Tag: hair
We’ve Got Your Back! TVUP Webinar #187
About two weeks ago, my INTARMED classmate Dr. Dave Dizon messaged me and asked if I could be a reactor for a webinar at which he would be the main speaker. His talk would be the main entree while my shorter bit would be the accompanying side dish [note: this speaker-with-reactor format is popular in […]
61. Doreen Follows Up on the Hair Progress
We haven’t seen [breast cancer mascot] Doreen in a while, so here she is demonstrating my hair progress between October 1, 2022 and October 31, 2023. The photo from today (2023) is a screenshot from Zoom before our (hybrid) rounds with the residents this morning… much easier than trying to position Doreen over my head […]
54. Haircut, Hooray!
Haircut, hooray! Here I am looking absolutely excited about the first post-chemotherapy haircut. Goodbye unruly chia pet hair. Hello hair “trimmed into submission” (thanks to my friend Elaine for that appropriate phrase). Doreen approves.
35. Keratin
September 11, 2022 Update. Today’s theme: keratin. Keratin is the body’s main protein for hair and nails. The other day, I noticed my fingernails had stripes – dark stripes that corresponded with chemotherapy cycles. Chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cancer cells, and causes collateral damage to hair and nails because those cells are rapidly dividing too. […]
18. Dear Mango Tree, I Know How You Feel
June 18, 2022 Dear Mango Tree, I know how you feel. Love, Me ========== Hair fall has started in earnest – strands everywhere, and the classic “clumps on your pillow” are here. I’m afraid to touch my hair because the remaining strands are hanging on for dear life and it feels like the slightest breeze […]
13. Gender as Performance
May 28, 2022 Today’s lesson: gender as performance, a concept popularized by American philosopher Judith Butler. It is the idea that gender is ”something inscribed in daily practices, learned and performed based on cultural norms of femininity and masculinity”. Examples: fake boobs (foobs) to insert into the mastectomy bra, a lovely eyebrow pencil to experiment […]
12. Wigged Out
May 24, 2022 Update. Visited the oncologist today to hammer out a breast cancer treatment plan for the next few months. Chemotherapy starts Monday morning, May 30. Four cycles, three weeks apart, for a total of 12 weeks of treatment. Then radiation after that. After a lovely lunch, I reluctantly went wig shopping with mom. […]
