Tawny Me 2!!! I Did It - Totally Naked

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natly15
natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
At rads today my radiation therapist asked if I had any hair under my scarf. I said yes, but very little. She said "let me see what you have". I took off my scarf and all of a sudden it seemed everyone in radiation rallied around me and convinced me to keep the scarf off from this point forward. I told them I was so sick of scarfs and my wig and couldnt wait till I could go "naked", but didnt think I was ready to do it..

Everyone was so encouraging and complimentary that I decided to follow their advice. After a bit of apprehension and a few tears I walked out of the clinic with a totally naked head. It was a bit scary and somewhat emotional but they gave me the courage to do it. I'm almost totally salt with a little bit of pepper (very little). Who knows I may even decide to keep the grey. It certainly would be a lot cheaper than getting roots every 6 weeks at the hairdressers. I'll decide as my hair grows. With some reinforcement I plan to go naked when I return home this weekend. That also will be a very large step for me.

My eyebrows and lashes havent grown back but I do know how to use eye make-up. I've noticed a few stray hairs on my legs but those particular hairs need never grow back.

This has been a long road but I'm getting close to the finish line. Thought I'd never get my energy back, but it is slowly but surely returning. Hang in there all you newbies this is doable. Like that old saying goes, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition". Keep a positive attitude and use whatever ammunition available to kill the beast.

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  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #2
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    Good for you for taking
    Good for you for taking another step. It is fascinating to hear the variety of opinions and experiences from survivors. I wore hats when I went out, and at work,etc. I actually still wear some of the hats from time to time. I found that the hair under the arms and on legs has grown back a bit thinner. No hair on the skin that was radiated under the arm. Hair on the head came in an ugly, dirty grey, so I dyed it red. When I cut off the red it was dark straw-blonde. A few of those hairs have remained grey, but it is a shiny, white-grey, so it is OK. As a 46 year old, 3 year survivor I consider them to be strands of silver, like a "survival medal".

    Live as well as you can for as long as you can. seof.
  • blazytracy
    blazytracy Member Posts: 157
    #3
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    Hi Natly!!!!!
    I haven't been on this site for quite a while but when I checked it out tonight - you immediately were the first thread I read. I am so proud of you! You are very brave and I am just so happy for you! I, myself, have not gotten to that point yet - I still wear my wig. In fact, I am considering wearing my wig permanent...hahahahaha....why spend the money on haircuts and coloring when you can just look "beautiful" in your wig? My wig is so natural looking that nobody ever knows that it is a wig until I tell them. My hair has grown back darker than ever (full head of hair now but reeeeally short) I think it will be a long time until I feel comfortable without my wig but I think it is the environment in which you put yourself in every day....I work as a main receptionist so am a bit conscientious. How many rads do you have left? I finished my 25 on March 16th.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #4
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    seof said:

    Good for you for taking
    Good for you for taking another step. It is fascinating to hear the variety of opinions and experiences from survivors. I wore hats when I went out, and at work,etc. I actually still wear some of the hats from time to time. I found that the hair under the arms and on legs has grown back a bit thinner. No hair on the skin that was radiated under the arm. Hair on the head came in an ugly, dirty grey, so I dyed it red. When I cut off the red it was dark straw-blonde. A few of those hairs have remained grey, but it is a shiny, white-grey, so it is OK. As a 46 year old, 3 year survivor I consider them to be strands of silver, like a "survival medal".

    Live as well as you can for as long as you can. seof.

    I hear ya. I just did it a
    I hear ya. I just did it a few weeks back and it was scary. Kept looking around to see who was looking at me. No one was. I still feel strange about it, but it sure does feel better.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #5
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    blazytracy said:

    Hi Natly!!!!!
    I haven't been on this site for quite a while but when I checked it out tonight - you immediately were the first thread I read. I am so proud of you! You are very brave and I am just so happy for you! I, myself, have not gotten to that point yet - I still wear my wig. In fact, I am considering wearing my wig permanent...hahahahaha....why spend the money on haircuts and coloring when you can just look "beautiful" in your wig? My wig is so natural looking that nobody ever knows that it is a wig until I tell them. My hair has grown back darker than ever (full head of hair now but reeeeally short) I think it will be a long time until I feel comfortable without my wig but I think it is the environment in which you put yourself in every day....I work as a main receptionist so am a bit conscientious. How many rads do you have left? I finished my 25 on March 16th.

    good for you natley. I have
    good for you natley. I have a bit of receeding hairline on the sides so am waiting for it to grow in. you are so pretty I am sure you look great in you nakedness!!!!
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #6
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    carkris said:

    good for you natley. I have
    good for you natley. I have a bit of receeding hairline on the sides so am waiting for it to grow in. you are so pretty I am sure you look great in you nakedness!!!!

    Natly~You are beautiful!
    No hair, or very little hair~ you are a beauty!! And you have conquered the beast by not enabling it to keep you bound! It was your time to be free. It is a process~and you had the right encouragement at the right time from people who have walked with you through the journey. There is a certain sense of safety in those who minister to us during our treatment~and I am proud of you for steppin' out in the "nude"~~
    M
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #7
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    Natly, I am soooooooooooooo
    Natly, I am soooooooooooooo happy for you!! You are a beautiful woman and I'm sure that's an accurate statement with or without hair. I was somewhat hesitant to go "nude" at first, too, but once I did it the first time, it was so much easier from then on. Enjoy your new found freedom and wishing you many, many healthy years ahead.
  • TawnyS
    TawnyS Member Posts: 144 Member
    #8
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    I knew I felt a power with me!
    I am so glad we did it together! I haven't worn a scarf again! I'm not saying I won't, but I don't think I'll go back. I think it seems everyone's hair grows back a strange grayish color...well, understandably so...I mean we have looked the beast in the eye! That'd give anyone a few grays! I bought that color wash....hang on ladies....some of you will be taken way back with this name.....FanciFull. It used to be in a gray bottle with pink writing with this little pink lid and this old fashioned flip up squirter thing. Now after how many years they have updated their look and it is in a fuschia pink bottle if you look for it. Anyway, I'm 37 and did not want the gray so I bought it in a light brown color and use it and it has really helped. It is just a wash...not a permanent or even semi colorant. It has covered the gray, toned and blended the light brown I have and also darkened my scalp a bit which helps. I wash my hair at night then squirt some in there and somewhat rinse it out. It calls not to rinse, but I do. Anyway, I am SO proud of you for taking the big step. It's so odd to think at first we don't want to wear something like that, then when we can let it go we don't want to. It's our comfort zone. Well, lady...we've now found a new comfort zone and I like it! Big hugs!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #9
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    You GO, girl!!!!
    I had some of my best stories from people who approached me with my almost bald head! Some were survivors (32 YEARS!), some were asking for my help (at Disneyland "How do I help my newly-dx'ed sister?").

    I used to have shoulder-length auburn hair, with a yellowish color of grey starting (I'm 54). When my hair grew back, it is thick and dark, dark brown with a flash of beautiful silver. No need to color....my cancer experience did it for me!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • pattimc
    pattimc Member Posts: 431
    #10
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    KathiM said:

    You GO, girl!!!!
    I had some of my best stories from people who approached me with my almost bald head! Some were survivors (32 YEARS!), some were asking for my help (at Disneyland "How do I help my newly-dx'ed sister?").

    I used to have shoulder-length auburn hair, with a yellowish color of grey starting (I'm 54). When my hair grew back, it is thick and dark, dark brown with a flash of beautiful silver. No need to color....my cancer experience did it for me!!!

    Hugs, Kathi

    Yea for you Natly!!!
    Doesn't it feel great!! And just in time for summer! No more hot scarves and wigs!

    Enjoy every minute of it....you've earned it!!!

    Patti
  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #11
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    Congrats
    I know it feels a little wierd. The more you can do it the easier it gets. I do still wear one of my crochet caps in rads. It is darn cold in there. Don't want to poke somebodies eye out. Ha Ha

    Sending super supportive hugs.

    Donna
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #12
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    Wooooo Hoooooo!!! Way to go
    Wooooo Hoooooo!!! Way to go Natly! I am beyond impressed with you! What a brave thing to do~ and how fantastic that the radiation staff bolstered you!

    I never, ever reached the level of bravery you so wonderfully achieved~ I just couldn't bring myself to go "topless" EVER. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I admire and even envy the sisters who just do it! It speaks volumes about the strength and fortitude you have. Just incredible! If I had the guts, it would be interesting to go for counselling and let someone poke through my psyche and find out why I was so reluctant to go au naturelle! But having been married ( and now divorced) to a Psyche RN for 27 years, I am even more reluctant to "lie down on the couch" and spill it! LOL LOL LOL

    So literally, beautiful Natly~ Hats Off To You! You rock, Kindred Spirit! YAY

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • greyhoundluvr
    greyhoundluvr Member Posts: 402
    #13
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    Congratulations!!
    Not only to you for being brave enough to do it but also to the rad tech for caring enough and taking the time to help you have the courage!! How very special!!
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #14
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    greyhoundluvr said:

    Congratulations!!
    Not only to you for being brave enough to do it but also to the rad tech for caring enough and taking the time to help you have the courage!! How very special!!

    This is turning into a porn site!
    I haven't been on for a few days....I come back, and half the subject lines have the words "NAKED" or "TOPLESS" in them!

    Shocking, ladies, just shocking -- people will think we're a porn site! :-)

    Congratulations, you "naked," "topless" ladies -- be the beautiful, proud survivors you are.

    Traci
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    #15
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    Naked
    Congtats Natly! Its a big step, isn't it? I was on my way home from a radiation app't about a year ago when in the car I was hot and just reached up and pulled the wig off! (Unfortunately, I was at a stop light and a car was next to me and the look I got was hilarious). I never put that thing on again. I had to get my perm back a couple of weeks ago and last Friday went and told her to cut more off. I liked it last summer with my buzz cut (the way it was growing in). It was cool and felt good when a breeze blew on it. After our first hot day this year, all I wanted to do was cut cut cut until it felt cool and breezy again. Mine also grew in silver and gray and although it looked nice, it made me feel old, so I'm back to coloring it. I cannot believe I'm out of treatment almost a year - time sure does fly! So all you newbies - please take heart - there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!
    Hugs - Pat
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #16
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    TraciInLA said:

    This is turning into a porn site!
    I haven't been on for a few days....I come back, and half the subject lines have the words "NAKED" or "TOPLESS" in them!

    Shocking, ladies, just shocking -- people will think we're a porn site! :-)

    Congratulations, you "naked," "topless" ladies -- be the beautiful, proud survivors you are.

    Traci

    Hey cousin Traci you are
    Hey cousin Traci you are correct this is not a porn site, it's a bunch of topless, naked proud survivors and my dear cuz I'm happy to inform you that you are one of us!!
  • Chrispea
    Chrispea Member Posts: 123 Member
    #17
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    That's wonderful!! I went
    That's wonderful!! I went "topless" for the first time on Thursday. I did wear a hat, but I've been wearing a wig since September so it was a big step for me.

    My eyebrows grew back. It's so nice to have eyebrows again. :)

    They grew back pretty fast once I noticed they were growing, I even had to pluck a few!

    And, I notice this week that I have EYELASHES!! Now I don't look like an alien anymore!! My eyelashes are really short, but I tried to put mascara on them... it didn't really make them longer, lol.

    I'm so happy for you!!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #18
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    Kat11 said:

    I hear ya. I just did it a
    I hear ya. I just did it a few weeks back and it was scary. Kept looking around to see who was looking at me. No one was. I still feel strange about it, but it sure does feel better.

    Good for you Natly! You are
    Good for you Natly! You are so beautiful no matter what!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #19
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    BlownAway60 said:

    Congrats
    I know it feels a little wierd. The more you can do it the easier it gets. I do still wear one of my crochet caps in rads. It is darn cold in there. Don't want to poke somebodies eye out. Ha Ha

    Sending super supportive hugs.

    Donna

    Big congrats Natly! You are
    Big congrats Natly! You are so beautiful no matter what!

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