the scarf to work.
I had my first check-in with the oncology team today. Blood work is normal! No new symptoms of concern. Week 1 check-in, a success. What was so incredible was how the team in the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center greeted us when we walked in. Last week we arrived, and were greeted with congratulations on our marriage. Today, we walked in and everyone was so excited to see my shaved head. Dr. Tjoe's NP, Mae, came running across the office and practically jumped into my arms with a big hug. I feel so fortunate to have all of these amazing woman with me on this journey. While we were waiting for the blood tests, we cruised across the street to meet with a Cardiologist, Dr. Allaqaband. Dr. Flej thought it would helpful for me to get a baseline consult, which I appreciated given my concerns about the heart risk. It was refreshing to hear that he wasn't too concerned about the Adriamycin risk to my heart (Herceptin, given to patients whose cancer tests positive for HER2/neu, is the one he said would be much more of a risk). We talked about my heart performance currently and a couple precautionary things we can do to monitor it a bit more closely to see early signs of a concern through an additional blood test a week after each chemo treatment.
Then off to work. I dropped of Heather at home, and decided… forget putting this scarf on my head, I'm keeping it around my neck. Then I was off to Waukesha for an afternoon of interviews. On the way, I was able to meet with my work friend Katie, who I realized I hadn't talked to since I found the lump. Have to say… the people at Panera in Pewaukee for lunch need to get a clue. Way to stare people… no, I am not a leper and it's not ok to stare at people like that. Good thing I'm stronger than you and I could care less how much you stare. In my head it goes like this… "look at those beautiful blue eye and high cheek bones". Ha! When Katie got there and I didn't care any more… and it was so great to catch up! It was entertaining telling her about all of the GE equipment used during this journey. Katie supports one of the imaging machines in the Nuclear Med business they used to do my bone scan. Before this experience, she's described the machine to me, and it sounded scary. Safe to say… it was more scary to be in the machine.
As soon as I walked into the office, I felt so much love from my new GE Global Services team. I've known many of them for years, but only started working with many them recently. I felt like a celebrity walking around the building… receiving so much support for my shaved head, support for wearing it proudly, and even a few requests to rub it. I feel so blessed to have them as colleagues. The interviews were a success… and my unexpected rock'n it bald to work was too.
After a day like that, I had all the courage to head out to dinner in our lovely neighborhood of the Third Ward, wearing my work outfit. It was great… and now I know I have the strength to do this whenever I want. Thank you mother nature for giving us 40 degree temperatures today, so that the experience wasn't as cold as it could have been.