Thursday 7 January 2010

The Shut In Days

Photo copyright: Maggie May


I have got quite used to being shut in the house. The days seem to just merge into each other.
I start off the morning in the front room, where we have a coal effect gas fire. I have a laptop in that room and spend sometime on that. I can see things from the front room window. Not many people are about. The local schools are shut, so there is not as much casual parking and I haven't seen any children about. Some of the cars that do pull out of the space on the road where they have been parked, slide about all over the place and have difficulty getting onto the un-gritted road. None of us has off street parking or garages where I live.
My son and granddaughters talk to me via the web cams. It is good to see them.
My sister in law bought me a jigsaw for Christmas. That is on a board in the back room. I have not finished it yet as it is double sided and takes much longer to fathom out. There is a certain therapeutic pleasure in doing a jigsaw though.
I usually end up turning off the gas in the front room and then spend the late afternoon / evening in the back, where we have another gas fire. However the central heating usually starts up by then.
This changing from one room to another makes me feel like I am breaking the day up into bite sized chunks. See how institutionalised I am becoming!
I am feeling better because this is the week that my body picks up before the next session.
I am not sure yet how I am going to get to the hospital on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
I was listening to the local radio and a lady who had to get to a hospital appointment urgently rang in to say that a taxi firm had charged her £25 each way! Like me she only lives about 2 miles from the hospital. People rang in to say that the normal fare should be £8 each way. Obviously that firm was trying to make some money out of the snow.

My hair dresser friend (who helped me chose the wig) has been round to see me twice. The second time was today and I asked her if she would shave my head. The scalp is very sore and the hair is coming out so slowly and shedding everywhere. It looks very dead and it is totally unwanted now that I know it has to come off.
Once again, she told me she couldn't bring herself to shave everything off, but she said that she would cut it very short about an inch in the longest place and nicely shaped up the sides. This did in fact look very nice and the front looked like a punk sort of style all sticking up. I might wear it like that when the hair is growing back. While she was cutting the back a large chunk came off in her hand...... so I don't feel I can go around with a bare head in case it does that again when in company. So I am back to wearing a scarf. I feel as though I have changed my religion to a middle eastern one, where the hair has to be covered. However,the hair manages to find a way out of the scarf and ends up sticking to my clothes down my back. I didn't realise that I had so much. It has always been very fine, fly-about hair.
My friend came unexpectedly today by bus. (She lives several miles away.) She came with bread and milk and pizza as well as bringing some cake treats. She also brought some *pick me up* Bible quotes written out for me, so that I could look them up when the going got tough.
I will be forever grateful to her. She made me feel like it was Christmas all over again.
That is true friendship, isn't it?



31 comments:

Saz said...

true friendship indeed...l love the richness of friendships..

you are being very brave, thank you for sharing...

Anonymous said...

I so feel for you Maggie and you r poor hair
I just hope it all improves,better weather and better health xxxx

Mimi said...

Hi Maggie,You are very brave, and i'm glad that your spirits seem to be good. You're funny re punk hair- it would be something to punk it up when it grows back, wouldn't it?
Also, I wanted to say I'm sorry for being so enthusiastic about the snow- I was thinking of you when I wrote the post, but I do just love it so much, it makes me feel like a happy child again.
I hope you can get an ambulance (as Eddie suggested) to come and bring you to the hospital- if I were near, I'd come myself and drive you, slippery roads or no.

Ayak said...

I bet you're heartily sick of the weather Maggie, and how it's confining you to the house, at a time when I'm sure you would rather be out and about.

What a lovely friend! It's at times like this that you treasure true friendships.

You're in my thoughts every day.
Much love xxx

RNSANE said...

Maggie May, how nice your friend made it through all that snow to pay you a visit, armed with provisions! And your hairdresser, what a gem she is. I think you'll be a really hot grandma with a punk hairdo!

Unknown said...

Oh Maggie. I'm afraid my absence in the blogging world has seen so many changes in people's lives. Some good, some bad. I fear this one is bad as I have just read this post and not read the past posts. I'm going to do that now.

Unknown said...

Oh my Maggie. I am so very sorry about your condition. I have no words really, just to say that I'm thinking of you and hoping that things go well and you will get through this and feel even better when it's all over. Please take care of yourself and don't over do it.

I read the post and saw the Fox as well. That poor, poor thing. Have you ever seen him again? I'm guessing he has rabies??

I'll be checking back now every single day to see how you are coming along and I'll be praying for you often.

Boozy Tooth said...

Awww Maggie... my heart just hurts for you sweetie. It's traumatic losing your hair. I know. It happened to me this year and no because of chemo. Because I drastically changed my diet and my hair said I don't think so. I started wearing wigs by summer and guess what? I'm hooked! I love my wigs! No more bad hair days... Just pick one for my mood, pop it on, and go! Now that my hair is growing back in, I'm letting it go natural. Silver! Right now I'm kind of half and half. Brunette and white. Very Cruella DeVil meets Grandpa from the Munsters. As soon as it's a little longer, I'm doing what you did... shearing it all off super short. Can't wait!

Sending my love and prayers and WARM wishes your way. Stay well my friend. You have many standing with you right now. I hope you feel us.

XO

larkswing said...

Such a sweet friend!

When my mom's hair started falling out(this was 9 years ago, yes, 9 years and cancer free!), she called her hair dresser on a weekend and went in when no other clients were there. They both cried, it was such a step in the process. Now when it started to grow back, it was fun to watch the changes. Her hair eventually was the same color and texture as before.

Your snow scene is beautiful - sorta expect Narnia characters to walk out!

Unspoken said...

Maggie, she is a gem and so are you!

Bernie said...

Oh Maggie, I forgot to tell you how tender your scalp would be when you lost your hair, sorry. It only lasted a short time and was completely healed when I had it shaved. I know what you mean, my hair is very fine and I couldn't believe how much I had and yes it was everywhere. The good thing is it will grow back, as soon as the chemo stops it starts to grow and it took mine about a year before I could style it.
Your spirits sound wonderful, and again that is the way of chemo you just start to feel better when its time to go again but just keep thinking "this too shall pass" and it will Maggie, very quickly.
I have been watching the news about all the snow and ice you have in London just now. I think it is a terrible thing for a taxi company to charge so much to people who need to go to hospital.. not very nice at all.
What a wonderful friend you have, you will know in a short time all the wonderful people you can depend on and you will never forget them either.....now I hope you get lots of rest and eat healthy so that your immune system will be all ready to help you through your next session. Hang in there Maggie, always in my heart and prayers....luv you.....:-) Hugs

karen said...

What a thoughtful friend you have. I have heard the weather's been wild. Keep warm, and enjoy the jigsaw puzzles.
Wishing you lots of strength xxoo

Brenda said...

I can empathize. When my hair was falling out, I ended up just shaving it myself, it was too messy. My head was so tender and itchy, but I found rubbing cortisone cream on my head helped a lot. Also, I used a sticky lint remover to rub across my head when it itched a lot, that really helped.

Its wonderful that you have so many friends and some who brave the cold to go and see you.

Keep strong.

Anonymous said...

I am constantly in awe of how brave people can be. I hope sunshine is on its way to you.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

You are an inspiration Maggie, keeping so cheerful and it can't be easy.

It's wonderful for you to be able to see your son and grandchildren via the webcam, they are great. You have a true friend, it must have been a lovely surprise to see her, especially with the weather the way it is. Thinking of you and sending a hug. A x

Thumbelina said...

The best sort of friends, The ones who know what you need and do it without you having to ask them.

Just calling to say I am still thinking of you. Take care. Hope you get there ok on Mon and Tues. Keep praying and keep smiling. :)

Hilary said...

I don't doubt that you have such wonderful friends in your life. A beautiful person such as yourself attracts them. I'm sorry about your hair and hope that as others who have experienced have said, that it gets better soon - less painful and less awkward. You're a strong woman, Maggie. I admire you greatly. Hugs to you, my friend.

Suburbia said...

How lovely of her, you are never alone when you have friends like that.

Good to hear about your days...

Sx

Akelamalu said...

A true friend is a very precious thing.

When your hair grows back it could be thick and luxurious Maggie you never know.

I hope you don't have much trouble getting to your appointment next week. x

Anonymous said...

Dearest Maggie...I am overwhelmed by your courage and humour.
I had all by hair removed at five years old because of Ringworm and I was quite bald for a year, when it grew back it was lovely and curly.
Sending you the biggest hug.
Annie

Anonymous said...

Ah - what a good friend! Take care during the deep freeze...

Rose said...

Friends like these are worth their weight in gold. When your hair grows back, a spiky, punk style would look quite smart! Actually, I know a few people who said their hair came back after chemo with a different texture--perhaps you'll have nice thick hair or curls after all this is over.

Your garden looks lovely all covered in snow. We have had much the same here--schools closed for two days and traveling down to only what's necessary. I hope by next week your roads return to normal so that you won't have to worry about how to get to your appointment.

cheshire wife said...

You are very lucky to have such a friend and both of you are lucky that the buses are running.

Keeping yourself amused is quite an achievement. You are an inspirtaion to us all.

CWxxx

Wendy said...

Yes, true friendship. They are worth gold! Sorry about your hair. Maybe it will look nice spiked later on. I see you are using your time wisely, webcams, laptop, and watching life outside your window.
Sending you warm thoughts and cyberhugs.

SandyCarlson said...

Be well, my friend. You are in my heart.

Jackie said...

Your post reiterates my feelings that dear friends are treasures in life. Thank you for sharing with us (me) Maggie.
Your post lifted me up...and I thank you for that.
With love,
Jackie

Marguerite said...

I am so happy that you have such a good friend for support. She sounds like a wonderful person, like you. Also, glad that you can communicate with your son and granddaughters via the webcam. We are even freezing, here! (19 degrees in the morning!) Hoping it warms up soon, here and there.! Keeping you in my prayers and wishing you many blessings.
Love and hugs, Marguerite

Lakeland Jo said...

I loved your friendship story-what a spirit lifting thing to do expecially with all this freezing weather.
I am sorry things are tough for you at the moment. I think we could all do with some signs of spring- even just a tiny glimpse of a new bud or shoot. Soon X

Marian Dean said...

Truly a friend who would brave the weather like that.
It is a novelty soon wearing off this stay-at-home lark, but I shall think of you when I feel like having a moan.
Keep the chin up Maggie, in my thoughts daily.
Love Granny

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Friends...true friends are an absolute joy. They are to be kept close and cherished! It's great to hear about your super friends...

You also embrace technology and life to the max! Take care. Hadriana xx

San said...

I never pictured you with a punk look. But hey, you do rock, Maggie!