Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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chelev- your sister practically lives in my colorist's building, and right down the street from me, I live at 14th and 4th ave
renee- i thought he had faffed off too, but he was off reading up on web sites about concerns doing chemo hair. I was pretty amazed when I went in to get my color and he was talking about all this stuff he learned and how he needed to have some guinea pigs and colorists to talk to... its hard to explain to him what we've got going here, and I was really pissed off because he didn't get it that timing was critical... I knew at the time a lot of gals who were just growing out but he waited so long they grew out mostly and moved on, and I didn't know anyone growing out any more... so I posted here... I think he was mostly concerned about saying something before he had some experience... not wanting to mess anyone up. He's coming to the thread now, I am showing him how to get here...
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Hi,
I've been peeking at this thread for some time now, but just finished chemo this week. I have a question about eyebrows....mine were thin before chemo (probably from over plucking as a teenager) and since treatment they're practically nonexistent!! Will they grow back at least to the thin brows they were before, or, is there a chance that they will grow in thicker? Also, what kind of follicle booster did some of you use?
Janet
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Janet22664 - When did you finish chemo? I didn't lose my eyebrows until about 1 week after I finished chemo. About 4 weeks later they were all back in. I never really plucked my eyebrows before other than maybe a stray one here or there because I personally couldn't make sense of why someone would pluck their eyebrows so thin that they would have to use an eyebrow pencil to get them to show up. In any case, they came back just like they were before. You will feel stubble at first along your eyebrow line. When mine started growing back in, they came back in really fast. I would have to say within 3 weeks they were back to where they were before I lost them.
Some people have mentioned using Latisse to get their eyelashes back in and then they also put it on their eyebrow line. It is very expensive (at least for me) so I didn't bother. But the ones that have mentioned Latisse have all had positive comments about it (well....as far as I remember since I have chemo brain still).
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Janet, yes they do grow back, almost to exactly what they were before (darn, I was hoping they'd come back thicker in the areas I overplucked for years, but no), but was relieved they did come back. I used Nioxin follicle booster to get them going.
Rachel - wow, I really will be right down the street from you - cool!!! I'll let you know what my schedule is looking like - right now, with the LGFB duties, I'm doing press and things on from my arrival on the 23rd to sometime on the 25th, and then I will be able to head down from the W on Lex to my sister's place I'm thinking in the afternoon. I'm going to try to find out ahead of time if they will be doing haircolor as part of the makeover, and if not, I'd love to get in as a guinea pig with your stylist!! I'll pm you my email and cell #. As far as the rest of the weekend, I don't know what we'll end up doing, but if nothing else, would love to meet you in person for coffee or lunch or something. I fly back home on Sunday, and I suspect they'll be picking me up close to noon for a 2 pm flight.
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I got to meet Rachel_BC last nite during my hair color appt. with Joseph Mullen. He's working on issues that chemo patients face in the color of their hair. Mine looks great. All inch and half! Thanks so much Rachel for the post! It was great to be able to meet someone from the board.
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Yay, I can get my hair colored with Joseph Mullen too!!! Just found out that the makeover includes styling (as best as they'll be able to do) but no color.
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Hi ladies, my mom is going through chemo and has lost all of her hair. I just chopped mine and want to make a wig for her. Does anyone know an organization that does this? If I can't make one specifically for her, I'd like to donate my hair to a woman with breast cancer. I've looked into locks of love- but that's for kids. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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jenm24 - I don't know of any organization, but I would just like to say that you are a wonderful daughter!
I hope your Mum is doing ok!
Take care, Judy x
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Hi Cabmom...I am in the process of renting the Cold Caps...the cost about $30 per cap to rent, and I need 14 of them ($420 a month). I was hoping to get by with 8 of them, as it takes 2 hours refreeze them after use. I figure in changing them every 1/2 hour, over a period of 6 hours, as long as I have two in the freezer straight from adding the new set, I should be okay? That would save me $180 and reduce the total monthly cost down to $240).
Unfortunately, I found about them too late and already missed out on my first chance to use them (had my first Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin) treatment on 8/27/09 and my hair started to sparse two days ago...I am getting my hair cut very short tomorrow. I am going to venture into using the Cold Caps with next week's treatment on 9/17/09 in hopes of minimizing any further damage to the hair follicles, and, based on what the represenative from Cold Caps told me, I should expect to see the regrowth of my lost hair start to come back in a couple of months. The US number for Penguin Cold Caps is 714-982-8846. Regarding availability, I am not sure. My set is available to me locally as I am taking them over from a woman that is finishing up with her rental (lucky soul!); the Cold Caps baton is being passed to me.
These Neupogen shots are nocking me off my socks...anyone else have SE with these shots? I feel like I have a bad flu, but fortunately no fever!
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sanaisa - try taking claritan or any otc allergy med - those of us on the April 2009 chemo boards found that it really really helps with the aches and pains from those shots.
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Hi Jenm24...if you find out where to donate your hair, please let me know as I would be more than happy to donate my hair to a reputable organzation (not someone trying to make money for personal gain). I am getting my hair lopped tomorrow and will rubber band it in sections as we go for donating. My hair has gotten even longer since my thumbnail pic that was taken last February, so there is a lot to give
. I know that caucasian hair is horribly expensive and in the natural virgin wigs, they charge by the ounce. Very very expensive. Here's a thought: I was told you can use your locks to make extensions...that might be something you can give your Mom as a gift for when her hair starts to regrow! What a precious daughter you are!!!!
hugs...xoxox
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SANAISA - I also had the Neupagen shots, took them through 4AC and 4 Taxol. I was not supposed to have to take them on the Taxol but after my first tx my blood dropped and delayed my tx by 4 days so I had to go back on them. I had an awful achy feeling from my neck all down through my back. I didn't start out taking the Claritin because I didn't know about it but when I did start it, it made an incredible difference in my discomfort. Definitely try it and good luck to you.
CHELEV - HI there, I posted last night on the April Chemo thread to you guys. I'm finally back on here after a few crazy weeks and vacation.
HUGS, Dawn
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jenm24- here's a link that has a lot of info on how and where you can donate hair. I also found a place that would make a wig for me out of my own hair. PM me if you want that place too.
http://living.health.com/2008/11/20/donate-hair-cancer-patients/
Hey, I was lucky to meet YOU lbrewer! What a hoot! Is there any chance you will be here at the same time as chelev? We could have a helluva hen party. I'll bring the artichoke pizza...
I was up late last night with Joseph online showing him where this thread was, I had to go because I had to get up early to be with the firefighters for the 9/11 memorials today- that's a whole other story... suffice to say that as a cancer patient I can relate to the FDNY firefighter survivors on a whole new level.
I told him to post so you'd know he was here but you know how confusing it is when you first get on BC org, it was 2am... Anyway, he's got a name and a profile here so you can PM him:
http://community.breastcancer.org/member/89194/profile
but he's also going to try to read the thread and answer questions on the thread
And the same name for his web site (I am workin on it)
and on there is a link to his Facebook page
ja- Chelev your sister is in the cool part of town
Really. It's 7 blocks (south) to the salon, short little fun blocks, hippy type area, OK a little skeevy but cheap wonderful food and fashions. I was thinking actually anyone could walk around with the strangest looking hair and stuff because... you'd blend right in in this neighborhood! It's like 5 blocks west to my place, Union Square. I will PM you more... can't wait to see ya!!!!Oh yeah and Lbrewer- didja get the pics I emailed ya? I realized you're my second BC org "meet" my first was Mary:
our special BC org handshake:
and if you gals haven't yet, you gotta try mad menning yourself:
one way to get your hair back instantly...
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Hello Ladies,
Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I am a hair colorist in NYC and was introduced to this forum be my friend/client RachelBC. She was telling me about the problems with coloring that hair, that for a lot of people it came out dull, and muddy. I have some ideas about how to avoid that and to get a nice rich color. I am here to offer my help with any questions and concerns. I am new to this territory but have been researching and testing my theories.
Last night I had the pleasure of meeting of the girls who was in NYC for work. She came with about an inch and a half length of hair. A little over an inch of that was the natural color (as it is now post chemo) and about a 1/2 inch of previously colored hair which was mercky and dull. She had a wig with her that was sort of Aurburn with some highlights. I was able to make it a rich, warm, auburn that matched the base color of the wig and all the grey was covered.
If you are on facebook, you can visit my fanpage at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Joseph-Mullen-Colorist/104517221230
and my website:
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Hello Ladies,
Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I am a hair colorist in NYC and was introduced to this forum be my friend/client RachelBC. She was telling me about the problems with coloring that hair, that for a lot of people it came out dull, and muddy. I have some ideas about how to avoid that and to get a nice rich color. I am here to offer my help with any questions and concerns. I am new to this territory but have been researching and testing my theories. Last night I had the pleasure of meeting of the girls who was in NYC for work. She came with about an inch and a half length of hair. A little over an inch of that was the natural color (as it is now post chemo) and about a 1/2 inch of previously colored hair which was mercky and dull. She had a wig with her that was sort of Aurburn with some highlights. I was able to make it a rich, warm, auburn that matched the base color of the wig and all the grey was covered.
If you are on facebook, you can visit my fanpage at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Joseph-Mullen-Colorist/104517221230
and my website:
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Hi sanaisa,
Thanks for your note. I'm looking into Pantene Beautiful Lengths: http://www.beautifullengths.com/en_US/wigshelpingwomen.jsp
They claim to give away the wigs for free. I called about having a wig made specifically for my mom. They said they could do it if there is a wig maker in your area. Aparently, there is not one here in San Francisco. I'll do some more research and see if I can find another route. Keep u posted. I also love your idea about the extensions... I'll ask my mom and see what she thinks.
PS. I had really long hair too. It feels great having it short and even better knowing that it will help improve the quality of someone's life. You'll have to post a pic of you new locks! Have fun tomorrow!
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Hi Rachel_BC,
Thanks for the info. I will keep you posted and pass what I learn onto others. And yes! I would love to know the org that made your wig for you. Maybe they can use my hair instead of my mom's? (She is totally bald right now- poor thing). Thanks again,
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@ lbrewer: It was a pleasure meeting you last night! I hope you enjoy your color in good health.
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Hi JudyNaomi, thanks so much for your support. The women on this site are so amazing and supportive and connected to one another. v cool. My mom is 1/2 way through her chemo treatment. My Dad took her to the Grand Canyon this week- sweet huh? She is sick, but kicking ass. A true cancer babe- right?
Thanks again~0 -
Jenm- I did not have to do chemo, I was very lucky. But I found this place that makes wigs of your own hair for chemo patients, I was going to use them or try to if I had to:
They were really nice.
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Rachel, LOVE the secret handshake!!! Or is it boobshake??
I love my sister's neighborhood - it's always felt like home to me, love the Village and have all of my special little haunts and shops that I like to browse in, have coffee (Cafe Pick Me Up - the BEST brownies in the world), the boutiques and just the people! also have my faves in the West village and chelsea. Can't wait to explore it, meet you and Joseph Mullen and get my muddy hair beautiful dark brown again!
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Hi Girls!
I know my case is unusual, but I wonder if anyone can help or perhaps knows someone who went thru this!
I'm a Chemo-freak. I didn't lose my hair, much to the shock of my Onc and everyone else. I did weekly Taxol with dose dense Carboplatin added in every three weeks. I'm also on Herceptin. I completed Chemo on July 22nd.
The weird thing is, my hair was strong all thru Chemo although it didn't grow very much. All the other hair on my body fell out on schedule. I washed it as I normally did (everyday). Finally, after the last Carbo treatment (2 weeks before Chemo ended), I started to shed a bit. And I kept shedding right up until now. My hair is thin, especially on the sides and pretty much looks awful. Dull, broken, blah and thin. I cut my hair really short again (did the same at the beginning of Chemo in anticipation of losing it). I have tri colored hair at this point. My roots are dark, my temples are gray and my ends are sorta blond. It's not thin enough to shave my head (crown and back are still full, sides are not).
Anyway, here I am, 6 weeks out of Chemo, looking like something the cat dragged thru a knot hole! Also, I lost my eyelashes and eyebrows a couple of weeks after Chemo. They're coming back but the hair on my head isn't. It just keeps falling out, a few hairs at a time. Also, the hair on my body is coming back with a vengence.
Anyone have any suggestions to spur the growth of hair on my head? Has anyone gone thru something like this? Also, what about dying what remains? Do you think the rest of my hair will come out if I try it? I know this must sound ridiculous to you girls, but I almost rather I'd lost my hair than look like this. I feel really crappy about the way I look.
Any suggestions would be so appreciated. Please help!!
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Chelev... keep those frikin brownies away from my fat thighs!!!! How about walking by Di Roberti's and Veniro's? cases of mini italian cookies and cannolis and little eclairs... oh yeah I could totally eat my way right down 1st Avenue...
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OK OK, I HAVE eaten my way down first avenue...
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Me too!!! Veniros - when I am there during Easter or christmas, I have to get the sticky balls. And, we usually get a great cappucino and cannoli there. I have brought 1 lb boxes of italian cookies on the plane and eaten most of them before I landed. Total hogs-ville!!!
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I had Taxotere, Carbo and Herceptin 1-09 - May/09 and am still on Herceptin. My hair was falling out after the forst 13 days so I shaved it all off, all 15 inches, and donated it. I was not going to shed and let it go to waste. Then, like you, several weeks after finishing my main chemo, the eyelashes and brows fell all the way out (they had thinned durring chemo). Good news is that they grew back just as quickly! Now the hair on my head is another story! Here I am after 4 months done with chemo. It grows so darned slow! I am told that by about month number 7 it will really finally start to take off and that is when I finish Herceptin too so I cross my fingers and say bring it on!! I miss it more than I miss my breast! You can see in my profile pic I had long hair, able to put in pony tails and claw clips...it will be several years before I get there again. On a positive note, I did get some great wigs that nobody can tell are wigs and I feel very pretty in them. Hang in there! I underdstand how you feel. I got a free wig through Cricketts Answer For Cancer a wonderful program that provides mastectomy and hair loss supplies to breast cancer patients in honor of Crickett whom you'll see if you ust scroll down their home page a bit. Give them a try! Maybe they help set you up with a wig to help ease this awful transition. You will feel so much better once you feel happy with what you see in the mirror. I know I did. Below is a picture of me befire I lost my hair and with the wig I got through cricketts.
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shadow, i did not go thru what you did i lost it all thru my 1st chemo but i think if you want to color use natural henna products found in natural food stores and natural food sections at grocery stores it willnot hurt what you have left i am also taking biotin and i know it is working my finger nails and hair is growing like a bad weed you can take mega doses of this and it is harmless your body washes out the extra i take 3,000mg a day it is good for hair skin and nails. hope that helps. sharon
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Joseph Mullen... Great idea on what you're doing! My own stylist tried last week to put color into my hair. It's about 1" - 1 1/2" long. She tried two different ways and it just didn't take. I think she was somewhat apprehensive to try too hard or to leave in the color too long.
~Jan~
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Can't wait - just got off the phone with Joseph Mullen - he is going to do my hair color BEFORE the ball - because he doesn't want me to go to the most elegant affair with gray roots!! Love you, Joseph!!!!
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Hey everyone, I have a question. I have little white hairs all over my head. they are about 1/4 long, when do they turn color?? ALso the little colored spikes are growing really slow, any suggestions to get this hair thing growing faster. Also I am still in chemo for another 45 days. Any suggestions would be apppreciated Dianne
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