No all human heads are shaped the same. Some are round. Some are bumpy. Most are somewhere in between. Mine is one of the more rounded styles and looks decent without much hair.

Until now.

The final stages of ALS often present breathing difficulties as diaphragm and intercostal muscles diminish in strength and capability. Breathing becomes difficult and pulmonologists often recommend a ventilator to supplement breathing.

What does that have to do with a bumpy head?

Stick around.

Ventilators take over most of the breathing when the body cannot supply enough air on its own. Ventilators, like CPAP and BiPAP machines, require a mask. Masks have bands that fit over the head.

See where this is going?

As ventilator air pressure increases the masks often need to be tightened down so they don’t flop around all over the face and leak air. A tight mask often means dents in the head.

After trying a dozen different masks, from nose pillows to snorkel-like masks, I settled on three that kinda sorta mostly do the job of allowing air in, CO2 out, and stay attached to my head. Three different masks mean different bands in different locations for each.

That means my head has plenty of dents from the Velcro and the straps. What was once absmooth and shiny and Captain Picard-like head now looks something like a fleshy Mars surface with dents and rivers of indentations all over.

That said, my nose is better. No more blisters from a too tight mask. All I will need is a hat and I’ll look good to the undertaker.