Monday, June 2, 2014

When Life Gives You a Chrome Dome ...

 ... get a henna artist to use it for her canvas :)




A HUGE thanks to Bhupi Rajput - the incredibly talented artist at Henna4you who donates time at HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre as part of their Henna4healing program. I am thrilled to be sporting her amazing artwork on my noggin. Finally - a good use for my head! Bhupi incorporated 3 peacocks into the design - can you spot them? Check out the Henna4You website to find out more.

We were (ok, I was) desperate to go kayaking, but at this stage I am not really to be trusted piloting my own ship, even on a river as tame as the Grand. So we rented a double kayak. Paddling a double was a bit like wallpapering a room together, but we had a lot of fun. It was great to see an osprey, kingfishers, great blue herons, a red tail hawk, and be buzzed by swallows.



I met with my surgeon today. Surgery is scheduled for June 17. It will be a bilateral mastectomy, as well as axillary dissection (lymph node removal) on the left side. The surgeon kindly agreed to do what he can to make me look like Angelina Jolie. If you're not familiar with this cultural reference, click here. This is great, because Supportive Husband is already a dead ringer for Brad Pitt, right? (Note the nerdy very cool bluetooth device).


I'm eager to get on with the process, and am trying to stay focused on being as healthy as I can be for the surgery and recovery. Turns out it will be day surgery - who knew? In my mind, wart removal is day surgery. But my home care nurse is fantastic, so I'll be happy to get back home asap. It sounds like about 2 weeks of being "uncomfortable" with several more weeks of less intense recovery before radiation. I was hoping to be able to lose the portacath, but it stays in to facilitate the year of herceptin treatment.

We will not get tired of thanking you for your kindness and care for on this journey. We know we are carried by the thoughts and prayers of so many - it means everything to us.

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8 comments:

  1. NatashaJune 2, 2014 at 7:34 PM

    I can see that SH is a Brad Pitt lookalike. However, I think you are way more awesome than Angelina :)

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  2. UnknownJune 3, 2014 at 5:10 AM

    Brilliant art work!! It's only a shadow, of course, of the good things going on inside the adorned "noodle." :-)

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  3. Henna4YouJune 3, 2014 at 3:48 PM

    Thank you so much for your kind words Lynn.

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  4. JoelleJune 4, 2014 at 10:36 AM

    LOVE the henna art! What a lovely way to make use of your unadorned dome. Sure wish I could see it in person and give you a hug.

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  5. MarnieJune 4, 2014 at 4:01 PM

    Your head looks awesome, Lynn. So does your bluetooth wearing spouse. Lots of love and pre-surgery prayers.

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  6. MaggieJune 11, 2014 at 1:29 PM

    Lynn, so incredible to read your reflections. Thank you for sharing your journey this way. That head is a work of art! It brings to mind someone a classmate who attended grad formal with glitter all over her own post-chemo-head (which also, as it happens, houses an incredible mind). June 17 is written on my calendar.

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  7. UnknownJune 13, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    WOW - Your live artwork is amazing! Can you wiggle your scalp to make them fly? June 17 is on my calendar. I will be adding my prayers to the many!

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  8. dJune 15, 2014 at 7:41 PM

    Your scalp is a masterpiece. And I am just catching up on your story. Wishing you strength and patience and the ability to find joy in all of this. Lamentations 3:19-23 talks about acknowledging the sorrow but seeking the hope and joy that is promised by a God who walks WITH us. Peace to you. I will follow your story. And a huge THANKS for the mosquito net. Absolutely awesome. spot

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