Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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Susan, you look great!!!!! I wish my hair would look like that - but I guess I'm just not being patient enough - mine is very thin and sparse on top and sides - my "bangs" are the shortest - only about 1/4" onto my forehead. I'm still "wigging" it - once in awhile I get brave and wear a baseball cap to go walking.
Like CristlC, I agree, I've also done enough complaining - and I am truly thankful to be done with the chemo, and to be cancer free - many, many things to be thankful for - I have to stop being selfish and strive to be more patient - but, it takes alot of patience to be patient!!!!!! But, I'm giving it my best shot - I fail at least once a day, but I keep reminding myself of the blessings that I truly do have and then I'm ok (for a day or so).
We're all doing great though - this is a very inspriing thread to be a part of. I love all of you gals and your wisdom and inspiration!!!!
I, too, have gained around 15 lbs.through the course of it all. I think the weight gain is definitely due to all we've been through - the chemo, the rads, the herceptin, etc. all the poisons. I think, also, the Femara tends to put/keep weight on too. But, I am starting to shed a few lbs. I've lost 6 so far - but it's not easy - I'm trying to eat less, but properly, and try to walk at least one mile a day. It's a start at least!
Keep growing, ladies!!!!! Have a great night, all!!!
Maggie
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I had my brother (he's a barber) clean up the back of my neck this afternoon. It had that funny, yucky looking fuzz. I won't mind the curly hair (I don't think), but I've got that extra 15 lbs. too. And I am hungry all the time. Even when I know I'm not physically hungry, I still want to eat. What gives?
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Hey Cristl!!!!!!! Long time no talk to..same way here, gained a ton of weight...still on rads and they told me to not even think bout losing any till I'm done...:( As for hair, My head's covered, it's about oh..an inch in some spots, longer on sides and back, kind of a longer flat top on top...but it's all coming in Gray and Black! I have NEVER had black hair!!!!!!!!!!!!! And still don't have toenails and my thumbnails are hideous still, have one that is still lumped up and ucky looking..I just hide that one... You're not alone!
Hugs~Deb
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Noda, that is so funny about the wedgie . . . and then I thought, yes, it's true!! I think I have put on about 10-12 lbs since chemo - trying to remember my pre-lumpectomy weight, when I was first starting to make progress in the new year shape up, and I have trouble buttoning some of my pants (the ones I was so proud were fitting without pulling or being tight) and nothing is loose in the waist anymore. I've also got really good swelling in my hands, don't know if it's from the rads or just my weight gain - but I am going to start on the new me again as soon as I'm done next week. Tired of the bloated, puffy look - it doesn't make the ostrich head look any better in comparison! CristiC - you are right - we need to get it off of our chests (because they've been such a problem anyway) and remind ourselves we're thankful. Yesterday, I was thankful for McDonald's chocolate shakes. HAD to have one, don't know why. I need to control these cravings for crap!
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I know this was mentioned a few dozen pages back (I've been reading this thread since it started), but there is a very small ceramic flatiron that is perfect for doing short hair. It's only 6" long and 1/2" wide, so you can easily manuever it around short hair. The one I'm talking about in BaByliss Pro, and I got it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond...less than $30.
I'm 10 months out from my last chemo, stopped wearing my wigs just before Chirstmas, and my hair came in very curly. I was used to straightening my wavy pre-chemo hair, and used to seeing myself with nice straight bangs. I happy to say that I now look more like my old self. The crown of my head may be curling like crazy, but my bangs are straight, lol. I'll be changing my avatar soon, because that's not how I see myself anymore.
Also, I want to caution anyone using any hair implement that heats up. Remember that this is "virgin hair". Keep the settings low. I used my hair dryer for the first time and actually singed a section because it was on high. The little flat iron I mentioned only has two settings...ON or OFF, so I would suggest using a product that heat protects.
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Bald and Fat - I am with y'all there! 15 pounds over weight with a man-cut. And yes, most of the weight is in the stomach. I have the achy joints too, For me it is worse in the feet. My doc said that was from the taxotere and that is would eventually go away.
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awe thanks ladies, I am feeling better about ditching my wig completely now! I'm also on the fat train mostly around the belly, a big 10 lbs. of it in the shape of a spare tire. And Lisa my joints ache also from the Taxotere, whenever I get up from my chair at work I'm hunched over like a90 year old!
Wanted to share something with ya'll... one of my ChemoAngels sent this shirt to me when I finished rads, so I wore it today, which marks one full complete month since I finished:-)
Have a good bald fuzzy fluffy puffy chunky (don't like the word fat) day!
Sue
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I am getting so disgusted with my eyelashes. I am 14 1/2 weeks PFC and hair is growing everywhere except my eyelashes. I have little stubbles but that's about it.
My mom sent me this link yesterday to try Rapid Lash. First, I looked up reviews and most people said it worked great. I ran right out and bought some at CVS for $50. It says it takes about a month to see results, although some women said they noticed a difference in just a couple of weeks.
I hope this works. I'm tired of looking like "cancer patient". Here's a youtube video of it.
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Hi all! I am on that same fat train. I did a 10K walk last Saturday and on Sunday, I felt 100 yrs old! And the knees... wow. I sit at my computer all day and when I get up, I hobble like an old lady. Is it from the taxotere? Does Herceptin have that SE too?
I get the GI Jane comments now.... how manly. It would be nice to be thin and sporting a cute short do like Jamie Curtis.
Nodapearl: You are too funny about the nose hairs!
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auriga-I'm the same with my brows and lashes and also 14 weeks PFC... I'm starting to think they will never fully come back.
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Blake, the herceptin gives me large muscle fatigue for the first 3 days. And boy can I relate to hobbling around like an old lady.
Fluffy, chunky,wobbly and wrinkly - FCWW
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i did not take taxotere i had cytoxon and adriamycin not sure of the spelling and i have the same se with the stiff aches and pains i think it has to do with killing of to much stuff in the body regardless of what they used it seems to have the same se. i love the fluffy,chunky,wobbly and wrinkly thats me and i am sure a lot of us. keep the chin up and the hair growing sharon
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susan love the shirt where can i get one sharon
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sharon-My friend got it for me at some fundraiser. If you go into cafepress.com they have tons of BC shirts with great sayings!
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susan i have been looking on that site there are a million to choose from awesome sharon
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Well divas, I gained 30 lbs. throughout the chemo round. I have lost some. My hair prior to chemo was gray(when I didn't dye it); now my hair (what I have) is White with a few black hairs throughout. Boy, want I look great walking with my 78 year old mother who has black hair with some gray in the front (she doesn't dye her hair). My last chemo was mid-March and my ostrich hair is about 1/4" long. I still wear my wig out and when I am not by myself at home, I wear my little head caps. My husband has not seen my head since I lost my hair. That has been since the week before Christmas.I even sleep with a night cap. When I go out without my wig will be when he sees my head. I am trying to prepare him and tell him that my head is a shorter version of former President Clinton.
I know that my hair will not be long enough when our daughter gets married mid-October. I will have to wear my wig which I hate. But what can I do!!!!!!!! Linda
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I too gained weight..hate it...and it's so hard to lose once you get older...heres one for you Linda..my hair was naturally light brown with red highlights, it is now coming in black and gray..I have never had black hair....If I can get away with it, I don't wear anything on my head..note the country singers that have gone bald from wearing a hat...so I run around the house with my head naked and when I go to the store, I throw a ballcap on....anyways here's a pic of me 12 weeks from Chemo...
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Susan-I would love to have your fluffy hair! Mine is so straight it looks plastered to my scalp!
Deb-Your hair looks nice and thick, and very familiar! Mine is just like yours, maybe a little darker.
I still wear my wig. I feel and look so "manish" without it.
I am not even going to talk about the weight, lol!
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I wear the wig if I'm going somewhere special, but to the grocery and all that, I throw on the BC hat...it's too hot to worry bout what others think and I've been through enough...I'm not gonna wear a hot wig in 90 degree weather to please others...at home I just go without anything...
And I think our hair will get curlier as it gets longer...I think right now it's just not long enough..LOL least that's what a few others have told me.
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Deb, you've got great coverage for being 12 weeks pfc! I've been doing to super scalp massage every night - it's hard not to continuously rub the nubbies growing in while watching tv! I don't know if it's helping or not, Cindy, but try it!
I'm trying to find my husband's digital camera to get a shot of my head at the end of 9 wks pfc - it's easier to self portrait on that one than my complicated 35mm digital. Going to color my ostritch hairs and brows today - the brows are really filling in, which is great - I think with a little color on them, they'll look much fuller. Can't wait to get the Latisse for my lashes, though I may browse the false eyelash section at Ulta. Anyone using them? I don't think I would unless it was a special occasion or a meeting at work. I'm even relaxing the work hair situation - unless I have meetings or public appearances, like I did the other night when we had a new dealer open up (I work for a luxury boat manufacturer - great business during this downturn, I know, but pr and marketing are always busy!), I'm wearing wigs, but my head was saying, hey, you wore this darn wig all day, and now at night too?? couldn't wait to rip it off my head and let the ac cool it off. I've found that they are pretty cool about me wearing just a cute hat or bandana and it's so much cooler in the oven that florida has become lately. If I weren't worried about severe sunburn (don't need to add to the situation, since my skin has finally started reacting to the rads) on m head, I'd go without more out too, but down here, that's asking for major trouble!
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Sue - love the t
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isn't it odd how those nose hairs don't go away....I was just noticing them in the mirror last night. I am not sure if I am getting new hair already or if the hair I have left on my head is what was left over. When I still had some left, all differerent lengths,and no longer saw hair in the drain after a shower, I went to the gal who does my hair and had it all trimmed even..On top it was pretty much total scalp, but in the back going around the lower portion of my skull, neckline, it was still there, very short and close to head, but still there and I had some on the sides above my ears so I think I must have a lot of testosterone or something since this was like male pattern baldness. Anyway it looks to me like there is a little more hair that there was when she trimmed it and what was very stubbly feeling is now a bit softer. I do not think your hair is supposed to grow back while you are still getting the Abraxane treatments so this may just all be my imagination. First the hair on the head went, all the peachfuzz on my cheeks and jawline and my lip hairs (actually had electrolysis on that at one point in time) then the pubic hair, I have very few eyelashes left and even though people comment on the fact I still have eyebrows, I can see they ae also a lot more sparse than they used to be and that they become more compact every week (I had a lot of eyebrows.....was a unibrow before my mother allowed me to pluck them) Oh, and I still have lots of arm hair, but the hair on my legs did not grow back after shaving once I started chemo. For some odd reason the hair under my arms stopped growing years ago. I was happy to see that fuzz on my face go, but now you ladies have me worried that it is going to come back even worse. Oh, and there was this one stubborn chin whisker that I am very happy is gone.....sometimes that thing would come back and I wouldn't notice it and would be putting on my makeup and see it there curling up and wonder how long others had been noticing it.....probably no one had, but you know how it is.....When you have a zit, it's like the focal point of your face...same way with a chin hair. Anyway, I am keeping track of you ladies and your progress and want to say that every picture I have seen of you, has been beautiful. There is something about a bald head that makes a fashion statement and if you have ever noticed you sort of get this radiant glow to your face.......no, not a reflection off your head, but sort of an inner beauty showing through. Heck, there were some famous singers going for that look.
Susan, I know what you mean about the wig and work. I take it off as soon as I get home and I wear a bandana when I go out for dinner or somewhere with friends instead of a wig cuz it just feels better. At home I just go without and even will walk about the yard and don't care if neighbors and friends see the real me....also take it off at my Dad's and go without there. I always feel like I should be wearing a Star Trek outfit, fitted jumpsuit with one of those big collars on it when I see my bald head. I myself think your new hairgrowth looks great and would ditch the wig if you are comfortable going without it.
Doesn't it just kill you when people say Oh, you have a nice shaped head. I mean what can they say? Gee, you have a strange little indentation there in back or your veins are very close to the skin aren't they? For some odd reason I was saving my hair when it first started coming out.....have several baggies full of it. I am not sure if I hought I was going to make my own wig or some fake bags or what, but I was saving it.
Yesterday at work I had a patient come in and say I REALLY like your hair. When did you do that? It looks great on you. I just gave her a big smile and said Thank you and was sort of laughing. When I got her back in the chair I told her it was a wig and that I was doing chemo and she said she wondered what I thought was so funny about the compliment. I don't tell everyone, but the patients I know well and have formed a bond with over the years. See, I had let my hair go gray and I really liked it and people always said it looked good that way, but there were many who told me it was aging and that I should color it and I think a lot of people think that is what I did. I will say it is a very good looking wig and didn't cost that much, but to me it looks like a wig because I know. At this stage of the game, I would be happy for hair any color, but know that is a ways off. If my husband will help me today I am going to post some hair pics in the gray post, on this one and some of my pets. I am not kidding about all of you looking lovely, hair or no hair.....it's a smiling face that makes alll the difference. We have to smile in the face of adversity....isn't that how the saying goes? .
Oh, and the weight gain......from my own experience and from all I had read in other posts, that is just part of it. At first I thought Wow, how can anyone gain weight when they are doing chemo?,( I was still under the impression you got sick and skinny) but now I know it's easy to do.....the same with the hormonal stuff. I am at medium weight now, have gained about 8 lbs, but at one time was way up there when I was doing the hormonal stuff, but I did take it off after. Maybe we need that extra fat as insulation to ward off other things.....sort of like when the bear hibernates. Is anyone else cold all the time?......I am so guess I need some insulation. I think the most frustrating thing about weight gain with treatment is because it is just one more thing we have no control over. I am not a control freak or anything, but it would just make me want to cry/scream/whatever when I would go in for my treatment and the scale would be up another two lbs in spite of my really watching what I was eating and exercising. Now I am on an icecream, chocolate shake diet so can't blame it all on my treatments. LOL! Marybe
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Dear Hair Fairy:
I have been a real good girl. Yes it is true that I have not been working out to my potential, but hey I am still in Radiation. Yes it is true that I have started many projects and have not finished any of them, but hey I'm tired. Yes it is true that I do not always make the best food choices and give in to my NEW sweet tooth, but hey, oh hell. Listen you little fairy you give me hair right now or you will feel the wrath of a hormone crazy, fat, Bald banshee!!!!! You Hear Me!!!!! F the fuzz give me hair!!!! Thanks for listening. I'm a big fan!!!
love.
Rita
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Oh my goodness Bold I am peeing my pants. Thanks for that laugh.....now as my Pop used to say "grow damn it, GROW". I am going to look bald forever
I am thinking of dyeing the hair color just so I can get a 5 o'clock shadow.Keeping track of my lack of growth
4 weeks 5 days PFC
And another just because 
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Jamieh - I am 5 1/2 weeks PFC and today I notice "5 O'Clock Shadow" Yippee!!!! and it looks like I will have mostly black or dark brown hair with some gray.
Bold - liked your letter to the Hair Fairy.
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Whooo Patti for your 5 o;clock. I have hair but it is white/blonde so it doesn't look like I have any hair. I know patience but I am tired and hot from hats, etc...
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I thought loosing my hair was the worst...but waiting for it to grow back takes the cake!! None of my clothes fit and I refuse to go buy bigger sizes (lack of money doesnt help either)! This is sooooo depressing! I find myself crying all the way home from work after I take my wig off and put on my buff.....then I think of a girl I met the other day in the chemo room who had a double mastectomy, gained some wieght and is brave enough to go around without a wig, buff or cap...I was impressed, then she told me how she broke down last weekend after another girl hit on her at Walmart! We all have issues and circumstances and absolutely do not want to be here including ME! What are we to do but to take everyday, every minute and enjoy life! And hope the HAIR FAIRY comes SOON!!
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Bold; What a crack up!!!! Thank you for the laugh!
Just noticed some white fuzz all over my face today! What is that now? Did anyone wax it?
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Smile-i had to laugh over the lady being hit on at Walmart. I have a coworker who is a lesbian and when I took my wig off to show her how much my hair has grown, she yelled out "you look just like a dike!". We all got a good laugh! (Not that there is anything wrong with being a lesbian, it was just not the response I was expecting to hear).
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Bold - Did telling off the Hair Fairy work? "Cause if it did, I have some very colorfull language to lay on the lazy bi-atch.
Jaimieh - Not bad for 4 weeks.
Smile - I am with ya girl. I feel like I am gonna be butch for the rest of my life and if I get hit on in Walmart, I will go freaking postal.
I don't know about the rest of the country, but south Florida is freaking over the top hot. This is not improving my fat, almost bald, tamoxifen flash, bad mood.
Have a great day my fellow hairless, chunky freinds.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkB-41fSHhs