My hair is long enough to use product in now! I get so many comments about how much darker the color is now…..um, it’s the same color as before….it’s just not long enough to add highlights to yet.
public restroom photo opp
I haven’t done a Cancer Chronicles post in a long time….because there hasn’t been much to tell. I wrote recently about the chemotherapy putting me into menopause and how cruddy it made me feel…..and that made me decide to go on a low dose estrogen patch. Well, my mom freaked out and called her friend who specializes in hormones and the next thing I knew I had an appointment with her. So, I’ve been on progesterone cream for about 2 weeks. It seems to be helping with all the symptoms. The great thing is….this woman has the most amazing skin…..so I asked her to prescribe me whatever she was using on her skin too. Not sure what’s in it….but it’s making my skin look ah-mazing.
I met with a new local gynecological oncologist: Dr. H. She going to present my case at the City of Hope tumor board to talk about the hormones and whether or not I should even be on estrogen. For now she took me off the estrogen until she figures out if it might trigger any cancer growth (which was my mom’s fear). She also wants some more opinions on whether anything should be done about the “burned out” remains of the tumors. I love when there is a meeting of the minds!
Dr. L’s been out of town on vacation but I still went Friday to get my blood test. My HCG (tumor markers) have been at 1 for seven blood draws in a row…..but they jumped to 2 today. I reassured Dr. H that it was probably just statistical error. I like to reassure my doctors that everything is going to be just fine. I’ve got a dull ache in my pelvis again and one side of my lower abdomen looks slightly higher than the other so Dr. H is talking to Dr. L about new scans. She did a pelvic exam. I told her that rectal exams are my most favorite thing in the whole world and I’d been looking forward to it sooo much. Not. She agreed that they are indeed everyone’s favorite thing to do. It also reminds me of that drinking game in college “I never….” for reasons I won’t go into detail about here. Anyway, sorry to leave you with that picture….but no reason to panic yet. All is well but I’m pretty sure I’ll have to have an early blood test now.
Dr. H’s office is at the Comprehensive Cancer Center in Palm Springs. It is SO far away. Ok, not really, but if you live in the desert your sense of distance gets warped.
Driving distances from my house:
Dr. L’s office: 4.9 miles
Dr. H’s office: 16.2 miles
16.2 miles = road trip!
Since I have to drive 16.2 miles to see Dr. H, I like to drive back through the main street in Palm Springs to see what’s going on. Today I stopped by to see the new Marilyn Monroe statue. I’m not quite sure what to make of it. It reminds me a little of those Big Boy Hamburger statues or the Paul Bunyan statue. You can stand right underneath her and marvel at her enormous lace panties:
I’ve got another appointment in Palm Springs in another week and I’m mapping out the antique stores I want to visit:
(map found at Shoppers Map)
Update: The face cream I use says the following “your pharmacist compounded this medication especially for you.” I asked the doctor there for it because she has the most amazing skin. So the only way I know that you can get it is to find a compounding pharmacy near you…..or call the Town Center Compounding Pharmacy here in Palm Desert, CA. It says: Estriol 0.03%, ALA 5%, Glycolic Acid 3.99% / DMAE 3% DRS (prescribed by Dr. Janet Miller). Hope that helps!
I took several statistics courses for my degrees and I made mistakes all the time 😉 Keeping you extra close to my heart and sending lots of positive thoughts your way, Ashley. Oh, and I think your hair looks freaking awesome. You can rock it all – long hair, no hair, and short hair.
Oh it looks just like the one in Chicago.
I thought the same thing…
It is the same, it is a moving piece of art. Left Chicago 2 months ago or so…
Wishing you the best. It doesn’t surprise me that you are reassuring your own doctors. I don’t know that I would have as much grace as you. And personally…I love the fact that in the same post you discuss Marilyn Monroe’s lace panties. Heh.
Fingers crossed that everything is ok, would love to know what you are using on your skin.
so your hair is rockin’!! love it!! will be thinking about you, I just love your positive attitude! I will keep with it by saying I’m sure everything is fine! A 2 is the same as a 1 really, not that long ago you were fluctuating between the numbers and all was well then too.
praying its just a typo…xx
My Dear. I had ovarian cancer at age 19. Since then I’ve been in hormone replacement teraphy. I lost my hair, eyebross, all. I was not blesed with any children, but would love an adoption. I am praying for you, just found you, and your blog is one of my fav.
Love
Katia
You are so incredibly inspiring!!! And your hair looks absolutely amazing!!!! I love how positive you are!!!
After seeing those giant lace panties I will never worry that my granny panties are too big! =)
hehehehe… congrats… i love granny panties… cheers…
So….do tell what you’ve started using on your skin. I would love to know what she prescribed. 🙂
Please do!
Praying that it’s just an error. And you look great. I love reading your posts and hearing your JOY shine through. That’s true beauty!
i completely agree… it’s nice to know kind, loving people do exist who spreads joy wherever they go… bravo… your in my thoughts and prayers…
Most certainly it is a statistical error!! Happy Independence Day Week:) Enjoy ~ (oh, and LOVE the preorder tanks …..and your hair!)
Yes, yes! What’s the magic skin cream?!?!?!
Marilyn is awesome. I saw her in chicago. Stood right under her giant rear end and looked up at her panties. So much fun. You have to go stand there. 🙂
That is the statue that was in Chicago 🙂 She decided to move lol
Hi, my dear “friend in my head!”
I’d also like to know what you are using on your skin!
You never cease to make me laugh. I have to go in for an “I never-ish” exam tomorrow and your previous posts make me feel less anxious about it. Not looking forward to it, but I’ll deal.
On a funny note, by 9 year old daughter just walked up, looked over my shoulder at the photo of you on my computer and said, “Wow, she dyed her hair blue?!”
Praying for a typo and sending you and the LBB team love.
Thank you! My hair does look kind of blue doesn’t it!
Hahaha! That was the first thought that popped into my head when I looked at this post! =)
OMG, I love it! It looks super cute.
everytime I am on birth control of some kind, my skin looks amazing. I have considered going on hormones just for that! 😉 Praying my friend. Big hugs and lots of love! xoxo
I know you said not to worry, but I’m a worrier! Please let us know when you find out more info. I will be praying for you and sending lots of positive vibes. Xoxo
Add another to the wildly curious about the skin care list!
And, here’s hoping for a typo, or maybe MegaMarilyn can stomp it out! 😉
Praying for you! I am also curious the know what you are using on your face! 🙂
You look HOT sweetie in your sassy do! Keep us posted on the bloodwork, we’re all cheering for you! xo Kate
Ash, just a thought here but if your tumor marker happens to have the same type of hormone that is in the estrogen you were taking, it could register a higher number when running the numbers ?????….just a spin in the might be a possibility category…..
Hair looks AWESOME! Get some gell and do some fauxhawks!! Do it wild while it’s short!
I know another asked, but what was the doctors Rx for good skin? And I do love the rock’in hair. People pay good money for that. Take care!
I remember when my hair got long enough to use product in….it was a good feeling!! Of course mine came in mostly gray so it was colored as soon as possible…your is a nice even color, mine not so much!!! I love your positive attitude…..I love reading your blog!!!
So here’s something strange – I am reading this in Australia and I think the ad on the top left is probably tailored to the region you’re reading in, but for me it’s an ad that has a pic of the top of a balding man’s head and says “Is your hair falling out? Hair Restore Advanced Breakthrough natural hair loss treatment for men and women”. Right next to your photo of your hair growing back. It’s kind of weird but I hope you find it a bit funny. Sending positive vibes for your health.
I live in Bangor, Maine…home of a giant Paul Bunyan statue! I continue to send prayers. And wear a Choose Joy bracelet. 🙂
LOL….I particularly like the public restroom photo op!! I think your hair AND skin look great! Look forward to more updates. I just got my one year check, and as it stands I am cancer free!! 🙂 It is a slow growing cancer so catching it should be beneficial to me.
Ashley: You are so incredibly amazing! Please share the ingredients of your new face cream!! Do you go to an Apothecary where the ingredients are naturally compounded? I love reading your blog, your artsy side and your health side and all thing in between. I have learned so much from you in regards to healthy living: cell food, mustard baths, juicing, essential oils. Your calmness in the midst of the storm is fantastic. You laugh at the bully Cancer and that ROCKS. I am praying that your HCG#2 count is a stastical error, like you suggest. I love your humor with your docs and your rock solid attitude of “this will all work out for the very best.” Keep us posted as always. You have so many virtual prayer warriors standing beside you in this fight. Most importantly, keep writing and sharing.
I just came to see how you’re doing. First I looked at the cancer chronicles, and didn’t see any news. I don’t know what it’s like to go through what you’re experiencing. I send you all good wishes though. Just one more human out here, rooting for you. Huge.
Thinking good thoughts. Your blog has helped me stay positive the past few months.
This week we lay to rest my grandmother 91 years, 11 months old – breast cancer survivor, thyroid cancer survivor, multiple myeloma just proved to be too much and we’re all relieved that she’s free from it all now.
You look so good! Short hair, long hair, you are a beautiful lady. I’m glad your mom found you a second opinion…the whole estrogen/cancer connection made me worried too. I love how empowered you are- just because someone has m.d. or dr. in front of their name doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to have a real discussion about what they are doing to your body. 🙂
Pray, Hope, Don’t Worry! Thinking of you
We’ll be praying and know all will be well. Don is going to send you some “Pomade” for your hair instead of the usual clearasil! Love you and we love your hair xoxox J & Chinzy
Love the hair!! Do check out the estrogen…..some tumors are estrogen based. If your tumors were analyzed, they should be able to tell…… don’t want to give the buggers what they thrive on!!! Sending good thoughts your way!!
You have me hooked. I read your posts everyday. Even on the most frustrating day at work (and you know how that can be in banking), you make me laugh and bring me inspiration.
I am praying for you…that number will go back down.
I love your hair short!! You can high light or color short (little) hair too!!
Hope everything goes well with the testing : ) You rock the short hair! Best of luck, I’ll keep you in my prayers ! : )
You look amazing! I am praying for you. What are you using on your face?
I live in AZ and know how important shade is even if it comes from Marilyn’s enormous behind! I’m praying for your scans to be clear!
PRAYING.
what did the dr. think about the progesterone creme
I seriously LOL at “um, it’s the same color as before….it’s just not long enough to add highlights to yet.” I can’t wait to highlight these lil spikes!! What product are you using in your hair? I feel like such a guy using gel!
I love that you’re seeing a gyn onc, and that she’s female. I saw one last month too and feel like she totally understood/sympathized with me a lot better! That and she’s helping me get answers too. Yay for awesome new docs 🙂 Here’s hoping that pesky 2 was from the brief stint on the estrogen patch.
So that’s where Marilyn went! She was in Chicago for awhile on the Magnificent Mile and all the tourists LOVED her! Hoping and praying for positive results!!!!
I love your use of “meeting of the minds.” It gave me a total nerd-out law school memory. Hoping for the best for you!
Please keep us posted. Prayers being sent your way everything is ok.
Your hair is looking great…fresh and funky! You and I have the same before AND after hair colors….thinking of you during your appointments…and knowing that numbers can absolutely be wrong 🙂
You continue to be in my nightly prayers. I had a scare a couple of months ago. I went in for my 6 month post breast cancer treatment breast mri. They found an area they didn’t like. I had to have a biopsy. Luckily everything is ok. I hope it ends up being nothing for you too. Keep on keeping on!
You are so funny about your doctor being too far… 17 miles is my daily drive to work one way -but it’s Texas and I’m kind of tired of it LOL!!!
Lab’s make mistakes… I agree it’s just an error!
simply you are such a beautiful woman!! and sounds to be very powerful! good luck!
Positive thinking all around…..definitely a statistical error but we’re glad you’re having it checked out.
Hallo Ashley,
I’am so impressed about your attitude and your way to choose joy.
You should really talk to your doctor about your face cream, because Estriol is exactly that kind of hormones they refused to give you. Please check this up!!!
p.s. love your new hair!
Yup, that face cream has a form of estrogen in it if it contains estriol.
Can’t wait to get back out to PSP to see Gigantor Marilyn! Love shopping out there too, but it gets expensive to get it all home. Hubbs said no to the flatbed semi last time! Maybe if I tell him he can see Marilyn?!?!
You are so positive! I am praying all goes well!! Love your hair…you rock that look:) I hope you and your family have a Happy 4th of July!!
You look gorgeous in your new “do”! Maybe I should spike up mine since it is a little longer than yours !! We shaved January 14th!! I’ll contact Janice and check out her face cream!! She is gorgeous, too!! The Lord is healing you from the top of your head to the tip of your toes!! Your adoring mom
Praying you continue to do great and am sure you are staying on this happy road to good health forever!!! But praying anyway, cuz we all need it right?
Love the Marilyn lace panties. hahaha You look awesome!
Sending up a new prayer that everything is okay. You look wonderful.
Hugs,
Laura
Your hair looks awesome! I’m about three weeks behind you in the “end of chemo” department and my hair still looks like baby chickie down, about 1/4″ long. Can I ask… are you doing anything to help the growth? Vitamins? Product? I can’t believe how thick it looks! Is yours still that soft downy texture? Or like real hair?
I’m praying your 2 is just an error… it is kind of sweet that you’re reassuring your doctors 🙂 all the best to you!
The Estriol in your face cream is a form of Estrogen. Please make sure that it is safe for you to be using this, given your health history. It may be too low a dose to be absorbed through your skin; I have no idea, but I think most hormones are absorbable (like your progesterone cream). Love your hair!
I saw that MM statue and I thought, man, it’d be fun to have a picnic in the shade of that skirt. DH would love the view, too. 🙂
wish you’d go for red hair for a change. : )
oh just do what you like, as I know you will!
Just a word of caution about the skin cream. I looked up all the ingredients in the medical dictionary and you may all want to do that before you go ahead. Some are not approved by the FDA in Canada…Just sayin’ :}
Your hair looks great! Some women have short hair like that on purpose.
lil blue boo……………
Ya decia yo que el blue era por algo: EL CABELLO!
Y felicidades, extrañamos las cronicas del cancer, pero no tanto como para dejarlas como un recuerdo lejano.
En cuanto a la crema deberiamos usarlas todas para vernos igual de bella que tu!
FELIZ DIA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA!
Ashley I think you look absolutely stunning in your short hair. Keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.
Love you, Cousin Vicki
Praying for you!
and seriously you are CUTE! 🙂
Choosing joy – so contagious.
I gotta ask, though, probably this isn’t in the right forum..but with all the treatments and downtime that comes with it, how do you keep your house and family going? I find it hard to do keep my own house clean and I’m healthy, thank God. I’d love to read ‘a day in the life..’ post of yours. a full day.
Oh and btw, reading about boo’s popcorn dinner – that TOTALLY made my day. In the past, allowing my boys to have that would’ve freaked me out and I would’ve felt guilty for days! But WHY? And guess what we had on Monday! A Popcorn dinner! It was delicious and fun. I thought of you.
You rock.
Keep on rocking..
Patty (from fanta4two.com)
Congratulations on your attitude. It keeps me admiring your courage.
And you do look great on your hair.
We have to learn a lot from human being yet, through lessons that come from pepole courageous like you. Keep strong.
Miren
stumbled on your blog today through pinterest. I couldn’t help but to keep skipping through your cancer chronicles like a book to see what happens. I am so glad you are doing well and you certainly have the fighting spirit, courage and attitude which is so big a part required for victory. I wish you so much health and happiness and will be following you, praying for you and cheering you on! You are VERY inspirational and I just KNOW you will beat this!
Just wanted to say that you are so inspiring and from reading your blog before it is no surprise to me that you were the one reassuring your doctors. 🙂 Cancer runs in my family sooo much…TOO much. Infact one of my aunts is going through radiation right now. I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. xxoo