My hair is coming out now-2 weeks after first chemo

hopeful girl 1

Well, just wanted to share my hair is coming out in clumps, just as I was told
would happen.

In the shower yesterday after combing tons came out. I can't even look. I just tured my back to mirror put on the wig I got free from American Cancer (which doesn't really look good on me and is wrong shade for me-I will have to get another wig)and again to tie a scarf on to sleep. I still have some hair but not much. Are you supposed to shave it at this point?

I am really having a hard time-I feel very sad this week-end.

Does anyone have any encouraging words or things that helped them thru this?

Thank you,

cathyK

My hair is coming out now-2 weeks after first chemo
so sorry your feeling very sad, I got a wig from ACS and it just didnt look right. I had my hair very long since I was around 16, lost the below the butt length hair, had it for 34 years! I cut my hair back to my ears 1 day before first chemo, and it stayed for another 4 weeks , came out slowly at first then all of a sudden my shower was clogged!
did not shave it till the very last minaute, used bandanas all the time (would use bandanas all summer long for years, keeping dust and dirt off the top of my head while at festivals) so this was nothing new other than NO HAIR.
so I thought it would upset me more than it did , I sure miss the hair. but do not miss the work it took to keep it good looking.
I often look at others with long hair and wish , but that aint gonna ever happen , it would probably take 10 years to get it back to the length I had.
Chemo started July 15 ended Oct 30 and still had strands of hair , funny thing was that 6 weeks after chemo , the hair I still had started falling out ! so I shaved it dec 18, and just now see it is getting very thick and mussy. came back very grey and wavey too. had straight hair all my life.
praying for ya, I could handle the hair all over the place, but if you cant handle hair everywhere and dont want to clean up all the time, Id shave it, it is summer , makes for cooler days! light bandana, I found innexpensive dresses made of bandana type material and cut them up to the size I needed, regular bandanas did not cover the back of my head, (big head!)
shaved head and showers are soooo nice. especially in the summer
keep your head up and feel better, what type stage grade of cancer do you have? what type of chemo are you getting ? I was told Taxol is the main culpret for hair loss.
tell us what you decide
no shave
shave
bandanas
wigs

Cathy K

norma2

It gets better, I promise!!!
I nursed along my few strands of hair when mine started to fall out. Exactly 2 wks to the day after starting the Taxol hair began to fall out. Hair everywhere. Very messy. Like Chewbacca had decided to molt in my house. Finally, I had enough. Hubby shaved it with the dog clippers. It felt soooo much better. I looked like a baby bird. Now 4 mos later it is long enough to go out in public. I vote for baseball caps, low profile ones. They are easy to wear, come in all kinds of colors and comfortable. I never could master that whole scarf thing. It always looked like someone had tried to strangle me and missed. Keep your sense of humor fined tuned for this, honey. It will pass. The hair will grow back. {{{HUUUUGGG}}

hopeful girl 1

norma2 said:

It gets better, I promise!!!
I nursed along my few strands of hair when mine started to fall out. Exactly 2 wks to the day after starting the Taxol hair began to fall out. Hair everywhere. Very messy. Like Chewbacca had decided to molt in my house. Finally, I had enough. Hubby shaved it with the dog clippers. It felt soooo much better. I looked like a baby bird. Now 4 mos later it is long enough to go out in public. I vote for baseball caps, low profile ones. They are easy to wear, come in all kinds of colors and comfortable. I never could master that whole scarf thing. It always looked like someone had tried to strangle me and missed. Keep your sense of humor fined tuned for this, honey. It will pass. The hair will grow back. {{{HUUUUGGG}}

Thanks for the responses.
I
Thanks for the responses.
I am not sure whether to have it buzzed off, or keep whatever strands remain.
But I am definitely going to be a wig girl. The wig I got from ACS doesn't look right on me. Color is not right for me, and the style looks unnatural-but when I picked it seemed to be closest to what I wanted of the selection that was there-nice they offer something.
I have been looking online at wig sites etc and will try to hit a couple of wig stores around here.

hopeful girl 1

cathyK said:

My hair is coming out now-2 weeks after first chemo
so sorry your feeling very sad, I got a wig from ACS and it just didnt look right. I had my hair very long since I was around 16, lost the below the butt length hair, had it for 34 years! I cut my hair back to my ears 1 day before first chemo, and it stayed for another 4 weeks , came out slowly at first then all of a sudden my shower was clogged!
did not shave it till the very last minaute, used bandanas all the time (would use bandanas all summer long for years, keeping dust and dirt off the top of my head while at festivals) so this was nothing new other than NO HAIR.
so I thought it would upset me more than it did , I sure miss the hair. but do not miss the work it took to keep it good looking.
I often look at others with long hair and wish , but that aint gonna ever happen , it would probably take 10 years to get it back to the length I had.
Chemo started July 15 ended Oct 30 and still had strands of hair , funny thing was that 6 weeks after chemo , the hair I still had started falling out ! so I shaved it dec 18, and just now see it is getting very thick and mussy. came back very grey and wavey too. had straight hair all my life.
praying for ya, I could handle the hair all over the place, but if you cant handle hair everywhere and dont want to clean up all the time, Id shave it, it is summer , makes for cooler days! light bandana, I found innexpensive dresses made of bandana type material and cut them up to the size I needed, regular bandanas did not cover the back of my head, (big head!)
shaved head and showers are soooo nice. especially in the summer
keep your head up and feel better, what type stage grade of cancer do you have? what type of chemo are you getting ? I was told Taxol is the main culpret for hair loss.
tell us what you decide
no shave
shave
bandanas
wigs

Cathy K

I have stage 3. I had
I have stage 3. I had surgery and all of tumor was removed.
I have to have 3 chemos of taxol/carboplatin and then 25 radiations, then 3 more chemos.
I had 1 chemo so far on 5/7.

jazzy1

hopeful girl 1 said:

Thanks for the responses.
I
Thanks for the responses.
I am not sure whether to have it buzzed off, or keep whatever strands remain.
But I am definitely going to be a wig girl. The wig I got from ACS doesn't look right on me. Color is not right for me, and the style looks unnatural-but when I picked it seemed to be closest to what I wanted of the selection that was there-nice they offer something.
I have been looking online at wig sites etc and will try to hit a couple of wig stores around here.

Hair loss
I was on the same protocal as you are on. The hair was to go around 14 days and mine started right on 14th day like clockwork. I got tired of the shedding and make appt with my beautician (works at her home office) and had her cut it very close to my head. I was told from others in my local therapy group to not shave it. It hurts is basically what everyone told me. It was easy afte the short cut as eventually it just kept falling out, but wasn't like the long strands (had shoulder-length) prior hair cut.

Wig wise -- the group I go to for therapy is non-for-profit and they give out money for wigs (received $150). I was referred to a local wig shop, and had it ordered according to my color and style. Mine was a very cut style, similar coloring to mine, but way different cut. I chose something that I could never have with my true hair, as mine is very thin and the wig had thick hair. I had fun out of the 11 mos of wearing it.

Also purchased a few "stylish" scarves from an on-line company -- www.4women.com. These aren't like the plain-jane ones in local stores. I bought approx 6 of them in different colors and used them when didn't want the wig. Wigs can be hot in summer months. Let me know what you think?

Have you called your insurance co. to see if they'll cover a wig? Some will, but mine didn't until I met my deductible. Worth asking!

Best to you,
Jan

nempark

About losing your hair.
Hi my name is June. I don't know if I have spoken to you before, but here I am. I was diagnosed in 11/09 devastated of course, but you know what my dear life goes on and we all have to do our best to cope with the situation and do not make it worse by keeping our selves down. As you many of the friends on the site said before "cancer is not the end it is the beginning of a new life. We have to make a lot of changes. To tell you the truth when I learned of losing my hair I made up my mind to lose it and all I was thinking of was how style and profile with hats, scarves and wigs. I really do enjoy them. I too got a wig from the society and did not like but I went out to an Asian store and got a really nice one for just $40.

I started to lose my hair just a bout the same time as you, what bothered me most was when I was in the shower, so I shaved it all off. Boy!!! the things we take for granted, I looked totally different. Anyway, darling do not despair, it will grow back and before you know it you will be finished with Chemo. I am now finished with chemo and first ct and xray was good. Going to see my Gyn/onc on Tuesday for checkup. A bit nervous, but what ever the situation is I have to deal with it. Think positive and continue living your life as best as you can. Call up your friends and family and talk about your illness and you will see how well you are going to feel. Go out, get dressed up. I remember about one month after my surgery, my children did'nt want me to drive and I was feeling very depressed and helpless. So what I did one morning, I got dressed, made up my self and took my car and went out to the stores. That was my breaking point. I felt independent and normal again. I will read your postings so I can be more familiar with your diagnosis. May the God of this Universe give you the strength and wisdom to make wise decisions and follow the best course during your recovery. I send you lots of hugs and comfort. I will be thinking of you. Please keep in touch. Before you know it you will be telling us that your hair is growing back. Think positive. June

Always Hopeful

Hair Loss
2 days after my third weekly taxol treatment (Friday, 5/14), I noticed strands of hair falling out. On Sunday, the 16th, my best friend cut my hair to about 3/4 of an inch long. When shampooing, I have at least 2 palmfuls of hair remaining in the tub on a daily basis. I guess I didn't realize how thick my hair was, because in spite of all that is falling out and cutting it short, I'm still not bald. There are bald spots but there is still hair. I'm having a difficult time with the strands always falling out because I have always had a problem with hair. Don't know why, I just can't stand any kind of falling hair!!! Every now and then, I go outside and gently (that's all it takes) pull out my hair.

I keep telling myself, over and over again, that this is the price that's paid for wellness. It will grow back and, as so many have posted, better than before! It's difficult to accept but what choice do we have? There is so much for us to deal with, the loss of our hair is so emotional...the last straw or strand, as the case may be, that "breaks" our back!

Hang in there, know you are not alone. We will get through this! Victory will be ours!

Peace and hope,

JJ

cathyK

My hair is coming out now-2 weeks after first chemo
just wanted to remind you, good thing is , THE HAIR COMES BACK ! and mine did VERY THICK as it was before, but very curly , quite different than the very straight hair I had.
not sure if I added that I bought thrift store dresses to cut up to make bandanas, most were those skirt wraps hawaiian style .
bandans not scarfs , scarfs felt weird on me, and seems to be everyone wearing these long scarfs were cancer patients, just like I could spot the St Jude kids a mile away while driving horse drawn carriage in Memphis, the bald head, the oversized ball cap or the long scarf which did not fit on a child. (my boss offered free carriage rides to them, LOVED doing this! ) this was long long before I got cancer.
praying for ya for full recovery! great to hear they got the whole tumor!
cathy K

Songflower

cathyK said:

My hair is coming out now-2 weeks after first chemo
just wanted to remind you, good thing is , THE HAIR COMES BACK ! and mine did VERY THICK as it was before, but very curly , quite different than the very straight hair I had.
not sure if I added that I bought thrift store dresses to cut up to make bandanas, most were those skirt wraps hawaiian style .
bandans not scarfs , scarfs felt weird on me, and seems to be everyone wearing these long scarfs were cancer patients, just like I could spot the St Jude kids a mile away while driving horse drawn carriage in Memphis, the bald head, the oversized ball cap or the long scarf which did not fit on a child. (my boss offered free carriage rides to them, LOVED doing this! ) this was long long before I got cancer.
praying for ya for full recovery! great to hear they got the whole tumor!
cathy K

Losing Hair
As soon as mine started coming out I had my hair dresser shave my head and brought along my wig. Get one you feel comfortable in and cute. Summer is a tough time; I wore alot of baseball caps and hats then. The thing I like about the wig is that people don't know you are on chemo and some days you just don't feel like answering questions. I slept in a soft cap at night.

For a thrill I would take a hot shower on a hot summer day and air dry my bald head under the ceiling fan. Gives you a real sizzle! I think it's hardest to lose eyebrows and eyelashes; my husband says I always look surprised when I draw them in. That's a tough one to master.

I actually trained myself not to look in the mirror bald. Crazy but you can do it!

Diane

Northwoodsgirl

Hair
I cried when I had my head shaved. I am happy that I did get my head shaved however as I had shoulder length, thick hair and couldn't stand hair on my pillow and clothes. My hair also fell out day 10 post first chemo. I also learned how to gradually look in the mirror at my bald head...it isn't easy to see oneself as bald. Isn't our hair suppose to be a woman's crowning glory? Reminds me of how my Grandmother had hair down to her mid-back and she decided to get a "bob" back in the roaring 20's. My Great Grandfather was sooo...upset with my Grandmother. Hair...it's a funny thing that we women spend so much time, energy and money on it. I am going in for my first haircut in a week (6 months post chemo).
My hair came back grey with a black patch of hair in the nape of my neck. My hair prior to chemo was blonde. Also, my hair is very thick and curly. I think I will be keeping it short from now on. I also am not going to color it. I am 54yrs old and I don't see very many women with grey hair my age...so I am going to dare to be different.
You will grieve the loss of your hair, including some eyebrows and eyelashes off and on as you go through treatment. Its normal and you will soon have hair again and it will be very pretty on you!
Hang in there!
{{{HUGS}}}}
Lori

Cecile Louise

Northwoodsgirl said:

Hair
I cried when I had my head shaved. I am happy that I did get my head shaved however as I had shoulder length, thick hair and couldn't stand hair on my pillow and clothes. My hair also fell out day 10 post first chemo. I also learned how to gradually look in the mirror at my bald head...it isn't easy to see oneself as bald. Isn't our hair suppose to be a woman's crowning glory? Reminds me of how my Grandmother had hair down to her mid-back and she decided to get a "bob" back in the roaring 20's. My Great Grandfather was sooo...upset with my Grandmother. Hair...it's a funny thing that we women spend so much time, energy and money on it. I am going in for my first haircut in a week (6 months post chemo).
My hair came back grey with a black patch of hair in the nape of my neck. My hair prior to chemo was blonde. Also, my hair is very thick and curly. I think I will be keeping it short from now on. I also am not going to color it. I am 54yrs old and I don't see very many women with grey hair my age...so I am going to dare to be different.
You will grieve the loss of your hair, including some eyebrows and eyelashes off and on as you go through treatment. Its normal and you will soon have hair again and it will be very pretty on you!
Hang in there!
{{{HUGS}}}}
Lori

My hair story
First I'd like to send great big hugs your way. This too shall pass.
When I found out I would be having chemo, I went ahead and told my hairdresser that I would be coming in for a "buzz cut" soon, just so he'd be prepared (maybe I was trying to prepare myself, as well?) The day I noticed my hair falling out, I went to see him, baseball cap in hand. I was very sad and depressed that I was losing my hair. I sat in the chair looking at him in the mirror when I told him "It's time". The look that washed over his face in that moment was remarkable...he looked so sad and tears welled up in his eyes. It totally and immediately changed the way I was feeling, to see my emotions played out in him. All of a sudden, losing my hair wasn't really such a big deal after all. I, who just moments before needed to be comforted, comforted him instead. I made some silly joke about Telly Savales and needing a lollipop, which made him smile and then I asked for a mohawk haircut. Well, that did it! We laughed - I had him take a picture of me with my mohawk before he buzzed it off and it was like the sun came out from behind the clouds. I never had another sad thought about my hair (or lack thereof) and even went ahead and shaved my own head once it started looking patchy. I decided to go the bandana and baseball caps route (no wig) and while I had days of sadness and depression from time to time, I never gave my baldness a second thought (except to think how easy it was to get ready to go somewhere - I loved not having to "do" my hair). I now have darkish blonde/brown curly-curly hair - and your hair will come back, too! And until it does, remember: the beauty of a person lies not in her appearance, but in her heart and soul.

Much love and peace to you

Cecile

hopeful girl 1

Always Hopeful said:

Hair Loss
2 days after my third weekly taxol treatment (Friday, 5/14), I noticed strands of hair falling out. On Sunday, the 16th, my best friend cut my hair to about 3/4 of an inch long. When shampooing, I have at least 2 palmfuls of hair remaining in the tub on a daily basis. I guess I didn't realize how thick my hair was, because in spite of all that is falling out and cutting it short, I'm still not bald. There are bald spots but there is still hair. I'm having a difficult time with the strands always falling out because I have always had a problem with hair. Don't know why, I just can't stand any kind of falling hair!!! Every now and then, I go outside and gently (that's all it takes) pull out my hair.

I keep telling myself, over and over again, that this is the price that's paid for wellness. It will grow back and, as so many have posted, better than before! It's difficult to accept but what choice do we have? There is so much for us to deal with, the loss of our hair is so emotional...the last straw or strand, as the case may be, that "breaks" our back!

Hang in there, know you are not alone. We will get through this! Victory will be ours!

Peace and hope,

JJ

hair loss
Always hopeful. I agree with you, hair loss is the price we must pay for wellness, then so be it. That's not to say it's not tough or emotional. But if we can have more time on earth and hopefully kick this cancer it's worth it.

I have not buzzed off the rest yet-I have short hair all matted to my head right now.
I will not look at it, I turn around and put on my wig I am worried as well if buzzing it will hurt my head, as my scalp is sensitive right now. I may just have them cut it. It's all tangled don't think I can even comb-hairs fallen out are caught in other hair I thinkg.

I FINALLY found a cute wig close to the blonde color I wanted and it makes me feel cute and like myself again. The wig store associates were so thilled with it on me. They had to cut it up a lot to make it look more like my hair. I am short and it was too long and I was lost under the wig.It actually looks alot nicer than my real hair. I was joking I will be more fashionable now with it as they showed me how to wear it half up and half down, braid the side, use scarves as headbands. My family and my guy were delighted for me and said I look like myself and like you would never know what I have been thru or had anything done. It is a challenge to wear-they are hot.

I did buy one scarf to use for home, but I prefer to wear wig out.

Do you have to take wigs off for radiation? I think you do. Any heat burns the fake hair wigs.


Thanks for all the supporting words.

Healing and happiness to all!

kathybd

jazzy1 said:

Hair loss
I was on the same protocal as you are on. The hair was to go around 14 days and mine started right on 14th day like clockwork. I got tired of the shedding and make appt with my beautician (works at her home office) and had her cut it very close to my head. I was told from others in my local therapy group to not shave it. It hurts is basically what everyone told me. It was easy afte the short cut as eventually it just kept falling out, but wasn't like the long strands (had shoulder-length) prior hair cut.

Wig wise -- the group I go to for therapy is non-for-profit and they give out money for wigs (received $150). I was referred to a local wig shop, and had it ordered according to my color and style. Mine was a very cut style, similar coloring to mine, but way different cut. I chose something that I could never have with my true hair, as mine is very thin and the wig had thick hair. I had fun out of the 11 mos of wearing it.

Also purchased a few "stylish" scarves from an on-line company -- www.4women.com. These aren't like the plain-jane ones in local stores. I bought approx 6 of them in different colors and used them when didn't want the wig. Wigs can be hot in summer months. Let me know what you think?

Have you called your insurance co. to see if they'll cover a wig? Some will, but mine didn't until I met my deductible. Worth asking!

Best to you,
Jan

I agree.
Got mine cut short and actually had some left when I was done with chemo. Eyebrows then eyelashes were the last to go, but first to come back! I ended up buying a wig; as I didn't like the one from the cancer society either. Insurance wouldn't pay for it; but well worth the $300. Still wearing it when at work. Am Am almost 7 months out from last chemo.
Good luck and good health to you. You will do just fine!
Kathy