Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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Thank's. I will try that. I'm seaching the web for liquid Biotin to stimulate hair grown. I use it many years ago for some of my clients. Its very hard to fine now
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Biotin shouldn't be taken during chemo or radiation (antioxidant).
I took 300 mg for about 10 days during the 6 weeks weeks bet chemo and rads. It may be the reason I have decent hair growth today but I suspect a lot of it is just genes and luck. (I took biotin when I dropped a TV on my toe a few years ago; my podiatrist said then that about 50% of his patients respond to biotin.)
A couple random thoughts for the newly- or about-to-be bald:
Re: comfort. I sprayed Aveda toner on my head and slept on a flannel pillowcase. Also, a friend's mom knit me these little stocking caps w/ very fine, soft yarn. I carted one around everywhere during the summer (infusion and examination rooms can be chilly) and now I sleep with one because the fall air freezes my head. Those caps were one of the kindest and sweetest gestures...
It is a funny thing: Not everyone will lose their hair or lose all of their hair! Women on A/C usually do; I understand that women on CMF may experience hair thinning. I was on A/C and lost 80% of my hair but had some sparse stubble throughout the whole experience. One of my friends didn't seem to lose much hair at all (she was on different drugs). Everybody's different.
People just starting chemo: If you haven't already, consider finding/joining an "October 2008 chemo" group. It can be a wonderful source of support and practical info. Also, my "May 2008" had quite an extensive discussion of hair loss and other issues. Most of us at one point or another posted photos of ourselves bald. Among our many fine qualities, we were a very pro-bald group!
HAIR UPDATE: (Last AC/T chemo was Aug 13, Today is Oct 4.)
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Rock, thanks for the encouragement and the advice about Aveda toner. I just had my head shaved Thursday.
I am also very encouraged by the picture of how much hair you have after only two months.
I am in the September 08 group, but I have read some of the posts from the May group and the suggestions there are great.
Chris
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vonnie, I don't know if this will be your experience, but my scalp is not nearly as sore and tender since 90% of my hair has fallen out.
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It's so nice to finally have some hair again. I do have a question though, has anyone experienced those baby hairs now growing on the neck and sides of the face. It's like soft fuzz, light in color. Some are kind of long, I don't like it! I don't know what to do, wax, shave???? will they go away eventially???
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Rock The Bald,
You have been such an uplift for me. I started chemo Sept. 30. Took charge of the situation and had the head buzzed Oct. 3. I'm on A/C first 4 rounds (every 2 weeks) and onc. said I'd be losing my hair. I'm gonna read your May 08 posts. Thank you for the laughter! You make my day!
Ellzig
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P.S. - I'm on Taxol after the A/C. (4 rounds every 2 weeks). Is this when the eyebrow pencil and eyebrow liner are needed? This bothers me more than the hair 'cuz can't hide it. However, bald is bald.... gotta be me.
Ellzig
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Ellzig, I was on T/C and didn't lose my eyebrows until after my 4th and last tx. Not sure how it goes with A/C. It shouldn't have come as a surprise to me as others had warned about the same thing but kind of a disappointment since the chemo was over and I thought I might be spared. My eyes are very sensitive and I can't wear eye makeup unless I use allergy drops first so it was a little depressing. The loss didn't last long. By the time I had lost enough to show, I was using eyebrow stencils with powder and some pencil to make them more lifelike. After only a month, I took a close look and found there were enough of my own brows to just use the pencil. I believe many others have experienced the same short duration. Now, if only my hair on my head would speed up.
Hope it goes well for you.
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Tiff, I had the same soft, light-colored fuzz on my face. I think it went away, or at least enough of it did that I don't notice it anymore. Maybe it's just a sign that hair-regrowth has kicked into overdrive. My eyebrows started growing like crazy at around the same time.
Rock, you are looking awesome! Thanks for posting pics.
Lauren
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Rock - I'm happy for you and the great way your hair is coming in, but I'M JEALOUS! I had my last tx on August 14 and though mine has started coming back, it's no where near as much as yours. My eyebrows are quite thin and half of my lower lashes on the left are gone. Guess I'm going to do one eye at a time. Don't know if that's better or worse. But, my leg hair has come back with a vengeance.
Hope we all get our hair back soon.
Kathy
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I got called "Sir" yesterday but today a stranger -- who I am pretty sure thought I was a woman -- complimented me on my hair cut. Caught off guard, I said, "It's really more of a hair grow." (For some reason, when I responded to her, I made plucking motions with my fingers like I was trying to pull my hair out by the roots... why did I do that?! Perhaps because I am a bit of a weirdo.)
I was relieved that the eyebrow-less phase didn't last long. It was starting to get to me.
OH! An observation and a question:
Observation: I had been using brownish powder to draw in my eyebrows but when they started to come back, I had to switch to a charcoal color. In fact, my hair is coming in this charcoal color. Will my hair eventually revert to being brown again? Or am I going to be charcoal (and gray) for the rest of my days?
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Ellzig -- You are a sweetheart. Thank you. I'm glad I can be useful.
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rock, my hair was exactly the color of yours (in the pics you posted) when it started to grow in at 7 or 8 (or more) wks post-chemo. It was llight gray/white and very soft.
A few wks later, I could see a "shadow" and it was obvious that my hair was developing color...but, what color??? Pre-BC it was medium brown with red highlights (seriously). Now, though, at about [... time out while otter goes to measure her hair ...] 1/2- to 5/8-inch long, it is the color of a house mouse: http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/photos/andera/house-mouse-15372.jpg
I was joking with my dh yesterday that I might have to start coloring my hair. I've never messed with my hair color, but I might start looking for a color that's "anti-mouse."
otter
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This hair-grow thing I'm finding more stressful than the hair loss! My hair is a bit Rock-like and has a few 'real' hairs starting to grow..they look quite dark. I was always 'Mouse Brown', and from about age 16 have been colouring it reddish, or 'Semi-Ranga'. Now that I've been 50 for two weeks, I'm expecting that it will be 'Two-Tone Grey'. Regrettably, I've told one or two people too many that I am going to use this an opportunity to enjoy unprocessed hair. WAS I ON DRUGS?????? Oh yeah...I was. My moustache, which grew back on only one side of my face, has disappeared again, (bonus!) and the eyelashes...well! My eyes are sore from sticking the mascara in them trying to find eyelashes..the top is not TOO bad, but they are really rubbery at the base. The brow thing I hate..screams: Cancer-Girl!! In the supermarket I don't know if people are sneaking long looks at my immaculate hair (fake), or my Casper-brows. And I am shite at filling them out..all the wrong-colour pencils. I'm hanging on to the wisdom that once they start to grow...KAPOW!
Loving the smooth legs. Nice to have them hair-free inside the thick wool tights,under the long wool skirts (or inside jeans), and inside the knee-length Docs. Yeah! And now that our spring has sprung and the legs are due to come out..which hairs do you all think will flourish, go forth and multiply???
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Ott -- For some reason, when I looked at the mouse photo I saw FINGERS. I am still stricken.
Kerry: Enjoy your smooth-legged entry into spring; my legs are approaching the "shave or braid" stage. Perhaps I should learn to knit...
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rock those were CARROTS. Not fingers. Are you in a Halloween-ish mood, or is this still a dark phase for you?
Weird photo, yes--but I was after the mouse's color, which is true to my hair color at the moment.
You would be proud of me, though. I've pretty much stopped wearing anything on my head, most of the time. I went without a hat (or anything else) at the homes of all the in-laws we've visited this week; I took off my hat while dining at an Olive Garden the other day; and I even took off my ball cap several times at a college football game last weekend. During the playing of the National Anthem, for instance, I decided to take off my cap in compliance with modern "hat etiquette."
I didn't realize it at first, but by taking off my ball cap at the game, I was playing the "cancer card." Even after I put the cap back on, everyone around me was sooooo nice when I climbed over them to get to and from the refreshment stand. One older guy would reach out to steady me each time, as if I might fall. That was OK, 'cause did keep me from tripping over the people I was side-stepping to get back to my seat.
When I stopped thinking I needed to keep my head covered all the time, I started feeling like life was returning to normal.
otter
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Hi Otter! I haven't been around much, but just wanted to see how folks were. My hair and yours seem to be following the same sort of mousy-brown-not-growing-fast enough plan. Out of curiosity I finally got a ruler out and it seems to vary between 1/2 and 1 inch. I've been wondering if maybe it takes longer to come back on TC than on some of the other combinations.
I have reached the stage where folks aren't sure if this is on purpose (heaven forbid!) or not. It makes for some strange conversations. And when I make some comment about having hair in the past, people don't always realize I'm trying to play the cancer card. Bummer, I was kind of liking that card.
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LOL! We are all the same. I love the CC, but I forget to play it! I almost want to be pulled over by the police so I can do the chemo-brain thing!
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You guys are too funny
I'm going out in hats only now. Although, this past weekend my dh and I went bike riding and afterwards went to dinner that evening and I didn't wear anything on my head. To my surprise nobody really gave me a second look. The hair is in that inbetween stage, did I have cancer or do I just have a short short hair cut???? It's good starting to feel normal again.
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Going out hatless ended up being less dangerous for me. One day I left the swimming pool wearing a hat with a pantyliner stuck to it. I didn't realize it was there until I got in my car and saw it in the rear-view mirror. What made it embarrassing was I had stopped to talk with the people at the front desk on my way out. I guess they couldn't figure out how to tell the "cancer girl" that she had a pantyliner stuck to her head. I literally was shrieking with laughter all the way home.
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gsg - too funny - I now I would have been mortified at first then laughing at myself after!
revkat - I stopped wearing headcoverings when my hair was 1/2 inch long. I thought everyone would stare but found that no one really paid any attention. My daughters and I went out for dinner and the waitress said "your hair is so chic -I would never have the guts to cut my hair that short"!!! I wanted to tell her I didn't have the guts either but had no choice but instead I just smiled and said - "yep trying something different". The whole time my daughters are doing every thing they can to hold the laughs in!
I am 4 months out from chemo and my hair is 11/2 to 2 inches long, curly, gray, brown and reddish colored.
Deb
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Patrice, I remember the story about the pantiliner, but now you'll have to remind us how it got there.
otter
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Hi, Otter. I did have a thread on here about it the day it happened...even posted a "recreated" picture. LOL.
The pantyliner was the kind that comes inside the crotch of new swimsuits. When I got to the pool that day, I had a new suit to change into. I tore out the pantyliner and threw it into my gym bag...instead of taking it to a trash can. It evidently stuck to my hat. I have no explanation for how I didn't see it when I pulled the hat out of my bag. It was stuck to the side like a feather...standing straight up for all the world to see.
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gsg - That is far too funny a picture in my head.
I was one who never left the house without a head cover. About 4 weeks ago, I decided I looked more bald with the head cover than without. So I've been coverless (except to protect from the cold) ever since. I've been taking pictures every two weeks, to journal the growth. You'd be surprised what happens in two weeks. You don't realize when you look at it every day. My daughter was surprised when I showed her today's photo and the one from 2 weeks ago. I finished chemo 8/13. Yesterday was my 8 weeks post chemo "anniversary".
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Hi All,
I haven't posted for awhile .... and I'm so glad to see that the thread is still going strong.
I have a question: my hair is definitely curled. I tried to ignore it for awhile, but I can't anymore. It's curly - long waves that go across my head (damn, damn, damn - not happy about it). For those that have already gone through this, does the curl go away?????? (I'm, about 4 months out now).
Stay well, all
D.
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OK gsg, I actually just wet my pants laughing. I can just imagine the poor desk people after you left. They would have had the 'O how embarrassing' thing going on, and then it would have dawned on them that THEY LET YOU GO OUT INTO THE WORLD LIKE THAT!!!! omg, now I"M the one shrieking with laughter!
Adrienne, your hair is fantastic! 8 weeks out..it gives us hope. I've got some grubby looking man-sideburns starting to grow in front of my ears which is pretty cool. I think I've actually got the male pattern baldness thing going on, only in reverse. My Drew, who is 6'3" says my head is getting prickly when he puts his cheek onto the top of it. It's all good.
I'm seriously hoping that there is a direct correlation between hair loss and weight gain ie as my hair grows back, my Queen Mary-style arse will reduce and disappear.
Today I was trying to mascara-up my 5 eyelashes and when I (forgetfully) tried to pick off a lump (grrrrr AND it is brand new mascara grrrr) I pulled the lash out. Talk about pissed off! BUT it hurt! There must be live follicles in there!
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Queen Mary, as in the ocean-liner...not the diminutive Scot.
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Otter: I am proud, so very proud. (Then again, you could wear a buffalo head 24/7 and I'd be proud to know you then, too!)Adrienne: this looks NICE. Do you mind my asking what colors you're finding look best? I'm thinking I need to move beyond shades of charcoal....
GSG, Sister, that is a WONDEFUL moment and has made my frigging morning!
This reminded me of the "period" a few months ago when I was wondering what to do with all the sanitary hygiene products that I no longer need: (I am taking this photo down later...)
Off to rads...
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Rock - That picture still makes me laugh out loud! Are you referring to the eyebrows with regards to the charcoal color? I don't do anything to my eyebrows for fear that the Seattle drizzle would drop my brows to my cheek. I would love to know what the end result of my hair color will be though. Its a combination of light and dark colors right now (I was brunette pre-chemo). DH likes to point out the light is gray...but I like to think of it as blonde. I was a blonde baby so I'm using the logic that my "baby" hair will be blonde. Its too soft to be gray...isn't it? I guess I'll find out in the next few weeks. Right now I'll just enjoy that I have hair to begin with....worry about color later.....maybe.
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Loved the story about the pantyliner, you made my day! Maybe I'm just having a "roid" rage day from my decaodron, had my 2nd chemo yesterday but what's with all the curiosioty of people wanting to see my bald head now that my hair fell out? I find it aggravating. I am comfortable with it, didn't cry or anything when it fell out, had a great experience with a friend buzzing it for me but I don't feel like it's a badge of honor something that I want to show off. Any good comebacks for people (friends???) who want to see it and I don't feel like showing it to them?
Peeps
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