Just found out I need chemo

QuiltingMama123
QuiltingMama123 Member Posts: 124
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Good evening,all!

I just got the call from my surgeon with the path report from my lumpectomy on Friday. The tumor was 1.5 cm and the lymph nodes are clear. They found a second tumor (1mm) in the "clean tissue" around the tumor. I knew going in that the tumor was HER2 pos (as well as estrogen and progesterin), so I knew I was looking at hormone blocking and herceptin. We thought the tumor was only 1cm. Because of the larger size and the second small tumor, the dr said I will need chemo along with radiation.

Here's the question, does just about all chemo cause hair loss? I know it is an incredibly silly question, with all the things I should be concentrating on right now, but I have been trying to grow my hair out after a very short hair cut, and if it's all going to fall out anyway, I don't want to deal with the awkward stage to just have it fall out in a month.

I can't worry about the other issues right now. I don't know enough until I talk to my oncologist (in about 2 weeks?) and find out the plan. Herceptin's effects on the heart are scary, but not scarier than cancer.

Thanks for understanding my compulsion about the hair - sometimes I just need to know what I CAN do something about.
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Comments

  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
    #2
    most will
    Most will cause hair loss. The degree depends upon the type of chemo and the doages.
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #3
    I am so sorry about your disappointing news.
    Even when you think you are prepared, it still bites hard. I did not end up having chemo, but when we thought I would, I asked the same question. I'm getting old, wrinkle and fat - but my hair?!? I was told, sweetie, that hair loss is inevitable with chemo.

    But look at our brave sisters here on the board. They will stand with you and behind you when you need a push. They will help and encourage you.

    Sue
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #4
    AC and taxol make you lose
    AC and taxol make you lose hair. not sure about the other kinds. seems like the hair thing is one of the hardest things. esp for a woman. I have male friends who are balding and who say "well at least yours will grow back" but they dont get how hard this can be. I finished chemo Jan21 and can go without a hat now. had it colored and trimmed. it grew back curly and dark was blondish and stick straight. but you are right nothing is scarier than the cancer, and if you have to lose your hair, it will grow back.and you can have fun with scarves and hats. P.S. sorry you have to have chemo, we can help and give you ideas and support. so welcome (to the club that no one wants to join) but its a great group of caring people, from all over with varied experiences and ideas.
  • laurissa
    laurissa Member Posts: 773
    #5
    Hi Quilting
    Sorry you need chemo too. The hairloss was hard for me, that was last Oct. But chemo is a good thing. It really shrunk my tumors, breast and lymph node. I had chemo first, lumpectomy, then radiation. Finished in May. I'm still being treated for a bone met once monthly for a year. I know you'll be fine. When do you start chemo?
  • alexlib_mom
    alexlib_mom Member Posts: 46
    #6
    hair loss on chemo
    My oncologist told me that with the breast cancer chemos, hair loss is inevitable. Mine is starting to grow back and is so soft. It's a tough side effect, but everyone's right, it does grow back. I had fun with scarves.
  • linpsu
    linpsu Member Posts: 747
    #7
    hair
    When I was first diagnosed, the inevitable hair loss was my biggest concern. But now, after finishing 8 rounds of chemo, facing a mastectomy next week, and then 7 weeks of radiation, the hair thing is a non-issue. If I can do all of that, then I can certainly handle the loss of my hair. My wig is fine for being out in public; I just wear scarves at home. I am starting to get some fuzzy stubble, so of course I am anxious for it to grow, but in the whole scheme of things, it's no big deal. Good luck to you - you'll do fine!
  • SamuraiMom
    SamuraiMom Member Posts: 295
    #8
    hi
    Hi QuiltingMama!

    I'll be thinking about you!

    Hang in there!!! Keep us all posted on things with you!

    xxoo,
    SamuraiMom
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #9
    I really dreaded losing my hair
    I think for me, the impending loss of hair was something I dreaded because then I could "see" myself as a cancer patient. You just don't want to deal with it. Once I lost it, it wasn't that bad. I kept telling myself it was just hair and it'll grow back. And it did.

    No question is silly here. We're all in this together.

    I pray everything goes well with your healing!

    Sylvia
  • Hubby
    Hubby Member Posts: 325
    #10
    AC-T and CT will
    CMF might not cause hair loss, but is an older treatment that may not be as effective.
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    #11
    I started losing my hair on
    I started losing my hair on day 14 ( after first treatment ) so I shaved my head because I didn't want to be losing it for days. After I shaved it it seems to have stopped falling out for the time being, go figure. I was dreading losing it but once it was gone it wasn't that bad. It is just hair it will grow back and maybe even better!! I am on taxotere- carboplatin -Herceptin
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #12
    smalldoggroomer said:

    I started losing my hair on
    I started losing my hair on day 14 ( after first treatment ) so I shaved my head because I didn't want to be losing it for days. After I shaved it it seems to have stopped falling out for the time being, go figure. I was dreading losing it but once it was gone it wasn't that bad. It is just hair it will grow back and maybe even better!! I am on taxotere- carboplatin -Herceptin

    hair
    I started cutting my hair a little bit every week it seemed after my surgery...They[doc/nurses] assured me it would fall out..Well after 4 chemo treatments
    taxotere/cytotoxin I have thinned but still have a short crew cut.....Everyone is different so you never know.....Many Blessings.....
  • Pinkpower
    Pinkpower Member Posts: 437
    #13
    QuiltingMama
    Its true everyone is diff. I had almost the same dx as you, my chemo plan was also taxotere- carboplatin -Herceptin every 3wks. I always had really long hair, so yes it was hard on me and my husband who LOVED my long hair. When I notice my hair started to fall out, I think about 14-15days after 1st chemo treatment, a friend of mine cut it really short, then after 2nd treatment when it started to continue to fall, my husband buzzed it. This time it was harder on him, lol. But I did manage to get about 4 totally different styles of wigs, a flaming red one, black one, light brown(like my hair color) and a light brown with highlights. So depending on my mood, its the wig I wore. I have had a lot of fun with it. Its been 2 1/2 months since I finished taxotere & carbo, still on Herceptin till October and I have a soft head full of hair. Still very short, like a newborn baby, so I still dont feel comfortable enough to go out in public without a wig or my scarfs. But Im glad its coming in fast.
    Any other questions, go ahead and ask, dont ever feel like they are silly.
    Lupe
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #14
    hair loss
    The hair loss is a big issue for me too. I have surgery tomorrow with chemo to start in about 3 weeks and was told that I will lose my hair. I had waist lentgh hair which i cut to shoulder length after my diagnosis, and have gotten it cut even shorter since. I think going progressively shorter is really helping me, and my family, cope with the inevtiable. I did get a couple of wigs from a cancer center in my town, but in all honestly I don't know if I'll wear them much. I've been collecting really cute hats & scarves and have some bandanas. It is hard for us women when faced with losing our hair. Initially, being told I had to have chemo was as hard on me as my diagnosis was. Good luck with your treatments & I'll be right there with you :)
    *hugs*
    heather
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #15
    sbmly53 said:

    I am so sorry about your disappointing news.
    Even when you think you are prepared, it still bites hard. I did not end up having chemo, but when we thought I would, I asked the same question. I'm getting old, wrinkle and fat - but my hair?!? I was told, sweetie, that hair loss is inevitable with chemo.

    But look at our brave sisters here on the board. They will stand with you and behind you when you need a push. They will help and encourage you.

    Sue

    Just wishing you good luck
    Just wishing you good luck with chemo!

    Hugs, Debby
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #16
    Heatherbelle said:

    hair loss
    The hair loss is a big issue for me too. I have surgery tomorrow with chemo to start in about 3 weeks and was told that I will lose my hair. I had waist lentgh hair which i cut to shoulder length after my diagnosis, and have gotten it cut even shorter since. I think going progressively shorter is really helping me, and my family, cope with the inevtiable. I did get a couple of wigs from a cancer center in my town, but in all honestly I don't know if I'll wear them much. I've been collecting really cute hats & scarves and have some bandanas. It is hard for us women when faced with losing our hair. Initially, being told I had to have chemo was as hard on me as my diagnosis was. Good luck with your treatments & I'll be right there with you :)
    *hugs*
    heather

    I had CMF my first chemo and
    I had CMF my first chemo and did not lose my hair, it thinned that was in 1994. but they dont usually use that anymore. It was definately more tolerable. although I was told I would not get chemo if diagnosed with that now.
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    #17
    Hi Quilting Mama123
    My hair started falling out 17 days after my first treatment. It was just strands coming out, not clumps. That was last Saturday. I went yesterday for a buzz. My sytlist suggested a short cut instead of the buzz, which I opted for. My second treatment was today, so I expect to be getting by buzz very shortly. Everyone is different. Hang in there. Hugs :>) Jean
  • QuiltingMama123
    QuiltingMama123 Member Posts: 124
    #18
    Thanks, one and all!
    Thank you for the wonderful info and, as always, the incredible support. Hair is only hair - until its yours. Oh well, I started crocheting a "cancer cap" out of cotton yarn today. I will wear it proudly, along with my scarves, and know it is a sign that I walk tall with my wonderful, brave sisters.
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    #19
    I'm so sorry
    I'm so sorry to hear that you need chemo. As everyone said, most will cause hair loss. Feel free to get a style now you like (it's a control thing) or go very short. Your onc will tell you for sure.

    We're here for you, anytime you need us.
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    #20
    mwallace1325 said:

    I'm so sorry
    I'm so sorry to hear that you need chemo. As everyone said, most will cause hair loss. Feel free to get a style now you like (it's a control thing) or go very short. Your onc will tell you for sure.

    We're here for you, anytime you need us.

    Sorry
    I believe with most chemos you do loose your hair. So at first i cut i up past my shoulders and then when it started coming out in clumps i just shaved it. It is very hard to go through, but its a part of fighting this beast. Good luck and i hope i goes well.

    Take care
    Laura
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #21
    alexlib_mom said:

    hair loss on chemo
    My oncologist told me that with the breast cancer chemos, hair loss is inevitable. Mine is starting to grow back and is so soft. It's a tough side effect, but everyone's right, it does grow back. I had fun with scarves.

    I am so sorry that you need
    I am so sorry that you need chemo. Wishing you good luck with it!


    Hugs, Angie

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