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  • Nodapearl
    Nodapearl Member Posts: 151
    edited August 2009

    Basketnut - I had the same problem. Hair growth everywhere with the vitamins. My whole face was fuzzy! I have stopped the hair & nail vitamins since then. My doc said this wouldn't happen, but how does a vitamin know which hair to help grow & which not to help?

  • dogsaver
    dogsaver Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2009

    Hi all, i have had a couple of doctors who have recommending using a "cool cap" also call a cold cap to use chemotherapy to prevent hairloss. where can i order one of these? i cant find a site to order from! help

  • dogsaver
    dogsaver Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2009

    i found a site that sells the cool caps for the head. icewraps.net its called a cranial ice therapy helmet

  • dogsaver
    dogsaver Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2009

    i found a site that sells the cool caps for the head. icewraps.net its called a cranial ice therapy helmet

  • shocker
    shocker Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2009

    For the cold cap, go to penguincoldcap.com

     I decided not to use this although I was offered this by my onc.  There is a 1% chance that the cancer could return to your scalp since the chemo would not get there.  While this is a small chance, I felt I did not want to risk it.

     I had my first TCH treatment about 11 days ago.  It was hard.  My next one is next week.  I wonder if the side effects get worse.  I have also gained some weight.  Not fun.  No hair loss yet.  Wonder when that will start.  I was told that I would loose my hair after the second treatment.  Does everyone always loose hair??

  • shocker
    shocker Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2009

    For the cold cap, go to penguincoldcap.com

     I decided not to use this although I was offered this by my onc.  There is a 1% chance that the cancer could return to your scalp since the chemo would not get there.  While this is a small chance, I felt I did not want to risk it.

     I had my first TCH treatment about 11 days ago.  It was hard.  My next one is next week.  I wonder if the side effects get worse.  I have also gained some weight.  Not fun.  No hair loss yet.  Wonder when that will start.  I was told that I would loose my hair after the second treatment.  Does everyone always loose hair??

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 140
    edited August 2009

    Crystal and Auriga - I have had curly hair all of my life.  My avatar is prechemo and I was using a chi to straighten.  I guess I'm ~20 weeks PFC and my hair is ~2 inches.  I can't really tell since the curls are very, very, very tight.  What I have done is put gel on and go.  No fuss, No muss!  It's not the style I want but it keeps the frizzies away in this humidity.

    Sonia

  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 403
    edited August 2009

    Apple - as always you crack me up!

    Jaimieh - Kudos to you for going topless.  I was at dinner with my ex-boss.  Went into the restaurant with a cap on - left without it on purpose to see if I could do it.  I then went to support group with no hat either!  Two people told me today that I looked fine with my extremely short short hair and that I could get away with it.  Not quite ready to totally embrace that idea but as the weather gets hotter, I am ditching my wigs more and just wearing caps.  In the privacy of a friend's home the cap comes off right away or when I am at the barn.  Not ready to attend church without a wig though.

  • auriga
    auriga Member Posts: 119
    edited August 2009

    Swest: Thank you so much for the chi idea. I hadn't even thought about that. At least that way, you're not putting chemicals in your hair which is what I did not want to do.

    At the moment, I'm using gel too. My mother says I look like one of the young girls who should be running down the beach with a lifeguard. :) I think she's just trying to make me feel better.

  • DENRulzBC
    DENRulzBC Member Posts: 99
    edited August 2009

    HEY WONDERFUL LADIES - Got my port out yesterday - YIPEEE!  I take my daughter to get her hair cut tomorrow afternoon.  Going to ask my hairdresser then if she'll color my hair the end of next week as I'll be 3+ weeks PFC by then.

    CHELEV - The countdown will be on then - can you tell I'm the slightest bit anxious??

    Get my new boobs next Monday 8/10 and maybe my hair colored by the end of next week, WOW my husband will think he has a new wife!!!!

     HUGS to all of you WAITING ladies,  Dawn

  • chelev
    chelev Member Posts: 417
    edited August 2009

    Dawn, isn't that the BEST feeling - getting that port out?  Even though I was sore, I was doing the happy dance!  Yes, you are almost to the hair color stage - that is awesome!!!  And new boobs to boot, you will be a new, better, wonderful woman!!

    I have had a lot of co-workers telling me that my hair has really grown, so I guess it is filling in.  I'll get a photo this weekend and post it. 

    Grow grow grow!!!

  • DENRulzBC
    DENRulzBC Member Posts: 99
    edited August 2009

    CHELEV - One woman called it "DEPORTED" - I thought that was so funny LOL! I can't wait to see a new photo of you.  Glad that your coworkers told you they can see that it has grown, I think we just look at it so often that we can't see a difference, at least that's true for me.  After I get it colored next week I'll have to figure out how to post a pic.  Here's to a day full of growth!!!! HUGS, Dawn

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited August 2009

    Dawn..I can't wait to see the pic of the new you! 

    I didn't have a port but I'm sure my veins will be happy to NOT be stuck again!  I can just imagine how nice it would be to get it out though!!!  

    Gotta go...look to see if my hair has grown any and to practice my cartwheel tomorrow!  I figure I will have just enough drugs in me that I will be brave enough (or stupid enough) to try it.

  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 140
    edited August 2009

    CONGRATULATIONS Dawn!  Deported is great isn't it?  I'm doing a happy dance for you!

    Auriga - I have to admit I have colored my hair with natural instincts.  It is a semi permanent color so over 4-6 weeks it will wash out.  I'm only 42 but have been graying since I was 23.  I could not deal with the gray.  Let me know if you try the chi.  I have not tried that yet.

  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 932
    edited August 2009

    When I got my port out, I was hoping it weighed about 10 lbs.  When I was done, I weighed the same, but I was no longer portly.

  • TheQuietAngel
    TheQuietAngel Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2009
    Hi, My name is Regina and I am a ten year cancer survivor, and I can tell you it took about two months before my hair came back, but it will grow and look beautiful no matter what!  Since we are on this topic, I wanted to let you know about a book I just wrote entitled: "Mirror Makeovers and Savvy Insights for the Everyday Gal Surviving Cancer and Baldness with a Sense of Humor."  It is a positive, upbeat and funny approach to dealing with your spirit, your emotions and no hair!  It is a hands-on approach and comes equipped with markers to get you started on your way to recovery.  This book shows you how to honor your emotions by drawing them in the mirror in the form of hair!  I think you will really enjoy it.  Also I wrote and directed a music video for cancer survivors by cancer survivors.  This video is a wonderful story of two cancer survivors, being diagnosed, becoming friends, moving forward and giving back.  Plus it helps to show the reader how to use the book and the process.  The two leading actresses, the support group, the producer and the director (me) are all survivors.  It is very upbeat and I think it will make you laugh about your hair.  I hope you will take a look at the book and the video.  My website is www.QuietAngelPublishing.comand the video is currently on YouTube at link: http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=9choRJAmoYA Please take a look and let me know what you think.  And if you think it positive and helpful, please let others know so I can reach my goal of giving back!
  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2009

    Jane that is toooo funny!!! What a wonderful group.

     I have gone without a wig for some time now only 13 weeks pfc. I get into the Buddhist look. I wear clothes sometimes that suggest that as well. Not wear clothes sometimes but rather sometimes I wear thing that blah blah.... Anyway I am trying to make each chapter have some fun in it. I am losing weight and growing hair.

    Hey thanks for resubmitting my letter to the lazy no good for nothing hair fairy. Just kidding fairy!!! Big fan, love you, mean it!!!!

  • Madge24
    Madge24 Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2009

    Jane -- You are funny!  I will remember that one.  My port has been pinching alot but I'm glad I have it, it makes it so easy, easier than getting poked everywhere looking for veins!  But it sticks out of my chest so I feel somewhat like an alien.

    I've had 5 of 6 T/C treatments and I empathize with all of you who still have some treatments to go.  This one hit me harder than the rest so I'm glad I only have one more to go.  My others have gone relatively well.  Hugs to all and hang in there.  You CAN do it!!

  • DENRulzBC
    DENRulzBC Member Posts: 99
    edited August 2009

    SWEST - Thanks for the congrats - I love the HAPPY Dance, I'll be doing it again on Monday when I get these "boobs of steel" out !

    JANE - You have me rolling on the floor.  I love it, I wish mine had weighed 10lbs. too.

    MADGE - My port stuck out too and you could see the tube going up from it, onc said since I am so small and my skin is thin there wasn't much padding on top of it. I know what you mean about the alien thing - I was watching the Matrix the other day and when that electronic bug thing goes in Neo's belly button it just about freaked me out - all I could think of was that dang port. LOL!!!  Only 1 treatment left for you - that's great, then you'll be able to say you're PFC WOOHOO!

    BOLD - Going topless, how great for you, can't wait to say that.  I'm over the bball hat! Never been a hat person.

    HUGS EVERYONE, Dawn

  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 25
    edited August 2009

    I am still waiting for hair to fall out but was wondering if anyone knows if your hair will grow back in if it was naturally thinning on top anyway???

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2009

    I've got 3 or 4 Herceptin left and then I can get deported too. Even though I am by no means skinny, my port and catheter stick out too - especially on the neck. It was so nice at my last meeting with the onc when she said she needed to make a note to herself to put in the request for my port removal.

    Back on the hair topic, mine has gotten to one of those awkward stages. The hair on the left side near the point where my swirl is is sticking out. Combing it down does no good at all. My DH thinks it looks cute but I find it annoying. Since it is only one side, my head is lopsided. It's about an inch and a half long. 

  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 20
    edited August 2009

    Hi buccaneersd…

    I had thinning on top before and my hair has looked pretty scary as its come back but I'm now filling in on top able to go out without a hat/wig.  It's still thin, but similar to what it was before now. 

    You can use topical minoxidil if you want (once you're all done with chemo); my dermatologist had recommended the 2% strength to me to limit the risk of hair growing in places that I didn't want it.  To be honest, I'm not that into putting more chemicals on my body so I've only used it a handful of times.   It does grown back :)

  • ebes2
    ebes2 Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2009

    I have a question.  My face seems to have a lot of fuzzy white hair growing on it. Is this normal and will it fall out.  HELP!  I have to go back to work on 9/1 and I don't want to look like I need a shave!! LOL!!  I use to have a little hair before the chemo down the sides, but now it seems to be all over the face.  I am really rather freaked out by this.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks, Jayne

  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 932
    edited August 2009

    Jayne - It's normal. I freaked out and had it waxed, but then I heard that it just naturally sheds.

  • ebes2
    ebes2 Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2009

    thank you so much Jane.  I was really getting worried.  This whole trip has me frazzled.  I wish I had found this website in Jan. when I was diagnosed.  I had a R. mastectomy in Feb. and just had the reconstruction last week.  I also had chemo from april thru june.  I never knew what to expect and kept hoping to find a website.  I think I must have been brain dead because I couldn't find anything.  I thank you again.  Jayne

  • chelev
    chelev Member Posts: 417
    edited August 2009

    Hi, everyone.  Just checking in.  well, finished out week #15 PFC with what I think is very little growth. getting a little bummed out that I am not seeing much progress - it doesn't help when I run into people I haven't seen in a while and they exclaim, "wow, I thought you'd have more hair by now!" (this includes my med onc).  Kind of brings you down.  I am so tired of waiting - coming up on 4 months pfc, and really, honestly thought I would at least have a thick covering on my head, while not long in any way, at least fully filled in so you couldn't see scalp.  anyone with suggestions, I'd surely welcome them. 

  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 922
    edited August 2009

    Hi everyone... I have two more taxotere's to go then rads... but am so excited that I have peach fuzz!!!  Who would've thunk a year ago I'd be excited about peach fuzz!!  But I am...lol

  • DENRulzBC
    DENRulzBC Member Posts: 99
    edited August 2009

    ARNIE - YIPEE only 2 more!!!  Love that pic, I'm getting some color on mine Friday, I'll see if I can figure out how to post a pic next weekend. 

    CHELEV - I wish there was a manual for all of this, something that would just give us all of the answers.  Patience is not something that I've ever had a lot of, I think bc is trying to teach it to me but I'm not being a very good student.  HUGS for more hair to you.  

    HUGS, Dawn

  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 922
    edited August 2009

    DenRulz...thank you!!! lol  That should be fun... please try to post a pic... what color???

    ((((((((Hugs)))))))))) to everyone else...hope you're all having a good Sunday!

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited August 2009

    Luv the fuzz arnie.  Wait until you get a shadow :)

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