Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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So, it seems that most women, after their hair starts growing back, shave the initial white chemo hair. I'm 15 week PFC and haven't shaved anything... I just want length and am not ready to cut anything! Is that bad? However, I'm ready to color it !
Thanks ccbaby for answering my question about coloring. I had no idea the color could come out "brassy".
Marion.
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I colored right away and had no problems. Just bought the box at the grocery store. I have done it three times in 8 months....no problems at all. I didn't ask permission from any of my doctors. I figured nothing could be as bad as gray hair and I still had my wis and hats if things went bad!
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Marion - You crack me up! You sound just like me. I didn't want to even trim the ends of my hair, didn't want to massage my scalp in case I lose one hair. CCbaby did encourage me to go get a trim - just a baby trim. I think I did that at 4 months when my hair was 1-1/2" long. The problem is my hairdresser didn't want to trim it and I still fight her to give me a baby end trim when I go in every 8 weeks. Since my hair does grow slowly - just cutting off 1/4" is like losing an entire month of hair growth for me so it is more like 1/8" that she cuts off.
I was on pins and needles waiting to color my hair. Since I had never colored my hair previously myself, I was too scared to go out and buy a box of hair color like Koryn did. I think I wouldn't have been so scared if I was going to go with a darker color but I was actually bleaching my hair back to blonde. I still think now I wouldn't be able to do it myself!
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Dutchgirl Please PLease if we can save one lady from permant hair loss we have a group of ladies me included some worst than others but handicaped as far as hair returning from using Taxotore please make sure you talk with your Onc. about this product we are Taxotears and they will be running a special on ABC soon because Onc are not aware and are not being told some have no hair return there is 6% or allot more we get nebees every day who have not got our hair back so investagate and get some answers before starting it I have heard Taxol works the same way with no hair loose just trying to help not scare you at all if you want more info I can connect you to the top ladies one lady is completly bald for 5 years ....
Maura
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dutchgirl16 - this may be a good time to have it removed, although you may have enough to deal with when your hair falls out. For, me it was one of the harder parts of treatment.
You are not being shallow at all! The issue of self image during BC is so hard to go through - you can feel whatever you like! And you can always share it with us.
Good luck to you!
Judy x
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I had 4A-C and 4 Taxol DD and my hair fell out just after 2 weeks from my first infusion. It did not grow back during taxol, but started about 1 month after the end of all the treatment.
Take care, Judy x
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I took taxotere and my hair has not grown back ... it's been 9 months. I have fuzz all over my head and a little bit of hair but still have bald spots on top and my scalp does show through all over the crown. At this stage I don't think there is much chance that it will ever grow back fully. I'm trying minoxidil but nothing so far.
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I feel like the biggest jerk in the world complaining about this, since I have a good 3" of very thick hair.
I finally went and had my hair colored and trimmed today. I am 7 months pfc. My hair had been colored my "natural" brown color for about 10 years. Yes, I assumed it would come in gray post-chemo (I am in my late 50's) and it did. Prior to chemo I had beautiful thick, mildly wavy (I blew it straight) hair just past my shoulders. I have a wonderful colorist and I love her. But after the hair was colored (and then trimmed/shaped by my stylist of 11 years), the color looked flat. Even my colorist said it looked "very mousy." So she took me in the back again and added high lights to "warm it up." I had never had highlights before. Now I think it looks like a color that doesn't exist in nature. I put my shmata back on and don't know when I'll ever be able to take it off again. I can't stop crying. I had my hair done today because I'm taking some time off from work and Monday we are going to rent a car and look at colleges with our 16 year old daughter. I really wanted to look like a normal mom again for this little trip and now I feel like I look freakish. I live in Manhattan and I go to a very reputable place for my hair. In the past I have always felt my prettiest when I have walked out of the salon, and this time I just looked horrible. I managed to smile and say thank you after they did it the second time. Everyone stayed late to help out with doing my hair the second time.
I don't know what to do now. Again, I apologize for complaining, but I was so excited leading up to today, couldn't wait to leave work and relax at the salon, and now this! All I want it to have a normal color (and a decent style by September). Any thoughts/suggestions? (Mere commisseration welcome is welcome).
Deborah
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Deborah: Hugs for your hair fail! I know that I would feel the same way.
It's possible that the colorist simply did not take into account the residual chemo chemicals that may be in your "new" hair and how they might interact with the chemicals in the hair coloring mixtures. I have heard that this can be a problem with people post-chemo.
I know that the hair can retain all sorts of toxins as it grows, which is one reason they can check hair samples for things like exposure to arsenic or lead.
I wish I had some constructive advice for you, but know that I'm feeling your pain, as unhelpful as that might be!
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Thank you for your kind words, Michele.
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So sorry to hear about your frustrations regarding your hair. I am glad that you shared. This is NOT a petty issue. After everything we BC girls have had to put up with, sometimes we just need a nice day at the salon. And when your results were disappointing, well it can just put a girl over the edge. Hang in there.......I think that women are their own worst critic. Did you have a gal pal take a look and give an honest opinion?
Sending you hugs
Navy
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FridahoKahlo I feel for you but me and a bunch of ladies who took taxoatore have never got our hair back this is my 3rd summer coming up it has taken from me and the little bit of hair is not healthy looking at all one lady is completly bald for 5 years not to minimize your problem but you cant see your scalp and we can and we have to wear hats so cut off the color and leave it for a while and i am sure someday you will be back to normal or maybe not nothing is ever the same after treatment I am single lonesome and dont look the same but there isnt much I can do but remember how I use to look and try and hold my head up and buy a new hat its no fun but this is the rath cancer has done to you and all of us and some day we might know the reason so tomrrow you will have a better day maybe you colored your hair too early and there are special coloring stuff for chemo hair I heard some ladies use a few years ago when I was still waiting to feel hair grow. This is a good place to vent but at least you have hair for sure sorry to tell you about the ladies without hair I just thought it would make you feel better for having hair.
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deborah, sorry to hear about your hair. It seems to me, that most ladies with BC and doing chemo, have the hardest time losing their hair and then dealing with it as it comes back in. I cried for days when I had to get my hair cut, for me it was the worst part of all of this. Now I just want it back and I don't care what color it is. I had stopped coloring my hair years ago, because I had so much gray and my hair really grew fast. I would have been in the salon every other week getting it colored. I do know what you are going through, I have had several really bad color jobs and bad hair cuts in the past and I doubt if there is any difference. A bad color job is just bad. I hope you can get it fixed and are able to enjoy your weekend.
enjoyful, again I am so sorry you are having to go through what you are enduring. If my onc had told me that my hair might not come back, I am not sure that I would have done chemo. But I don't know that would be a really big decision.
Juannelle
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This is my post chemo hair....almost eight months since I quit the abraxane/avastin. I have had it trimmed twice and am going to keep it short and gray. I found I like having hair that really involves no care other than washing...getting lazy in my old age.
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Marybe - I am surprised that I actually like my hair short but it takes so much work to get it to look nice. I have to blow dry it in sections and by the end my arms are about killing me. I want so much to just be able to pull it into a ponytail.
Enjoylife - I have read the thread about Taxotere and permanent hair loss. I even mentioned it to my oncologist who is highly reputable and experienced and he had not heard of it. I know it is a small percentage and maybe it just is that he has never had a patient that experienced permanent hair loss. When they wanted to switch me to Taxotere since I was having bad SE's with Taxol I absolutely refused. However, if it weren't for BCO I would have never known. I don't know what to say other than I am so sorry that you are having to endure this. When I think of the lovely ladies on this board that have experienced permanent hair loss 5 years after chemo or even 2 years after chemo - I am very humbled.
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My hair report: it's geting a bit longer and yes (as someone posted -- sorry for not being more specific) it is not sticking straight up now (though it really only sticks up right after the shower). I can brush it! It's still not as thick as I would like but it's getting thicker day by day. When I brush I sorta look like a raven-haired Jean Seberg (short hair style)... I have to say when I was going through chemo I thought it would never grow back and even now I am not convinced it will ever look normal but I DO comfort myself with the thought that compared with December (when I was bald) I am positively NORMAL! LOL
Lilah
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Lilah, my hair is not sticking up but laying flat. It has never ever gone forward and now it is coming forward and I am not sure I will know what to do with it. I am seriously thinking of going with out my wig or scarf very soon. But I will probably at least wait another week or two or three. Right now it is very soft, I have never experienced that either.
Juannelle
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LOL Juannelle -- well I say enjoy the new sensations! (Since it's not optional, why not enjoy the good part?)
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Lilah, you are right about that. After being bald for so long, it is just amazing to have hair, no matter the texture, color or length.
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Amen to that Juannelle!
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Well, it finally happened. I was at strip mall outside the store waiting for my DH to pick me up....and a young man walked by and called me "SIR". I had on my baseball cap. and a yellow pullover. Luckily Dh was right there and I got in the car and told him what the guy said. Had a mini pity part yand that with a few kind and gentle words from Dh and I was OVER it. And just for the moment I was back at the phase of being really pissed off at CANCER. It took my boobs, my hair BUT not my soul! This too shall pass............Thanks for listening.
Navy
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So, today is the day I called my hairdresser again.
I made an appointment to get my hair colored and I cannot wait! My goal is to go "topless" after the color is done!
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Great news Marion! Be sure to post a photo! Yay for you!!!
Take care all, Judy x
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Dear Navy,
My mother had that happen back in the day, and she had normally short hair. That is when she got her ears pierced! (This was obviously before men routinely wore ear studs.)
I should have some very short hair to rock about the time it really gets warm, and yes, I intend to haul out the hair color as soon as enough to coat.
BTW - I have called guys in pony tails and earrings "madam" before they turned around to reveal a full beard! - Claire
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Today at work, I walked into the lunch room and said I am about to pull my hair out and then I just jerked my wig off. Boy was everyone surprised, but they all took it very well. I am just about ready to give up the wigs and scarves and I just wanted to see what their reaction would be. They were very good and encouraging, so in a couple of weeks I think I will be in the zone.
Navymon, that is just what I am afraid of is being called a sir. I will have to start wearing my push up bras again. Boy I haven't worn those since last August. My boobs wouldn't know what to do if they were confined again.
Hope all are having a wonderful week of hair growing.
marion, good luck to you on your first haircut and color. I hope it all turns out well.
Juannelle
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Marybe,I like your hair, and I'm not going to color mine either. I'm afraid too, my hair always looked brassy when I colored it before chemo. and now the texture is still different after 17 months. I just want some shine to it, has anyone heard of Ovation Cell Therapy? There was an advertisement on the radio, and they mentioned chemo. hair.
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It's great hearing that some of you are setting goals and actually going out "topless"
I'm not quite there yet but this morning I was at a friend's house for coffee and I took my wig off. There were just 4 other ladies there (very close friends) and I asked if they minded - they were all very supportive and told me to "take it off"!
I thought they would be shocked at a) how short it is and b) the colour - or should I say lack of colour!!
Everyone agreed that it's still too short to go topless but they were very encouraging that soon it will be long enough!
It really helps that a couple of the ladies have started going gray and they are not colouring their hair. I don't think I will either but I'll wait awhile before I make that final decision.
My eyebrows are now fully in but I'm still drawing them on - I've gotten used to the look of it - and my eyelashes are growing but still not long enough to fit in the eyelash curler!
I hope that you are all doing well and getting "hairy" with each passing day!
Marie
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Hi girls!
Marion, I called my hairdresser too today!! Have scheduled an apt for next wed for a colour. It is approx 1 - 2cm in length all over now, and the bald patches have finally disappeared! The colour is my only problem. I am 29 y.o, and pre-chemo had long, curly red hair (Im Irish!), while now its more light brown with too many patches of grey! Hairdresser said she would see what she could do...Im so excited now, cant wait for Wed... Will go 'topless' after haircut wed am, and will post some pictures here if it all goes well!
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Hello treadsoftly!
We are very similar! Same age group (I am 33), same hair (used to be long), same hair length regrowth (2 cms). I also have lots of grey and white hair right now. Cannot wait for my colour too! I'll try to post a pic too!
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I just went to see my former roommate who is a photographer and she insisted to take pics of my hair regrowth before I get it colored. The pics turned out great, I kind of saw the old me in those pictures even with that chemo fuzz! It was a great way to boost my depleted ego! I totally recommend you have a professional photographer immortalize that chemo hair regrowth!
Has anyone done that too?
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