hair loss

Hair Loss during chemo
Yes indeed, it most certainly does suck. I had 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. My hair started falling out on precisely Day 14. I had very thick hair to begin with so it took about another 10-14 days before it started looking truly ridiculous. At that point I had my husband shave off what remained. It was very upsetting. It took weeks before I could pass a mirror and not cry. I would look in the mirror and the person staring back at me was just not the me I knew. I had gotten a great looking wig at the local ACS office along with some head scarves. I wore the wig for the big outings where I might actually see people and the head scarves at other times. I found out bald heads are cold so I even wore a little cap indoors on many days. I got a FREE 100% silk head scarf from a company called France Luxe. They do this for cancer patients and have a huge selection. It is about 9 months since my last chemo infusion. I have a full head of salt & pepper color "chemo curls." It is kind of funny feeling since my hair prior to chemo was very straight. I must say that it beats the alternative, which is baldness. While it is not much comfort right now, rest assured that it DOES grow back. IRENE

I had mine buzzed the week
I had mine buzzed the week after I started treatment and yeah, it is emotional. As of today, day 16, I am shedding something terrible. One thing that is nice, showers and getting ready for work in the morning is so easy and quick! (((HUGS))) from someone who understands.

Nancy

butterflylvr said:

Yup, losing your hair is
Yup, losing your hair is hard to deal with. I too made the decision to shave my head. I did mine on Thanksgiving day when my family was present and I was surrounded by loved ones. Surprisingly I thought I would be upset more then what I was. When I was able to pull my hair out in clumps I didn't want the mess to clean up afterwards. When it was done, I made the decision I wasn't one to wear wigs. I wore bandana scarves under baseball caps. I always thought of myself as a vain person and my hair was everything because I always had such a thick mane which often got compliments.

Being bald has taught me that my hair didn't make me who I am. Wearing that bandana and ball cap out in public brought smiles from strangers and an outpouring of support from my community. I never hid my cancer and now that my hair is growing back, you wouldn't believe the "You look beautiful" compliments I am getting now. Your time is coming... hang in there.

Hugs,
Lorrie

yes it does suck, but it
yes it does suck, but it does grow back. I buzzed my hair when it started to fall out. I was the opposite though, I did it in private at a salon that specializes in it. 'The same place I got my wig. I did not wear my wig that much and feel it was a waste of money. there was only a couple of times when I wore it. to my daughters school, and to her confirmation. So I would not stand out. I did not like to go bald, but got used to the scarves rather quickly. It has been a year since I finished treatment, and my hair is curly. It is so easy i will be bummed when it goes straight again.
anyway it is a shock to the system but I bet you look beautiful!

carkris said:

I actually had a harder time
I actually had a harder time with the lashes and eyebrows but now I JUST LOVE TO WEAR MASCARA because i can! I have come to realize its the small stuff!

I had a difficult time with all the hair loss...
hats, baseball caps, bandana's as well as scarf's .. make all the differnce in the world to 'us' bald women! Use them, color coordinate your outfits and hats .. go wild. I surely did. Heck, I save a nice sum of money -- not going to the salon, coloring and cutting! I did find myself going crazy purchasing hats from every hat company on the internet! Yikes!

My lashes and brows has yet to fill in ... My hair started growing back, this time last year .. and her I am 12 months later .. brows, oh brows where art thou? Lashes have regrown, not as thick, or luxurious as before...

Did I mention that my under arm hair is back in full force, as well as the hair on my legs .. Ugh!

Strength and Courage to all ..

Vicki Sam

It DOES suck, and it was the
It DOES suck, and it was the hardest part for me. I would wake up in the morning, dark circles under my eyes & since i didn't completely lose all my hair (i had itty bitty stubbles all over it, almost like a 5 o'clock shadow) - id go look in the mirror and see my younger brother looking back at me.
It's a brave thing to take control of the situation and shave it off. That is a memory that I will never forget. I was bald in the late summer/fall, so what I did was get a few 100% silk scarves on ebay & wore them. They were so soft on my head & looked really cute & weren't too hot with the heat plus those lovely chemo hot flashes. Then in the colder times I wore knit stocking caps.
Sending you lots of hugs -i know how bad it sucks. It will, however, start coming back in really quick after you're done with chemo, and your hair will come back in even better than it was before
*hugs*
heather