So what happened? Which side effects?
I lost my hair. That was pretty annoying. That was the one I was most worried about really, because then people can tell that you're not very well. What else did I loose? Just fitness, that's pretty hard. I think most of that's because you've got the Hickman line in.
I couldn't exercise because the sport you know, you can't do too much, no matter how hard you tape it to yourself as well. There's always a chance that it could move or hurt you, so yeah, I couldn't do much sport or anything. The most I could do is walk around a bit, so that was hard for me.
Did you loose your eyebrows?
Yeah, everything, entirely, so.
Did you loose your body hair also?
Yeah, yeah. Wasn't shaving my face then so it was all right. Loose all your arm hair, leg hair, everything.
So how did you feel about it?
I think that is probably the worst thing, you know, because it is what people can see then. It's probably pretty superficial - it doesn't bother you like that, it's just, you know, people can tell you're not very well, and when you're going out you do get the odd look. But it was something I was particularly worried about. I never saw anyone without a hat on or anything, so.
So you wore a hat all the time?
Yeah, I never let anyone saw me without a hat on, so.
Okay, so how long it took for the hair to come back, and your eyebrows to come back?
Well, I'd done the first three months and lost it straight away on that, and then when I was having the operation it was still gone then. The next three months was just as bad, so it made sure I lost it. Then for the last treatment I had they did six months of quite a low intensity chemo, and all through that it didn't really grow back. There was like a little bit of stubble on your head, but after that it finally started to grow back. And then probably a month or two before I looked normal.
Okay, and your eyebrows?
Yeah, yeah. They came back pretty quick.
Yeah?
They started to grow back in between the treatments, so maybe two weeks, and they do start growing back.
And how were you feeling in yourself, while you were having the chemotherapy?
It was pretty rough, [laughs] you know, feeling sick [laughs]. I found I was only really sick while I was in hospital, so right over when it was going in, but as soon as I went home, you know, I stopped being ill. And probably a couple of days after being home got back up to being my normal self, in between the chemo's. Not particularly special, but not too bad either I could still do some things. I was working, for my dad, so, you know, if I needed a day off then he'd let me, so that was good.
And when you lost your hair you shave it off, or you just let it?
No, I cut it short. I had quite long hair before and then cut it shorter so it was about half an inch, and then as soon as it starts falling out then I'd just shave it off, more because it's a nuisance than anything. Wake up with loads of hair all over your pillow, it's just annoying, so just shave it off and can't really tell much difference.
Okay, and how did it affect you, loosing your hair?
I think it was probably the worst thing, the worst side effect, just because then you do look ill, I think. There's a massive difference between someone who shaves their head and you can see the stubble and then somebody who's got no hair at all. You know exactly what's wrong with them, generally. So it was a big thing for me. People can see that you're not well. Even if otherwise you look fine, or healthy. It's a bit of a give away, so…
Okay so that was one of the reasons why you decided to spend time at home?
Yeah, yeah. Sure. Other than that, other than loosing your hair I don't think I looked any different, really. I didn't loose weight, or put on too much weight. |