It’s True… (what they say about blondes)

It’s true.  What they say about blondes.  It’s definitely true.  It’s enormously more fun, even with having to surrender a few IQ points.  (I have already slid down the scale with my chemo brain, so it’s a win-win) 🙂

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IMG_1317Danny, my expert hair director for the past 25 years, recently worked a little magic on my new locks, and I’ve been out and about test driving my blonde pixie, realizing that I’ve been missing out on a sh*t ton of golden good times over the past 50 years of brunetteness.

Guess what?  Today marks Day 200 post transplant!  My recent Graft vs. Host Disease speed bump has flattened out a bit, thanks to the new meds from Dr. Fantastic.  He’s already tapering me on what he affectionately refers to as “vitamin P”  – the dreaded Prednisone.  PAB – Prednisone’s A Bitch.  I’ve been on it long enough this time around to once again enjoy all the delightful side effects:  7 month pregnancy belly, beard and mustache, FUSUOLS – F-ed Up Super Ugly Old Lady Skin, and of course, the chipmunk face.  Disney really needs to change its group’s names to Alvin, Simon, Theodore and Joshulman (©Todd).  I’m hoping the taper continues and at a precipitous pace.  My blood levels are still normal, although I’m not absorbing all of my immune suppressants, so Dr. F has increased my Tacrolimus.  The GvH symptoms are diminishing nicely, with my mouth and lips almost back to normal and my facial rash improving.

My new dermo did say that I could have the redness on and off for the rest of my life or just on for the rest of my life.  IMG_1285I could say FML, but at this point, I’m going with what ev.  She is brilliant, as evidenced by her collection of tools in her exam room.  Anyone who knows how to use such instruments as forcep w/teeth, bayonet w/teeth, bayonet w/o teeth, various and sundry baron suctions, tonotomy scissors, and the very frightening sounding takahashi is f-ing proficient in my book.  If you look closely at the bottom drawer of her TOTC – Tools Of Terror Cart, you can see that she even keeps a f-ing alligator in there!  Flat out, pure bad ass.  She told us that I have a chance of getting skin cancer that is 10 times the average person’s.  I just dropped a small fortune on an array of parasols.  My left knee is still numb, along with my toes, but I have gotten myself back on the workout circuit, after a year of couch/hospital bed potato-ing.  I only lasted 9 minutes on level 1 of the Life Cycle, but at least what Todd refers to as my 12-year-old boy ass was on the seat!  I felt like a one-legged chain smoker (©Niederkofler) trying to sprint up Mt. McKinley.  I have a looooong way to go to develop some muscle tone and get some skin to stick to the meat.  And that’s what’s up with that.

IMG_1378My friend, Karen sent me the most magnificently badass shirt in the entire world!  Thanks, K!

I want to send a shout out to Louisa, my next door neighbor on the transplant floor of COH.  We had our transplants just days apart and our husbands got to know each other, and each other’s wives’ day to day health updates, quite well during our stays, even though Louisa and I never were able to actually meet each other while we were there.  Todd and Mike spent a lot of time in the visitors’ lounge watching sports and eating, since they had to wear masks in our rooms (bubbles).  Since we were released and have been seeing our docs at the COH clinic, we have remained close.  Louisa is also suffering with Graft vs. Host, but in a more severe way than I am.  Her kidneys have been affected, and she has been readmitted to the hospital (for the second time since her transplant) and is on dialysis.  She also has some serious eye problems related to Graft vs. Host and will need surgery soon.  Please say a prayer for Louisa!

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I am a survivor of two extremely rare diseases, thanks to over 100 blood transfusions and ultimately, a bone marrow transplant. My blog, joselynsbrawl.com, chronicles my adventures through medical offices, operating rooms, clinics, transfusion centers, hospital transplant floors, victory celebrations, and finally my bucket list items – all with a humorous and sometimes profane twist. My goal is to inspire others not to give up on life or anything else, and to understand that it’s actually possible to enjoy any experience, even battling a life-threatening illness (or two).

38 thoughts on “It’s True… (what they say about blondes)

  1. You look Marvelous!!!! Go see “The Heat” movie with Sandra Bullock. Lots of F-bombs and laughs to fill your soul!! Good movie!!! Keep on truckin’. Happy 4th!!!
    Cookie and Pete.

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  2. Jos, you look great. Glad to hear you are tapering the P-zone.and making progress. I will definitely pray for Louisa. Leeson (hero) IV may have been a better match than Louisa had, but i dont know. :Leeson was a perfect match as we know. Rumor has it we are sending your dermo’s tools to the rebels in Syria! What a stash! Of course I will keep posting and look forward to your next one, BUT, did you mean for Todd to see your pic with George Clooney?! He can manage Prince William and Mic Jager, but George? May I tell him it was just a one nighter? After all the nurse is allowed a day off but George?! Love. Bart

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  3. I am honored that I have already had the chance to hang out with the new blonde Joselyn! As usual you’re looking f…ing fabulous! I loved spening my bday with you and Todd on your anniversary. Todd’s orange suit was the bomb and your orange shoes, toes and dress were smashing.
    Love, Your orange loving fifty year old friend enfu

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  4. Jos … I LOVE your hair, I LOVE your smile and I always LOVE your attitude. Sending a big hug your way … xo Les

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  5. You look soooo cute!! Definitely more fun being a blonde!! I want that shirt! It’s the bomb!! Happy 200th day! That’s awesome! Congrats!!!! XO Trish & Larry

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  6. You look gorgeous in the t-shirt! (So glad it was the right size and color. On line orders can be like dart throwing!) Love the F-Bomb in your hand!
    Welcome to the blonde world – though without “Sun-In” my blonde would likely be silver gray! I busted my ACL in my left knee so I’m on the bike routine here on this coast and thinking of you with every rotation of peddles. Thinking of you every day! Hugs from the East Coast!.

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  7. Jos, blonde, brunette or redhead, you look great! Keep up the spirit and the great fight, you are going to beat the hell out of this thing. Todd, thanks for the text during Game 6 of the Heat finals. You brought us good luck!

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  8. Good morning my dear friend. You always seem to know when we need an update. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I need to email you today and check in. I LOVE you as a blonde! I can see the mommy/daughter resemblance. I really do hope you are having more fun as a blonde! You deserve it since the last year has been brutal!!!! Keep up the good work and we will continue to send all of our positive vibes your way.
    Love you, Nancy

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  9. Jos, you are f-ing amazing as a blonde. As a “blonde (wink-wink)” myself, I can say you make us all proud.
    XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
    Love, Mary

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  10. Love your pixie and the red headband! I can honestly say I’ve rocked that same blonde pixie a time or two and it’s definitely brought on the fun factor. Wow day 200!!! Pure awesomeness!

    My thoughts will go to Louisa. Thank you for reminding us that there are many who continue to struggle after receiving BMT’s.

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  11. Love your spirit! Wonderful to have you back in the salon & see you looking & feeling so amazing!

    Ps. Would love to book you for a hair show, but it looks like you are pretty busy with all your new celebrity friends;)

    Much love,

    Danny, Regina & the staff at Daniel Michael Salon

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  12. Jos-honestly, I ADORE the new blonde “do”…..seriously fantasizing I can drop twenty and then I am GOING to give it a GO! You continue to inspire on SO many levels (as you see!!)…….keep that f-ing fighting attitude going!! Adding Louisa to my morning prayer list.
    Love you, dear girl/woman/mama/warrior….xoxoxo

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  13. Hey! You’d better take it easy there Superchick. It seems riding a chopper might be a bit much, but then again, you ARE a badass. Haha..great photos. Thanks for the great morning read and keep up the good healing. I’m going to get my hair done now. Blonder maybe…..

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  14. Glad you are having fun as a blonde! I had that same look 56 years ago! Love your humor – keep up the good work…..

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  15. Hi Jos…
    Love the pic; you make a beautiful blonde, too!
    Will continue prayers for lots more ‘tapering’ and for your friend Louisa.

    Thanks for sharing your contagious attitude and incredible writing skills!

    Love and huge hugs…
    Ryan and his ‘Mugs’

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  16. Jos, you look awesome as a blonde. Maybe the Miller sister blonde trifecta has finally infiltrated your Pomeroy Pompadour, or perhaps Mychaela was finally ready for some Mother-daughter twin days. Welcome on board ! The blonde side really is much more fun! Day 200 is the shiznit !!!!! BRAVO GIRLFRIEND ! XOXO, Robin
    PS Maui cossobellos and Sarentos are not the same without you and your Toady. Miss you terribly .

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  17. You look great as a blonde and I thought you knew blondes have more fun – that’s why I married one. Don’t tell your aunt that they have lower IQ’s though. It was very emotional for me to talk to you yesterday. So good to hear your voice and to feel your energy again. I love your descriptions of the TOTC cart – all you need is a vision of nurse Ratchet standing beside it – scary. Glad to hear you can lessen Vitamin P and hopefully some of the others that cause negative side effects.Keep up that fantastic attitude. Uncle Lynn

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  18. Jos, you would look great with any color hair! Love the video montage. Keep on smiling & we will continue to pray for your full recovery & Louisa too!

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  19. Hi Jos, I love your new badass blonde look! Thanks for sharing all of your blonde adventures!!!!! Just fabulous! Thinking of you always. Thoughts and prayers for Louisa. Love, Barbara xoxo

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  20. Joselyn, You are a WARRIOR!
    Since the F bombs are so prevalent go see The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy you would enjoy.
    You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Michael Cargile | Senior Vice President
    Voit Real Estate Services
    2020 Main Street, Suite 100 | Irvine, CA 92614
    T (949) 263-5338 | F (949) 261-9092
    mcargile@voitco.com | http://www.voitco.com
    License #00491668

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  21. I always knew you were a blonde. Are we even related? Is the 99.999% marrow match a coincidence>>? 🙂

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  22. Honestly, when I looked across the restaurant Sat. night I said to N8, “I think that is Todd Miller – that guy there, in the orange leisure suit. But who is the rad young blonde he is with?”. So wonderful to see you and your warm smile out and about. And Todd was beaming at you. Where do you get your hair done? I am going to track down Danny and have him work his magic on me! Happy happy Anniversary and Dia de 200!!! Your fans, The Singers

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  23. I love the new ‘do! You know I’m a fan of the pixie and it looks great on you! Sounds like you’re improving daily. You’re an inspiration!

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  24. you look great! blonde, pixie cut……love it. always been a fan of short hair and of course the color……perfect! so glad to hear you are on the mend.happy 4th to you and yours!

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  25. I live at the dermatologist so welcome to my world!! Parasols are a damn good idea and cute, too! Your hair is awesome – wish we all could pull the pixie off 🙂 See you next week. Cinda

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  26. You are a darling blond, Joselyn! Your clever pictures are great!! So happy to see you looking so good, and keeping up that incredibly good attitude! We love you very much, and always have you in our prayers.
    Carole and David

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  27. Jos:

    Greetings and love to you Sweetheart and to Toady. You give us all such faith and I am so proud of you and the way you bravely keep going and going and going UP UP UP!!

    Rexford is having a ball…. takes bravery for him to be enjoying himself know your fight goes on.

    Fight on Jos…. with admiration and love,

    Auntie Char

    P.S. I am learning the “lingo” of your generation quickly…. certainly is descriptive!

    I hope you will be able to see Milly and her children when she is down in San Diego. She plans to come to your Mother’s house on the 3rd of August, I believe.

    Auntie Char

    Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2013 05:26:10 +0000 To: charlotte_mayfield@hotmail.com

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    1. Hi Joselyn, I am so proud of you and your miraculous fight with
      shulman’s syndrome. The best news is that you are winning! I love your blond hair style. I am also blond now but for a different reason. I am trying to cover my white hair and blond works well. I will continue to pray for your recovery. Love, Your cousin Pat

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  28. Reblogged this on lnblog2016 and commented:
    I am SO new and unfamiliar with this it took me 15 minutes to see how to reply! a close contest on the GVHD and the heiness hair. Actually mine is just coming back- still in wigs-very blonde! Way to go- You’re awesome! I’ll keep following… I gave up,on my blog because no one seemed to see it. Keep up the attitude!

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