Commencing chemo on May 2 (4 x rounds of TC) - nervous!!

Welcome Margz
Just popping in to wish you well on Monday. Chemo is not always pleasant but it's do-able. As for the hairloss, my oncologist told me not to use anything on my scalp even though it was very sore during the process. Once all of the hair was gone, the scalp felt fine. One thing about your chemo is that it is short term. You can focus on the end each time you have an infusion. Best wishes, I hope your side effects are few. Marsha

Annette 11 said:

Margz
I had 4 rounds of TC also. I was done with chemo 5 months ago. Yes your hair will fall out appx. 15 days after the first chemo. When I woke up each morning I would tug on my hair to see if it was starting to shed. It stuck on until 15-16 days after that 1st. chemo. It was a weird feeling when it finally started to come out then eventually I was totally bald (not even a stubble). Eyebrows and lashes came out after the second or third chemo. I haven't colored my hair yet and I am salt and pepper color. It's growing in but slowly due to the chemo. Some may be lucky to have their grow in faster but mine is taking time although I had to trim it around the ears a couple of time but I don't need to go to the hairdresser yet. Even though your hair always grew fast...it's hard to predict how it will recover and how fast it will grow back.
Hang in there it will be over before you know it.
Hugs.
Annette

For me, the 14-day fallout was right on the money
I had 6 rounds of TAC and at day 14 after the first treatment, my hair started coming out in the shower. The next day, I took my husband into the back yard, opened a bottle of wine and we had a head-shaving party (just me!). We took funny pictures all during the process, and we honestly laughed our heads off.

I did lose my eyebrows and lashes but I think it was a little later in treatment--maybe after the 3rd treatment.

I bought 2 wigs--but couldn't stand wearing them--felt like a dead animal on my head. So, I got a bunch of cool scarves which for me were much more comfortable.

My hair started growing back about 3-4 weeks after the last treatment and has been doing well ever since. The big benefit of no hair/little hair--I could get ready to go out in about 15 minutes--just shower and dress and put on a little make-up. No shaving of the legs/underarms, no blow drying, no flat iron--that, I loved.

Good luck to you on your journey--as the others have said, this too shall pass.

Hugs, Renee

margz35 said:

Thank you all for your encouragement!
Hi ladies:
Thank you all for your lovely comments. It is truly encouraging reading through each of these and understanding that no journey is the same. When I spoke to a specialist at UCSF, she reckoned that I would have about 4 inches all over by Christmas but personally I think that is a bit much to ask for - even from Santa!
Funny story: I just tried on one of my cotton caps (that I will sleep in) and my 5 year old told me that I looked like a "cool dude!" Love it!
THAT is what will get me through this mess!
Will post on Monday night after my first treatment.
My best to each of you!
Margz

Welcome. Even though none
Welcome. Even though none of wanted to need this place, it is a wonderful supportive group.

I had six rounds TAC and lost my hair right on schedule. My head was itchy a day or two before it started coming out. Like others, I buzzed it down to almost nothing once I had a bald spot. My scalp felt better after that.

I didn't loose my eyebrows and eyelashes till I was almost done with chemo, they were the last to hold on. And the first to come back. My eyelashes are falling out again, but I have little short newbies underneath. I think they're just all on the same growth cycle.

Be sure and drink lots of water, starting now. You want to stay really well hydrated thru your chemo, that and rest when you need are really important. That way you'll have more good days to spend with your 5 year old.

Hugs,

Linda

cahjah75 said:

Margz
My hair started to fall out 14 after 1st treatment. I helped it along by grasping clumps. I had short hair so it didn't take much. I then went to my hairdresser and she shaved the rest. My last chemo (I had 6 rounds Taxotere/Cytoxan) was Dec. 7, 2010. I'm 5 months out and have very short grey/white/dark hair in some areas and still very thin in others. When my hair is long enough I'm going to get it colored again. See onc in June and will ask him. I just started yesterday going without a hat. Good luck with chemo and yes, drink your water!
{{hugs}} Char

Hi Margz, I will be
Hi Margz,

I will be thinking of you tomorrow my dear. I too started losing my hair around day 14. I cut it short and a week or two later had my sister buzz cut it. It's easier dealing with short hair as it falls out not quite so messy. As for my eyelashes and eyebrows I didn't lose all of mine. A tip from a friend, take a plastic milk carton and cut out a flat piece of plastic. Hold this plastic up to your eyebrow and trace your eyebrow with a marker. Cut out the eyebrow and now you have a nice template for drawing on your brows (Just flip it over to do the other side).

My hair grows fast and is thick as well, and you will be comforted to know that hasn't changed. I am sporting about a half inch growth and I have colored it once but left my solution on for only 10 minutes. MY last chemo was Jan. 7th, and by mid February I was already growing some fuzz.

Good Luck tomorrow and make sure you keep us posted on how you are doing..
Hugs,
Lorrie

ender said:

Thinking of you as you are
Thinking of you as you are probably in the waiting room right now. You will do great! Im right behind you with a likely start of my own rounds of TC later this week. We are lucky to get this modern and less toxic chemodrug from what I understand. Fewer side-effects, and all of them temporary. Im stocking up on fruit juices and things. Tip from me is to drink coconut water, it rehydrates extremely well and has loads of potassium! You can even find it in bulk at Costco. If not, try Trader Joes or Wholefoods.

Eva

14 days
14 days seems very common huh. I got my head shaved on day 14 because it was really coming out. I never lost all my lashes or brows, about half. I finished 4 rounds of Cytoxan and Taxotere on July 2nd-10. I always had really healthy fast growing hair too. I had wigs but did not like them, to hot. I mostly wore bandanas and baseball caps. I went topless about 4 months out of chemo. I did not have a lot of hair but just did it! My hair came back thick and really curly and about the same color. I just got my first real hair cut last week. Welcome to the board there are great people here with wonderful advice. Best wishes with chemo you can do it!! God Bless
(((hugs))) Janice

It'll fly by...
Hang in there Margz, I finished the same TC chemo end of Jan-11 and was sportin a new do by the end of my Rads which were March 28ish. Colored my greys and "unveiled" the first of April and haven't touched my wig or hats since! The time will fly by sweetie -- one foot in front of the other!!

Blessings and hugs,
Stace