Hair Loss

Mary929 said:

My Mom is losing her hair too

My mother is wondering if any of you have used products that help with the Follicle pain that comes along with losing her hair. Are there certain lotions or hair conditioners you'd recommend?

Thanks for your help ,

Mary's Daughter

My head felt better after I shaved it. But coconut oil is supposed to help if she needs it. A gentle shampoo for the head, like baby shampoo, is a good idea.

Welcome to the board.  Best group of ladies.  I come back now and again.  I am an 8 year survivor of MMMT STage 3 Grade 3 uterine cancer.  6 treatments of Carbo / Taxel and no radiation.  The hair loss was no big deal for me, I know that it is for some ladies but I loved it.  Yes it does grow back most of the time.  I have read on here that some ladies hair did not grow back.  Why I do not know.  I keep my hair very short now.  I did not wear a wig, sometimes wore a hat or scarf but in Texas in 100 degree heat that summer there is no way it stayed on long.  I got good at shaving my head to keep it bald during the time of treatment.  Once it stopped hair grew back, different texture and a bit curly.  Hate it.  So I keep it about an inch now, when it gets to long (about 2") I have to cut it because it sticks out all over the place. I have a frriend at my work who is now lossing her hair because of chemo treatment for breast cancer, she has already got 2 wigs and several scarfs that she plans to wear. Each person is different as each cancer is differnt and the side effects for each person is different.  Good Luck on your journey.  trish

I just got told yesterday that that I will be needing to  have chemo following my hysterectomy though my pathology report is not back yet. I'm feeling very overwhelmed about the chemo process and especially losing my hair. I know it'll eventually grow back after treatment but it's taken so long for it to get long I feel like I'm going to loose my identity. I'm also worried about looking sick or scary to my son . Any thoughts on how to stay positive? Anyone order a wig online

Feelingalone74 said:

I just got told yesterday

I just got told yesterday that that I will be needing to  have chemo following my hysterectomy though my pathology report is not back yet. I'm feeling very overwhelmed about the chemo process and especially losing my hair. I know it'll eventually grow back after treatment but it's taken so long for it to get long I feel like I'm going to loose my identity. I'm also worried about looking sick or scary to my son . Any thoughts on how to stay positive? Anyone order a wig online

My last chemo was the middle of Feb. (I was 1A, grade 3, with clear cell) and now I have a good 2" of new hair, it is a little bit curly. When mine fell out it did not hurt or itch, it felt weirdly good to pull it out! then trimmed what was left to about 1/4". I was very fortunate that this was all in the winter, so I mostly wore a stocking cap. The eyebrows are hard, I thought I looked sickly without them, but they were the last to go and grew back quickly. I did get a wig, a good place online is called Cysterwigs. I found that a lace front with a monofilament part looks the most natural. Yesterday I finally ditched the wig and ventured out to town with just my own hair. Everyone says it looks good. Just try to keep a positive attitude and know that you can get through it. In the middle of treatment it seems like forever, but then you will be done and you can put it behind you. Don't know how old your son is, but children pick up on the attitudes of the adults they are with, so dont be too worried about your hair and he should be fine. Also, be careful about what you read, stay informed, but try to take in all the positive things and don't dwell on the negative.

MAbound said:

Hello Feelingalone74

I'm so sorry that you needed to find us, but having done so your heartbreaking screen name is no longer apt because you now have all of us to help you along this journey you unexpectedly find yourself on. It's true that no one can do what has to be done for you, but we're here to help you deal with this.

It would really help to know a little more about yourself and how this all came about for you. You sound young (this type of cancer tends to hit around menopause) and there are members who will be of a similar age to you that will have had similar issues to cope with.

I don't blame you for worrying about your hair. Losing it, we face losing part of what is our identity and none of us wants the world to see us as sick. There is a product out there called a "cool cap" that might preserve your hair through chemo that would be an out-of-pocket expense for you, but so is buying a wig or other headwear, so you'd have to weigh those various costs for your circumstances. It's even more critical that you look into options for keeping your feet and hands cold during chemo to prevent a condition called chemo induced peripheral neuropathy.

There is a big learning curve when you get this diagnosis and there is a lot of information on this website that you will find very helpful. The search engine isn't all that great though, so if you have a question you can't find an answer to, just ask because we don't mind resharing what we've learned along our journeys.

The big thing is to take things step-by-step and not get ahead of yourself worrying about things that you read about or are told by well meaning friends and relatives. Most importantly, don't look up statistics!  The science on beating this cancer or living with it long term has been changing at such a rapid pace in recent years that a lot of what you find on the internet is going to be obsolete. Statistics are generalities that don't really apply to individuals, in any case. You and what you bring to the table are unique.

 

Thank you so much MAbound for your response and encouragement! I'm thankful a nurse informed me if this sight for support. 1st God bless you all in your own health journeys and I hope each day everyone feels a little better and is on their way to go health.

I'm 44. I originally was told that I had endometrial cancer and they weren't sure why I had it at such a young age thing that I hadn't been through menopause . My doctor originally thought that I would only need a hysterectomy but we soon found out that my right ovary was enlarged and after the hysterectomy two weeks ago it concluded that ovary also had cancer in it. So I'm just in the beginning stages of all of this and I haven't really told many people yet including my 22 year old son. I'm thankful that I have a very supportive fiance but haven't want to scare others I have kept it to myself I know once treatment starts in a few weeks I'll have no choice to they letting my family and friends know since I have to be getting chemo I'm scared and overwhelmed and I don't want them to feel the same. I feel at loss as I know all of you probably did when you got your diagnosis. And there's so many questions and uncertainties that I find myself replaying over and over in my mind and I know I just need to take it step-by-step as you said.

The nurse that helps me get connected on this the state also informed me have the cooling cap and said it might be something that I might want to consider. I just don't want to look scary to my son I guess is where I'm at. I'm trying to stay strong but being this has all happened so fast as I'm sure it happened with you that it's hard at times to take a deep breath. And thank you for reminding me not to look online as I often find myself Googling things and quickly reminding myself that the doctor told me not to do that. Thank you for saying that you're all there for me and I hope that I can be there for a friend to all of you as well!

Forherself said:

A safe harbor in your storm

It is very hard to hear what you have been through lately.  We all have different stories, but have many things in common.  I read in your comments something I felt strongly.  How do I deal with other peoples emotions about my cancer, when I need to deal with my own emtions and fears.  How do I answer their questions when I don't know myself.  It was very hard to deal with other people.  I still haven't told many people about my diagnosis.  And I didn't tell many for a long while.  One of my friends who went to a counsellor to deal with her own diagnosis told me she was advised to say 'I'm not having a good day today" when she felt unable to deal with other peoples questions and emitions.  It is a polite way of excusing yourself from a conversation you don't want.   As you gain knowledge about your plan of treatment you will feel not so alone.  There are lots of us out there.  

Feelingalone, im not sure how old your son is but my two kids had to deal with my cancer. I remember one of the days i was loosing my hair my 9 year old daughter (at the time) put a plastic bag over her head and prettended she was bald. It was so sweet. As time went on she would make up songs about me being bald and sing them in the house. That was a fun time. It helped us through the tough time. She goes to a cancer canp once a year for a week thats called camp keesam that is a camp found all around the USA. She loves it.  I dont know if any of this is helpful but i wanted to wish you the best. Cancer is not an easy thing. When i found out i had to do chemo i was mad and comming here for support really helped. Know that you can come here whenever you need to. 

Janae 

Dear FeelingAlone - you're not alone anymore!  Here we all are to help you, dear girl.  Most of us have been through surgery and chemo, so we can assure you that this is do-able.  I second MA's advice to ice those hands and feet during chemo infusions.  I am living proof that it works.  

Yes, losing your hair is an unpleasant prospect, but it's very very temporary.  I'm 1 1/2 years out, and my hair is down to my shoulders already!  I have to look at old photos to remember.  My favorite thing to wear around the house and for sleeping were soft cotton beanie caps.  I got mine from the cancer society catalog, and have at least 7 or 8 of them.  They'll keep your head warm and cozy.  I was able to get a good wig through my health insurance, and then I bought a couple more online when that first one started to wear out - I wore it every time I left the house, because I didn't want people to notice that I was sick.  I was so glad to have that wig, even through the hot Texas summer.  I will tell you that a warm shower feels absolutely amazing on a bald head.  It was definitely the silver lining to that cloud.  

I understand your concern about your son.  I was very surprised that it bothered my daughter so much that I didn't have hair - and she was 28!  I only see her a couple times a year, but she sure did not like seeing me without the wig.  I still have no idea why it mattered that much to her.  My husband was a champ about it.

If you lose your eyebrows, I recommend a soft brow powder applied with a stencil.  I got the stencil at Sephora and the brow powder compact (Cover Girl) at WalMart.  I was terrible at trying to use a brow pencil, and the powder was a great choice for me.  I still use it to fill in the sparse spots I have from getting older.  Eyebrows and lashes come back quickly, and you'll enjoy cheering your hair on as it comes in too!  

Best to you.  We are here for you.

txtrisha55 said:

Glad you found this site. 

Glad you found this site.  Lots of information here. Lots of wonderful ladies for support to.  On the start of the discussion boards there is a link on the left hand side for Hair Loss & Mastectomy Products.  Also my Doctor ask me if I wanted a peescription for a wig as some insurance companies help pay for that.   I think you will be surprized with a reaction from your son and he will not think you look scary or sick, except for the days you may feel a bit down.  I was 55 when a was told I had stage 3 grade 3 cancer while at work on the phone on April 1st 2011.  Thankfully at the time I had an office with a door and I got up shut the door, then got on google.  BIG MISTAKE!  Too much negative stuff out there.  Started crying cause I knew I was going to die with all the statistics  on the Dr Web.  It took a bit of time but I had lots of sayings and quotes on my bullitin board, I had two 1. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby! from a friend and Put your Big Girl Panties on and Deal with it!.  I started thinking that those statistics are not me and I am not included in them so it does not included me.  I found this website and read some of the stories and stuff the ladies were saying...You are a Statistic of One.  You are your own advocate.  Hair will grow back, if it doesn't think of all the fun you can have with different wigs...short curly red head one day, the next long dark and straight.  Go with a Pink, purple or blue wig.  It is scary being told you have cancer but get your core support group around you and do not worry about the others, they will suprise you too.  There will be some that pull away mainly because they do not know what to say and they do not like being around "sick" people.  Others will surprise you and step up and help in ways you do not expect.  I am a Eight year survivor of a grade 3 cancer.  It is doable.  It is surviable.  You may not enjoy the journey but with the support of family and friends you can make it thorugh it. One day at a time.  Thank deep breaths.  Say your prayers. Find a way to get a postive attitude, it is hard to do every single day but if you can do it more then feeling down, it will be a good thing.  First positive thing is they found it. Second, They removed it. Third, Now they will try and kill any remaining cells with the chemo.   Come back to this site and vent, cry, and bring the good news too.  This site is for all of it and the ladies will be here to help and listen and give cyber hugs and kisses.   Praying you find your way through it. trish

Trish,  1st I'm so happy for you that your an 8 year survivor! 

Thank you for your encouragement! You are right about that I need to stay positive and take it it one day at a time. I'm hoping as soon as I  can catch my breath from all the shock that I'll be able to do so. I already feel blessed to be surrounded by all of u ladies who can listen and understand exactly what I'm feeling and going through . 

I also did the standard chemo and lost my hair.  Like others it started falling out just before my second chemo.  I took a different approach and celebrated it since I knew I couldn't change it.  My hairdresser is a very small salon so I came when no one else was there with my mom, sister and some nieces and we had a little party with fancy cupcakes.  Yes, there were a few tears along the way, but I tried to make it a fun experience.

I got a wig from my cancer center that looked almost exactly like my own hair.  I wore it for work or anytime I didn't want everyone knowing what I was going through.  Otherwise I wore scarves.  Honestly, I loved not having to do my hair every day.  It saved so much time and was very liberating. I could just pop on a scarf or the wig and off I went. 

When my hair first started growing back it was very curly like many others have reported.  I remember looking at it and thinking OMG I have my dad's hair! LOL  When it got long enough I had it colored (I was 57 at the time and never saw my gray hair before ) and the texture was much better.  I then dropped the wig all together.  I loved the curly because I always had very fine straight hair but over time it did diminish.  I have to say my post chemo hair is much better than before even at almost 5 years out so that was my bonus.

Debi 

DebiR said:

I also did the standard chemo

I also did the standard chemo and lost my hair.  Like others it started falling out just before my second chemo.  I took a different approach and celebrated it since I knew I couldn't change it.  My hairdresser is a very small salon so I came when no one else was there with my mom, sister and some nieces and we had a little party with fancy cupcakes.  Yes, there were a few tears along the way, but I tried to make it a fun experience.

I got a wig from my cancer center that looked almost exactly like my own hair.  I wore it for work or anytime I didn't want everyone knowing what I was going through.  Otherwise I wore scarves.  Honestly, I loved not having to do my hair every day.  It saved so much time and was very liberating. I could just pop on a scarf or the wig and off I went. 

When my hair first started growing back it was very curly like many others have reported.  I remember looking at it and thinking OMG I have my dad's hair! LOL  When it got long enough I had it colored (I was 57 at the time and never saw my gray hair before ) and the texture was much better.  I then dropped the wig all together.  I loved the curly because I always had very fine straight hair but over time it did diminish.  I have to say my post chemo hair is much better than before even at almost 5 years out so that was my bonus.

Debi 

DebiR, I admire that you took a different approach to losing your hair and made it a celebration.  It shows your strength and courage. 

I'm also so happy for you that your almost 5 years out!

Its reassuring to hear that hair regrowth happens an d that it can look nicer than your original  hair.

Were u able to order the wig from your cancer center prior to loosing your hair?

Thank you for sharing 

God bless