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Comments

  • SlowDeepBreaths
    SlowDeepBreaths Member Posts: 6,702
    edited May 2015

    Nancy, your hair looks great!!

    The back of my hair grew in much quicker than the top and the bangs.

    This was mine 10 weeks after last chemo. You can see how patchy it was. Now I have a full head of hair.

    Hang in there ladies!! Don't look at the big ears. haha

    image

  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    SlowDeepBreaths, thank you for posting your 10w PFC pic. One min I think I feel stubble then the next feels smooth :(( I have a few hairs that I don't think I ever lost and stubble on my legs. This Wednesday makes 5w PFC for me. The RN is radiology said same as Lago- too soon, that at the end of radiation ladies are just starting to get tiny buds. And btwn lady chemo and end of rads is about 8 weeks or more. I'm still sad, anxious to know won't be cursed by taxotere.

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited May 2015

    Thanks SlowDeepBreaths! Very reassuring. This is what I needed to hear and see!

    Hang in there Mary! We will make it through this!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited May 2015

    MaryJC - If I remember correctly from another thread, you are taking Herceptin. That will cause your hair to grow more slowly, but don't despair. I continued taking Biotin and my hair growth took off running once I finally finished Herceptin.

  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    ChloesMom, right? Same here. But your hair is filling in great! At least u know its coming in.

    Thanks MinusTwo! Lol I guess I have been on every thread crying about my hair. Yes I am on Herceptin until February. Goodness. But not complaining bec at least it's not chemo and its a treatment for HER+! I am taking the biotin. Actually it's included in a B complex I'm taking. Meanwhile putting coconut oil on my scalp. Thanks for the reassurance. Def needed it. Wish I just had some stubble so I know it will come eventually

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited May 2015

    MaryJC - Oh we all need to complain, bitch, rant, vent, whatever. Please feel free anytime on any thread. I just was trying to make sure I had the right thought about your diagnosis. When you get time, if you go to "my profile" & fill in your details it would help everyone responding.

  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    hey minus two- sigh... I've been reluctant to put that tag line. I believe in the power of words and thought. And altho it is info purposes, I've always felt like it's putting a forever stamp on oneself. Just me. But I did it bec you're right. That's the same reason why I was so distraught about having chemo (adjuvant). I knew it would put me in the emotional space as still having cancer when it was in fact cut out and treatment is to prevent recurrence. But we all have the same 'look' underneath it all. I hate looking in the mirror and the thought 'cancer' comes to mind.

    In psychotherapy there's an area called content verses process. Neither is more important than the other, nor right or wrong. However in any given moment one may be heavier than the other for the person. I've found that for me in this BC experience, my princess is all about the content. So there is no emotional escape. Or is there? Altho I've told myself over n over: MJ, this is to prevent recurrence. You don't have cancer anymore, The lack of eyebrows and several appts quickly fades out those words.

    Regardless of adjuvant or neoadjuvant, we should all look in our mirrors- external mirror and internal mirror- and see a very extremely old lady that can say: BC, oh yeah I had a touch of that waaaaaay back, like 50 years ago. I almost forgot about that. I'm gonna work on making that my new process regardless of the content of what I am preservering thru today.

    Okay now let's see you this thing looks. And PS: sorry girls for all the head space stuff. After all I am a therapist😉 lol. Hugs to Us!!!

  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    Ha! Look at that... All that and only my signature posted lol.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited May 2015

    Mary - of course you are right about the positive thinking. I have several friends who are 10 & 12 years out and they rarely think about BC, except of course every year at mammo time. I think they got tired of listening to me whine since they'd long ago moved on. My rads was last spring & my last Herceptin was last October so 6 months later, I'm gradually gaining strength and self confidence. Are you really a therapist? What a great profession. Still I know it's easier with others than with yourself. It's all a process that doesn't happen overnight, but you'll get there girl!!

  • SlowDeepBreaths
    SlowDeepBreaths Member Posts: 6,702
    edited May 2015

    One day at a time.

    Minus, same here.....trying to move on from BC. I'm beginning to have more good mental days than bad days.

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited May 2015

    MaryJC love your reflection. Looking forward to looking back on this decades from now. Went shopping for a new top. So busy in and out of dressing room finally on last trip forgot to wear my ball cap. The sales lady smiled and said " I'm 11 years out". She looked so good it really encouraged me Got a crazy paisley top that is so not me. Very busy print and kind of wild. Realized when I got home I don't need to dress up with color to feel good. It comes from within.

  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    Minus Two, yes I'm really a psychotherapist :) I started a book about the experience of breast cancer. I'm hoping to have the time to really dig in, get a few chapters written and start querying it for publishing. God-willing! Thanks for the encouragement!! Giggled about your friends but that's a great lesson in the works of BC as its highly treatable nowadays. I meant to add but friggen chemo brain got me- that, that's why I didn't want a port. For me I thought I'd feel like Frankenstein. And on my days when I was feeling more like myself, I didn't want this plug into my life's blood reminding me. And I have a beautifully curious toddler!

    ChloesMom, thanks re my reflection. And you did a great therapeutic intervention! The key to therapy is DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. if you are doing the same thing with the same results, then... But the therapy portion is exploring WHY you keep doing the same thing. So the trick for BC (at least for me) is to change a lot of things that was MJ, BC. Ha! I love the Double meaning in BC- get it😉? I've found all my wiggery to be an unexpected coping mechanism. I have 9 and counting. Actually came across one I forgot about. Wigs give me a chance to look/feel different any time. Essentially a cosmetic therapeutic intervention by doing something different.

  • gulyssa
    gulyssa Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2015

    Hi Everyone, This is my first post so forgive me if I happen to rattle on.

    I started Chemo Oct 8th 2014 AC and T finished on March 2nd. My hair started to feel pricklies about 4-6 weeks after. I recently had my first shape up and edge to clean it up a bit. I'm a hairdresser so was very desperate to get my hair back (I hate saying this out loud, I am grateful I have my life :0)

    I also use Cera-Fil shampoo and Conditioner, its a professional product to help stimulate the follicle to produce faster hair growth. Also make sure you are protecting scalp from sun. Stay hydrated, I can't stress it enough!!!!!!

    image

  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 626
    edited May 2015

    Gulyssa which Cera-fil shampoo do you use? I looked at website and was confused by 3 choices. Thanks!

  • gulyssa
    gulyssa Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2015

    http://www.redken.com/thinning-hair/cerafill-diffe...

    Above is the link about the product. Please do not buy anywhere unless its a professional salon.

    Theres a green bottle and a blue bottle, I use the blue labeled bottled called Retaliate. I also use the 2% Minoxidil which is specially for women.


    Cerafill Retaliate

  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    hi gulyssa, thanks for the valuable info! I have a stupid question, whats the diff btwn the rogain for men vs for women? Isnt the medicine the same? I ask bec btwn cycles when it was bitter cold and snowing I came down with a brochial cold. I was taking musinex. When I looked at the diff versions, they ALL had the same % of medicine and treated the same symptoms. I thought, look at this tricky marketing scheme. SO since youre a professional wanted to ask..

    I was on the dreaded taxotere and today makes 5w PFC. I have no prickles but strand of hair that may have never feel out are growing it appears. I'm also on herceptin still and told it can slow hair growth. If u havent noticed by my posts I'm terrified that CIPA :(

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2015

    I believe Rogaine for women can be 2% used 2X a day or 5% used once a day. Men's is 5% used 2X a day.

  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 159
    edited May 2015

    I am using Nutri-Ox, Sally Beaut Supply's version of Nioxin. My MO approved using Nioxin 30 days PFC. It's hard to tell if it is making a difference or if it was just time for my hair to grow. Hair has filled in and is growing pretty well. Hoping I can go without wig by the 4th of July when I go to the Beach. I'll be hiding under hats and sun protective clothing but still want hair that is colored.


  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    thanks for the info. I'm hearing that Herceptin can cause heir to come in slow. Today makes 5w PFC😞. The scraggly hairs I do have on my head are growing fast. Have stubble on my legs. What's the deal

  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 527
    edited May 2015

    the women I have seen in the chemo room said it took them 2-3 months to get super short hair. One was on Herceptin, and she has a super short boy hairdo, but her hair was coming in thicker.

  • SlowDeepBreaths
    SlowDeepBreaths Member Posts: 6,702
    edited May 2015

    Almost 18 weeks after last chemo. Once again, please ignore the dumbo ears!!

    image

    I know it's frustrating waiting for it to grow. I will try and get an updated picture this weekend so you can see the difference.

  • gulyssa
    gulyssa Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2015


    Hi MaryJC

    Because we don't consider Rogaine a professional  hair product I did a little research for you.  This is what I found...

    The Minoxidil SOLUTION 2% v/v is straight Minoxidil as the active ingredient which is for Women only. The inactive ingrediants are alcohol (60% v/v) propylene glycol & purified water.  These are the same for any Minoxidil SOLUTION no  mater the brand as long as its 2%. (always make sure) 

    Rogaine Foam:

    Active Ingredient: Minoxidil 5% w/w (without propellant)

    Inactive Ingredients: butane, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, citric acid, glycerin, isobutane, lactic acid, polysorbate 60, propane, purified water, SD alcohol 40-B, stearyl alcohol

    Difference is volume vs mass. Above information is for Minoxidil only not the shampoo's or conditioner.  I hope I'm making sense, lol

    Ok now as far as Shampoo and Conditioner it seems Rogaine does not  have any for women I can not find any info.  So in order for our hair to grow healthy fast Minoxidil is what we need. As a stylist I always promote professional shampoo/conditioner because the ingredients are totally different!  Have you ever felt like you needed to change your shampoo after a while of using.  That's the difference between store bought and salon  bought.  The store bought  ingredients are generic and high on  paraffin wax (paraffin wax is what makes our hair shine but in high volume it turns into build up just like any wax does)

    I really hope this helps, cause I know as women we want to feel and look good!

    With all this my number 1 advice is no matter what you use protect your scalp from the sun please!!!

     
  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 915
    edited May 2015


    Just curious.....seems like all of these hair growth treatments have more chemicals. I would think that after going through all of the Cancer treatments, being careful about diet, why would anyone put more chemicals on their head that obviously soak into hair follicles. Can anyone respond



  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited May 2015

    mysunshine48 Not all chemicals are bad. Also IMO don't want to just survive I want to live. I doubt Minoxidil causes breast cancer. But this is my choice. BTW I use salon bought shampoo & conditioner for years. It does make a difference.

  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    I was asking a question. That's my response😉

  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 578
    edited May 2015

    Not sure what happened to my post-

    I finished Taxol in December then 3 months of CMF chemo- (thins the hair)

    Hair started coming in February 1: below are pictures pre first cut and color and post: taken this afternoon.

    Wanted to post for encouragement. Still too drastic for me to stop wearing my wig at work, but it does grow back!

    Kimageimage

  • puffin2014
    puffin2014 Member Posts: 979
    edited May 2015

    Toby; very nice!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited May 2015

    Toby - I love it. I'd ditch that wig in a heartbeat. Especially with the summer heat in FL.

  • maryjc
    maryjc Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2015

    yeah me too!!! Super cute. I love your blonde faux hawk! Thanks for the encouragement :)

    Funny thing- I get so many compliments on my 'hair' ie wigs. The other day a gentleman told me my hair looked radiant! I laughed in thanks saying radiant was a first and how much he made my day. I'm def gonna keep rocking wigs after my hair grows back. I do enjoy them and love switching up color length texture from day to day. I thought I had 6 but when I pulled them out on Monday I really have 9! My onc wants me to help with some of the support groups once I'm finished treatment. The irony of the blessings💁🏽:

  • SlowDeepBreaths
    SlowDeepBreaths Member Posts: 6,702
    edited May 2015

    Love the haircut Toby. Looks great on you!

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