I've seemed to have fallen into some kind of holding pattern ... I get up, I feel good and go about my morning business ... pills, tea, breakfast -- and new additionally -- making Zach's lunch on school days. (Slowly resuming that role of Mom!)
Soon as the morning rush quiets down, I take my shower, which is a bigger deal than it should be. See, I can't get my Picc line wet, so I carefully wrap it in Glad Press n' Seal and then tape up each end with flexible tape. Even so, I can't let this wrapped limb in direct contact with water, so I hold it out stiffly while I attempt to wash myself entirely with my left hand. It takes awhile ... and furthermore, it's a lot harder to shampoo a bald head than one full of hair ... With nothing to keep it from sliding down your forehead, soap just gets in your eyes. I'm definitely open to tips from veterans on a) a better way to cover my Picc line in the shower or b) how to not get soap in your eyes when you're bald.
After shower, I get dressed. Who shall I be today? I am definitely enjoying the wig collection. I have at least seven different looks. Zach's daily question is now "Mommy, what hair are you wearing?" Followed by, "Mommy, wear your PINK hair" (still his favorite). Today I wore my trailer trash long blond wig with clips. Fabulous. I am still planning on getting some pictures up here soon, so be patient.
About now, I'm starting to feel queasy, but I usually manage to get a load of laundry in the washer and make the bed. Time for an Ativan and some horizontal media time.
I finally finished "Sex in the City" (very inspired by Samantha's choice to embrace her breast cancer baldness with myriad of wigs as well), which left me with that sort of sad feeling you get when you leave good characters behind. Thank goodness for "Footballer's Wives," though, a recommended British soap/drama that is just the right sort of dishy and trashy I didn't know I was craving. Someone's actually in a coma, there's a scandal, secrets, a dirty nurse and everyone is sleeping with everyone -- and that's just the first few episodes. (Thanks, Amy!)
Also got to give a great shout out to "Eagle vs. Shark," a film from New Zealand starring Jemaine Clement of "Flight of the Conchords" (whom many of you already know I love, love, love). It's definitely a Napoleon-Dynamitesque film, about a boy and a girl who fall in love and do soul searching under bizarre circumstances.
Lately, I always have grilled cheese for lunch and then I play with Zach, read him some books and put him down for his nap. Then I do a little laundry rotation before I either take a nap myself or have more horizontal time.
All this being-at-home time means I am very caught up on laundry for the first time in my life, although I still can't seem to get past my propensity to have at least one clean basket left unfolded at the foot of my bed.
Late afternoon, I get my IV magnesium, have dinner and go on a walk ... then bedtime. Pretty much my day in a nutshell. Tomorrow I have clinic, so I should be able to post some "real" news or at least "data," so until then ...
--Katie
Comments (13)
When I was a kid the hairwashing was always traumatic. You know I actually didn't really get hair until I was almost 2 1/2 or something crazy. I was a little baldy baby and everyone thought I was a boy. Anyway, forever I hated having my hair washed because I was freaked out about shampoo/soap in my eyes and I would shriek and hold a washcloth over my forehead/eyes and lean way to far back. Perhaps a little more drama than you need right now, but maybe you you could rock the 80's terry sweatband in the shower to absorb excess dripping. Just a thought about another look to add to your repertoire.
Shona
Posted by Shona Mauro-Sachs | July 7, 2008 11:05 PM
Posted on July 7, 2008 23:05
Being a fellow baldy, I recommend that you stay away from the shampoo altogether and use a nice body wash it suds up less. And it keeps your dome so fresh and so clean.
Remember bald is beautiful. Look forward to seeing you soon.
xo
Matthew
Posted by Matthew | July 7, 2008 11:25 PM
Posted on July 7, 2008 23:25
Dear Katie,
Good to hear from you-sounds like you are pretty much in the swing if things. I asked around here tonight how you could protect your PICC line in the shower and nobody could think of anything better. It's just a royal pain in the ass, but at least you can take a shower!!! I have never watched Sex and the City or the other program you mentioned. But I hear the movie of Sex and the City is pretty good for those who were folowers of the TV series. OPRAH had a whole show on it.
I am at work and it is my last night, YEAH!!! Last night was a night from Hell and I am still tired from it, I gulped my lunch doen in 5 minutes and that was all the time that I had. I have lots planned to do this week at home and of course, going to Stillwater on Wednesday. My B-day is Wednesday, 61 alrady. I am going to get my hair done and then go out to lunch.
I hope tht you ahve received the hats by now as I sent it be express mail.
Got more charting to do.
Much love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | July 8, 2008 2:22 AM
Posted on July 8, 2008 02:22
Katie,
I've been following your postings and just wanted to drop a quickie to say you're an inspiration! So much strength, grace and humor. What a role model.
Julie
Posted by Julie | July 8, 2008 6:06 AM
Posted on July 8, 2008 06:06
Brad and I just read your blog. Great style, humor and a documentation of the whole ordeal. Looking forward to better days in San Diego with the kids, Ian and no laundry!
Posted by Jamie Zarling and Brad | July 8, 2008 1:43 PM
Posted on July 8, 2008 13:43
Katie,
Your blog is so comical. Glad to know that you are making the best of the situation. Have you tried renting the sex and the city DVD's? They are the uncut version, unlike WGN and TBS, and quite entertaining! Say hello to the fam for me!
Posted by Bridget Zarling | July 8, 2008 2:23 PM
Posted on July 8, 2008 14:23
Katie,
Glad to see that you are making light of the home time. Say hello to the fam for me!
Posted by Bridget Zarling | July 8, 2008 2:27 PM
Posted on July 8, 2008 14:27
Hey Katie!
I'm glad you're home and have your little routine going. It might not be the most exciting thing evah, but sometimes it's just cozy and comforting, being able to take care of all the little life-maintenance tasks. Like laundry!
Toward the end of the school year, my laundry situation got really dire. I think I went a 6-week stretch without doing laundry when I was trying to finish all my projects, and I was down to serious desperation underwear. Undies I hadn't worn since moving to New York (some were too small, some were too big; how can both of those happen??). Weird "sexy" underwear that belonged to previous incarnations of me (the mesh thong with corset-style lace-up front comes to mind). Needless to say, I will be ditching those when I make the final move to Europe!
I second Shona's sweatband suggestion. I, too, clamped a washcloth to my forehead, in a vain attempt to keep the soap from going into my eyes. There are shampoo shields for babies, but they may be a tad small.
I googled "keep Picc line dry" and came up with a bunch of products designed for it. An example: http://www.drycorp.com/content/picc-line-protector-information/index.html
Maybe something like that?
Thinking of you!
Charlene
Posted by Charlene | July 9, 2008 2:46 AM
Posted on July 9, 2008 02:46
Katie -
Glad to hear you are home and doing so well. I'm sure you never thought making a PB&J would be so rewarding, but there must be some comfort in getting back into some of the routine. It's only a matter of time before you are super mom again, maybe we should get you a cape to go with that pink hair? If you are looking for another series show to watch, L Word and Tudors are both deliciously smutty good dramas that will keep you entertained.
lots of love,
Gucci
Posted by Gucci | July 9, 2008 2:20 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 14:20
Dear katie,
Somehow I got lost and wrote to you today on the previous POST. Wow, am I put together!!!
But I had a good birthday-just doing and being me. That's as good as it gets and for me that's great. No major drama.
So go back there to read about my birthday when you get totally bored.
Sorry to hear about Carl's accident. Hope he gets well soon so that he can change the other 4 bulbs-his sense of humor remains- that's awesome.
Went to my fav bookstore today-books, CD's, DVD's-new and used. I got you a really neat book of short stories that I'll put in the mail soon. I know you are having a hard time concentrating periodically and this is an uplifting book with short stories in it. Iread these kinds of books when I am working and it helps me shift to an uplifting mood to sleep better.
Got to go and do a few things beofre I hit the sack.
Much Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | July 9, 2008 7:36 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 19:36
Dear Katie,
Well, got he whole house cleaned today. It was a drag but it really needed it badly. Don cleaned the storm cellar out with his new shop vac and pressue washed the porch to the guest house and is planning to paint it tomorrow. I hope it cools off some. I will help him in the morning but the afternoons are just too hot and I feel like I am about to throw up all the time. I amnot good with heat-never have been. REmember that time we went to the Ranger program on the Outer Banks in the afternoon and I just fainted away from the heat? I think that is the only time I've fainted.
Well, talk with you later.
Much Love,
MOM
Posted by Mom | July 10, 2008 4:09 PM
Posted on July 10, 2008 16:09
I wonder if Ryan has a hard time washing his hair? (hee hee) when someone offers you a stiff drink that can put hair on your chest, make sure to chime in that you should pour it all over your head!
Posted by Hoggimuss | July 10, 2008 6:02 PM
Posted on July 10, 2008 18:02
Any suggestions for living with a very defiant teenager? Becky seems to think that she can do what she wants and not have the responsibilities that go along with the maturation process.
Posted by Jamie Zarling | July 11, 2008 12:47 PM
Posted on July 11, 2008 12:47