Thanks for the GREAT advice for me and others that will be going through similar situations to us. It sounds like you both are doing well, and that gives us all hope! Thanks for sharing!!

Kaedy, this is a very long post, but I hope it is helpful for you and other women. It's more unsolicited advice(which I'm sure you've been bombed with since your diagnosis) but it comes from personal experience, research and of course, trial and error.

If your hair does come out, there are some things that will help it grow back healthy and possibly faster once it starts coming back.

The small, privately owned Indian grocers carry herbal powders (follow directions on pkg.)such as Shikakai, Amla, etc. and also Amla oil (Dabur is a popular brand which makes many good items.)which increases hair growth. Castor oil, when applied to the scalp also increases growth. (Don't mix them together, use them separately.)

I don't know anyone who has ever experienced allergies or negative effects from these products,and they are mostly natural. However, if you're hyper sensitive to stuff, I advise you to do the "patch" test on the inner arm prior to applying it to hair/scalp.

In Decatur, on Dekalb Industrial Way and Lawrenceville Hwy. there are several Indian grocers with good, reasonably priced selections. (Be aware that HENNA aka. MEHNDI will permanently dye your hair red, though it is a healthy treatment.)The quality is just as good, (or better) as things in high dollar health food stores, and you get more for your money.

Bombay Bazaar (Lawrenceville Hwy.)
Cherrian's (Dekalb Industrial Way)
Patel Brothers (Dekalb Industrial Way)

tend to have good prices, as does another little shop next door to Wendy's on Lawrenceville Hwy. (Can't recall the name, it's in a small shopping center.) I personally prefer the shop next to Wendy's, Bombay Bazaar and Cherrian's (in that order).

Make sure you get adequate nutrition as well- protein, biotin, vitamin e, essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants,etc.

Minoxidil is toxic- avoid it.

Try to eat as much fresh produce as possible, preferably organic and avoid dairy, eggs, meat that have been laden with horomones, try to opt for organic dairy, eggs and meats.

(Excessive estrogens can cause female cancers, and non-organic farmers give their animals estrogen to speed up breeding, which in turn gets into the meat, dairy and eggs.)

I lost a large portion of my hair (thus becoming wig-bound), not to cancer, but to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and these things have helped me regrow alot of my hair. It's still growing back in places but I no longer have to wear a wig.

Kaedy, you take good care of yourself; focus on healing yourself. Be thankful for your support system, and draw strength from their love and good energies. Make a point to enjoy the sunshine and feel soft grass under bare feet.

We all enjoy your presence very much. When houses are too quiet, minds are stressed, gatherings are dull and traffic sucks you do an outstanding job of making us feel better. Thanks.

I'm glad you have a great support system for today's events.

I know you'll pull thru like a trooper.

Your previous blog and Sharon's comments are true -- you're in a fog, haze, zone when you get the news.

People told me a great thing when you go in to the doctor to get "more news", always take someone with you to either take notes or even record what the doctor says. One of my doctors got mad because I wasn't "asking questions", mu husband was. Truth was, I was hung up on a comment she made 5 minutes prior that had my mind reeling and I couldn't get my brain wrapped around it, or what she had said after that. Don't let them intimidate you. Take notes, tape conversations to listen to later when you are at home and can, I hate to use the phrase, but "focus" on what they said.

Hang in there Kaedy - stay strong!

Kaedy, I have been listening to you since I was a little girl. I was so glad you're back in Atlanta. I really admire you for sharing this very personal experience with us.