David, hope the treatment continues to be successful, and you have a good if quiet Christmas. Hair loss? I recommend a hat; keeps my head warm anyway.

Edited December 16, 200916 yr by Guest

I thank everyone for their support, even though most of you know me only through our contributions on this forum, your kind thoughts do help contribute to my feeling of well being.

 

The hair is still coming out and although not as badly during the first 24 hours, I can now detect a very thin patch at the front, but I have two felt trilby hats, normally used on the boat, so one of those will help keep my head warm. The beard and body hair seems to be surviving so maybe the head hair loss is nearly finished for now. I still feel a little sick at times, but some of the other side effects experienced during phase one such as light headedness, whilst there, are less pronounced so far, but they do say that one reacts differently to each pahse of the treatment. I am still a bit miffed about the hair loss though.

 

I have another blood test tomorrow, and then a second shorter chemo session on Monday, then no more visits until after the New Year when my third chemo course starts. After that I have a CT scan booked at the end of January to see what effect the chemo has had., and what the next stage will be. Unless there are any unsuspected complications, I anticipate the next three weeks to more or less mirror the last three, so there will be little to report, but I will keep you informed of my progress at the next stage of my treatment.

 

Once again I thank you all for your support.

I thank everyone for their support, even though most of you know me only through our contributions on this forum....

 

My first impressions of you from reading your posts over the years was that you were a rather stuffy and highly strung old git. I have to say that meeting you at Braunston earlier in the year confirmed that I was, as usual, 100% wrong....

 

Best wishes with your treatment and for the new year.

The hair is still coming out and although not as badly during the first 24 hours, I can now detect a very thin patch at the front, but I have two felt trilby hats, normally used on the boat, so one of those will help keep my head warm.

David,

 

Let us know if your need for the Bowler becomes greater than ours.

 

We could always post it back to you!

David,

 

Let us know if your need for the Bowler becomes greater than ours.

 

We could always post it back to you!

No thanks it looks just as stupid on my big head as it does on yours. Let Cath keep it, it looks better on her.

I have just started my second phase of Chemotherapy, and the good news is that despite my white cell platelet count being a bit on the low side, the Doctors seem to think I am responding well to the treatment. Apart from the cancer itself, I remain in good health, am fit and well and am still able to do most of the things I would normally do. I have managed to get up a ladder and prune the conifer tree, and have mowed the grass (by hand - no fancy powered mowers for me!), and am now in the middle of decorating the front bedroom. The only thing I really cannot do is spend too much time in crowded places such as shops and markets because if the risk of catching other people's coughs and sneezes. If everything goes to plan my second session is next Monday, and then I do not have to attend again until a few days after New Year for the third phase.

 

The bad news (well for me at least) is that despite assurances that it probably would not happen, my hair has started to fall out, and I only payed to have it trimmed last week! Those who know me will be aware that my hair, although quite long is not very thick, and if the present rate of loss continues I will as good as bald by the weekend. At the moment the beard is only shedding the odd few hairs, fortunately it is quite dense, so the loss may be no more than normal. There is some consolation in that, although I will no doubt have to endure the jibes that my head is on upside down. If the beard also goes, and Jan is convinced it will!, it will be a big shock to everyone, After having it stuck to my face for 46 years, even I cannot remember what I look like without it. If it does go I will have to paste a new scary photo on my Viewing profile.

 

As so many people asked me to keep them informed I have started a new thread rather than resurrect the old one, and I aplolgise to tyhe mods for raising it in General Boating, but somehow the pub just befroe Xmas did not sem appropriate.

 

I wish you all a merry Xmas, Ours, by choice, will probably be fairly quiet, with only a few visitors.

 

David,

 

Thanks for keeping us up to date with your progress. What an exchange; hair loss for recovery? I'm balding as I'm in my fifties. Fortunately, it doesn't bother me one iota, nor does it bother my wife Chrissie.

When she lost her hair (all of her hair) during Chemo, she took it on the chin and we actually laughed at the total difference in her appearance. Five years on, her hair is as thick as it ever was, but silvery grey as opposed

to blond.

 

We both wish you the best Christmas present you could ever want, a very long life and many more years to reflect on this challenge that you will surely overcome.

 

All the very best from Mike & Chrissie

David,

 

Thanks for keeping us up to date with your progress. What an exchange; hair loss for recovery? I'm balding as I'm in my fifties. Fortunately, it doesn't bother me one iota, nor does it bother my wife Chrissie.

When she lost her hair (all of her hair) during Chemo, she took it on the chin and we actually laughed at the total difference in her appearance. Five years on, her hair is as thick as it ever was, but silvery grey as opposed

to blond.

 

We both wish you the best Christmas present you could ever want, a very long life and many more years to reflect on this challenge that you will surely overcome.

 

All the very best from Mike & Chrissie

 

HiDavid. As a cancer survivor twice, My hair fell out but grew back better than ever, but my eyelashes and eyebrows stayed intact.So pleased to hear that the treatment is going well.Hope it continues..

My mum has just had an op for breast cancer only a few weeks ago, really upset me, its hard to be strong, but fingers crossed,, i know how people feel, i really do.

Thanks for the ongoing support and advice. The hair has stopped falling out now, but it is a bit thin on top, It is quite intimidating to watch yourself age ten years in a week but the beard is still intact.

 

We have just got back from the Hospital today, after the second consultation. Everything is going well and all my blood counts are all back within the normal range, so the next double chemo session can start next Monday. After that I have to wait until the end of January for a CT scan, then we will know whether the lung spots are cancerous or not.

 

Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the ongoing support and advice. The hair has stopped falling out now, but it is a bit thin on top, It is quite intimidating to watch yourself age ten years in a week but the beard is still intact.

 

We have just got back from the Hospital today, after the second consultation. Everything is going well and all my blood counts are all back within the normal range, so the next double chemo session can start next Monday. After that I have to wait until the end of January for a CT scan, then we will know whether the lung spots are cancerous or not.

 

Fingers crossed.

That sounds like positive progress David, good luck

Stuart

Our fingers are also crossed for you David.

 

Seems to be good going so far.

 

Martyn & Margaret

good, positive news that you write of ....

the only thing I would comment on is if the hair does grow back thicker and different colour, texture as others have commented on then you may come to resemble 'cousin it' ????? quite a distinguished look on the cut I would say , or maybe one of those huge teutonic moustaches.. would be better,

Hi David

 

This year has also been bad for me after being dianosed with tescular cancer back in January

unfortnatly not getting caught in time so now secondary

 

2 operations later and with over 160 hours of chemo im in remision, and moving and living on a widebeam its about being positive.

 

I also lossed all my hair, and gone through all the side effects re chemo,taste buds smells everthing does get better.

It has been a bad year for me, but I am recovering and aiming for 2009 news years eve, as it be a new year and things will only get better.

 

Cancer is not the end of the world, and i've just treated it as a speed bump in life.

 

there are lots of folks who have or currently going through all sorts of illness,and the best way to get through with it all is to try and smile.

For all the folks on the forum that have met me know that I enjoy a joke, i appreciate when people treat me as normal,not dodging whats wrong with me,even taking the pee. (you know who you are)

we all need to laugh,and being happy makes other folks smile with you.

 

I wish you well, keep strong

 

Col

Hello David & Col.

 

Talking as someone who has had a few mainly self inflicted problems for the second part of his life I must say that having read a little about the difficulties you two have been experiencing makes me feel particularly humbled.. What a terrible blight that disease is, it seems to strike at people of all ages, regardless of a persons general health, lifestyle, regardless of anything..

 

Anyway I hope both of you are soon on the mend and looking toward a future in the sunshine.

Hi David

 

This year has also been bad for me after being dianosed with tescular cancer back in January

unfortnatly not getting caught in time so now secondary

 

2 operations later and with over 160 hours of chemo im in remision, and moving and living on a widebeam its about being positive.

 

I also lossed all my hair, and gone through all the side effects re chemo,taste buds smells everthing does get better.

It has been a bad year for me, but I am recovering and aiming for 2009 news years eve, as it be a new year and things will only get better.

 

Cancer is not the end of the world, and i've just treated it as a speed bump in life.

 

there are lots of folks who have or currently going through all sorts of illness,and the best way to get through with it all is to try and smile.

For all the folks on the forum that have met me know that I enjoy a joke, i appreciate when people treat me as normal,not dodging whats wrong with me,even taking the pee. (you know who you are)

we all need to laugh,and being happy makes other folks smile with you.

 

I wish you well, keep strong

 

Col

 

 

I made up my mind about three things: 1) I was going to kick cancer's ass 2) I would allow no one in my life who brought fear and negativity with them, regarding my choice of therapy, or my chances of survival--be they friends, family, or physicians 3) I was going to crack joys bones and suck the marrow of laughter right out. Monty Python, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Eddie Izzard, Ricky Gervais, Elain Boosler and many more became a part of my cancer recovery team. Laughter is excellent medicine. I must say, some of the folks on this forum have kept me in stitches of late what with the metaphorical mooning of the warning sign and limits of good taste. Just checking in with this community is good medicine, too.

Bright blessings David and Col. I'm holding you in my thoughts.

Wyn