Another strike at vanity

Chemo is poison. It attacks every rapidly-dividing cell in your body.
That's why we lose our hair. That's why our red and white blood cells get destroyed, and we feel weak and are more susceptible to common viruses and bacteria.

Now, formerly I had a skin condition - similar to psoriasis - but according to the dermatologist, not. It was scaley, itchy, weepy, and flakey. A long time ago, I had it all over my hands. Just before chemo it was over both shins and the top of my right foot(nope - not a spot of it on my left foot - go figure)

Now, skin cells are rapidly developing cells.....

That means that the chemo attacked the skin condition --- AND IT COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED!!! Yes!! And since I lost all the hair on my body(including eyebrows and EYELASHES!) I don't have to shave my legs any more. So don't tell me that there aren't any advantages to chemo!!

For a while I was attempting to brush on brown stuff in the shape of eyebrows. But I really wasn't sure exactly where they should go - and the wig has bangs, and I wear glasses and the frames kind of hide that area a bit anyway....

So I had begun to come to terms with the way my body looks right now. But don't get complacent, because there is always a NEW ATTACK on your VANITY.

It seems that toenails and fingernails are rapidly developing. Think about it.....

My fingernails are distorting, discoloring, and peeling from the quick out. The nail underneath is thin and soft. And my toenails are coming off. I don't remember reading about this particular side effect. But yeah - my left big toe nail came totally off today, and the only reason I still have the right one is that I tape it down so it can't catch on a towel or sock.

Ah, vanity lost again!

They lie!

Well, I guess I'm finally ready to blog about cancer. I was diagnosed last Halloween. Trick or treat!!

I had surgery in Dec, and have been having chemo since Jan. When I first visited the oncologist, I had to go to "chemo school." They gave me an entire 3-ring binder full of info. The American Cancer Society and the Breast Center all have lots of thick, glossy brochures - free to the public. They state that 97% of breast cancer patients survive 5 years or more.

They lie.

Patients with MY type of breast cancer, with MY type of treatment, even though I am receiving the very latest-Taxol (and the oldest- Adriamycin Cytoxan, which strangely can't seem to be improved upon) AND will have radiation this summer, have only a 75% 5-year survival rate.

Now, I know that I should be looking at all this from the "Glass is three-quarters full" point of view, but frankly, being a Pollyanna isn't my forte.

I just know one thing: I don't plan on dieing any time soon.

Camel Nantucket Jacket

Nantucket Jacket from Interweave Knits winter 2006

I wanted long sleeves... I also wanted to knit in the round. I think Elizabeth Zimmerman said that tubular body parts should be covered with tubular knits - or something like that. I also hate to seam stuff, and often think that even yarn catalog pictures show horrible seaming...

Another pair for SFS - Lang Jawoll with Dyed-to-match reinforced heels and toes. size 1 bamboo double-point needles

SFS socks

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOCKFORSOLDIERS/

Regia Stretch camo - 11 inch feet shrank to 10.5, 8.25 inch finished size legs - also made a pair of BBS in Regia Stretch Black. The black rubbed off on my fingers as I knit - hand washed and rinsed in vinegar. They also shrank - but I hope they don't bleed any more. I like the new SFS sock band.

Turns out I CAN knit a pair of these socks in four days (4!!!) - but that's only if I am not working - and it kills my hands, so that I can't knit for a couple of days afterward - and I pretty much don't want to.

more CIC sox

Carla donated tapestry wool for CIC socks. This is the first pair. I have enough wool for about 16 more pair. Elsa Williams needlepoint yarn, 32 sts, size 3 Harmony wood needles from Knitpicks