A number of people have commented that I'm now experiencing what they've been going through for years. Yep, I can see where they're coming from, but I have to say that what has taken some of you 35 years to achieve, i.e. an almost totally nude skull, I have had done to me in something less than a week!
And here's the thing - chemo is a bully. It picks off the crowning glory stuff with a laugh and a leer, and doesn't even touch the socially undesirable stuff that normally you'd pay others to take care of. What I mean is, the head hair generally is extremely wispy, but the little clumps in the ears and nose? Still rampant!
But I'm sort of persisting with it at the moment, despite initially thinking that I'd whip it all off at the first sign of thinning. I'm now going to see how bad it looks before I go that path.
In other news, last Thursday was Cycle2, Day1: today is therefore C2D7. Reaction for the four days after about the same as last time, perhaps a little worse - maybe there's something in this accumulation effect they promised me. And I've picked up a nasty head cold. When I had my blood test this morning, they told me it would be okay as long as it didn't get to my chest, in which case they might have to stop the treatment. No way that's going to happen!
Ran into an old work colleague last week who also has cancer. He's been down the Gawler Institute route, and follows the protocols pretty strictly, including two hours of meditation a day. Even Ian Gawler was apparently impressed by his positivity.
Mum's 93rd birthday on Sunday last, and the clan gathered to celebrate. 40-odd of us, with four generations and around a dozen great grandchildren. A terrific gathering, and lovely for me to see and catch up with all the nieces and nephews apart from those in Japan and England, and Townsville.
I'm being careful at work, sticking solidly to my comfort zone, and not taking on anything that will unduly stress me. Seems sensible.
Paul Craft (oncologist) and I have decided that I will have another PET scan after Cycle 3 to assess the progress of the chemo. I can feel in my bones that it will be a positive result (in that the cancer will be much reduced, of course). If that's the case, Brisbane plans are back on track - house on the market in September/October, with a move into the Brisbane house in mid-January 2008.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Pictures ...? :-)
Tony who would be so crass & ask for pictures of the balding event? Mind you it would make great vision on You Tube as well! So when will we get a glimpse? As for the progress report, I too look forward to hearing of a much reduced `cuckoo' come Cycle3! Then before you know it we will be having a XXXX in God's own country to celebrate! best Greg & Wendy
PS. we move into our new house 26 July - at Paradise Point
Tony, the good news is that eventually "all the hair will go" even the ears and other places. Pictures would be good, and only the head please. But remember you have the chance of yours growing back, some of us are on a one way path with the hair.
Paul is a good oncologist, I like his style and he knows his stuff.
cheers
bruce white
OK. Clearly time to 'fess up. It was crass old me who asked for the pictures (although I note there aren't any yet!). But anyway, and as always, best regards with everything - pictures or no!
Dennis
Post a Comment