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Hair Hair Hair - Another question

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Comments

  • shera
    shera Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2012

    AEM47 -- thanks for sharing your hair growth photo stream! We are growing at about the same speed, it seems. I'm at 10 weeks... and hoping my 12 week growth will have the same spikey hairline you have. After being baldilocks... every step of the way feels like a victory. 

    I was speaking to a woman who went through chemo last summer, her hair is straight and past her chin now... she said she can still remember the first time she felt the wind move her hair.

  • rn4babies
    rn4babies Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2012
    Ella......My wig shop sold me a revitalizing mist which they said was vital to use, especially with a longer wig. It is a conditioning mist. They told me to spray it after each wearing to keep it from frizzing and tangling. I've only used it once because I've only worn it once. They also told me if it became tangled and/or frizzy anyway, I could take it to them and there is something they can do to untangle it.
  • herstrong
    herstrong Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2012

    I had lost about 95%+ of my hair about 8 weeks after the first hairs started to fall out when I had my DD shave it. It was finally then when I stopped crying. Now that I'm four months PFC, these few hairs that hung on are about an inch longer than the rest, so I need to trim them off still. I had the back of my hairline trimmed a wee bit today to clean it up a bit. My blonde neck hairs were making me look a little unkempt. My cousin (also my hairdresser) told me that it's something about the blood supply that makes your hair grow faster in the back, which is about 1 1/2 inches now. Looks like it'll be awhile before I get much bangs :/

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 2,845
    edited July 2012

    I am with auntinance on the shaving, but everyone has a different reaction, so obviously go withbwhat works for you.



    I wore my wig exactly one time, and it got sort of frizzy. It was also really dificult to put a part in it and brush it into some kind of order. Much to much trouble for me.

  • jenlee
    jenlee Member Posts: 204
    edited July 2012

    There's so much activity going on with my lashes that they itch. Brows are starting to peek through. Hair is growing, but slowly. I still look completely bald from ten feet away. It is too selfish to pray for hair growth?

  • Hildy910
    Hildy910 Member Posts: 227
    edited July 2012

    I am so ready to put my wig in the Halloween costume box, but apparently my head doesn't agree with my heart. At 10 weeks PFC I have hair, but not nearly enough to feel comfortable about taking public.  In fact, it makes me wonder whether the wig-wearing is hindering the hair growth.....

    On the plus side, my eyebrows need waxing! 

  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 983
    edited July 2012

    AEM

    Wow, you're hair is really coming in nicely!  Great coverage.

  • 57lala
    57lala Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2012

    I tried to post the hair pics. I hope it gives some encouragement for those waiting. You too might have sheep's hair. The only way I know is to go to www.photobucket.com then search 57lala. Good luck.

  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited July 2012

    that works looks like you have lot of hair

  • 57lala
    57lala Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2012

    I guess I do but like everyone else says...... Not fast enough lol

  • janiemomof2
    janiemomof2 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2012

    Everyone who posted pics looks amazing! So much hair!

    I have an interesting thing happening... I am 6.5 weeks PFC and I'm VERY sparse on the top of my head but the sides and back seem to be coming in well. It's making me very nervous. Why is there so little hair on the top? I look like I have male patterned baldness! UGH.

    I took pics at 6 weeks, will try to post them in a bit.

    (on the upside - I had my last RADS today!! whoop whoop!)

  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 906
    edited July 2012

    janie...CONGRATS!!! Don't worry about the thin on top...mine was the same way but lo and behold...it came back within weeks, once it started.

  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 194
    edited July 2012

    Janie - same thing happened to me.  Trust me, it will come back in.

  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 1,951
    edited July 2012

    http://hair-styling.wonderhowto.com/how-to/steam-style-synthetic-wig-hair-create-straight-hair-370714/

    Here is a video on how to steam a synthetic wig. It really takes the frizz out.

  • herstrong
    herstrong Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2012

    Hey girls, I just checked out Claires at the mall and they have some really cute headbands! Not just colored ones but beaded and leather ones - good selection. Hey, you still have short hair when you leave the store but its a nice pick me up for your spirit :)

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Member Posts: 198
    edited July 2012

    Janie, its very common to be thin looking on top at first, no worries it will fill in.  

     I have calmed down from yesterdays freakout.  My hair didnt fall out.  I will post my new photo to my avatar tomorrow when I am at work.  it grew a little, at least its noticable...

  • dventi
    dventi Member Posts: 100
    edited July 2012

    Helloooo! Has anyone found thick headbands that could sit on over your forehead with fake hair attached to the headband - not long hair but on the shorter side.  I exercise and dont want to wear my wigs nor a turban to the gym.

    What have you worn while exercising at the gym..

    Just starting wearing my wigs.. hair loss right before 2nd treatment

    Thanks so much..  

    .  

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 687
    edited July 2012

    Dventi:  Went to the gym for the first time this weekend since my surgery.  Wore my buff.  

    JPmom:  I swear, your hair looks like it's growing like a weed.  I am jealous!

    Herstrong:  thanks for the headband tips.

    My hair is pretty sparce on top as well but growing over my ears-noticeable to no one but me, and I have noticed it's growing some in the back.  Keep in mind I am only 2 1/2 weeks PFC.  I took some pics this weekend, but will post next weekend when hopefully, I will have more stuff on this head!  

    Janie:  Congrats on being done with rads.  I start this Thursday.  I should be finished around 9/5. 

  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 373
    edited July 2012

    I wore a cotton bandana to the gym

  • herstrong
    herstrong Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2012

    I just wore my REI baseball cap to the gym. Everyone still stares, but it's hard to ignore the elephant in the room. Tip on baseball caps and working out: you really need to have a synthetic hat that whisks away moisture and breathes or you will be miserable. Now my hair is long enough to go topless, but I just got my boobs lopped off. I think I am gonna try to go next week but not looking forward to the full-on dyke look. I have some little boobies to stuff in my sports bra that I hope will do the trick. I finally came to the conclusion that fighting BC is HARD WORK!

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 687
    edited July 2012

    Herstrong:  Wow:  You're going back to the gym after 3 weeks?  Good for you, girl!  I didn't have the energy.  Plus, chemo was looming.  You are truly an inspiration!

  • herstrong
    herstrong Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2012

    Well there's a loooong story here, but I finished chemo in March, started Herceptine right afterward, then the BMX July 3rd. I was on Plavix and they thought I was having a heart attack in recovery because my BP was so low. Turned out they weren't using the drains right and figured out I wasn't having a heart attack but was hemorrhaging. I went back to surgery to stop the bleeding but before going, the anestegiologist said I had "a high probability of dying in surgery." Afterward, he said the fact that I work out saved my life. Honestly, I can't get back soon enough.

  • Jennifer404
    Jennifer404 Member Posts: 133
    edited July 2012

    Also...just an FYI...did anyone sign up for chemo angels? I did and I love the program. You go to their website and fill out their questionnaire and they assign two breast cancer survivors to you and they send you little things, cards, gifts etc. for encouragement...all through snail mail and they continue through your treatment. I find that it lifts my spirits and look forward to doing the same for someone next year:)

  • Ella_117
    Ella_117 Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2012

    Thanks to everyone for all the great tips and info on wig steaming!

    I am going to try them all so that I can hopefully get a little more mileage out of my wig until my hair grows back.

    I just purchased 2 huge bottles of Nioxin at Marshall's at a greatly reduced price as compared to Beauty stores like Ulta. One medium size bottle of Nixon 1 sold at Marshall's (for $5.99) cost less than the teeny tiny trial size bottles at Ulta. Also ......just bought a 30 day hair & nail vitamin gel pack called Purvanna that was highly recommended at my support group. It contains Biotin as well as a variety of other vitamins.

    Hoping one of these products work!

    If not, I'll be looking into hair extensions soon.

  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 983
    edited July 2012

    herstrong

    If that's not a case for working out I don't know what is.  How scarey to be told that you had a high probability of dying!?  I swear once this heat breaks I'm back at it.

  • eileenohio
    eileenohio Member Posts: 268
    edited July 2012

    Ella-  Where is Purvanna sold?  I have checked several Health Food Stores in my area-none of them carry Purvanna. I went online and found several places but I really do not like to put my credit card number online..  I am willing to try anything that will help my hair grow,even though my MO said that there is nothing that will help it--

    Thanks

  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 303
    edited July 2012

    Eileen - my hair seemed to take off a bit faster after I started taking Biotin.

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Member Posts: 198
    edited July 2012

    Got my avatar updtated with this weeks photo.  I went scarfless for a playdate with my son yesterdat, my friend and a neighbor saw me and no one blinked an eye or said a word.  Guess i was more worried about it than i should have been.  Plus it was nice to be at the pool with nothing on my head, much cooler that way.

  • herstrong
    herstrong Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2012

    Myleftboob - Not trying to get OT here, but this affects us all. Chemo and especially Herceptin are hard on the heart, so anything you can do to exercise is a plus. MUGA scores tend to decrease with these drugs but mine was increasing with little to moderate exercise. So even if you're on chemo and weak, every little bit helps :)

  • Yvette10052011
    Yvette10052011 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2012

    hi ladies!! haven't posted for a bit (work has been crazy, trying to keep up on home stuff & dealing with painful Taxol side effects) but wanted to drop in :) so much action here & loving ALL the pictures!! EACH & EVERYONE of you looks AMAZING!!

    just a few random comments about various posts i've read...

    1 - do not fear if the top is not filling in - in my experience it fills in very slow. mine looks less full when it's wet & i'm 16wks PFC

    2 - nails - i lost 4 fingernails after they lifted & one toenail. i thought it would take 6 months or more to look normal but it only took 3 months. i take Biotin, BioSil & drinks tons of water so that may have helped

    3 - hair dye... i dyed my hair ASAP. my ONC said it was safe and i was tired of looking like an old man. i say go for it if your ONC is OK (most are)

    4 - i ran (on the treadmill) for the first time Sunday since last October. it was FANTASTIC!! i was really nervous because i still have expanders in but to my delight it didn't hurt a bit. i felt MUCH better after too :)

    happy day to all!!! 

     

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