Happy 40th.. You Are Cancer Free!

So today is my birthday. I woke up 40 and Cancer free! Grateful of course but I honestly don’t feel like it’s my birthday. Probably because I’m super hyper focused on what has been going on with me and also because I’ve been in a steroid haze for almost three weeks.  Friends, family and care team know that Stephanie + Steroids = No Bueno. Lots of yelling, lots of crying, probably would have gotten fired from my job and lots of cleaning. This all sounds crazy and all and it’s not happening everyday.... just some days.  I would like to say most days I’m OK and these episodes just happen here and there.  But might I remind everyone, the reason why it’s happening is because I don’t feel well inside and out.  It’s not because I’m being a brat or obnoxious about things.  I just don’t feel well.  

I took a big step over the weekend and went and picked up my cranial prosthesis (yes a wig).  Some of my friends and family knew this was in the process a month back or so but I kept it to myself because I wasn’t sure of the end result and how it was really going to make me feel.  I’m still unsure of it at times but it does make me feel visually better (if that’s a thing) and gives me the option and the power to hide my baldy in a different way other than a hat and most importantly it allows me to look like myself for just a bit even though I’m having a hard time with that as well.  

I want to say a big big heart filled thank you to Jack and his team at Riviera Hair Replacement in Syosset, NY.  They are pure class and made my experience very heartfelt, warm, kind, understanding and considerate (I have no idea if those words are even correct to say in a sentence but I can care less grammatically, it’s how I felt).  I feel like I entered another “club” through this experience and truly feel what Jack and his team does for men, women and children. He helps each and every client love themselves again by making them look and feel like their old self.  It felt nice to be around a group of people who I barely know that just “understands”.  It was a great.  

I’ve already shared my new look aka “Chelsea” with some friends and family.  Most of my friends are like “I think I need to go the wig route because I’m over doing my hair hahaha”.  And I feel that but it’s nothing like having your own head.  It’s fun but I miss my big head for ten people and fighting with my hair every morning, giving myself a blow out and also tucking it under really tight swim caps... oh and also the combing when it’s wet... struggle bus.

So last year was protecting myself from Covid.  This year is protecting myself from Covid and beating Cancer and still protecting myself from Covid.  My my how this escalated quickly hahahaha!  Now it’s mask and wigs.... Le sigh!

Cheers to 40 and being more aerodynamic!