Hair Today, Gone tomorrow.

Quite a process has happened this week. My hair has gone from normal to nothing. So lots of photos to follow this process. Last weekend it was pretty normal, but thinning. By Tuesday there were definite bald patches.

 By Wednesday there were little piles of hair all around the house. I started to feel bad about the hair loss. Secretly I thought it wouldn't happen to me.

Still a bit of a fringe - thank goodness I could wear a hat and still look normal. On Thursday I had my second round of chemo. The effect of the prednisone was to keep me awake that night. And by morning I had decided to get it shaved off and clear up all this hair. So I took what was left round to Karen and she gently shaved me off!

Weird, but I was OK with it. From inside me I can't tell that I dont have hair. Much in the same way that I don't feel fat unless I stand on the scales.

It feels like a soft leather couch, and hasn't been as cold as I thought - though I wouldn't want to go outside without a hat.

I've seen lots of people with the same haircut as me - guys mainly. Thank goodness it is popular.

 But I still think I will wear the wig when I go out.

Just a shame that I am getting so many compliments on my hairdo when I go out! I might be wearing my wig for ever! I have been truly blessed to have my two children with me during this traumatic time (not to mention the help with the vacuuming up of hairs), but more of their visit in the next BLOG.

The robber - that bastard Cancer

1.Its been quite a sad week as I have returned all my summer clothes to the wardrobe from the spare bed where I was preparing to pack for our trip to see Simon, Jax and Theo. All matched up with sandals and jewelry .Its been too long since I have seen my son, and playtime with Theo is always worth its weight in gold. The cruise down the Nile cancelled - just as our interest was heightened my reading my Dad's War Diaries about his trip down the Nile.
2.My job has been swept away from me - I thought I would have eight hours as the specialist suggested I could, especially as I feel so well. My days are quite structureless now, and the longer I stay away the less the chance that I will return to work. I'm sure I will have to fill my days with something.
3.My white blood cells have been drained. How could they be when I feel so well? They should be between 2 and 7.5  Mine are 1.6. I know this is how is should be, but I thought I would astound them with great results.
Thank goodness Jill is coming to visit.
Thank goodness there are other plans in the pipeline.
Thank goodness things can improve when you are forced to change.
Thank goodness I can still enjoy a glass of wine when I'm feeling low!

Hair is the news

The last normal photos I had taken were at Jill's PhD ceremony.

Shortly after this I learned that I had lymphoma and the most likely outcome would be R Chop chemotherapy which almost guarantees that you lose you hair.

I read in the helpful little book that if you have you hair short it falls out less painfully and less in clumps. So I went to the hairdresser and got it cut short. It was a little bit sad, but a good red colour lifted my spirits. I had to go scrambling for my range of earings from the good old days. (I dont have pierced ears)

 Apparently you can start losing your hair from day 12 of treatment and the wig lady encouraged me to come early in case we had to send away for a new colour. But she had what I wanted anyway - streaks of honey and red. The wig is asymmetric  - we are hoping this will detract from the lump on the neck which is getting smaller and softer.

 My hair hasn't shown any signs of falling out yet, but I feel confident that the wig will be OK which is just as well because I look like a praying mantis in a turban.

So now I have entered the world of wigliners and wig shine, scalp shampoo rather than hair shampoo.
All new steps along the way.

Week One is done

It is just now as I look at my chart that I realise what a hell of a long time 18 weeks is. The treatment has been very hard on the digestive system. I have had both diarrhoea and constipation, wind at both ends,  bloating and cramping. Tea and red wine have gone out the window - must be the tannins. Hot food now scalds all the way down my gullet as the layer of cells there is altered by the chemo. There have been lapses  in energy - of total torpor  - treacle limbs so hard to move. And the worst of it is that I cannot predict any of this - just like the blood noses which gush at unexpected times.
On the positive side I am sleeping very well, and very often. Chewing gum seems to help settle my gullet and cramping. I am getting maybe four hours a day when I feel totally normal!! I've lost another kg. I am still able to walk with my friends. Still able to socialise for short periods - till my concentration lapses.
17 weeks stretches before me. 
Right-o now to get the photos ready for the big wig reveal!!!!

Day 1 of 126

 Now we begin the treatment - the first day of 126. They warm up your hands and then find a nice vein. Lyn, I fear you would not be a good candidate for this! The first treatment is very long as they take their time to inject 5 different chemicals into you.

 But the first one they give you is Phenagan which makes you very drowsy and  helps to relax the body so that it is not shocked by the other chemicals to follow. They laz boys have been well used - I almost wish I had a more supportive chair. Olwyn had warned me about feeling "antsy" and wanting to move around all the time, so I knew it was just a couple of hours of discomfort, and promptly went into a fitful sleep. The nurses say I snored - but I think this might have been a little joke.

 Now the treatment is starting to be injected. I have woken up and had a hearty lunch of sandwiches and Mystery Mushroom Soup.  Patsy was a nurse in ICU for many years and then had a stint as a vet nurse, so I guess if you bark or whinny she will come rushing!

 The next drug must be administered slowly and under supervision. This is the one is the one that will make your hair fall out and make your pee pink. But I guess it has another job as well.

So six and a half hours later I tottered off. Sick and tired of sitting in a chair, so cooked dinner and even had a glass of wine. Feeling good today, but my mouth is very dry, but no nausea, so pleased with how  it is going so far. 125 days to go.

Silly

On Thursday the kids had a shared lunch with me. In exclusive Brethren terms this means I have first servings of the food and then retire to the staffroom to eat so as not to break the "not eating with the exclusive brethren" rule. They also gave me a goody box - enough treats to last the 18 weeks of treatment, and certainly guaranteed not to allow me to lose weight.  I managed to hold it together throughout all this and then three of my old students from previous years appeared with a huge bunch of flowers AND  a vase and this card. I was in floods of tears and then my nose started bleeding so I was a right mess!
Never mind - the sentiment is excellent!!
However looking at these two girls I wondered what I will wear when I lose my hair, and while their headgear is very fetching I have opted  for a very classy felt fedora from Ezibuy. It will either cover my thinning hair - or hold my wig on in the wind. Today's silly something - buy a silly hat!