However, this week I had a reminder that the effects of the chemo were not completely gone yet. I put on my make-up as usual and noticed the mascara wasn't doing very much in enhancing the thinning eye lashes. Upon closer inspection I realized my left eye only had two, exactly two lashes. One poked toward my left ear, the other pointed toward my nose. I was a little deflated, because I was so excited about the slow growing fuzz on my head. But I realized, the lashes hung in there the longest after chemo, but now they would probably take longer to return. So what's a girl to do? Well if you lose your hair you get a wig, and I'd heard if you lose your eye lashes you can glue some others on!
I dashed to the local drug store and grabbed some. I didn't know what I was doing but found it funny that I was trying to glue lashes on with fingers that are still numb from the chemotherapy. It's a side effect that will take awhile to fade away. The neuropathy has left me very clumsy. But there I was with a magnification mirror and awkward fingers and nails that I'm told might pop off, trying to strategically place a tiny feather like thing onto the top of my eye. The glue stuck to my fingers and after I placed it, the finger with the glue on it would pull it right off. Soon the sweat was starting to roll off my brow. That didn't help either. It was a bad time for a hot flash. I just kept seeing that scene in the old "Lucy Show" where her eye lashes were dangling in front of her eyes. I prayed that wouldn't happen at six or ten pm. But finally success. the little guys stuck in pretty much the right place.
The Lord provides I thought and I did feel better having something on my eye lid. It's not important in the big picture, but in the immediate picture... it helped me feel more put together. As I warned you that my hair might look different due to the fact I'd have to wear a wig. Now I'm sharing this lash flash in case you notice something a little different.
God is so good, lashes or no lashes, I'm feeling better and radiation isn't so bad. I'm running and hoping to go wigless soon!
God Bless!
I am laughing and crying at the same time. You have that rare quality which evokes emotion out of all of us, even those who think we are pretty tough. I must say you must be one of the toughest little girls I have ever seen.
Keep up the good work, and keep blogging. You have an inate ability to find humor in almost every situation. Your husband must be a hoot himself.
I cannot imagine being a fly on the wall and listening to your family at the dinner table. It must be hilarious.
Keep laughing and smiling, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing a smile to my face in another rather typical mundane afternoon at the office.
God sometimes uses his special gems to spray a glorious light on those who need it the most.
Like a rare stone, you are so precious.
Keep smiling, Brenda. I love your heart. You are beautiful on the inside and outside.
Bubba
1/11/08
When the storms hit yesterday, I was at St. Vincent's. Patients were placed in the halls and medical practice practically came to a halt. The storms came through Birmingham and from what I have heard some folks had a lot of damage. All doors to the outside world were shut. But, thanks to James Spann we were not completely remove from the world. We could still hear him through the closed door.
As I was taking my shower this morning, I was thinking about the events of yesterday and was reminded of you. Storms come and, at times, then even knock us down just like they did in the storms yesterday. It is obvious that you have certainly had your share of storms. However, praise the Lord. Each and everyday the sun still shines amidst the storms in your life. You are always able to see the SON and you don't concentrate on those storms in your life.
I heard on the news this morning and a laday in west Alabama was crediting James Spann for saving her own life and the lives of her two children. I thank the Lord for the that. However, only the Lord knows how many lives that you have saved as a result of your witness for breast cancer. I am assured that many people are walking around today because Brenda Ladun urged them to have a mammogram. Thank you so much for all that you do for us.
God Bless!
Sandy
I would not have been able to put the lashes on at all, my eye sight is going with age! Yes, I too think about Lucy.... I laughed out loud when I read your blog. Keep the humor and definitely the Faith! GOD is good.
Many prayers being sent up for you and yours! You are beautiful on the inside and outside! Love you!
All I can say is, "You go girl!" My motto now is, "Life is a PRECIOUS gift. Live, laugh, love." Somer Miller :) 2nd grade teacher & Mom of my sweet Lily-girl
You are such an inspiration to many people. We love you very much. I was at breakfast with you at St. Vincents East and was so blessed by your talk. I also bought both of your books and have read them. The Lord I'm sure will bless you more each day and before long you will be well and will have both hair and eye lashes. God bless you and your family.
I think you are still beautiful. I have a twin sister and you favor her alot. We love your newscast and hope that you get better soon. Like I said, my family thinks that you have always been beautiful and still are. Hurry and get well
My mom is a woman of petunias and grace of gardens and pie crusts and prayers without haste. She sings while she's working, she prays in the dirt, She washes and ?puzzles?- and was never a flirt. My mom welcomes strangers - even to birthday feasts, and makes up the beds - be you North, South or East. (And if you hail from the West? Yes. . . you'll still be her guest!)
My mama is 'Rosemary', of 'remembrance' and 'thyme', and she shares all she owns - even to her last dime. Every Christmas she and Daddy decide what they can spend then they thank God for each other - and give to others instead. She lets him sing love songs - made up on the fly, So what if they're goofy? She sure loves her guy. (And yes. . . sometimes he nails it, And gives romance through wit.)
My mom is a woman of "thank you's" and plants, Who has shown that without music, it's still possible to dance; For the tune she hears playing is not for ears of this world, So she continues to spin, weave and let joy be unfurled. She has painted with pigments, on paper to share, but the best works of her life are the ways that she's cared. (For countless besides Dad, Jeff and me. . . You can be sure that in heaven we'll see!) My mama?s my friend. . . my role model and rock. She somehow sets a bar high yet on her love puts no lock. She can tell me to strive for the best through her care But when I have failed (which is often) she's there To dust my knees off, dry my tears, hold my hand; After heartache and failure, she says, 'Try again.' (She lives Grace - as we ought - and shines 'Judge Thou Not.') My mom is a warrior - -like Gideon and Josh, She knows God goes before her, and the battle's not lost. Though the tumult and pain and confusion seem strong She believes, lives and knows that the Victory is won, That death has been vanquished and life is secured, So she steps out in faith, knowing she WILL endure. (Trusting sickness will cease and yielding, instead, to Healing and Peace.) Yes. . . thank you, Lord, that?s my Mom. - - - - with love by Karen Leigh 1.10.08
Now, I am a lover of all things beauty. I have some experience with false eyelashes. I'm kind of cheap too, so I shop at Wal-Mart for everything. They have an eyelash kit that comes with a plastic applicator that you can hold the lashes with to apply the glue and also use to apply them to the eye. It's a little tough to work with at first, but it keeps the glue off your fingers. Except for when you press down the end of course. Maybe that would help you a little bit :)
Good luck with the new beauty routine. I wish you the best!
God bless you,
You are such an inspiration! I am praying for your complete healing and believe that it is going to happen. I admire you for sharing this private and difficult time in your life. Your stories help other cancer survivors know that there are others surviving with them and it makes those of us who have not experienced cancer be thankful for our health. Hang in there and continue to lean on the Lord-he loves you and your tv audience does too!
Teresa
God Bless You and Your Family
