Well, it's been a very quiet couple of weeks, no major side effects and nothing else much going on (apart from Mum chucking a few spanners in the works 😤😤😤).
Although I do seem to have lost my nasal hairs which is annoying as I keep sniffing, especially when I'm in the open air. Oh, and I think my eyebrows are thinning a little.
My hair hasn't regrown (no surprise really as I'm still killing off hair follicles) but neither has much more fallen out - so I still have a velvety feel to my head, rather like antlers 🦌
Mood wise I think I've been OK and we've got out and about whenever we could - the weather really has been wonderful for November.
The only hospital visits have been for the weekly line flush and today I had a telephone assessment as Cycle 3 is due tomorrow (my last FEC and half-way through the chemo 😀). No contra indications to report from my end but the results from Wednesday's blood test showed my white blood count is very low and the Sister I was speaking to was waiting for confirmation as to whether the infusion could actually go ahead tomorrow. Whilst we were still talking she heard back that my levels were "within the guidelines" so it's all systems go, but she warned that my immune system is likely to be compromised sooner than the normal 7-10 days after and for longer 😨😨😨
So, as there really isn't too much to report, I thought I model a few of the head coverings I've bought:
Left-Right/Top-Bottom
- known as "Condom Cap" I wear this most nights as my head gets jolly cold
- badly made and makes me look like I have long, floppy ears so not worn much - also screams "cancer patient" (I think)
- "Nepalese Peasants Hat" nice and warm and feels quite secure
- "Baker Boy" cap and, as you can guess from the smile, my favourite as it hides me well
Medway Hospital outsources it's wig supplies to a local shop which is run by a lovely West Indian lady and although at the time I wasn't sure I actually wanted a wig, as the NHS were kindly contributing £60, I thought I might as well get one just in case I ever feel the need to look "acceptable" anywhere.
We had the consultation a few weeks ago, before my hair started coming out and back then I didn't think losing my hair would upset me, and with Desiree's help selected a suitable wig just in case. Meet Veronica
So far though I've only worn it out a couple of times, on a flying visit to the local supermarket and then last week to an Indian restaurant. It's been alright, although at times I feel if I wrinkle my forehead it'll just go ping and fly off - I do have some wig tape and pins (courtesy of lovely niece who is in the theatre) which I can use to anchor it better. Yesterday in a National Trust tearoom I actually took off my hat and ate lunch bare headed as I was really hot - I felt very self conscious but I don't think anyone took much notice.
With the infusion due tomorrow I'm glugging water like a fish - 3 litres today - which I'm convinced helps to keep some of the side effects bay - fingers crossed I'll get off lightly once more (🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 but of course PFTWHFTB)
With the infusion due tomorrow I'm glugging water like a fish - 3 litres today - which I'm convinced helps to keep some of the side effects bay - fingers crossed I'll get off lightly once more (🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 but of course PFTWHFTB)
