Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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You know your hair is growing back when your husband points out that you have bed head.0
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You know your hair is growing back when I started NEEDING a towel to dry my head! Before that, I could shake it and it'd be dry. I distincty remember that first day I had to use a towel to dry the head rather than just rub my hand over it to squeegie off the water!
You know your hair is growing back when you don't feel as cold getting out of the shower in Michigan winters! Brrrrrrrr..that used to be cold!
And yes, when you have as bad as hair as your dh in the morning and can't say anything about his anymore, b/c it's no longer ONLY him with it!
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Donuts wife...I didnt mean you were being selfish. I just think SOMEtimes, we don't realize how devastating this is to our family b/c it's so doable for us. Just talk to her first and feel her out about it. I really think my dd did well with it. And it's possible too, that b/c this women is a hair dresser is why it was so hurtful to her to take her mom's off. Everyone is so different. Just talk to her and if she balks at it, perhaps it would be better for someone else to do it? A friend, or sister?
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Hey there everyone, I haven't been on here in a while, just checking in and I find pages and pages about HAIR, my favorite topic! I just want to let you all know that I have NOT lost my eyelashes or eyebrows again and it's been almost six months since my last chemo tx (finished on May 8th). I never lost them completely during chemo (4 sessions of A/C) so maybe they just filled in and then went back to a regular not-very-noticeable shedding pattern? Anyway, I just wanted to say this because it IS possible not to go through the many cycles that we've all heard so much about. (I hope I'm not jinxing myself -- I don't want to wake up in the morning and find my eyelashes on my pillow or something!).
You know your hair is growing back when you can feel it blowing in the breeze. I remember several months ago when I had the white fuzz and dark stubble, I was sitting at my dining room table with a window open, and felt this unfamiliar tickling on the back of my head. It was wonderful!
I was SO excited the other day when I washed my hair and went out right away, and realized that I was COLD because it was still wet. My short short curls have been drying in like five seconds, so this is progress!
No one has touched my head with scissors or trimming implements yet. My neck is almost past the scraggly stage because the curls are getting longer. It's still growing straight out/up -- I hope gravity will eventually do its thing.
Hang in there everyone, it does get better.
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Same here Lorena. Lost it once and that's it. and as for the eyelashes and eyebrows, never completly lost them. It did concern me some, b/c I wondered IF maybe the chemo didn't work or wans't enough for protection then
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I shaved my mother in laws head when she was undergoing treatment for lung cancer and her reaction was something i will never forget - she was devestated and I felt horrible. When my brother in law asked me to shave his head when he had brain cancer, I couldnt do it. I told his wife why and she found a local barber to come to the house.
I had my head shaved by the woman where I got my wig - I kept my back to the mirror and smiled the whole time - FU BC! I cried when I got home though :-(
I am getting my 2nd to last Taxol treatment on Wednesday, my hair is growing back with Taxol and it hurts almost as much as when it was falling out!!!!
You know your hair is growing back when....it feels like a porcupine is trying to escape your skull (ok, a little over dramatic) I do like rubbing it though.
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sandym...No you won't see it quite yet.Mine didn't curl until it got over an inch, then all of a sudden it started to stand up away from the scalp.
But yes, the hair definitely grows. It just seems like it's not because we are starting from scratch.
Artsee
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I find this interesting, not all my hair fell out, and I wondered if chemo was "working" - I thought everyone was bald.
Wishiwere - I hear you about the eye brows/lashes! I would think the same thing. But isn't that pathetic, here something good happens and we worry! ahhhck!
Spring.
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I just ran into a friend who was bald as a cue ball this time last year....hair is past her shoulders!
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Artsee ~ that's great news. Since I had to lose my hair, I'm really looking forward to some curls - at least for a while. I know we're all different and I won't hold you to it.
You know your hair is growing back when it's a mess after you take the wig off. Oh, the little things for which we're grateful these days.
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I finished chemo ( TAC ) Sept. 10 2008. My hair didnt start to grow back till 6 weeks after that, even at that its was just a guess. Kinda like you think you see some hair activity but are not sure. At the 7 week mark I saw a definite shadow. Now its starting to fill in and grow like crazy ( crazy of course being relevant meaning, YEP ITS DEFINITELY GROWING NOW! I have about a 1/4 of fine black, grey and white hairs. I try not to wash it everyday hoping the natural oils will strengthen it. Still see a lot of scalpage. Once I have a solid coating though ( no see thru) I am tossing my wig out the window!! I agree with Springtime. How much easier this journey would be if we had our hair to hide behind and pretend we at least dont LOOK like the walking dead,, Because that us what I felt like every time i looked in the mirror while on chemo with no makeup or wig. Sandy that must be a happy day pulling out the hair dryer. I had just bought a new one back in January of this year. I also got sucked in to one of those pricey ceramic curling irons before I got diagnosed. I used it once and now its just sits in my closet reminding me of the once beautiful hair i used to have... OK so I am having a bit of a pity party here. I think we are entitled once in a while.
on a side note, My pubic hair started to make a comeback this weekend... TMI? LOL
I will take any hair I can get at this point....!!
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ShellyJo,
I am with you, as soon as I have "coverage" I think this wig is a goner! I have stubbles all over, but am either very light blonde or gray, so it's hard to see it! (darker would have been nice!). I still see a lot of "shine" in the mirror, it will be nice when I am not "blinded" by my own head!
Spring.
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I also have black,and grey hair growth...This seems like a common hair color. I'm so glad I have hair...just surprised with the dark color...I used to be a blonde..
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I wonder if wigs and such don't keep it from growing as fast? I know they say it's not true, but dang, mine grew in really fast starting before the last A/C. Just a thought anyway.
Ladies, IT will grow and be beautiful once again. Promise.
As for curls.....everyone kept NOT believing me when it started to grow and I said it was getting curly. I know MY STRAIGHT as nails hair, and this had definite bends in it. YEP....ringlets as mom says. That's what happened shortly after it filled in. Maybe 1/2-3/4 inch I could tell, but got curlier as it grew. Now, I'm thinking either the weight of length or it's just starting to come in straighter, not sure, but seems to be settling down at least in the front, top and sides. Back is still curly. Actually fun to just wash, apply something to keep it in check and go now! I enjoy it actually!
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You know your hair is growing back when your least favourite relative says (not so innocently) "Gee, I never knew breast cancer caused grey hair...."0
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Stupidity isn't hereditary ALL the time, THANKS HEAVENS!
So sorry you have one of those in your family too. I have one (make that two) that are hoping this treatment will cause my hair to be thinned as their's is! HA! No luck ladies!
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I start chemo this Friday and scared about losing my hair. I have wigs lined up. Funny that I don't even have good hair but boy now I love it knowing I will soon lose it. I have very very fine hair. I am scared it will come back curly and I will have a mess of curly fine hair. I hope not.
I have my wigs in place but am wondering what i need to get to sleep in??? I stay with my boyfriend almost every night and can't imagine him seeing me bald and boobless. Although he says none of that matters. It must. Who knows. Having a pity party here.
Anything else I can do to help myself with this? I have heard peole mention biotin?
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Cristi,
I wear little soft caps at night, I got them at the wig place. it is too cold to be bald at night! I also wear these around the house when in PJ's and when getting ready for bed or ready for the day, either prior to wig, or after wig comes off.
The hair thing is so hard! I always say, this whole thing would be a lot easier if you could just do it in your own dang hair.... you are not alone !
Spring.
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It took awhile for my hair to return ( about three months) and because I am taking Arimidex it has returned very thin. The color was more gray than brown but I colored it and now it looks like it did before. However the thinness and short length are difficult. I live in Boston. Has anyone found a hairdresser who is good with hair after chemo?I dread going to a regular salon and having someone not understand, So far I am pushing it all back, which makes it look thicker. It curls at the back ( I always had curly hair ).Am taking selinium and zinc pills at the recommendation of a friend and spraying with Rogaine. But the dermatologist said that these only will keep it from getting thinner. I think a good haircut will soon be in order but want to find someone who knows about hair after chemo.
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Just another thought Benadette, but have you had your thyroid levels checked? That also can cause hair thinning.
I haven't gotten a definite on arimidex causing this, but I can tell you, my hair (down there) came in fully after chemo only to be lost about 75 % or more since being on arimidex. So I know its causing thinning, even though my hairdresser and family say my hair (on my head) isn't thinned, I know it is thinner than pre-chemo) Not as much as 'down' there, but then they say till it's 60% loss, most people don't notice on another.
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I wear the lace caps at night too. When I get a hot flash I pull it off and tuck it under the pillow, than when I get chilled after the hot flash resides its right there handy for me to put back on...lol. I also wear little socks on my feet that come on and off all night too..Lets not forget the 2-3 wardrobe changes from the soaking sweats. It was an extra treat (NOT) to fumble around that horrendous drain thing in the middle of the night (I had surgery after chemo)...does this ever end? will I ever want sex again? haha just thought I would throw that out there..
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Maybe when I have more hair I'll want more sex? LOL
OH and now to find out even if it grows in, once on the hormones, it will be thinner!! (I take thyroid medicine too, I wonder if it will even be there at all??)This is not looking good for sex..... LOL.
Spring.
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It is hard feeling sexy with no hair or eyebrows or lashes and one arm wrapped up like a mummy.
As a matter of fact I do look pretty funny. lol But my husband calls me cutie all the time...I must get his eyes checked ? or not! hehehe
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,,,,all that and the 15 pounds chemo packs on...I couldn't even look at my VS catalogs while going thru chemo, It just made me feel more disgusting..Thank goodness for elastic waistbands. Good news is the weight comes off the hair comes back, and maybe we will all feel sexy again by this time next year?
and Sunshine your hubby is looking at you through the eyes of love. To him you are a princess no matter what...You are blessed...:)
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CristiC, Do not take the biotin during chemo. That is something to try for your hair, after you've finished with chemo.
Chris
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I agree with Hope...that is used for hair growth. I decided not to use it because I just didn't feel that stressing my hair out anymore than it already has been. I'm still using baby shampoo, which I did all through chemo...even when bald.
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Onc told me that when I missed a cycle then my hair would figure out that I wasn't trying to kill it and it would start to grow back. My hairdresser told me that it would grow at the rate of 1/2 inch a month. My hair came back in full but very soft and fine. It is the same color as before chemo. I just wish someone would have given me the idea of spiking my hair while it was short. Once I started doing that, everyone thought the short hair was planned and very natural. last chemo was April 20. Went without wig the end of July but people would comment that I had been on chemo. Went without wig again then in September and spiked the hair and people loved it even though I was uncomfortable with how short it was. First haircut to even ends was Thanksgiving. hated having no hair and love having my hair back. Seems like it takes forever but it will come!
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Shelly Jo.... I am very very very blessed to have my special man! He made all of this as easy for me as he could...he himself is a cancer survior (10 years out)
I have packed on about 15 chemo lbs also....I need all the help I can get in this department!
Does anyone have any information on Woo Long Tea.
I heard it is really good for you and helps with weight loss.?????
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I dunno about the tea sunshine. I do know I have forced myself to walk almost daily thru out this whole ordeal. Since I finished chemo I walk anywhere from 1-4 miles a day. During chemo I packed the weight on because of steroids etc. Now that I am almost 2 months out from chemo the weight is coming off and I am back in my pre chemo jeans. I am not taking any other drugs because I was not estrogen positive so I honestly don't know how those may be effecting weight. Keep the diet clean and balanced. Lots of dark greens, fruits, veges ( the more colorful the better for you ) enough LEAN protein ( 1 gram per pound of body weight per day ) and fiber filled carbs. I sprinkle flaxseed on hot cereals and plain yogurt. I also read blackberries are great for preventing breast cancer so I buy those frozen by the bag full at Trader Joes. Good for smoothies and yogurt and cereal toppings. Stay away from sugars, cancer thrives on it. Mom gave me a bottle of Cod liver oil. I am taking a spoon full of that everyday good for omega 3 etc. I buy everything I can Organic also. The weather is still nice, get out there and get your blood flowing..
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Shelly Jo... Thanks for all the good tips. I lost about 10 lbs prior to my DX was so proud of myself...kept my weight within a few pounds all thru chemo then boom I gained 15. Just need to get my mind set again...if I can find it?
Thanks girl you are a go getter!
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