About Face

I had the most wonderful experience yesterday.

We have dear friends who own a full service skin care studio called About Face Skin Care right here in Snellville, and they made me aware of a program they have called SideStep.  Funded by donations from the community and other clients, they are able to offer free facials to cancer patients.  What a fabulous idea!

When you lose your hair, your focus turns especially to your face, and after yesterday’s experience, I have a glowing, smooth, refreshed visage.  Plus, it was so relaxing!  Soft music plays in a dimly lit room, while your skin care provider pampers you with an expertly applied facial.  All the products used are very gentle and appropriate for the sensitive skin of a chemotherapy patient.  If you are a cancer patient or know of one, please, please pass on the word about this program.  It’s so worth it!

My provider was LaTrenda Wilson, and she was a real gem.  She knew when to talk and when to just let me be.  I enjoyed myself so much, the hour went by too fast, but at the conclusion I felt so renewed.  I can’t recommend this experience enough.  Even if you don’t live in the Snellville area, it’s worth the drive to this fantastic place.

In addition to being a skin care studio, they also offer exercise classes, including yoga, which I love.  Very reasonable prices too.  You can find out about this part of their business here.

On another front, I got my Day 10 bloodwork results, and I’m doing really, really well.  My neutrophils were 4100.  (Remember, 2500 and above is considered normal for anybody.)  So, my immune system is holding up amazingly well to the rigors of chemotherapy.  Additionally, the cancer marker CA-125 was lowered, a great sign that the chemo is doing its job.

After my next chemotherapy session on June 18th, I’ll have another PET/CT to assess the presence of cancer.  This is the best diagnostic tool available to check on my progress, so, of course, I’m anxious to get it done.  If the cancer has at least stabilized or diminished, we’ll continue with the same course of treatment.  If it’s gotten worse, we’ll try another protocol.

All in all, I’m a pretty happy camper, but I wouldn’t be this way without all the help and support I’ve gotten from all you dear readers.  Thank you.  Thank you.