And the most recent development is that the chemo is showing how it kills cells. How so? My hair started coming out in clumps today. Not everyone that does chemo loses their hair but I knew with my regiment it would happen sometime around day 14-16 for sure. Reading other's blogs and stories has given me a real sense of what to expect which is reassuring as this all unfolds. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't prepared for how dehydrated I became and how much that affected me (or is still affecting me) but most things have been expected. Whether I lose my body hair or not is still to be determined. None of it bothers me too much, I didn't exactly have a hairline to brag about anyway. The one thing that is probably going to freak me out is looking in the mirror and seeing a skinny bald guy. Although I'm not that skinny yet I guess, I've lost 14 lbs now but I still have a gut. It's always good to have a little weight on for a rainy day.
So Wednesday is the big buzz cut. I think we'll take Anthony for a trim as he has a little lopsided mullet going and Dad will get it all shaved off. Hopefully this way Anthony won't be traumatized when I come home with no hair. In the meantime, below is the last family pic, for a while anyway, in which I will have hair.
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry to respond so late. Reading all of this is like roller-coaster riding with all the ups and downs especially in Your first posting. We knew You were sick with cancer but did not yet realize the effects all this has.
Cancer has already lost me two cousins, here and in Canada, so I hope that it has taken already too much from our family and You will finally recover as the odds are very good for that. Sorry though for all the side effects. Sorry for not dropping in and "yelling" at You but You see, my aunt left Germany some 60 years ago and it may well take us another 60 years until we make it to visit You. Maybe we could then have that drink together with Amy in 60 years? ;)
Keep thinking that within a few weeks all the treatment be over and You are allright again. Maybe I could send You some of my overweight across? ;)
Also give our love to Adrienne and Anthony. Although I am always a bit lazy in writing we think of and feel with You
Gerd + family from Gustorf
Hey Pat,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling a bit better. Hopefully this go round will be a lesson in what to do and what not to do for the next three.
My hair started falling out in earnest yesterday and by today I was sporting some real bald spots under my hat. Between the brutal pixie cut and the clunky bald spots I looked pretty awful. After we put the kids to bed, I took out the electric shavers I borrowed from a friend and Keith and I set to work. It was actually quite cathartic to see the lousy hair cut fall away. I took a razor and shaving
cream to it afterwards and made it quite smooth and I gotta say...it's kind of cool.
One thing about being bald...it really makes your eyes pop.
If your hair is coming out in clumps, getting rid of it will only make things better.
Good luck Pat!
Keith said to say hi too and that you are in our thoughts.
Amy