8.07.2012

I Don't Know Why You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello!


Hello baldy!  The deed has finally been done.  As sad as it was to shave Kaelyn's head, I am actually feeling some relief today that that step has finally been taken and is over with, and most especially that Kaelyn likes it!

It was just yesterday when I noticed Kaelyn's hair was coming out much faster than before.  With every stroke of her hair, tons of strands would come out.  She kept getting hair in her mouth, and in her food, and in her gum.  She called that "hair-gum." It was bothering her so much I finally decided we should just shave it off if is annoying her and falling out anyway!  So, I called a friend to borrow some clippers and waited, and waited, and waited for Brock to get off work so we could all do it together (except Isaac. He probably would have tried to eat the hair though, so that was OK!).  In fact, as soon as we got home and brought the clippers inside Kaelyn said "Let's do it mom!"  Brock eventually got home and we finally shaved it, all together! I have to say, it was kind of a fun moment.  It was breaking my heart a little, but the fact that Kaelyn was excited about it, and liked the "tickly" clippers, certainly helped make it easier.


Before the cut, I wanted Kaelyn to be prepared.  I kept asking if she wanted "hair" like Grandpa Ernie or Grandma Susan, and she said yes.  I didn't know if she was quite grasping was she was agreeing to, so I decided to pull up some pictures of another sweet fighter of Wilm's, Kaylee.  When she saw Kaylee cute naked head she got so excited for the shave.  Thanks Kaylee for your inspiration and comfort for my daughter!  And thanks to Kaylee's mom for posting those pics.



 


Very first look in the mirror!

 Today was our first day in public without hair atop Kaelyn's head.  I was ready for just about anything, stares, looks of pity, and comments.  We didn't get too much of that though.  There was one boy, probably 8 years old, who came up to Kaelyn and rubbed her head.  So, Kaelyn rubbed his head back.  He jerked away from her, but went to rub her head again.  I said "Hey! If you can rub her head she can rub yours!"  Was that to defensive?  I said it with a smile on my face, but in all seriousness as well!  He said, "What's wrong with her.  Was she born that way?"  Well, although a lot of babies are born bald, I didn't go into that.  I just made it quick and said her medicine made her hair fall out.  And that was that!  Our first experience with strangers and Kaelyn's new do.



Kaelyn continues to rub her head, Isaac hasn't noticed a difference, and I am still catching myself forgetting she has a bald head!  I know it won't take long to get used to it.  And, I'm not gonna lie, I already love it!


All tuckered out from playing in the too hot sun and jumping in the overly muddy sprinkler puddles!

Old News - Week 8


The past couple of weeks have continued to go well for Kaelyn.  She did respond with some sickness after each of the chemotherapy sessions, but for no longer than 2 days.  Each was followed by nausea and vomiting, tiredness, and weakness.  She seems to be back to herself by day 3.  Also, Kaelyn's hair has started noticeably thinning.  I noticed more hair being vacuumed up and on Kaelyn's pillow case, but it wasn't until I mentioned to others around me that her hair might be thinning and they replied "Yeah, I noticed," that I really accepted it.  It is just thinning so far, and depending how I do her hair, it isn't always noticeable.  Usually if I pull her hair back her receding hair line shows as well as her widening part, but if I leave it down it isn't really noticeable at all.  So I will continue to play this waiting game to see if we will end up shaving her head.  I wish I could get my mind off it though!  It seems like I'm constantly monitoring her scalp, trying to determine if the thinning has slowed, or worsened.  Just today I've finally been able to calm down a little bit and try to forget about it because no matter how much I think about it, whatever is going to happen, is going to happen! 

This pic was actually taken later than this post was written.  This was when I decided it was time for a shave.  See next post!

We just finished 2 weeks of swim lessons.  Aside from the lack of lessons provided, and the lack of heat in the water, I guess you could say it was fun!  Every kid was crying to get out of the pool before it was even halfway over every day!  The water was way too cold for those kids.  And even worse?  It was a parent and child class so I had to get in too ;)  I was sure missing that triple digit weather at the time!  But, Kaelyn now knows how to "scoop and kick" even better than she did before!

Kaelyn mid-butterfly stroke. 

As for the Make-A-Wish update, we will for sure be going to Disney World.  I have heard so many great things about what is offered there for wish children and I'm excited for Kaelyn to experience it.  There are still a lot of details to iron out, but the nice thing is we don't really have to worry about any of that!