Top 10 Amazingly Weird Things You Didn't Know About Cancer

Editor’s note: Newtown Patch editor Wendy Mitchell shares her journey of battling a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, Triple Negative Metaplastic Carcinoma. Triple Negative is only found in 15-20% of women with breast cancer and Metaplastic is only found in 1% of women with breast cancer. Her goal is to raise awareness and to encourage people to do self breast exams for early detection to help save lives. Click here to read more.

By Wendy Ann Mitchell (Patch Staff)

Did you know they make wigs for eyebrows? Me neither. But it turns out I may need some one day. On Feb. 4 I was told I have breast cancer. Then on Feb. 23 I was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer. The only treatment is long, hard chemotherapy.

In the last month I have learned so much about cancer, my patience level and strength. I didn’t learn this at Cancer 101 class. No, I am a self-taught cancer connoisseur. I learned by being thrown into the fire, not by choice, by force.

Here I share with you the top 10 amazingly weird things I’ve learned since finding out that I have cancer.

Did You Know There is Such a Thing As….

#10 Chemo Brain

Since being diagnosed, I’ve been extremely forgetful and sometimes feel like I’m in mental fog. If I ask my kids something I just asked them a few hours earlier, they can’t understand why I’ve already forgotten the answer. And I do weird things like put the milk in the pantry or put the car keys in the fridge. The American Cancer Society describes chemo brain as “mental cloudiness…. before, during, and after cancer treatment. Research shows that some cancer drugs can cause certain kinds of changes in the brain….that can cause thinking and memory problems in people with cancer.”

#9 Cancer Rubber Neckers

These are people who slow down and turn around to watch every gory detail of your accident but don’t get out of the car to see if you need any help. They don’t offer to call 9-1-1 or ask if you’re okay. They just stop, glare and slowly move on. Then they tell everyone in town the horrible, sad story. If they have the misfortune to see you in public they say things like, “Oh, yeah, I saw your accident….” and then there’s that awkward pause.

#8 Boob Pillows

When you get a lumpectomy the nurses may give you a cute little pillow to place under your breast to help relieve some of the pressure. Mine says “Love” on it and was hand-made by some local high school students. After the pain finally went away three weeks after my surgery, I still find myself sleeping with that cute, comforting little pillow, even though I don’t technically “need” it anymore.

#7 Celebrity Wig Lines for Cancer Patients

You too can look like Raquel Welsh! Even with grey skin, sunken cheeks, no eyebrows or eyelashes, a weak frail body and no hair! All you need is $800 – 1,3000 for one of her fancy shmancy wigs! Oh and maybe some fake eyelashes and some makeup and some high cheekbones and some…..

#6 Eyebrow Wigs

Until I began searching for regular wigs and fake eyelashes online (because I heard mine will fall out), I had no idea that there was such a thing as eyebrow wigs. Many are made with human hair and are available in all different shapes and colors. They’re applied with adhesive or stick-on tape, depending on the cost and quality, and can last up to seven days once applied. Prices range from $30-150.

#5 Chemo Curls

I’ve always had a hate-hate relationship with my curls. My hair never feathered like Farrah Fawcett’s in the late 70’s and I could never get that disco feathered-back look in the 80’s because my hair was always naturally curly.

When I learned I had Triple Negative, I joined an online support group because I had a hard time finding anyone with this rare type of cancer. Women were posting pictures of their bald heads before and after chemo and joking about their new “chemo curls.” I had no idea what this was. They explained that chemotherapy attacks the cancer cells and the cells responsible for hair growth which is why it falls out, damages the hair shaft and the cells that determine hair texture. This is what causes the chemo curls.

#4 Cancer One-Uppers

Some people will try to “one-up” you with their sad story, even if it is not cancer related. I recently spent a good hour trying to explain to a woman why I needed financial assistance for my treatment for this life-threatening illness….that my husband has a high deductible health plan, that my son just spent five days in the hospital for emergency appendix and intestinal surgery….that he works two jobs but still can’t afford our medical bills. Instead of being understanding, she began spouting off how hard she had it because she couldn’t pay her bills and needed medical procedures and couldn’t afford it. Oh, I’m sorry. I have cancer.

#3 Cancer Cockroaches

Long-lost relatives, elementary school classmates, old neighbors, former co-workers will come out of the word work, like cockroaches, to scamper around your kitchen and look for something juicy to feed on. Just ignore them. They were out of your life for decades for a reason. Like cockroaches, they have a very hard shell and must have a thick skull because no matter how many times you try to say politely that you don’t want their advice or help, they keep lingering.

#2 Cancer Cracker-Jacks

These are the cancer know-it-alls who insist on pushing their knowledge and “expertise” in the field of pathology, radiology, oncology and surgery down your throat even though they only graduated from Google University or the College of Word-of-Mouth. Some may even advise you not to listen to the doctors because they think they know more, even though they do not have an “M.D.” in their name. Do not try any naturopathic regimen without checking first with your doctor.

The Cancer Center of America states, “using herbal supplements while undergoing chemotherapy could reduce the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents due to possible herb-drug interactions.”

I’ve been told to eat almonds, kale, avocados, kale, wheatgrass, soursop fruit and many more. The Cancer Center of America warns against using soursop fruit to treat cancer because “it has not been studied in humans. Eating the fruit could lead to movement disorders similar to Parkinson’s disease. In addition, a study suggests tea made for the leaves and stems of graviola is associated with neurotoxicity.”

Regarding wheatgrass, the American Cancer Society states, “scientific evidence does not support the idea that wheatgrass or the wheatgrass diet can cure or prevent disease. Because it is grown in soils or water and consumed raw, contamination with bacteria, molds, or other substances may be a concern. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.”

#1 Cancer Cut-Outs

These are the people who cut out on you when you need them most. They could be one of your best friends or a family member. I’ve been reading about the changes that happen in friendships and relationships after a cancer diagnosis. People you’d think would be there disappear. The ones you’d least expect to step up and fill the empty space.

I’m so grateful to those who are strong and brave enough to fight along with me. ‪Like my dear friend said to me, “Cancer is not contagious. Yes, it depressing and sad but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen to you. You’re Wendy– cancer or no cancer.”

I decided early on that I am going to do all that I can to raise awareness for Triple Negative breast cancer and the life-saving importance of doing self breast exams. If I didn’t find my lump when I did it may have been too late. Please join my selfie awareness campaign and help save lives. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Take a selfie with your clothed left boob prominently displayed
2. Post it on Facebook, Instagram an/or Twitter and hash tag #MyLeftBoob
3. Tag your family and friends

Will you join my fight? Click here to support my breast cancer treatment and share if you know someone whose life has been touched by cancer.

Photo: The Style Insider

Related:

Patch Editor Shares Diagnosis of Rare ‘Triple Negative’ Breast Cancer

Photo: Triple Negative Foundation

Wendy Mitchell is a wife and mother of three children (14, 19, 26) and the editor of Newtown, Monroe, Shelton, Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Ridgefield, Wilton, Weston-Redding-Easton Patch sites. She lives in Bethel, Conn. with her family and one-year-old black lab rescue puppy. While on medical leave she will be sharing her journey on Patch. To contact Wendy email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.