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Hair Hair Hair - Another question

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Posts: 293
    edited March 2012

    I am 10 months pfc and just quit wearing my wig 1 month ago. My hair has been growing so fast. It is over 4 inches long, very soft, and very curly. For those just starting out, it started curling as soon as it started growing and I noticed the ends curling up when it was about 1/4 inch or less long. My hair took a while to start growing back. I was say at least 8weeks. So, I just want to say, hang in there. It does come back and I'm actually starting to like it! Everyone tells me they like my perm. I just laugh to myself because most of them don't seem to get that I was wearing a wig all these months.

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited March 2012

    Eileen herceptin might slow your hair a litte but I know mine still grew at a decent rate… but even faster after herceptin.

    CaitlinB I remember back in 2007 a woman at work going through this although not in my department. I did think "OMG  she's so young, only a few years older than me. Then I also thought about "I'm glad I'm not going through this." Little did I know I had a tumor growing at that time. If someone close to you hasn't gone through this you really are clueless about what happens. That's why I was so scared at first. It was the information I didn't have that scared me. I assume most don't understand this at all. So much for Komen spending 1/3 of it's money on education. It's not working IMO.

  • christine47
    christine47 Posts: 846
    edited March 2012

    Always love reading the hair posts!  Remembering a year ago in the middle of my treament and reading and rereading every single post looking for hair hope.  For me hair loss was the absolute worst side effect from chemo.  I am sitting here this morning sporting a very short (now by choice) spiky, straight hair style.  I get more compliments on my hair (even by people who do not know my cancer story) than I ever did before.  I wishes for curls after chemo, no luck, but hair is back and I am happy and hopeful.  Best to you all.

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited March 2012

    Just want you gals to know that even if  you think your hair is too short to go topless you might not be right.  Wednesday morning I was at my PSs office for a follow up. There was one other person there… my neighbour from across the hall. We hardly ever see each other. She was diagnosed this fall (although she didn't know I knew so I never said anything to her the last time I saw her).

    Anyway we're talking and she says to me "Well you're not here for the same reason I am." I smiled and said yes I am. Didn't you see me wearing scarves and short hair. Seems she didn't remember seeing me in scarves and just thought I was now wearing my hair short. Granted now I am but last spring/summer it was really short. She was totally shocked. Didn't have a clue that I was going through treatment.

  • mizmarie
    mizmarie Posts: 137
    edited March 2012

    Lago, your story reminds me of one of my favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quotes:  "You wouldn't worry so much about what other people think of you if you realized how seldom they do."

  • KCB
    KCB Posts: 20
    edited March 2012

    Miz Marie, I love that quote!!

  • Bonseye
    Bonseye Posts: 124
    edited March 2012

    MizMarie-love that quote too!



    I can't believe how many people have told me they love my new haircut....not realizing i have lost my hair. I just smile and laugh inside. I use to be afraid everyone would know I had a wig.....not so. My family confirmed today they can see a "fuzz" so it looks like my hair is starting to grow-yahoo! Just finished my 8th Taxol so I am very excited. We are going to have weekly hair checks at our house-who would have thought!? Gotta make fun out of each step......lemonade is much better then lemons!

  • Deb720
    Deb720 Posts: 28
    edited March 2012

    Love that quote too MizMarie!  How true!  Bonseye, we are doing hair checks at my house too.  I think mine is finally starting to grow!  Your comment made me remember, last August a week after I was diagnosed we found lice on my daughter and were doing another kind of hair checks! Lemonade is much better than lemons!

  • anafoefana
    anafoefana Posts: 109
    edited March 2012

    After all that has happened to me in the last year, I am just glad I have hair. Smile I am getting the " I like your haircut." comment from strangers and it makes me smile.  I have a lot of white, but it seems to be darkening.  I have tri-color strands, white tips, brown middle and black roots.The back is darker than the front.  I am not sure if I will color it again, but for now, hair is good, it does not matter if it is white!

    My eyelashes are still struggling.  I have been using latisse for 4 weeks and have not noticed much change.  They fell out a second time a few weeks ago.  Has anyone experienced that?  I have not worn my contacts since November and I am hoping to wear them again someday, but can't without  eyelashes because I get stuff in my eyes. 

  • racy
    racy Posts: 976
    edited March 2012

    Just catching up with my reading on this thread.

    Christine47, it's nice to see you checking in as we finished chemo the same week. 

    Eileen, I hope you are doing ok.  If you are wearing a wig and you feel it doesn't look right, get your hairdresser to style it for you.  Sometimes wigs need thinning out to look more natural and feel lighter on the head.

    Deen, it's nice to see you checking in too.  I often think of you and if you knew that this thread was still going.  Thanks to you for starting it. 

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited March 2012
    anafoefana mine thinned out a 2nd time. My onc last April said it was from chemo. I'm not so sure. They have never filled back in. I think it's from the Anastrozole.  I'm over a year PFC. I'm going to ask my NP next month when I see her if this really is from chemo. But you never know. My nails have still not recovered (some still lifted) but I think I have seen some improvement over the last few months. Some of us just might recover slower.
  • eileenohio
    eileenohio Posts: 268
    edited March 2012

    Racy,  I am feeling great thank you, I had my second treatment on wednesday so far no side effects.

    It is a beautiful day in Northeast Ohio today.  Going to drive to Erie Pa with my sister in law for a little casino fun and lunch. It is about 1 1/2 drive and I am going to drive..

    I love my one wig,it looks just like my hair,but after a few hours it begins to itch. I just have to try to not think about it. I have to get use to it because I will never go out without it..I am 73 yrs old so you can only imagine me without hair..Not a pretty picture!!!!

    Hope everyone has  a wonderful sunday,filled with sunshine,love and feeling good.  Hugs

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited March 2012
    Eileen you sound great. Do look into getting a wig cap. I could never wear my wig (even if it was only 2 days) without one. I have very sensitive skin. I cut all the tags out of my cloths too.
  • Charles_Pelkey
    Charles_Pelkey Posts: 99
    edited March 2012

    Obviously going bald during chemo is a lot easier on a guy than it is for a woman. Some people thought I was just being a middle-aged hipster or something ... until they noticed the strangely absent eyebrows.

    My hair is finally coming back and it feels as smooth and soft as my kids' did when they were born. It's all grey now, but since I am a lawyer, my friends say I should raise my hourly fee since I look much more experienced (which I am not).

  • momine
    momine Posts: 2,845
    edited March 2012

    Charles, lol on raising your fee. A male friend of mine, who has already been bald for decades, was going through hormone treatment for prostate cancer at the same time that I was going through chemo. So while I was losing hair, he was suddenly sprouting. 

  • marjie
    marjie Posts: 365
    edited March 2012

    Aaargg!  Okay when I was bald as an egg I swore up and down that I would never complain about my hair again...lol....this weekend I went and had mine buzzed right off.  I have absolutely no patience for this curly bendy carpetty frizzy cowlicky nonsense. Yell

    Besides...I'm back in training full force - it'll be easier - cut for speed.

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited March 2012

    Charles you just need an earring and you'd be a rock star! (And you'd have to ditch that tie and vest lawyer attire). Seriously hair loss is tough for men too. I see you guys at reunions. You are always teasing each other about how much hair you "don't" have. But I agree the eyebrows are the worst. That was my biggest fear. I bought eyebrow makeup before my surgery, long before I bought any scarves or wigs. At least  your glasses help hide it a bit. I only wear glasses for close up.

    My hair is pretty close to it's old texture. Took about a year for those of us that keep it short. It will be  soft and puffy through the summer for you.

  • KCB
    KCB Posts: 20
    edited March 2012

    Marje: what are you in training for?

  • Charles_Pelkey
    Charles_Pelkey Posts: 99
    edited March 2012

    Iago,

    I have to agree that male pattern baldness is certainly an issue for some. Were it not, we'd never see those hideous comb-overs. I never had that problem and went from a full head of hair to being as bald as a cue ball. It was a strange experience, but it did offer up a few funny moments when people who hadn't seen me for a while either didn't recognize me or would loudly proclaim "hey, you cut off your hair! How come?" 

    I tried to minimize their discomfort when I told them why, but I did get a kick out their reactions.

    I didn't do anything about my eyebrows, but man-oh-man, I am happy they are back.

    As for my current attire, yeah, I do look pretty damn stuffy these days. You'd never believe I had waist-length hair back in the 70s (and yeah, I think I inhaled, too). 

    1979 vs. 2011: The ravages of time and chemo 

    1979 vs. 2011: The ravages of time ... and chemo 

  • marjie
    marjie Posts: 365
    edited March 2012

    My sport of choice is dragon boat racing. I was with a competitive team prior to BC, and when I was diagnosed my coaches urged me to move to Rowbust which is a team of breast cancer survivors.  We are Canadian National Gold Medalists...2 years running.  This year the Nationals are in Montreal.

    We'll be racing in the Toronto area a few times this summer - I'll have to let you know!

  • Charles_Pelkey
    Charles_Pelkey Posts: 99
    edited March 2012
    "Rowbust"
    That is brilliant! 
  • KCB
    KCB Posts: 20
    edited March 2012

    Marjie: awesome!! DO let me know when you're racing in TO.

    I PMd you a FEC-D question....

  • macygrace
    macygrace Posts: 5
    edited March 2012

    I haven't read everything on here but my daughter told me about this horse shampoo. It's called Main and Tail and can even be found at Walgreens. It's supposed to make your hair grow. We bought some and for the price and small amount you use...it's great!

    I initially had curly hair and it came back real frizzy and extra curly. This shampoo is making a big difference on both ends.

    Here's some reviews on the product::

    http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=70234/Mane_n_Tail_Shampoo/0/Shampoo

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited March 2012

    macygrace I have know about Mane & Tail products since the 80's. It is an excellent product at a great price. Ironically in 2006 I had my packaging class redesign their package as a project. It's so 70's and need to get those horses off the package. Actually need to change the name.

    Their hoofmaker product is supposed to be great for hands and nails.

  • Wendyspet
    Wendyspet Posts: 103
    edited March 2012

    Charles - you looked like you were in a band!  ahh--the 70s. 

  • momine
    momine Posts: 2,845
    edited March 2012
    Dude, it wasn't chemo and time that ravaged you, it was law school! Tongue out Love the 1979 pic.
  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited March 2012

    Well I for one prefer bald over long hair on Charles. Actually it might be age too. I don't think men really start to get good looking till they reach at least early 30's but prime is 40-50.

  • marjie
    marjie Posts: 365
    edited March 2012
    Lago - I think you prefer short on everyone!! LOL.  You should see what I did to my head this weeked - bzzzzzzz. My only concern now is that I think having a buzzed head makes my a$$ look bigger Tongue out
  • Charles_Pelkey
    Charles_Pelkey Posts: 99
    edited March 2012

    Wendyspet:
    I'd have been in a band, but for the complete absence of musical talent. I sure did look the part, though. 

    Momine:
    I have to agree. That law school thing was a bitch, especially at 48, with kids and a full-time job. That was the beginning of the end for me Yell 

    lago: I'm not sure I look better now (almost 54), but I sure do feel a lot more at ease with life and with myself. Several of my friends have been encouraging me to grow it long again ... just for grins, since it's going to be mostly white now.

    marjie I have to agree. I cut my hair in the early 80s when I started racing bicycles. It looked a lot better.


    Diana and Charles - Wedding Day, August 6, 1986: A much nicer cut. 

    As for the original question in this thread, it was about a month before hair started to come back. Then it just took off. Another lawyer compared me to a Chia Pet the other day. It is coming back fast and there are no bald spots. Same as it ever was ... except the color and texture.

  • marjie
    marjie Posts: 365
    edited March 2012

    Ah yes - I remember the chia pet days!