New Beginnings
BEFORE
DURING
AFTER
Wow! What a day!
So I finally did it… Chopped off my hair (or what was left of it). Hubby hooked me up and gave me a fashionable buzz cut with a fade. I think I kinda look like Hillary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry. And Miss M watched the whole thing and then took part in our “hair cutting party” by getting a trim herself.
It’s funny how the anticipation of an event is always scarier than the event itself. And when you’re all done you realize it really wasn’t that big of a deal after all.
So there we go. Big crazy, scary, life hurdle – done. Check.
And the other AMAZING news is that I met with my oncologist today to have my white blood cell count tested and it’s off the charts!!! It went from 2,500 last Monday to 9,600 this Monday. Craziness! I walked out of his office crying big ol’ tears of joy!
My doctor of course is a bit perplexed at how this happened. I assured him it had to be because of all the supplements, meditations, and guided imagery I was doing. He smiled at me in that “Ok, whatever you say” kinda way.
So THANK YOU – THANK YOU to all those who offered suggestions on how to boost my white blood count. It worked. Special shout-outs to my Bowen Island and West Coast peeps… Michelle – I’m now using practically every thing you suggested… Lisa Marie – your mushrooms are working their magic… And Dorothy – I’m using your Chinese medicine options too.
All of this means no more Leukine (white blood cell booster) shots! Yay! One less pharmaceutical I have to put in my body!
So what am I doing to keep my WBC boosted?? Taking a crapload of supplements and vitamins including:
- Regular multivitamins
- Vitamin D
- Calcium (with Magnesium)
- Probiotics
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12
- Echinacea
- IP-6
- Ginseng (tincture)
- Astragalus (tincture)
Plus I’m drinking lots of green tea and special therapeutic mushroom tea. Trying to squeeze in 30-45 mins of exercise most days of the week. And sticking to my uber healthy eating plan – No sugar, limited flour, limited dairy and very limited animal meat, and LOTS and LOTS of veggies and fruits, whole grains, beans/lentils, and healthy fats.
But the other thing that I think has been really helping is my guided imagery and meditations. I have been visualizing my white blood count multiplying and spreading to every inch of my body during daily meditation sessions. If visualization can help basketball players get more free throw shots, why can’t it help me get more white blood cells???
I just finished reading an amazing little book – The Power of the Mind to Heal – that reinforced my deep seated belief that our brains, thoughts, visions, and mindset greatly influence our health and ability to heal.
So with that, I celebrate the beauty of today and head into tomorrow’s chemo session with confidence.
There is hope. There is always hope.
– T
Wonderful white cell news! And the haircut suits you — so glad you turned it into a party with Miss M.
Much love and good energy to you all —
John
Sending a big shout out from Dartmouth…You go girl! You look beautiful as always you sexy ma ma 🙂 So happy to hear the fantastic news about your increased wbc. I’ll be thinking and praying for you tomorrow. Good Luck. All the best ~ xoxo
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY white blood cells!!!!!
You are SO awesome! Keep up the great work!
(sending more shrooms soon….)
Love and hugs…LM~
PS: The haircut works!
Go white blood cells! er — or is that, Stay, White Blood Cells, Stay!
T, what a great success!! I gave you a big pump fist when I read this!! So, so happy for you! My wish tonight for you is that these victories keep happening for you!! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!!
So,so happy for you! You look fabulous! How about a picture of Marisa’s new look?
You look beautiful with short hair!! And caring for it is so much easier.
As always, you continue to amaze and inspire me.
Much love and light your way always.
Mary
And I celebrate YOU, my phenomenal, courageous, kick ass, super hot niece!
Love, Auntie L.
Fantastic news on the WBC! Show that cancer who’s in control. And girlfriend you look incredible with that chic buzz. Your husband did hooked you up. Love it!
Wow! That is super amazing about your white blood count.. Well done you!
And you look amazing! Super hot and smokin with short hair.. Truly beautiful.. Xxxx
That haircut is HOT! Coulda done it years ago.
wow! that is super amazing about your WBC- well done you!
and you look amazing! Super hot and smoking with short hair… truly beautiful ..XXXX
Ms T
You look beautiful. I love the funky hair and your amazing strength throughout this Incredible journey that you are on. I am so please and happy you are taking the bull by the balls and strangling the crap out of this disease.
Mindful meditation totally works when you put your mind it. Visualization is an wonderful tool and so glad you’re sticking to it.
I love you my dear friend and wish you all you deserve. Knowing you, You will achieve that in a NY minute. XO
Mella
Yay!!!!! Way to go! It is amazing how traditional medicine still doubts alternative medicine, isn’t it? Makes me mad – I am so happy for you Terri!
The mind plays a huge role in how we feel and visualization does work. Keep up the good spirits and visualizations.
Love you new cut! It looks beautiful – you carry it off well!
Glad to hear that those white blood cells are up!
Beautiful ! 🙂
So happy for you, I love your haircut; you look beautiful inside and out..You are such a breath of fresh air to me, you are healing yourself; and stopping this horrible illness. Continue what you have been doing, it’s working:) God Bless…you’ve made my day!
I LOVE the hair-do! It’s super cute and he did a great job!! The moment I saw it, my first thought was…….wow, you look just like your mom! Beautiful.
Phenomenal white cell count! That is incredible! You’re doing everything right, that’s for sure. So very proud of you.
Sending love and my best healing positive vibes.
~Kim xoxo
Wow!! That is a great cut on you!!! You look absolutely beautiful!!!!! That is amazing about the white blood count!! Just continue doing what you are doing, because it is working girl!!! Love to you all!!!!
I’m crying tears of joy as well, Terri. And you look stunning with your hair that short, way hotter than Hilary Swank.
Dear Terri,
What great great great news!!!! I can only imagine your relief!! Off the scale!! Another card is being mailed to you today with all my love!!
Aunt Kathy
Love love love the hair, you have lovely big eyes and now they are popping real good!!
I totally believe in the power of the mind it has been proven over and over again. The important thing is to totally embrace your belief in your own wellness, ability to heal and self power. Keep all negativity out, squash any self talk that brings you down. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and bring you strength and let life wash over you.
Keep trucking Warrior women, you got you got this in the bag!!!.
Kerry
Your haircut, super cute…your inspiration, always a blessing…. your good news about the WB cell count, awesome. The power of love…endless. Light and love to you.
Awesome news terri! Incredible! You are forging new territory here and what an awesome discovery. The power of positivity is truly AWESOME. What a gift that you are sharing it with us all.
So happy for you, Terri! That is such amazing news about your white blood cell counts. Love the haircut too…
you look beautiful!
Awesome new on the blood cell count! Keep at it 🙂
Also, how much does Heron charge? You look fantastic!!!
Amazing news! We’re here sending you positive thoughts for you every hour of every day. The new style looks unbelievable, super funky. Once all this cancer crap is over with, you should keep rockin’ this look.
T.
You look absolutely beautiful!! That haircut suits you to a T. (No pun intended!!) Keep up the good work and we on the East Coast will keep up the good thoughts.
stay strong!!!
Sending you lots of love.
You are an inspiration and so full of joy. <3
Sending you healing energy and positivity. I fully believe that the mind can heal us and think all these things you’re doing to support yourself are awesome. The haircut looks great on you!
Terri,
Very cute cut! Michael has been buzzing mine, for my in-between monk-lay life, for almost two years. Believe me, your guy did a great job the first time!
Yay, WBC count! It seems medical science is still a beginner when it comes to he full power and subtlety of the mind/body connection. Deep bows for your willingness to try, discover, share your experience. May the healing continue.
Myoshin Kate
Great news about the white blood cells, and I love the new hair! Sending prayers and encouragement from Edmonton, Alberta!
I really enjoy the juxtaposition of your husband cutting your hair with a smile, your bashful grin, and your daughter looking on. Beautiful! As is the end result! Also, I just recently started taking probiotics and they changed my world. I’m glad they’re in your regimen.
Found your blog through Boing Boing’s post today. Wanted to say you look supa-fierce with that haircut!
Now, for a lesson on fierceness. there is base fierce, then one tier over that is super fierce, then ultra fierce, then mega fierce, then ultra mega fierce and finally the creme de la creme supa-fierce-dom – so fierce you don’t need to spell correctly because you are just that FIERCE
Whatever works to boost both your white-cell count and your happiness!
Is it just me, or do you really look like your mom with this hairdo?
Ask your dad. I think you do.
Congratulations on your better health, Terri!
I’m doing the happy WCB dance! Yippee! You look absolutely amazing. Tell Hubby he’s got an alternate career in hairdressing – he did a great job! xoxo
Wow pretty lady you are rocking that new hair style. Out with the old and in with the new. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family. Keep up the great work and may God continue to bless you with Good Health, guidance and peace of mind…..be well xOx