Here is a supremely overdue update on my sweet Meme. She had
her bilateral mastectomy on December 6, 2017. She breezed through surgery but
recovery was not as simple.
She finally began chemo on March 9th after being
put through a battery of other tests, including a double lung biopsy. The results
weren’t favorable but they aren’t terminal either. She has diffused idiopathic
pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) which is a diffuse
parenchymal lung disease which often presents with symptoms of cough and
shortness of breath. In some ways she’s grateful for explanations that neither
her primary care physician nor cardiologist could provide. In other ways, it’s
one more diagnosis to worry about and watch over. She has chemo every Friday and my mom Lisa (another seasoned pro) usually takes her. TGIF right??
We had previously “played dress up” many months ago (when she was
initially diagnosed) in my wig/scarf/hat collection. We were able to rule out
BLONDE immediately! 😊 It all became very real at lunch in West
Point one recent Saturday. We were dining outside when a large gust of wind
loosened a tuft of her hair almost to the flying away point. We went back to my
house and shaved it over root beer floats.
Since I know her so well and have served as her resident
hairstylist for most of my life, I took it upon myself to order a wig on her
behalf and she LOVES it. I must say, she looks stunning! Eat your heart out Raquel
Welch!
She is not without her tired and depleted days – those are
Monday and Tuesday- but she remains a pillar of strength and beauty and love.
4 down, 8 to go.
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