Newly Diagnosed

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lafnatitall
lafnatitall Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with Stage IIIA ovarian cancer October 28th, and my surgery was on Nov 8th. I have my first meeting with the onc on Wed, Dec 5th. I've heard so many "different stories"! It's worse than the horror stories you get when you're about to deliver! My question is, how many of you lost your hair, and when did it happen? This isn't for vanity reasons...just a preparation in the scarf and hat department!

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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    hi! my name is Jenna. Im so sorry you have to go through this. I started losing my hair about 3 weeks into the chemotherapy. Mine was kind of weird. I lost it on the top and the sides stayed so i got a wig and shaved the rest. There a someone cute bandanas and scarfs and nice wigs...check and see because most insurances will pay for them...mine did...my bf says he liked bald and my hair is growing back so fast! keep us posted!
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #3
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    I had my hair cut short right away and then about 2-3 wks after my first chemo shaved it. It started coming out in handfuls. Each person is different, but have a soft hat for bed for when it does as it catches the hair when you sleep and its not all over your bed. :-) Hugs Bonnie
  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #4
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    Hi and welcome to the board. Sorry that you have to deal with this monster. It really depends on the type of chemo your on. The "gold standard" for the 1st round of chemo is carboplatin and taxol. If this is what you'll be having then you can count on losing your hair. I began to loose mine 2 weeks after the first tx. Some can go as long as between their 1st and second tx. I had my head shaved,it was just too emtional for me to watch it come out little by little, so as soon as I saw it coming out in clumps,I had it shaved. Everyone has a different reaction to the different chemo's. But losing your hair on the above named chemo is a for sure. I ahd a diffeicult time on Carbo/taxol, but I know of some ladies who do well on it. Good luck, and write when you can.((((hugz)))..Joanne
  • jamilou
    jamilou Member Posts: 200
    #5
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    I am so sorry that you have to be on this board but you seem to have a great attitude. Your screen name does it mean Laughing at it all? If so I love it!!! Attitude will get you very far and is key to your recovery. Good luck with the hats, scarves or wigs. Myself, I liked the hats and scarves but I am sure your personality will come through with whatever you choose.
    Hugs
    Jami
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #6
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    I started losing my hair within a couple of weeks and also just took control and shaved my head. I wear scarves only - but was lucky enough to have been given a bandanna party by my wonderful friends so I have something different to wear for each day.

    My best to you as you begin on this journey. You will find some amazing women here on this site and believe me, they have information that you might not hear from anywhere else. I quote them all the time at the doctor's - Dr. Bell loves that.

    Take care and post often. Kris
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #7
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    Sorry to meet this way, but welcome anyway!
    First time around I started losing my hair at the 21 day mark - my head felt a little sore, like I had been wearing a hat or barretts for days. I was not too upset when it started coming out, maybe because I expected it. Nonetheless, it was still a little upsetting. Then I got into wigs (mostly for work), hats, etc.
    My recurrance, I started losing it around 2 weeks. This time, I decided to have it buzzed off - it really is easier to deal with that way. My hairdresser actually said I had the 'perfect shaped head' - go figure? Anyway, I did lose it in patches after the buzz, but I was prepared again with all the 'accessories'.

    My hair started growing back about 1 month after treatment was done. When I had all the bare spots filled in, I actually enjoyed the short style. It was so easy to take care of, dried quickly, and I wore all different kinds of pretty earrings to compliment the hairstyle. Everyone absolutely loved the look, so much so that I have often contemplated getting it short again!

    Either way, you have lots of support here and lots of suggestions and help and hugs as you go through this journey. Drop in any time - we'd love to keep in touch!
    Hugs & Prayers,
    Monika
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #8
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    I was diagnosed Mar. 2 of this year at stage IV. had 4 chemos before surgery and 4 after of taxol + carboplatin. I started losing my hair and itch scalp at three weeks after the first and chose to have it buzzed off at the Look Good Feel Good Shop at the Cancer treatment center. They have catalogs from Am. Cancer Society web site available and I have ordered caps and hats from them and wigs from the internet which I find better than the one I got at the center. I have fun with different wig styles and colors (synthetics are less than $50) so I have three.
    A sleeping cap is a necessity for me because my head gets cold.
    My hair started growing back after the fourth chemo and is now about an inch long (since the end of June) but really strange looking stuff and snow white! I have not shaved it again because it helps keep my head warm even so short. You will have to have scarfs, hats, and caps anyway so have fun with it.
    This site will have lots of support and help for you. The more experienced ladies have really given me lots of tips for dealing with chemo and answers to questions that I have had. Welcome aboard and visit often.
  • lafnatitall
    lafnatitall Member Posts: 4
    #9
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    Wow! What wonderful replies! Thank you so much for alleviating this one "thing" we'll all go through...together. I feel more prepared now and less apprehensive. Knowledge is power! And, Kris 43, a "bandana/scarf" party seems perfect!!! No, I don't think I'll be a wig person...bright scarves, felt hats with BIG pins on the side, earrings...the whole thing! I want people to KNOW; this thing will not beat any of us... Thank you again my new friends; I'm glad I found you.
  • SueB11
    SueB11 Member Posts: 3
    #10
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    lafnatitall said:

    Wow! What wonderful replies! Thank you so much for alleviating this one "thing" we'll all go through...together. I feel more prepared now and less apprehensive. Knowledge is power! And, Kris 43, a "bandana/scarf" party seems perfect!!! No, I don't think I'll be a wig person...bright scarves, felt hats with BIG pins on the side, earrings...the whole thing! I want people to KNOW; this thing will not beat any of us... Thank you again my new friends; I'm glad I found you.

    I was diagnosed March 3 this year. I went to get fitted for my "cranial prosthesis" and the woman at the place told me to make an appt to shave my head 2 weeks after my first chemo. She was right - my hair HURT(she told me that it would) and started to fall out. The place had bandanas with little caps inside. I wore them all the time - I still wear them. After she shaved those little bits were left - take a lint roller and go over your head and those will come out too

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