bad day

Wow! I know you you feel. I remember crying when my hair fell out and I got it cut off. Its a blatant reminder that we are dealing with cancer. My chemotherapy is over and my hair is coming back. I will be without the wig soon. I'm not sure that makes it easier when you are dealing with it but I know that each day is easier and I feel better and my hair is growing. Yours will too. But I'll send you a warm hug today. Sandi

Oh sweetie, I remember that day. I woke up and my bangs were gone. I looked awful. I had kept my hair for 17 days after the first treatment. I wore my wig from that day forward, and just took it off 3 weeks ago. It is just as hard deciding when to take it off, because it becomes a security blanket. Everyone told me to not make such a big deal about it, (its not about the hair) but for me it was a big deal. I am saying a prayer for you. I remember how hard that was. God bless you! It gets easier to handle putting on and pretty soon it is nice to wash your hair and hang it on the shower head, go to sleep then wake up in the morning and your good to go.

cammie said:

Oh sweetie, I remember that day. I woke up and my bangs were gone. I looked awful. I had kept my hair for 17 days after the first treatment. I wore my wig from that day forward, and just took it off 3 weeks ago. It is just as hard deciding when to take it off, because it becomes a security blanket. Everyone told me to not make such a big deal about it, (its not about the hair) but for me it was a big deal. I am saying a prayer for you. I remember how hard that was. God bless you! It gets easier to handle putting on and pretty soon it is nice to wash your hair and hang it on the shower head, go to sleep then wake up in the morning and your good to go.

Know JUST how you feel. The only thing that really ever made me feel like I had cancer was not having hair. Then I would feel guilty for being so 'vain', but it is more than vainity. It was a slap in the face reminder everytime I looked in the mirror. I had a wig, wore it one time, couldn't stand it. However, I like Cammie's attitude, wash and go! That's what a lot of this boils down too, attitude. I finally got to where I looked at myself as more of a way to make a 'fashion statement' then as an embarassment. It's kind of fun wearing scarves and hats, caps and turbans.
I could be 'Miss Scarlet, Aunt Jemima, a tom boy or an African Princess!' Depending on how I felt that day. Crazy I know, but hey, it got me through it. I know you'll find something that will help you get through this also! God bless. hummingbyrd

Hi Kittycats,
I think all the comments so far have been wonderful. I remember that I also got my hair cut shorter and shorter before it started to fall out. I also started to wear a hat places so people started to get use to seeing me with one on before I really needed it. Once it started to clump out, I stood all by myself in the mirror and took the buz to it. I remember thinking how rediculous it seemed to be cutting and buzzing my hair. My kids came home from school, and my husband came home from work and they were proud that I was able to do it and get it over with. I had decided personally that a wig was just not for me. I have been off chemo for 6 weeks and it is growing rather quickly. I went shopping yesterday and just had a baseball cap on, I was in the dressing room waiting for my sister and I walked out to look for her, when I got back in the dressing room and saw I had no hat on! I can't tell you how many times I have done that!
Just try to remember that this too shall pass (chemo) and you will be getting your hair back soon. I will be keeping you in my prayers.
Kris

Hi Misskitty, I can tell you from experience that it will grow back. I have lost my hair three times. The second time my son was 4, so my mom took us in the basement and gave us both a crew cut for the summer. My son thought that was cool, and the dew rag on my head was even cooler. Also lost the hair on legs etc. Was the best summer ever!!!!!Didnt have to shave once, and the legs were smooooooooooooth. I know it is shocking, but if you look at it this way......Yours will come back, mens dont..LOL Hang in there misskitty. Smile much Laugh often. Dont give into the cancer, it will be more than happy to accomadate you . HUGS!!! P.S. What a great hubby to shave his head too.

I know what you are going through and how you are feeling. When my hair started falling out, I had my husband shave my head. I cried during the whole thing and it took me several days before I would let him or my son see me without anything on my head. It was very hard going out in the public in the beginning but then I decided I wasn't going to stop living because of a little hair. I just tried to remember what a nurse said to me, "you are lucky to have chemo and can fight this terrible disease, some people aren't even given this option". From then on, I tried to think of it as a badge of honor. Some days it was easier to look at it that way than others. Just remember, this too will pass and before you know it, your hair will be growing back. It will probably feel like baby hair and be curly. Many women pay good money to have the curly hair we have!!

I know for myself, I didn't like myself in a wig (plus I found them too hot) and I wore turbines alot.
God bless and I hope you are feeling better...Cheryl

I know what you meant by feeling ridiculous the first time wearing a wig. My first wig was a human hair wig which required styling and it did not fit well. After a couple of months, I switched to a synthetic wig (about 1/4 the cost)--just wash and wear-- which worked out great. It must have looked so good that acquaintances have approached me since my natural hair has grown out curly. They want to know if I have a perm--you can imagine their faces when I tell them *No, but I have had it chemically treated!* They quickly try to figure out whether they have seen me in the last year or so, obviously not realizing I have had BC. (Yep, they probably even talked to me up close!) Getting accustomed to wearing a wig does take some time but on days you are feeling lousy, it is wonderful to plop it on your head and just go. Maybe the place that sold it to you can help you with the fitting. Going bald does add insult to injury but just remember to keep a sense a humor and you'll be telling others someday about your bald-headed experiences along with the rest of us. Take care . . .