Friday, September 23, 2011

Derek’s energy and appetite returned full force on Wednesday. Yesterday, he was back to eating everything on his tray and enthusiastically went to the classroom and playroom again.

This morning, though, he had another bone marrow test for which he was sedated. After that, they administered his third round of chemo. I know the energy and appetite will not last long.

I started noticing the first loose hairs on Derek’s pillow on Wednesday and knew what was coming. Thursday there were more, and he told me he wanted a haircut. He said it was getting too long. He was due for a haircut, had we been home, but I knew the real reason it was bothering him: it is falling out. By this morning, running my fingers through his hair yielded even more. I decided we needed to give him a buzz, both for his comfort and so people can get used to seeing him with shorter hair before it is all gone. I usually cut his hair, but I have used scissors and not clippers. So I enlisted the help of a friend with vast experience; she has a husband and four boys.

Kristen wanted to be there to see it. This is traumatic for her, too. She doesn’t like what is happening to her brother.

Before they arrived, I washed Derek’s hair so we could take before and after pictures. I had to hold back the tears, knowing this was the last time I would wash his thick dark hair for a very long time. It is thinning so fast.

When our friend arrived, she brought a picture of her family, all with short buzz cuts, too. They wanted their hair to match Derek's.

These are the before and after pictures:

The nurse practitioner told us again that they would really like to send Derek home early next week – hopefully Monday.

Our new flooring was delivered to our house today (Friday), and I understand there is a crew set up to install it on Sunday. Thank you all for your help and support in this!