Ode to My Hair (otherwise titled WomanHood)

I "hair" ya
My once long thick mane, got cut short for the first time ever in my life to prep for what was going to happen. Everyday I find my precious hair on the sink, the bathroom floor, on my shirt, and on my computer keyboard. I look at pictures of Prince William, and wonder if a am ahead or behind him in terms of hair loss. My hair used to be so soft, and I would use expensive, delicious smelling conditioners, and enjoy when my partners would comment on how soft and wonderful my hair used to smell. I also used to enjoy when someone would lightly pull my hair playfully, it was like a scalp massage. Now just pulling a brush through my hair, is like running a combine through a wheat field. I have never seen my scalp before, and I ponder buying a can of that spray on hair, but stop short, because I don't want dark brown mess on my pillow, or on the head rest of my car. My cat likes to rub against my head, I don't want my cat ingesting "head spray paint". I don't like people to know I have cancer, I try to tell as few people I can get away with (unless it is a stranger, and I am playing the sympathy card to get something I want). now people are gonna think that I am either a skinhead, or I have cancer. I don't want a wig, I bet they itch, and I don't want to look like Dolly Parton or one of the B-52's (even though I love their music). I don't look good in hats, and people keep calling Mr. when they see me from behind with a hat on. I want my long, sexy, soft, streaked, hair back. Of course the hairs under my arms, and on my legs, are flourishing, it's so unfair. Thanks for giving me a place to rant.

Sorry!
*hugs* to all who have lost their hair. I didn't have to do that, and I know I'd be a whiney baby about it.

*hugs*
Gail

PGLGreg said:

straw and age
I tried to sing this to the melody of "Ode to Joy", and it's possible, though not easy. But it was fun. Straw-like hair is a possibly simply an effect of age, and might not result from chemotherapy, but, in any case, a 2-in-1 shampoo (shampoo with conditioner) might be helpful. I tried it, and it seemed to work better than simply combining shampoo with later conditioner.

--Greg

i had a long, thick headful too
well i thought i would have enough to spare but boy did it come out, everywhere, all the time, finally shaved my head. it is growing back now, very thick but still so short. and snow i have to start chemo again, sigh,

amber

taraHK said:

oh yea
Yea -- you'd like to think it's not important, in the greater scheme of things -- but it is. Emotionally, very difficult....

My hair is just growing back in -- but now I'm starting back on the drug which caused it to fall out (CPT-11) so I am most probably facing losing it again......

For what it's worth, I went the wig route -- yes, it's not very comfortable (especially as I live in a hot climate). When I go to the gym or yoga, I wear a scarf (kerchief). When I am at home, I'm bald/fuzzy -- when I go out, the wig. Which I've come to accept -- took a while -- actually it's the first time in my life I've had thick hair! That's a novelty....

But - sigh.....

When it came time to cut my hair/shave it off -- I did it myself with manicure scissors in a dimly lit hotel bathroom! (it was just TIME). I never lost ALL my hair -- so I've been living with a very uneven "punk" do ever since (~7 months). I like to think it makes me look fierce -- kinda Mad Max-like (for those old enough to remember that movie!). Roar!!

Tara

Hair hair beautiful hair
Oh I'm relating to this! I was happy for a brief time when my hair starting breaking off but seemed to be coming in curly rather than bone straight. Seemingly in one day it has turned into a thin mess of undesirable straw. How did that happen?????? I suspect it will continue as I just finished the 5th Folfoxfiri treatment. I find that using a stay-in creamy conditioner/serum that you put in at night helps a lot and using a baby shampoo or a volumizing one gives a temporary illusion of hair. I might resort to borrowing some of my westie's thick thick double-layered coat!
Cheryl