Saturday, March 22, 2008

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow






Well, it has been a rough week. We started out ok but it went downhill fast. Joshua started to lose his hair on about Tuesday and by today it is all gone but some fuzz. I think he looks fine but he is very depressed about it. He doesn't like looking different and thinks everyone is looking at him. They changed the procedure for his radiation on Thursday and even though the new way is a little easier he didn't want to do it and got really stressed out. Also he is just not eating any more. We have tempted him with everything he likes and wants but he just doesn't want to eat. Everything tastes different and nothing is appetizing. If he eats the equivalent of 1 piece of bread a day it is alot. Also he is very tired and that makes eating a chore. Believe it or not, that is not the bad news. He is losing his speech to some degree. He slurs and you have to ask him to repeat what he is saying sometimes 3 times to figure it out. It is not all the time but alot. The oncologist says she thinks it is a toxicity to the chemo but they will do nothing till more symptoms appear. She says if he gets to the point where he can't feel his fingers they will lower the dosage. The other possiblity is that this is from damage to the brain stem from radiation. Either way, we will have to wait and see if he gets better or worse.


We are doing ok, just sad to see him so down right now. We take hope in the fact that he is at the half way point in the radiation and we will have a break when it is over. He is still fighting and reading his scriptures every day. Gordon read him the part about how "not a hair of his head will be lost in the ressurection" and that it will all be ok. He was able to make and race a car in the pine wood derby and did fairly well! He did all the work himself with just us telling him how so I am very proud of him. I hope you enjoy the pictures of the progression of hair loss, that is Uncle Darrell in the first shot.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

WE MISS YOU!!! You're in our prayers day and night.

Love Adele and Michelle

ArchRay said...

My heart breaks for you. Please let me help somehow.

Rayette

Barbies Blog said...

I was excited to see him at the pinewood derby today. His car did so well! I was really proud of him when you told me he had made it all himself!

Lanae said...

ben would love to see pics of the derby car! we made a lightening mcqueen one.
thanks for calling the other night. call anytime and let us know what we can send josh or do for you...please. i love you tons.
ps tell josh uncle brian is losing his hair too and we are pretty sure it is not growing back anytime soon. he too will be happy for the ressurection.

A mother heart said...

Josh, Hang in there buddy! We love you! It's a good thing you have such a cute round head or you'd look funny without hair. But you don't! You are just as handsome as ever!

Julie said...

Ruth, I think he looks absolutely adorable with no hair...tell him the Wrights say "with such a cute face like that who needs hair?". Also, let him know that he is in our prayers (nightly).

Roger and Marci said...

Ruth,
Well, Don't know if the first post made it but just wanted to check in and see how you are doing.
Did Josh get the package from Joey yet ? He would love Joey. One cool Boston Terrier. Anything else he likes please let us know. Your cuz in Oklahoma.
Roger and Marci

Tamee said...

We love you Josh! Men shouldn't have to face losing their hair till they are in their 30's dealing with a nagging wife. (Ask Uncle Keith about losing hair.) Josh is going to be well prepared for life. I want the ressurection to restore my body back to my pre-baby days. Doesn't the gospel bring peace of mind. We miss ya and love ya.