Look Good Feel Better

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a Look Good Feel Better Workshop. My friend Petra drove me to the city and we had a really nice day going out for lunch, shopping and attending the workshop – thanks again Petra! These workshops were created from the concept that if a woman living with cancer can be helped to look good, her improved self image will help her to approach cancer and its treatments with greater confidence. Through special cosmetic techniques and hair alternatives, women are taught how to manage the appearance related side effects of cancer and its treatment. These (totally free) two hour workshops are offered in many hospitals and cancer care facilities across the country by over 1200 dedicated, certified volunteers along with facility coordinators and community partners.

I already had my wig and I knew most of the make up techniques they taught but I was really happy to learn how to draw natural looking eyebrows. My next three treatments will likely cause them to fall out. In addition each of us taking the workshop came away with close to $250 worth of cosmetics and skin care products that are all donated by the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA) Member Companies. If you want to learn some of the techniques, check it out at www.lookgoodfeelbetter.ca

In just another 5 days I will be going back in for my next treatment. I am now all done with the FEC cocktail and I can only say good riddance to that. I have now talked to several people who have also had it and they had literally no side effects. Yesterday I met a lady who also had the wonder drug that I had and it worked really good for her. It’s hard for me not to be bitter since it was really all pretty bad for me! :-/ Next week I will be starting my one year of Herceptin. It will also be my first of three doses of Taxotere. Since I already have anti nausea medication to take starting the day before (if I forget they won’t give me the treatment) I can’t help but think that this isn’t going to be so great for Berny either. The good thing is that I am half way through these six bad ones. The Herceptin is (supposed) to have no side effects but I will believe that when I see it.