So I've been getting a lot "Wow! You look FANTASTIC!" comments from people when I see them, especially if it's been awhile and they haven't seen me since before I was diagnosed. I think people mostly assume that I'm going to look all pale and sickly (well, I'm always pale...) but I've made a vow that no matter how bad I'm feeling, if I have to go out somewhere, I'm putting on makeup. There is absolutely no way I ever want strangers (or friends, for that matter) to ever think "Wow, that girl looks like she has cancer!" I even put on makeup to go to the hospital to get chemo! Thats really the same reason why I refuse to wear a bandana or a head scarf when I go out - I feel like wearing something like that makes me look more cancery - if I walk around bald, I feel like people are more inclined to think that I'm bald on purpose since I'm not trying to hide it.
Anyway, I'm offering you all a rare treat - a glimpse of me without all of the makeup I wear on a daily basis (much more now than ever before!)
With Makeup (smiling!)
Without Makeup (YIKES!)
You can't see them as well in this picture because of the giant flash, but in recent weeks I've developed some extremely attractive chemo circles under my eyes - I've started to look like the losing end of a fist fight. I'd like to thank Sephora, Clinique, and Laura Mercier for their part in keeping me lookin' good (as well as significantly shrinking the size of my wallet)
In other news, I've had a couple of weird side effects sneak up on me the past couple of days. I'd been hearing ever since the beginning that dry skin would be a big problem. I'd been feeling pretty triumphant about the fact that I'd somehow escaped this, but starting yesterday, I've been feeling it. The skin on my arms and legs is peeling and tight - I kind of feel like one giant piece of dandruff or something. My mom got me some amazing moisturizing body wash and extra-thick lemon scented balm from Bigelow's, and I've been slathering it on, but it's effects are short-lived. Hopefully drinking massive amounts of water will help.
Also, I've been feeling the nerve effects of the Vincristine (which, annoyingly, are always delayed - I'd rather feel crappy all at one time). My calves are all tingly and burny feeling just under the skin - at first I thought it was from the dry skin, but it's definitely not on the surface, it feels like the nerves are all over-firing. I took one of my oxycondone pills (which are meant specifically for neurological pain), but all it did was make me groggy enough to run into my bedroom wall when I got up to go to the bathroom. Hopefully they'll be less tingly while I'm driving to Cleveland tomorrow, because pain meds + 4 hour drive = disaster.
Finally, enjoy this picture of Winnie I found when I was cleaning out the memory card on my camera. She looks like a little lion.
Lots of Love,
Lauren
From Sephora, my favorite cover-up that works GREAT is Bo-oing from Benefit. From Bath and Body Works, their Body Butter tends to be a long-lasting moisturizer. Dunno if it'd help you or not, but it's worth a try!
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