Radiotherapy: Day Sixteen

I'm past the halfway point and am getting very bald. In the last week I've lost most of my hair. What's left has been shaved down to mere stubble. I can honestly say, while it doesn't look great, it doesn't really bother me either. While I have no problem with going bald, it does look a bit odd. My hairline looks like it's from a future me, while my face still enjoys the youthful looks of someone in their early 30s. My second chin still looks the same. You can have look here:



So what to do? I can either grow what's left and pretend nothing has happened, or do I go the full 'Duncan Goodhew?' I'm edging towards the latter. At least I have some control and can say it's a lifestyle choice. The only problem with that is I consider shaving my face enough of a faff as it is. Perhaps I should simply grow a beard. That would not only keep my daily shaving time to the same as it is now, but I would also have the same amount of hair, just in a different place. The options are almost endless, but I would appreciate your input.

Other than the hair loss I'm not feeling any other symptoms. No tiredness or nausea. That could possibly be a treat for the last couple of weeks. As usual I'll keep you up to date.

J

Radiotherapy: Day Thirteen

So, the hair has finally begun to fall out. And it's a lot more than I was led to believe! Still it's not like I had good hair in the first place, and it does mean I get to wear those hats that only cancer patients can get away with. I've had my eye on an Indiana Jones style fedora for sometime now. In my head it would turn me into Harrison Ford. In reality I would still be me, but wearing a silly hat.

Perhaps I should buy a series of hats, take some photos and you can vote for which one I should wear. That may be a little bit too Saturday night telly for my liking. It might just be easier to wear a simple cap. That would fit in more with the clientelle of my bus journey to and from hospital every day. Lots of fat people in track suites, an irony I'm still enjoying. That's something else you can do as a cancer patient, say whatever's on your mind. I have considered sitting on bus simply pulling out chunks of hair. Just to freak people out. But I seriously don't think anyone would notice. I'll stick with cap for now, but if want to send your suggestions please do.

I'll try and get some photos taken of the bald patch before Anisa just shaves it all off.

The hair loss is the first side effect of the treatment I've experienced. I'm still feeling fine in myself. On Monday I helped move two tonnes of top soil before my treatment. And when I say helped I moved half of it myself. This is an illustratative example of how well I feel, and not just me showing off. Although I did feel like a proper man. I now have a vegetable patch thanks to my dad, but that's for another blog.

Just a quick mention for my son Jack, who keeps us entertained, and celebrates his 18 month birthday type thing. A milestone for us all.

J

Radiotherapy: Day Five

I've just had my fifth treatment, and still no side-effects. Nor no superpowers, not even a psychic vision of the future. As predicted the bus journey is more of a pain, but I'm getting used to it. An Ipod and a book pass the time. You tend to see the same people, making the same journeys everyday. They all seem to know each other. I can already predict who gets on and off at which stops. I'm sure they're all thinking the same about me, only I'm the one with big scar on my head.

I forget it's there sometimes. It's never really been an issue considering what I've had done, but now I'm out of immediate danger it is starting to bug me a little. My hair's growing at an accelerated rate due to the steroids. I'm not sure if it's going to cover up the damage though. I've still not had an hair loss from the radiotherapy either. As I've said before it's a small price to pay, and it's not like I ever had great hair anyway.

Sorry it's not been too exciting, but that's how things are at the moment. Routine and repetition. Keeping appointments like clockwork. I'm sure it's the same for all of you. Only I have my next month planned out for me on a sheet of paper stuck to the fridge.

Oh well, only 25 more to go.

J

Radiotherapy: Day One

I began my six week course of radiotherapy today, and there's little to report. The whole process took about ten minutes and I didn't feel a thing. The area around where the tumor was was zapped five times from different angles, and that was that. I came out feeling the same as I went in. With the exception of weekends this will be repeated up to and including June 16th. As I've said before the side effects, if they come at all, will come later in the treatment. These include tiredness, nausea and some hair loss where the 'lasers' go through my head.

At the moment the real pain's going to be getting to the hospital. Today I was driven. Tomorrow I embark on the adventure called 'public transport.' Now, I don't want to come off sounding like a snob, but I haven't been on a bus in years, and for one good reason: they're simply not convenient. Tomorrow I will be getting one of three buses. The better option will get me there 30 minutes before my treatment begins and leaves 30 minutes after it ends. That's an hour's wait each day. They'll be about a week where I'm not getting the bus, so give a take an hour I've wasted about a day of my life. All because of public transport. Now I'm just winging, but hey that's what the internet's for. A full report will be available tomorrow.

I went to see the man responsible for removing my tumor in the first place last week. The surgeon said my scar's healing well and booked me in for another MIR scan. I haven't got a date yet, but I'll let you all know. There's some positive news on glass of wine front. He didn't say I couldn't have one. What he did say was that alcohol would inhibit the drugs that I'm on, and that could lead to me having another fit. But it was my decision and that he couldn't tell me what to do. I'll at least wait until the end of the radiotherapy before I give into temptation.

I'll give you a bus review tomorrow. Until then...