Hair!

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Abbycat2
Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

Good Morning Ladies,

When I came to work today with my wig on my coworkers asked me about how my hair is growing.  They have not seen my hair since about three weeks ago before I left for a trip.  Well, I showed them and they thought that I looked "cool" and convinced me that I don't have to wear my wig anymore.  Not certain about my comfort level with this, but I took the wig off and I am planning to go out to lunch with two friends today without wearing it!!!   Perhaps this is a sign that I have turned a magical corner and am moving on with living.... my hair is about an inch long and is salt and pepper.  It seems to be curly where once it was slightly wavy.   I am fortunate that I work for an agency that assists people with disabilities, both physical and mental- and they have helped me feel totally accepted throughout this entire cancer experience.

Cathy

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  • It happened to Me
    It happened to Me Member Posts: 206 Member
    #2
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    Hooray for you

    When I found out I had cancer, I decided I wasn't wearing a wig.  I wore scarves and hats.  When it began to grow back, I stopped wearing it and everyone loved to watch it grow with me.  Mine was originally naturally curly and it came in curlier and wavy.  It's time for a hair cut, so will be interested to see what happens with it.  Go for it Cathy.   I loved to rub my head when it was bald and when it was growing in.  It was so soft.

    Jeanette

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #3
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    It happened to Me said:

    Hooray for you

    When I found out I had cancer, I decided I wasn't wearing a wig.  I wore scarves and hats.  When it began to grow back, I stopped wearing it and everyone loved to watch it grow with me.  Mine was originally naturally curly and it came in curlier and wavy.  It's time for a hair cut, so will be interested to see what happens with it.  Go for it Cathy.   I loved to rub my head when it was bald and when it was growing in.  It was so soft.

    Jeanette

    Thank you!

    Thank you, Jeanette!  I like how soft my hair feels, too.  When I was bald I thought that it felt great when I took a shower and the warm water would touch my head.  It was such a different experience from having a scalp covered in hair.  Today, I was surprised by how quickly I felt ok about not wearing the wig.  It helps that everyone I talk to has offerred me kind words...

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #4
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    Go for it, Cathy!

    That is just terrific and what a better time than summer to do it.   A friend of mine who has breast cancer, she looked beautiful bald and now with salt and pepper hair. (although she wore hats before her hair started to come in).     Give it a day or two and you will just be relaxed with the whole thing.  Just think of yourself as an actress doing a new role.   Its the new you trying different things that you would never have done before and isn't that kind of exciting?   

    My best to you!  (Hugs of support!)

    Kathy

  • dkdrew
    dkdrew Member Posts: 15
    #5
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    when it grows back

    A woman approached me in the store the other day and asked if I was going through chemo. She told me she was an 11 years beat cancer survivor and told me one thing I can look forward to will be the first time the wind blows through your hair. She said it was exhilarating. I look forward to that. 

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #6
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    dkdrew said:

    when it grows back

    A woman approached me in the store the other day and asked if I was going through chemo. She told me she was an 11 years beat cancer survivor and told me one thing I can look forward to will be the first time the wind blows through your hair. She said it was exhilarating. I look forward to that. 

    The new me

    Thank you, Kathy and Dkdrew!   I do feel like I am on stage acting in a new role.  I can't wait to someday feel the wind through my hair again. 

    I saw my dermatologist this morning and talked to him about how chemo has affected hair growth on my body.  I noticed recently that I have what appears to be fuzz growing on my face.  Although I have always had some light and short hairs on my face, this is something totally new.  The hair is very fine but longer.  I feel like a freak!  I told the doctor that it is bad enough to have metastatic uterine cancer without this problem, too, which just seems to add insult to injury.   He prescribed a medication that will slow the growth of the hair on my face and he said that he would research the affects of chemo on hair growth and let me know what he has learned.  Is there anyone else who has noticed increased facial hair following chemotherapy?

    Thanks, Cathy

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,678 Member
    #7
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    Abbycat2 said:

    The new me

    Thank you, Kathy and Dkdrew!   I do feel like I am on stage acting in a new role.  I can't wait to someday feel the wind through my hair again. 

    I saw my dermatologist this morning and talked to him about how chemo has affected hair growth on my body.  I noticed recently that I have what appears to be fuzz growing on my face.  Although I have always had some light and short hairs on my face, this is something totally new.  The hair is very fine but longer.  I feel like a freak!  I told the doctor that it is bad enough to have metastatic uterine cancer without this problem, too, which just seems to add insult to injury.   He prescribed a medication that will slow the growth of the hair on my face and he said that he would research the affects of chemo on hair growth and let me know what he has learned.  Is there anyone else who has noticed increased facial hair following chemotherapy?

    Thanks, Cathy

    Hmmmm

    I seem to recall reading about this on this forum but it's been quite awhile ago.  I'll keep trying to remember.

  • sunflash
    sunflash Member Posts: 197 Member
    #8
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    Abbycat2 said:

    The new me

    Thank you, Kathy and Dkdrew!   I do feel like I am on stage acting in a new role.  I can't wait to someday feel the wind through my hair again. 

    I saw my dermatologist this morning and talked to him about how chemo has affected hair growth on my body.  I noticed recently that I have what appears to be fuzz growing on my face.  Although I have always had some light and short hairs on my face, this is something totally new.  The hair is very fine but longer.  I feel like a freak!  I told the doctor that it is bad enough to have metastatic uterine cancer without this problem, too, which just seems to add insult to injury.   He prescribed a medication that will slow the growth of the hair on my face and he said that he would research the affects of chemo on hair growth and let me know what he has learned.  Is there anyone else who has noticed increased facial hair following chemotherapy?

    Thanks, Cathy

    I had the same

    I had the same thing.........facial fuzz post chemo. It totally freaked me out! But after researching it I saw that it's very common for facial hair to develop post chemo.

    I did nothing.......and it eventually disappeared on it's own. I don't think it was noticeable to others......my husband didn't see it until I pointed it out to him.

    I'd long forgotten about this side effect until I saw your post, and had to chuckle a little because somebody told me that after chemo they looked like teen wolf's mom!

    I truly doubt that was the case, but I know how she felt.

    Don't worry.......this will fade away like all the other side effects of cancer.

    Congratulations on finishing treatment, growing hair, and getting your life back! 

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,369 Member
    #9
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    dkdrew said:

    when it grows back

    A woman approached me in the store the other day and asked if I was going through chemo. She told me she was an 11 years beat cancer survivor and told me one thing I can look forward to will be the first time the wind blows through your hair. She said it was exhilarating. I look forward to that. 

    This thread takes me back!  I

    This thread takes me back!  I remember how I hated to be bald and going with my new hair was such an experience!  I remember how soft my new hair was and the first time the wind blew through my hair!  Ahhhh....

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #10
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    NoTimeForCancer said:

    This thread takes me back!  I

    This thread takes me back!  I remember how I hated to be bald and going with my new hair was such an experience!  I remember how soft my new hair was and the first time the wind blew through my hair!  Ahhhh....

    You are wonderfully supportive women!

    Thank you for your feedback and support!  I am glad to know that eventually this facial fuzz will go away.....

  • trustingHim
    trustingHim Member Posts: 8
    #11
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    Hair

    I've had four chemo treatments so far out of 12 and I'm just starting to lose my hair. I thought i was ready for this but now I'm not so sure.  I bought a wig and hats already so in that respect I'm prepared.  My chemo nurse says that some women don't always lose their hair - - it may just thin out.  I've shed a lot but don't have any bald spots.  I don't want to shave my head if I don't have to.  What has been your experience? It's only hair.  Why am I so concerned about losing my crown?  I have a lot more to worry about than that. Any thoughts?

     

  • It happened to Me
    It happened to Me Member Posts: 206 Member
    #12
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    trustingHim said:

    Hair

    I've had four chemo treatments so far out of 12 and I'm just starting to lose my hair. I thought i was ready for this but now I'm not so sure.  I bought a wig and hats already so in that respect I'm prepared.  My chemo nurse says that some women don't always lose their hair - - it may just thin out.  I've shed a lot but don't have any bald spots.  I don't want to shave my head if I don't have to.  What has been your experience? It's only hair.  Why am I so concerned about losing my crown?  I have a lot more to worry about than that. Any thoughts?

     

    Trusting Him

    For some women, hair is really, really important part of who they are.  When I found out I would be losing my hair, I decided at that point that I was going to be in control and cut it off the moment that it started coming out more than normal.  I didn't wait to see bald spots on my head and my cousin was so great because as she cut, we talked and laughed even though it was almost as hard as her shaving her mom's head when it started falling out.  The thing I most appreciate is that she swept it up before I got off the chair and I never saw how much was on the floor.  I also think that it's so unnatural for women not to have hair, it makes women self-conscious.  I found that in my circle, people were so supportive and since I made fun and rubbed my bald head, I had others do it to and then they made fun of my bald head.  People kept remarking how round it was.  I wanted people to treat me normal and they did.   Hair used to be something we could control; - - until chemo..  Don't let it suck you in with worry.  Have a game plan and be comfortable with that and go with it.  If you want a wig, then wear it.  One of my good friends had a really hard time losing her hair and it took a miracle for her to show the Prayer Team we were in.  Once we showed her that she was still the same person and we didn't act shocked or disgusted or anything, she relaxed a little.  She didn't cut hers off until she was bald in spots and I think that really made a difference and she is very self-conscious about her looks, so that was another factor I think.   I know this is lengthy, but wanted to share from my heart.  Take care, make a plan and go with that plan.  People who love us won't care if you have hair or not.  :)    Bald is beautiful.         - Jeanette 

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,369 Member
    #13
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    trustingHim said:

    Hair

    I've had four chemo treatments so far out of 12 and I'm just starting to lose my hair. I thought i was ready for this but now I'm not so sure.  I bought a wig and hats already so in that respect I'm prepared.  My chemo nurse says that some women don't always lose their hair - - it may just thin out.  I've shed a lot but don't have any bald spots.  I don't want to shave my head if I don't have to.  What has been your experience? It's only hair.  Why am I so concerned about losing my crown?  I have a lot more to worry about than that. Any thoughts?

     

    Yeah, yeah, yeah...everyone

    Yeah, yeah, yeah...everyone told me "It's only hair" but it was MY HAIR!  I'll admit it. I cried when they shaved it off and so did my friends with me.  I applaud the ladies who can shave their heads in advance, but it was very hard for me.  Looking back, it really was ok, but it was hard at the time.  I hated even MORE when I lost my eyelashes. 

    I will say, it growing back so soft was amazing.  It has gone through stages as it grows, but now I just accept it is what it is. 

    It is okay to be upset about losing your hair.  We are all different.  Take a breath and try to focus that the chemo is killing all the cancer (yeah) and if that means you have to lose your hair, you can do it.  Close to what you screen name says, "trust Him".  :)

  • Hybridspirits
    Hybridspirits Member Posts: 209
    #14
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    trustingHim said:

    Hair

    I've had four chemo treatments so far out of 12 and I'm just starting to lose my hair. I thought i was ready for this but now I'm not so sure.  I bought a wig and hats already so in that respect I'm prepared.  My chemo nurse says that some women don't always lose their hair - - it may just thin out.  I've shed a lot but don't have any bald spots.  I don't want to shave my head if I don't have to.  What has been your experience? It's only hair.  Why am I so concerned about losing my crown?  I have a lot more to worry about than that. Any thoughts?

     

    loosing hair

    What Chemo are you getting?   you mention you have had 3 out of 12 treatments. I had 6 rounds of carbo/taxol and after the first exactly 2 weeks everything was on it's way out.  Myabe the chemo you are getting isn't the same and the side effects are just thinning.  I have heard that about some other chemo's.

     

    I agree hair is a personal thing and we feel so robbed already it is just adding one more item to how we feel.    Did your chemo nurse suggest if you were going to loos your hair by when?  i know my chemo nurse was spot on. 

     

    similar to the other ladies I did worry,  i stressed and then as I got closer i just realized I had to accept it.  I didn't shave my head but cut my hair very short.  Hind sight i should have shaved as i spent a lot of time with the vacume on my head to not have it make a mess

     

    fingers crossed you will only experience the thinnig,  but if not I did find hats and scarves where fun to wear. 

     

    good luck with your treatment

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