Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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soaplady ans ilovemykids - Hatless is a great feeling!
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Hi Ladies,
I ended chemo last September so I am actually about 8 months out and have abotu 3 inches of very cury, soft hair. I just wanted to chime in on the question of whether to cut your hair or not. I cut mine at about 5 months post chemo. I am very glad I did it. The first hair that comes in is that super light duck fuzz. When you cut that part off, it looks healthier, darker and more substantial. It also looks more like a style instead of grow out. I didn't have a ton cut, but was so glad I did it because when I walked out of there, it looked like I had short hair on purpose instead of because I had cancer and my hair was growing out.
Also, wanted to chime in about going topless. It is so much easier than you would think! As soon as you have enough hair to cover most of your scalp, go for it if you feel comfortable! You will think that everyone is going to stare at you, but they don't! They don't even notice. I felt much less like cancer girl once I went topless than I ever did with a wig, a hat or a scarf.
Best of luck to all!
Tracy
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Soaploady - Good for you!!Noda - Did you have a good time!
Well, here is my latest pic - 11 wks post chemo. It's geting easier! I ditto everything that Tracy said above.
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Wow this thread has some powerful woman. I am so proud of our attitudes. Congrats to Nadapearl and Soaplady!!!
I lovemykids: How kind of you to take the time to encourage us baldies. I am 7 weeks out and have a few and I mean a few wild grays that are about 1/2 long.
. I know that there are so many woman fighting for there lives with this insidious disease and sometime I feel trite worrying about my hair and not my bones or livers etc... Its hard it is always been a big part of my identity and sexuality. Now I have nothing to hide behind. (Expert my 6 gorgeous wigs.) I am only human. (wigs are synthetic) lol
Funny thing the other night I did my face and bald head gold and did my eyes in a dramatic Egyptian style. It looked so cool. I could not go out that way but wow what a trip.
Well I am going to go check the mirror and see if anything has changed. NOT
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Everyone - I did it. I got a few looks, but not much reaction to speak of. I do feel more like me. Have never liked the wig much anyway.plus it is getting hot here. Don't know how you florida girls do it. May just wear ball cap to work. I work in a jail, so no one there to impress.lol. Noda
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Lainey - wow, that looks great at 11 weeks! I am praying that all of a sudden I start sprouting more - but at 6 weeks out, I doubt that in 5 weeks I'll have as much (darn folliculitis!!!). As soon as mine looks like that, with enough to cover my scalp, I'm ditching the wigs too, even at work.
Bold, that sounds so cool - too bad you didn't take a photo!!
Noda, good for you - If I could get away with my business clothes plus a ballcap, I'd do it in a heartbeat. The only days I can get away with that casual is on Fridays, when we can wear jeans, or if I'm running a photo shoot, and then I wear shorts and t-shirt to work to climb all over the boats. The ONLY way I can wear a wig at work in hot, south Florida is to have a small fan at my desk, blowing on my head. Between the hot flashes (i found out that I should not be taking black cohosh either, so I am suffering with these damn flashes again!!) and the "hair hat", it gets pretty warm.
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chelev, you will be surprised how fast it comes in once it starts, i have pictures but haven't figured out how to post them yet in 5 weeks i went from see thru to fully covered and thick still not very long and it is starting to get curly out of control i have never had curls without perms can't wait to try this new do and hair is wonderful,everyday i see something different going on in the hair department it makes you feel human again instead of cancer girl as Tracy said. Sharon
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Love this thread ! I am on the other side.. expecting my hair to fall out any day now. I am 10 days out from my first chemo treatment.
Nodapearl - you go girl ! You inspire us all.
Bold - Would love to have seen the gold head.. no pics ?
Chainey - you are adorable, and you are rocking the hair.
Chelev - what did you hear/read about Black Cohesh ? I used that for hot flashes when I was in the throes of menopause and it worked awesome. I know I can't take any herbs while undergoing chemo, but so many write that the hot flashes just keep on coming, even when chemo stops. Figured I would just start popping the BC pills again. Also, your sister... I don't even know what to say. I just feel so bad that for you on that one. Ball is definetely in her court though, you've reached out enough.
I'll keep reading this thread - know what to expect when I come out the other end of chemo hell.
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I am 5 months out of chemo and my hair is growing back - but it's not MY hair! It is totally kinky curly and unmanagable. I've been reading a few posts about getting hair cuts. I have to ask - how long does this extreme curl last? I had T/C chemo. It's getting to be summer and I would love to go without my wig in the hot weather, but the way my hair looks right now - it's not an option. I did go out a few times when it was just starting to grow in and it was grey. I've dyed it since so the little ear hairs that peak out of the wig match. Now I'm thinking - I'll just get it all cut off again and let it grow out grey. I just HATE HATE HATE these kinky curls that have a mind of their own. Any suggestions???
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Lainey!! I cannot believe how much hair you have at 11 weeks! I am 16 weeks today and my hair is not that long.
Wblibrary - if you go back in this thread I think some said that the extreme curl lasts about a year and then settles down.
Lisa
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How long after tx did anyone's eyelashes and eyebrows fall out???????
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Jess, about 8 weeks after the last TC mine fell out. I know everyone says they grow back in "fast" but mine didn't, they grew back as fast as my hair did, which isn't saying much.
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Wblibrary- try some different hair products. They make all the difference in the world. My hair was curly before chemo, so I tried everything. I used the skinny shampoo and conditioner by Paul Mitchell. Maybe ask your stylist about gels, mousse, etc. Product can make a big difference.
Jess - I had 4 A/C & 4 taxol. Lashes & brows started to thin with taxol and were gone by the last one. I am 4 weeks & 3 days out, and I am seeing stubble.0 -
What is black cohesh? I have hot flases sooooo bad. Can I take it since I am done with chemo?
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Nodapearl - DO NOT take black cohash if your cancer was estrogen positive!!!
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Hi, Journey-Girl and Nodapearl. Black Cohash is a natural supplement that has helped me with hot flashes in the past (about 7 years, prior to HRT, and then from Feb to last week), that I THOUGHT was safe - it had been approved by my docs, but after doing some research, it has been found to act similar to a phytoestrogen - and for those of us who are estrogen / progesterone positive, this is a bad thing. If you do not have estrogen positive cancer, it should be okay to take - I was taking 1 in the a.m. and one in the p.m. and it really helped me. Now, I don't know what to take, and am one giant hot flash. I was almost through them when I began HRT, and they are back with a venegance! All of the "usual" suspects are off limits - red clover, soy, etc. anything that acts as an estrogen replacement, whether natural or not, is off limits.
Sharon - thanks for the encouragement - I am trying not to dwell on it so much - being back at work this week helps - I have my wig on and can't stare at my head all day!
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Lainey: Great photo! I can't wait for my hair to look like yours!
Nodapearl and Soaplady: Congrats on going topless! I hope you had a great time out Nodapearl!
Chelev: I am in the same boat as you..... ready to ditch the hats, scarves and bandanas! Grow!!!
If anyone has a solution for hot flashes I would love to hear about it! I have them sooooo bad too!
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Lisa1964 - My hair is still pretty short but I think coloring it definitely helped give it a more "full" look and feeling.
Thanks everyone for the compliments on my hair. The color helped lift my spirits tremendously. Mentally I have a "head full of hair" and when I pass a mirror sometimes I'm surprised because it's not as long as I "think" it is! I returned to work today after being out for a week and it was nice to hear from some people that they think it's grown.
Blake - I have no solutions for the hot flashes. Wish I did!!
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Lainey -- love your picture! I'm 14 weeks past chemo and my hair is similar in length to yours, but shades of grey, dark brown and white. I'm planning to change the yucky color this week and then may consider ditching the hats and wigs for good.
Blake -- My primary doc prescribed a low dose of Effexor XR (I get the generic variety, 75 mg.) for the hot flashes and they much less intense with the Effexor. It is an anti-depressant and that part has also been helpful for me.
Take care, everyone
Bonnie
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Bonnie,
Thank you for the information... I am seeing my Onc next week. I will have to ask her about it for sure. I picked up some Biotin vitamins today. How many mg is everyone taking?
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Go SHaron!!!! You are a free woman!!! It only get's easier now!
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I did have fun at the bar. It was awkward at first, but I got used to it. I haven't had my wig on since. I did all of my errands today sans wig. Tomorrow will be my first day at work with no wig. I am nervous, but determined. I am ready to take my life back - one step at a time. I am getting some stubble in the brow area and some white, fine eyelashes. I check them several times a day. I swear I can see changes daily!!!
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Bonnie - I am taking 5000 mcg daily. I went for the followup at my dermatologist yesterday and I'm happy to report the folliculitis is just about gone. Just need to use the antibiotic foam until I stop wearing wigs (come on, hair!) to work, to keep any future outbreaks away, since I can get kind of sweaty in the wigs. She did mention my hair has come in a lot in the last two weeks (I'm glad somebody can see it!!), so that was encouraging. Grow!!!
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So many new faces! I am back to share my lastest hair photo. It has been 8 months (WOW, did I say 8) since my last chemo. My hair is still very very curly. I have to use the blow dryer with a round brush and then curl it. I think very soon I am going to go have it trimmed and highlighted. I am also posting just a link of all my hair pictures for those that would like to look. Its too big to post the picture.
As for eyelashes and eyebrows, after mine came in, I never lost them again. I kept waiting for it to happen, but thankfully it did not. All the facial fuzz went away on its own. Also, as you can see, I lost that colorless look, and my natural color came back. I think with more gray than I had before though.
Good luck to all of you, just try to be patient. I will post again in a month, with another picture.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii319/goldie0827/Allofme4-1.jpg
God Bless Us All
Lori
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Lori - HOLY &^%$! GIRL YOU HAVE SOOOO MUCH HAIR! wow......... LOVE IT!
Well I hate to say this but I think I have to trim some of what hair I have . The top is much longer, and wavy, then the back and I look like cockatiel from the side!! But I don't want to cut it..aghs what shoud I do!?!?!?
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Susan,
Just get a teesy weensy trim. It will also help it grow better. That is what I did. My next cut will only be my second one. I hope it helps the growth. Its gonna take me a long time to get my hair back to where it was. Like my avatar.
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Thanks Goldie, I think I am definitely going to do that.
I had the same length hair as you did... it makes me sad looking at my old pics.
Ok here I am, 12 weeks almost,post chemo. It's coming in wavy and still fuzzy on top!
Actually this was taken on 5/20. It's more fuzzier now.
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Nodapearl - My brows started back with stubble and then all of a sudden it was growing like crazy.
I'm really happy because so far my hair is still coming in straight. I was dreading the curls I've heard and read so much about.
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Lainey - I am hoping my brows and lashes do the same. Do you remember when you were able to use mascara? I have some very fine, colorless lashes, but they are not strong enough to hold mascara yet. They just glob up. I think I will feel so much better when I have brows and lashes.
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Hi ladies. My lashes started coming back immediately after they fell out. The eyebrows are another story. I had them done today in permanent make-up.
Goldie, the hair looks great. Susan, I am 16 weeks out and you have twice as much hair as I do.
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