Hair Hair Hair - Another question
Comments
-
Congratulations, mareluna! Lashes are great to have.
Melissa119, I have been told the color reverts to normal, but I'm not sure of the timetable. One friend told me hers changed after about 2 inches of growth. Some ladies here have mentioned it taking a year. Mine seems to be darkening up already (2 months PFC), but I still have the overall salt-n-pepper look. I had dark hair before with very little grey.
0 -
melissa, hair color is really as simple as shampooing your hair. There are a gazillion to chose from, they have some now that only need to stay on for 10 minutes, and have no ammonia, and the results are very uplifting! I've colored my own hair for over 35 years, it's a piece of cake.
0 -
Mareluna, great news on brows/lashes!
0 -
Hey Ladies with hair...i'm (only mildly now) freaking out about my impending hair loss...I'm on the january 2013 chemo thread with LeeA...i started chemo Feb 7th and go for round 2 Feb 21st...and i was wondering...was it easier once your hair was gone? I have a goal to have a convict cut (1/4 inch) by the end of July- last treatment should be May 16th. I'm getting the Susan Powter cut on Saturday and planning to debut the new wig at work on Monday but DO you stop freaking out about the hair once its gone? Or do you mourn its loss and count down to regrowth? Just interested to hear what you have to say, having emerged on the other side...thanks.
0 -
Smethot.. The hardest part is losing it but once it starts coming out I would buzz it. It makes it easier. It's really hard to see it falling out. Losing my hair was harder for me then my breasts. But once u get passed it falling out it gets easier. U get used to it in a way. I was fortunate to have a friend in town who works for a place called hair solutions. I got a real hair unit that she matched to my hair highlights and all. It stays on my head for a month at a time without me having to take it off! during treatment when i was bald it was on with glue then tape once my hair started coming in. Now this week she will put it in with clips attached to my hair. It was expensive but well worth it. I vould not deal with seeing myself bald every day snd to this day almost 1 yr out from dx my kids still have no idea...But focus on the end and it will be here before u know it! I
0 -
smethot losing my hair was very hard on me, more than I think I expected. But I was lucky in that most of it all came out at one time in the shower. I took the towel off and looked in the mirror and the whole top of my head was exposed. I cried . . . hard, but then brushed myself off and moved on. I embraced my hats and I kept telling myself "it's only temporary it will grown back." I strongly recommend the "Look Good Feel Better Program" from ACS. I put my makeup on every day, matched a cool hat to my outfit, and some big earrings, and I felt pretty, even though I still did not have new boobs until after chemo was over. I even got hit on in a bar one time, if he only knew lol.
0 -
I agree with Melissa. I didn't shave my head until day 23 or 24. I was a few days past my 2nd treatment and it was coming out more and more. Seeing all that scalp peeking out as well as finding the hair EVERYWHERE was really emotional. Once I got past the initial shock of sitting down and buzzing it off, it was almost a relief. I'd spent nearly 2 weeks watching it slowly thin. For me, I think I needed to go through that - deep down, I was hoping I'd be special and magically keep most of my hair. In any event, once it was gone, I quickly got used to my wig and moved on with things.
I'm 1 year PFC now and my hair is still a work in progress. I've been using the 1/2" flat iron to straighten the top a bit so that it lays down and then leaving the back curly. As soon as it was long enough, I pulled bangs forward and even though I never really had them before, I felt more like "me" once I had them - I think it just softened my face for me as I've never had short hair...and I've been coloring it blonde forever, but my natural color is very dark brown and I'm leaving it that way for now (and kind of liking it!). For the past couple of weeks, I've been using the flat iron all over and I'm kind of enjoying this look. My hair in the back is to the base of my neck or my upper back...can't wait for the sides to catch up so that it looks like it really has length! It does feel longer to me when it's straight. I'm wondering when the curls will start to go away and I'll get my old texture back.
Hair growth is definitely an adventure. I feel like every few days, I have a totally new head of hair to work with as it's constantly changing!
0 -
I never shaved my head. My hair didn't come out all at once either. I did cut it short, although not as short as I wear it now. It was a mess coming out. I would vacuum my pillow and bathroom every morning. In the shower I would have to empty the drain twice because it would get clogged… I have a lot of hair. Even the gal at the wig place said if I lost 1/3 of my hair no one would notice.
I too recommend the looks good feel better program. I put on make up everyday and wore long scarves with big earrings. I had strangers compliment me on my "look." 3 months ago I was talking to the cashier at our local grocery. Mentioned something about cancer and she said "you had cancer." I said "don't you remember when I was wearing the scarves?" She thought that was just my style at the time.
0 -
No question here is stupid. I think I tried several things on my bald head....shampoo, body soap...whatever feels good. It is skin..protect it from the sun!
A few other points. I quit wearing my wig to work this week ( I am a hospital nurse). My hair is grey and white. It is still very short. Someone told me I looked like Judi Dench ( the actress ), I am 63, it made my day, week, month, year.
For most of my adult life I have worn size 12 or 14 pants...yes I am short and wieighed too much. Today, I bought a pair of size 6 pants. I giggled and laughed. Chemo for me was a very effective weight loss plan, I do not recommend it, though.
Inthe wind:
If indeed the poor info you got was from a nurse (LPN, RN or NP), that is inexcusable. Actually it was any office person, it is inexcusable. I have been an RN for 35 years and a breast cancer patient for about a year. All patient deserve and require accurate info and concern, but cancer patients do require extra attention. If your doctor does not understand that, you can send me his information and I will gladly explain to him.
This site has been such a huge help for me.
Thanks to every one of you. I hope my comments help someone, too.
0 -
Shannon - This time last year I was in the midst of chemo and coming to terms with being bald. Looking back on the experience, I realize it wasn't that big a deal for me. My husband shaved my head after the 2nd tx and I wore a wig until I had just enough hair to look like it might be a real style. My wig was put away by July. I had two wigs to start with - work wig and sassy weekend wig. They were inexpensive and easy to care for. I actually had fun with them and got many complements. I teach, so I shaved my head on a weekend and wore the new wig the next Monday. Everyone thought I got a new haircut and style. No one knew that I was wearing a wig, unless I told them. At home I was comfortable going topless, sometimes wearing a soft cap to keep my head warm (it was winter). I slept with a cap on. Around the neighborhood, I felt comfortable wearing a scarf or hat instead of a wig. The best part was getting ready for work in the morning. No hair problems! I'd grab the wig and run out the door.
By July, I had enough hair to put away the wig. The hair that grew in is so new and soft. I have a little more grey than I did before, so I'm thinking about some color to cover the grey.
Just keep in mind that it is just hair and that it will grow back. Don't spend too much on a wig and experiment with different scarves and hats. Get a few different wigs to match your mood. It might actually be fun. Early in my tx, I was in the wig store looking at scarves. A young couple came in to look at wigs. I couldn't help but think it was such a shame that this young woman was going to loose her beautiful long hair. To my surprise, she took off her beautiful long 'hair' to try on a short wig. They were headed to the islands for the weekend and she wanted a short wig to wear while there. We got to talking and she said that she was in the middle of tx and was making the best of it by enjoying life and living it up. Good for her!
0 -
I used T-gel on my bald head and peppermint tea tree oil body wash, It was soothing.
I hated going bald but I cut my hair short, then had a friend buzz it when it started to fall out. It was too messy and a pain. Then I had my husband's barber shave it bald. I work with food and it was too messy. I didn't go the wig route. I loved Buffs (they wear them on Survivor). They were pretty, soft and easy!
0 -
I finished Chemo on Jan 9th. My hair has not started to grow back yet. Shouldn't it have started to grow by now? Also, have lost my eyebrows and lashes several times. I noticed today that I am losing my lashes again 5 weeks after Chemo. Is this normal? Marianne
0 -
I had my last chemo in late November and I didn't really see any definite hair regrowth until January. It's still less than a quarter of an inch now.
My head feels so soft right now - like velour. LoL
0 -
Marianne52 My hair started to grow before chemo ended but I was on a different chemo then you. I have noticed for some women on Adriamycin it seems to start slower but that's just a personal observation not any science to it. I lost my eyelashes 5 weeks PFC but they grew back fast. Usually it means the new hairs are pushing the old ones out.
BTW I'm originally from the Boston area (South Shore).
0 -
Shannon, I hated, hated, hated being bald. I never got used to the sight of myself in the mirror, so I started wearing hats indoors and just quit looking at mirrors. It was summertime, hot outside and I was having awful hot flashes from chemo. The only head covering cool enough to tolerate was a bandanna. I felt self-conscious whenever I was in public by myself. Once a group of kids on bikes pointed & laughed and said hey look, a pirate! After that I started wearing a summer hat on top of the bandanna. Most summer hats don't work alone because they don't cover the bald area above your ears. It got better when I learned to use eye makeup to simulate brows and lashes. I'd put on eye makeup first thing after rolling out of bed in the morning. The only tolerable thing about being bald was that it was temporary.
I think you will do much better than I did if you can wear a wig, and learn the makeup tricks early on.
I'm actually enjoying the re-growth phase. It's sort of interesting to watch now that my head is fully covered.
0 -
Iago,
Thank you for your response. I am from the North Shore. I did my Chemo/Surgery at MGH. If losing your hair wasn't bad enough it is a shock when you lose your eyelashes and brows.. Marianne
0 -
Victoria...my hair looked just like yours pre chemo. I am 8.5 months pfc and have about 2 inches of hair. I had it trimmed a tiny bit in December. I finished herceptin 4 weeks ago. I feel like mine has been growing slow so hopefully it speeds up now. I just wanted to tell you that the first 1/4" inch of hair was a weird gray colour but it has been growing in brown and completely straight since...no chemo curl whatsoever!!
0 -
Thanks Love74, Hope is good! Although I can deal with the color, the thought of having to blow dry it straight or use a curling iron, makes me crazy. I already have added almost 1/2 hour to my morning routine with dry brushing and the following MLD. Spending a lot of time on my hair is not something I look forward to, when it was so easy before. I'm liking the no hair care routine for now. I have some really cute caps and 2 good wigs. I have several of these Abbey Caps below, they look very cute on:
0 -
I too hated being bald. I felt too self-concious, I wore buffs most of the time. I think I underestimated how it would feel. I hated being out in public, hot days were the worse.
I finished chemo Aug 12 and my hair is now about 2". It's sticking up loads on top (the seen a ghost look)' lol.
I love Helen Mirren's pink hair. Trying to decide if should try this but I feel a bit scared to try it.....
0 -
Victoria - glad you posted a picture of the Abby Cap - it is cute..did you have to tie it, or is it something that just slips on your head?
0 -
Hi All,
My last taxol tx is this coming Tuesday.(yay). So happy to put the chemo behind me. I will then be having a 4 week break between next tx. (prob rads). My hair grew a little fuzz and some random strands, but I dont see any real growth, and no real coverage. Will this take months to fill in? My head does not look like the pictures on the thread where there are a couple of inches of growth, and the hair is covering the head. This hair loss has been so difficult for me, some days I wonder if it will grow back.
0 -
Victoria, The Abbey cap is all I wore during chemo. I had every color it came in. It was very convenient and comfortable. You just slipped it on your head and out the door you went! I got mine at chemobeanies.com. They have awesome customer service, too!
0 -
Waitingforthenextstep, almost done with chemo, Yay indeed. Just give a little more time, still very early. I took Taxotere and I lost all my hair, some ladies had some strands left. My head was shiny. I would say it was six weeks before anything started to grow. I stopped wearing my wig at 14 weeks PFC.
Check with your oncologist if you can take Biotin. I did not take it initially but I take it now. I feel it helps my hair grow much faster.
0 -
IamNancy, it has a covered elastic band on the back, it just slips on. It looks cuter than the pic, I think. There is a "tail" in the back that sort of mimics hair. Hard to explain. It really looks less chemo than most caps, turban or scarves. I get a lot of compliments on mine and people asking where I got it. Some stud earrings, a little blush and lipstick, and you definitely look ... well Normal.
m4babies, I got lots of colors too! But honestly I mostly wear the black. I really think they helped me cope.
Waitingforthenextstep, it's gonna take awhile. I'm 4 months past my last treatment and only have about 1/2". Be patient, enjoy the freedom from hair care and products. Find a super cute wig and a great cap, as I did posted above. Hang in there!
0 -
Victoria.. I went right on anazon and ordered one - sorta ruffly teal color - it looks so cute in the picture - hope I like it as much as I think I will
thanks Victoria
0 -
Oh I know you will my dear!
And be prepared to buy more, they are quite addicting.
0 -
Victoria, your hair looks very straight as mine was. My hair was very hard to control when I was at the stage you are at. I had to use a brush to blow dry it. Once it got a little longer it got a lot easier as the the curls relaxed. It became wash and wear hair for me and still is. Since I have more hair now it takes a little longer to dry. The avatar is a recent picture of my hair.
I would say that the time spent on my hair every morning is much shorter than before I lost my hair. However, if I wanted to wear it straight then I probably would have to spend some time. For now I have embraced the curls since they will go away at some point.
0 -
Thanks islandmom, so how far out from last chemo are you? Your hair looks thick and luscious!
0 -
Victoria, that Abbey cap is adorable/gorgeous.
0 -
Victoria - love your verse Ps 3:3..
Islandmom - your hair looks gorgeous... if mine came back like that, I'd know it was a total gift
0
