Strange things are happening to me. For one, some of my bottom eyelashes are breaking and some are falling out. So I have a mixture of long eyelashes, short eyelashes and missing ones too. And one of my big toenails has cracked in half and I have no memory of an injury that would have caused such a deep tear. Right now it’s hanging on and I keep painting it with red polish to seal it in place until it grows out.
Both of these are side effects of chemotherapy, but not the chemo I’m currently receiving. They are symptoms of my first chemo, the harsh, toxic, deadly one that ended on March 4th. Why these things are happening to me now is not clear.
I also have dry eyes, so dry that at times I can hardly blink. I feel like my contact lenses are going to ball up and fall out. This is strange because one side effect of my current Herceptin therapy is watery eyes. I’d actually like a little of that side effect right now.
The joy of having my menstrual cycle return and the knowledge that I will not enter early menopause is tempered by the hassle of unpredictable cycles and periods that come and go over the span of two weeks.
And my left armpit, the one with four missing lymph nodes, is getting tight and sore. My physical therapist could tell from massaging this area that the muscles feel like ropes. She said sometimes this happens six months to one year after surgery. Despite my exercises to increase my range of motion, this still happens. She wants me to come back weekly for massage, a perk in the whole scheme of things.
Recovery takes time. There are peaks and valleys, waves of good and bad. I read a quote in a magazine the other day that sums it all up:
“We can’t control the waves, but we can learn to surf.”
Jacki Donaldson
I was waiting for a story about heading to the beach and surfing for the first time, however, I really enjoyed your quote. I guess it is such a continuous mystery to you as to what your body will do next. So many “ups” and “downs” to process. You are such a trooper as to your handling of everything. I am always amazed at your strength and determination to again jump another hurdle. I have not suffered through breast cancer, but I gain courage and strength from you everyday when dealing with obstacles in my life. You are truly an inspiration and a great friend.
Love ya, April
Sorry this continues to be a part of your life BUT you look fantastic and a weekly massage is not a bad thing!!! I don’t know about your Danny but Drew is into blinking these days. I bet your Danny will think you are playing with him
You are always able to keep everything in perspective and I admire that! _KD 
I think John will agree that when you ” surf “, you are gliding along the very top of the wave … the beautiful part we see from the shore. Beneath that beauty lies an often violent force. That force has touched you with its powerful reach, but you have continued to stay on the board. Eyelashes, or no, continue to stand tall my precious girl. Hang Ten !!!!!
UTTS Jane
Toenails, eyelashes, armpits, and periods… who would have ever guessed you would be writing about such things!! Life is certainly full of surprises.
Jane’s comment – HANG TEN – made me smile.
Keep taking in all the “good” you can get from this ride.
Renee