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Hair Hair Hair - Another question

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Comments

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Posts: 198
    edited July 2012

    Ugh damn auto correct. That first paragraph was supposed to say: I am not a big MAKE UP or accessory person. But I may splurge on some big GIRLY earrings to make me look more GIRLY when I go topless.

  • Momine
    Momine Posts: 2,845
    edited July 2012

    JPmom, it does get better, but slowly. I also find that it helps to fight it, actively. Like the waking up at night scenario, I know exactly what you mean. But after a while, I would force myself to think about something else. If I start planning something out, I can usually distract myself from the stupid cancer. I plan parties/menus, sewing projects, houses I would like to build, whatever!

    I also go for walks and try to sort of meditate on the moment. I force myself to notice the trees, the birds, the other people, the weather etc. It may sound corny, but I find it helps reset my brain.

    I was the least girly girl on earth pretty much. I have never, ever had nail polish on my toe nails. I am now, at almost 50, trying to learn what different kinds of hair goob is all about. But I did find that during and after treatment it helped my morale and general well being to put a bit more effort into my appearance. 

  • stjude10
    stjude10 Posts: 230
    edited July 2012

    jp, you'll know when you're ready for topless. I am not a big accessory gal either, but I do like a simple pair of hoop earrings, and since my lashes came back, some mascara and chapstick. Those are the things that made it more managable for me. You'll find yours too. Good luck with the mindset, I wish I could help you there. Hugs

  • anafoefana
    anafoefana Posts: 109
    edited July 2012

    Dragonfly, you look great! 

    Ossa, yes, I am very grateful for the treatment as well.  I did okay through most of it. I really did not know how bad I felt through TCH until I started feeling better.  Radiation and the lumpectomy were a breeze and I did not have any SEs with Herceptin. It all worked the way it was supposed to for me! 

    About my hair.. still not sure what I am going to do.  I am going to visit my brothers in a couple of weeks. They have not seen me since before I was diagnosed, so I will see what they think. They are not very diplomatic and certainly will not hold their opinions back.  It is all in loving fun, and we will see how many jokes they come up with. 

    On another note, Latisse is finally working for me and I have long eyelashes!  Yay!  Has anyone used generic Latisse?  Just wondering if it is the same.

  • Momine
    Momine Posts: 2,845
    edited July 2012

    Speaking of girly. For those with bald heads, I think a crystal "tattoo" on the back of a bald head would look smashing, like these http://www.crystalbodytattoos.com/cat_swarovski1.cfm

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Posts: 198
    edited July 2012

    Momine, those are cool!

  • NCbeachgal
    NCbeachgal Posts: 67
    edited July 2012

    Jpmomof3-oh the obsession, it's so hard to get past. You will though. I try to focus on the daily lives of other people. You know, their joys, their heartaches. It helps me to realize that there are people out there living "normal" lives. It takes the focus off my mundane and redundant cancer obsession. I especially like talking to my friends about their job promotions, fun vacations, etc. I also don't mind hearing about their problems either. But I'm sick and tired of talking about my own-you know? Maybe this will help you too. As far as losing sleep-one word-Ativan! Helps me get back to sleep without a benzodiazepine hangover the next day.

    I see you're in NC. Me too. I live near W-S and Lexington and visit the Beaufort, Morehead City are all the time.

  • KristinFro
    KristinFro Posts: 96
    edited July 2012

    janiemomof2 -- I'm exactly where you are. Yesterday marked 4 weeks PFC for me. I have a white fuzz on the top and in the back, nothing on the sides. My scalp feels a little "bumpier" than it has in a while. I'm hoping that's due to the hairs trying to break through. I do worry that I'm going to end up with a mowhawk though! My eyelashes and eyebrows are starting to come back in, too. My eyelashes are stick straight so far. I used to have such a great curve to them. I hope that returns as they continue to grow out. 

    Did anyone have surgery after chemo? I go in a week from today for my mx, and was just wondering what effect surgery had on hair growth (I know anesthesia can do some pretty weird stuff).

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Posts: 687
    edited July 2012

    JPmomof3:  I, too, obsess about this stuff in the middle of the night.  I downloaded  sleep meditation music found on the Kaiser website, and when I do wake up, I turned it on and stick my ipad under my pillow.  It really has helped me sleep for the past three weeks.  BTW, I am wearing the t-shirt that says, Hey Cancer, you picked the wrong b...ch..!  Not strong enough to go out bald, even though I did walk to the curb with no hat.  My family hasn't seen me since my journey began, and I will see them this weekend at a wedding shower.  I will tell you, I am going to be bald except for at the shower.  I don't care. It's too hot!  (ps-my kids have seen me, just not my mom, siblings, cousins, etc.)

  • Momine
    Momine Posts: 2,845
    edited July 2012

    kristin, I had my BMX after four chemos. Then I had more chemo and rads, followed by da vinci surgery.



    The only effect I noticed was that due to the six-week chemo break for the BMX, the white fluff started growing, then promptly fell out again when I went back on chemo. Once I was all done with chemo, my hair started growing again.

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Posts: 687
    edited July 2012

    Momine--I got the fluff going on now!  Am done with chemo as of last week.  Rads start probably at the end of the month.

  • Momine
    Momine Posts: 2,845
    edited July 2012

    Yeah, the fluff is weird, but it will pass.

  • stjude10
    stjude10 Posts: 230
    edited July 2012

    Karen, I love that shirt. Just saw it last week online.

  • KSteve
    KSteve Posts: 190
    edited July 2012

    KristinFro - I had my BMX about 10 days after my final chemo.  It didn't appear to slow anything down as far as hair growth.  But, then again, I have nothing to compare too!  Good luck with your surgery . . . one more step towards getting your life back!  Yay!

    Kathy

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Posts: 687
    edited July 2012

    Lori,

    If you order the shirt, make sure you size UP! I wear a small and ordered a large and it fits perfectly.  Thinking I may wear it on Friday to try to get early check in at our hotel in Chicago.  Am I bad? 

  • stjude10
    stjude10 Posts: 230
    edited July 2012

    Karen, thanks for the tip, and hell no you're not bad...you earned that shirt!

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Posts: 198
    edited July 2012

    Thanks ladies for the tips, all good ones.  life goes on for us and everyone around us.  It is sometimes hard to get my head out of the BC hole but important to do.  Our lives do not need to be ruled by this.  

    NCbeach, I also live in the triad area.  Love Topsail and we also go to the charleston area since we used to live in SC and those beaches are all about the same distance from us.  We arent going this year for various reason but ooohhh do I ever want to!  

    It was so hot today at the neighborhood pool and breezeless that i went briefly topless around the neighbors.  baby steps. no one screamed in horror! LOL  It felt good. 

     Ambien has definitely been my friend throughout a lot of this.  brain off pill. 

  • stjude10
    stjude10 Posts: 230
    edited July 2012

    Congrats jp on the baby step. You'll get there!

  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Posts: 906
    edited July 2012

    Felt fantastic didn't it?? 

  • allurbaddayswillend
    edited July 2012

    Gemmie, I buzzed it with a shorter attachement on the clippers this morning and took the photo that's now my avatar. My head is still very itchy though. I tried to go topless but that was worse than having the pressure of a scarf on even in the heat so I put it back on. I hope the BGC went ok today and you're not feelin to crummy.

    jpmom, I've started using eyeliner again and won't go without colored lip gloss. I don't use foundation, rarely powder but I definitely feel the need to accentuate other features and be "girly" too. I hope you sleep well tonight. I got a prescription for a "brain off at bedtime" pill early on too.

    I hope everyone's doing well in the heat!

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Posts: 687
    edited July 2012

    Allurbadday:  Your avatar looks great.  Concealer is also in my makeup arsenal because I have developed dark circles under my eyes--thanks, Chemo!

    Gemmie:  Hoping you have a restful day today!

    Stay cool everyone and happy 4th! 

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 126
    edited July 2012

    Ok, so I now realize that the grainy bumps are the new hair follicles that I have grown since my first infusion knocked my hair out.  And, they are now beign pushed out of my scalp by the 2nd and 3rd infusion so I ave lotso f tiny little hair buds falling out.  If I smooth my scalp they come out. not fun.

    VVH 

  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Posts: 906
    edited July 2012

    OK   ....about the facial fuzz...anyone finding that using Nair or shaving didn't work permanently? Is it just MY luck???

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Posts: 198
    edited July 2012

    Schatzi, no you are not the only one, I am right there with you. Mine white fuzz is growing back on my face. I used hair a few weeks ago. It looks like I will have to use it again...

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Posts: 198
    edited July 2012

    Damn auto correct. My white fuzz is growing back, I used Nair a few weeks ago...

  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Posts: 906
    edited July 2012

    LOL...I gotcha!  Yeah it's very annoying...I always had to pluck a few chin hairs but THIS is ridiculous. Sure hope it's not permanent! BC...the "gift" that just keeps on giving :(

  • allurbaddayswillend
    edited July 2012

    ok, this morning after I went outside to brush off all the little bits of hair from me me and my clothes, I went back to my bathroom and slathered Scalpicin all over my itchy nearly bald noggin. aaaaah! soothing relief. Last night I noticed when I was itching it I was getting a lot of skin and bits under my fingernails - I should have just used the sctuff then. My scalp is currently comfy without the scarf and I'm thinking the Scalipicin will help with my tendency to ingrown hairs and such.

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Posts: 198
    edited July 2012

    I have heard that the white facial fuzzies do go away.  i hope.

    allurbaddayswillend, that stuff should all calm down, though I did have head zits intermittently throughout chemo probably due to the steroids.  Lovely eh?  but at least i never got any on my face throughout chemo (miraculous considering i usually do get facial zits)  At least with the head zits you can cover them with a scarf.

  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Posts: 906
    edited July 2012

    allurb...some of us just did nothing and let nature take its course. I had none of the problems that you describe. My scalp itched a bit at the beginning but after the hair was gone (2 days) it was normal. I did find that during the winter months my ole bald head was cold all the time therefore, I ALWAYS wore a turban or scarf...even at night in bed! I am 5 months PFC now and have total coverage.

  • KristinFro
    KristinFro Posts: 96
    edited July 2012

    Thanks, momine and KSteve!

    An update on the Buffs and this horrible heat we're having here in Chicago. I've had errands to run the last few days, so I've had to go out in the middle of the day when it's the hottest. Unlike with bandanas, my head didn't feel so overwhelmingly hot with the Buff (I've ripped bandanas off as soon as I've gotten into my car because my head was sweating so badly). After a few stores, I actually didn't even realize I still had it on! So, that's a bonus. Keeps your head warm in the cooler temperatures (like the theater the other night) and cooler in the warmer temperatures. I'm sold! (BTW I have ZERO connection to the Buff company, I just happen to like this product and thought other chemo sisters might like it as well :))

    Hope everyone has a great 4th! 

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