When did you go "topless"?
As I was leaving I ran right into a girlfriend who is starting chemo this week, and she said (having only seen me in my blond wig)--"I wish my hair comes in white like yours!".
I'm getting close to not wanting anything on my head--South Florida is getting HOT, but don't quite have the courage to go "topless" at work or temple yet. I kept thinking that I didn't want to scare the little children (or co-workers) but I can see that it will encourage others and provide hope. So soon I plan to "unveil" because everything I wear is annoying me now.
When did you stop wearing your headwraps?
Hugs to all.
JoAnn
Comments
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Going "topless"
Hi JoAnn,
I have recently started going "topless" also. My last chemo was in 8/2010. It was not until January 2011 that I went out without a wig, scarf or hat. We had a very warm spell here in Northern California that encouraged me to do so. For me the criteria was to not be able to see my scalp and to have enough hair that people would not look at me and say to themselves, "Oh, she must have had cancer. Look at how short her hair is." The other thing in my mind was that I didn't want people to think, "Did she do THAT on purpose?" This was really all about me and adjusting to my new appearance. I used to have shoulder length, straight, dark brown hair. It is now gray/white, very wavy and similar in length to Halle Berry. I think that once I have enough hair I will start to color it again.0 -
hair
I went thru chemo in the summer so I went topless from the beginning, everyone was nice. I went to work, gym, stores, etc. It was fun because everyone wanted to talk about my experiences. Take care.0 -
I went topless about 5dabicknell said:hair
I went thru chemo in the summer so I went topless from the beginning, everyone was nice. I went to work, gym, stores, etc. It was fun because everyone wanted to talk about my experiences. Take care.
I went topless about 5 months after chemo. i might have tried it sooner but it didnt fill in at my temples and I didnt like it. It was also in the summer, and with the hot flashes, I had enough. Any way, I think we are more self concious, I dont think you would scare anybody. Just do it when you fell confident and ready.0 -
I never covered up
I only walked with my bald head held high.
I unfortunately had to put up with women's stairs when in line up for washroom, wouldn't be the first time called a SiR.
I never saw anyone like myself 14 years ago but now see many women walking around sporting their baldness. I just couldn't imagine anything on my head while suffering all the hot flashes and actually takes all I have not shave hair off when too hot in summertime.
Bald is beautiful...
Tara0 -
Soon I hope24242 said:I never covered up
I only walked with my bald head held high.
I unfortunately had to put up with women's stairs when in line up for washroom, wouldn't be the first time called a SiR.
I never saw anyone like myself 14 years ago but now see many women walking around sporting their baldness. I just couldn't imagine anything on my head while suffering all the hot flashes and actually takes all I have not shave hair off when too hot in summertime.
Bald is beautiful...
Tara
But my hair is still too sparse and fine and my scalp is clearly visible, particularly the back crown area (male pattern baldness look). I just don't feel comfortable showing this to the world. Last chemo 9/23.
A friend of my husband came over the other day and he asked how my hair was coming in. I took my hat off and his reaction was "Oh, my God!". That was enough to tell me it's not time yet. Besides, I actually like wearing my hats.
Suzanne0 -
I got tired of covering up tooDouble Whammy said:Soon I hope
But my hair is still too sparse and fine and my scalp is clearly visible, particularly the back crown area (male pattern baldness look). I just don't feel comfortable showing this to the world. Last chemo 9/23.
A friend of my husband came over the other day and he asked how my hair was coming in. I took my hat off and his reaction was "Oh, my God!". That was enough to tell me it's not time yet. Besides, I actually like wearing my hats.
Suzanne
I finished chemo in July 10 and went topless the end of Oct. 10. Mine was maybe about 3/4 of an inch also. I just got so tired of wearing something on my head so I just did it! God Bless
(((hugs))) Janice0 -
Sooner than most I seeBoppy_of_6 said:I got tired of covering up too
I finished chemo in July 10 and went topless the end of Oct. 10. Mine was maybe about 3/4 of an inch also. I just got so tired of wearing something on my head so I just did it! God Bless
(((hugs))) Janice
Thank you all for your comments.
My last chemo was 1/7/11--just over 7 weeks now--so it seems I'm more anxious than most of you to "reveal" my head to the world. Perhaps it's because of the heat in South Florida or my hot flashes but I'm just getting antsy to be coverless. You can just barely see my scalp still, mostly on the crown, so I'll probably wait another few weeks...I'm just so tired of remembering to wear my scarves/wig and want to get back to normal as soon as I can. Although having very short, mostly salt and some pepper hair is nothing like my highlighted above the shoulder blond hair, I figure it is a good time to "go natural". My husband doesn't care and if he thinks I look ok, who else am I trying to impress I wonder? This disease has certainly been a lesson dealing with vanity and being 58 and just married slightly over a year (my first marriage) it has really been a challenge for me.
But hey, we are all survivors, and it is what's inside that counts!!
Hugs,
JoAnn0 -
I went topless about one andjoannstar said:Sooner than most I see
Thank you all for your comments.
My last chemo was 1/7/11--just over 7 weeks now--so it seems I'm more anxious than most of you to "reveal" my head to the world. Perhaps it's because of the heat in South Florida or my hot flashes but I'm just getting antsy to be coverless. You can just barely see my scalp still, mostly on the crown, so I'll probably wait another few weeks...I'm just so tired of remembering to wear my scarves/wig and want to get back to normal as soon as I can. Although having very short, mostly salt and some pepper hair is nothing like my highlighted above the shoulder blond hair, I figure it is a good time to "go natural". My husband doesn't care and if he thinks I look ok, who else am I trying to impress I wonder? This disease has certainly been a lesson dealing with vanity and being 58 and just married slightly over a year (my first marriage) it has really been a challenge for me.
But hey, we are all survivors, and it is what's inside that counts!!
Hugs,
JoAnn
I went topless about one and a half months following my last chemo treatment, however it was gradual. I would just be topless different times of the day, when I was teaching class, in my office and the athletic training room and sometimes outside in the sun just to let my scalp and hair get a little air and sun. Then about 2 months following chemo I just quite wearing my hats and went topless. I was so wonderful to not wear a hat and not really care. All of the student where I work were great about it, it was the stares that I got while out and about that bothered my husband more than me.0 -
Went topless from the get go
Although it was in December the wig was just to Dang hot. I decided to be like my Daddy who as always said if people don't like the way I look they don't have to look at me. Yes some people will stare but their opinion didn't matter to me. It did start a lot of conversations which were usually very positive.0 -
I'm just waiting for it to
I'm just waiting for it to warm up a little more. I still get cold w/out a hat. My last treatment was 12/9/10.0 -
JoAnn
I went topless after six or seven weeks. It was mid-December in Colorado but I could not stand wearing anything on my head any more. It was about 3/4 inch long. I wasn't aware of any stares or small children running and crying (a real fear of mine) and everyone at work said it looked fine. I'd started losing my hair 6/3 so it'd been covered for a little over six months and I was just sick of it.
Do whatever makes you feel good. After all think of all the things you've had to do that you NEVER would have chosen.
marge0 -
Probably a little before I
Probably a little before I really should have but my co-workers kept encouraging me. My head still got cold so I always carried one of my little crochet caps with me. I guess it was about three month after I finished chemo. My hair does grow pretty fast but it was still very very short.
Hugs
Donna0 -
I just can't do itBlownAway60 said:Probably a little before I
Probably a little before I really should have but my co-workers kept encouraging me. My head still got cold so I always carried one of my little crochet caps with me. I guess it was about three month after I finished chemo. My hair does grow pretty fast but it was still very very short.
Hugs
Donna
I'm going to take an updated photo soon and will post it. I honestly looked better bald than with this sick looking new hair growth. Maybe it's because I'm older?? Maybe because it's primarily gray? I don't know why, but I'm really tired of it and I'm getting tired of complaining about it, too. I've shown my hair to several friends in the past few days and asked if they'd go topless. All answers have been an emphatic "no!".
I commend those of you who have been comfortable with going topless. My regrowth is not at all what I expected.
Suzanne0 -
New photos as of 03-01Double Whammy said:I just can't do it
I'm going to take an updated photo soon and will post it. I honestly looked better bald than with this sick looking new hair growth. Maybe it's because I'm older?? Maybe because it's primarily gray? I don't know why, but I'm really tired of it and I'm getting tired of complaining about it, too. I've shown my hair to several friends in the past few days and asked if they'd go topless. All answers have been an emphatic "no!".
I commend those of you who have been comfortable with going topless. My regrowth is not at all what I expected.
Suzanne
Just had my husband take new photos. They're on my Expressions Page. There is no way in you know what that I'll go topless yet.
Suzanne0 -
Your hair is longerDouble Whammy said:New photos as of 03-01
Just had my husband take new photos. They're on my Expressions Page. There is no way in you know what that I'll go topless yet.
Suzanne
than mine, but mine is a bit thicker...
My husband is encouraging me--guess he is tired listening to me complain about wigs and scarves.
Soon I will reveal all to the world--I'd just like my scalp to not show as much.
Hugs,
JoAnn0 -
Your Bald Head is Beautifuljoannstar said:Your hair is longer
than mine, but mine is a bit thicker...
My husband is encouraging me--guess he is tired listening to me complain about wigs and scarves.
Soon I will reveal all to the world--I'd just like my scalp to not show as much.
Hugs,
JoAnn
I started Chemo in October (2010) and have my last session next Monday (3/7/11) My first round was A/C so I figured I would most definitely lose my hair and my Onc agreed. I struck preemptively. I had my husband shave my head. I figured if I was gonna lose my hair, it would be on MY terms! I bought two wigs, have several nice wraps and a slew of hats. I was embarrased to go out "topless" so I usually sported one of my coverups. My daughter came by one evening for dinner. We had a lovely time, but I was very depressed about my lack of hair. As I was going to bed I noticed that she had written something on my large dry-erase board. As I read, "Your bald head is beautiful" I cried like a baby. Since that time I can go "topless" anytime I choose because I no longer fear the reaction of others, or their judgements, either!
Be Well,
Dianne0 -
topless as we speak!!
Just today, I put the hats and the wig on a shelf and taught a class with just my regular look. I am 3 months out of chemo and have a full scalp of hair (kind of a 'boot camp' cut). It felt soo good not to have anything on my head and the kids didn't say a word!!0 -
Hurrah!mrs gadget said:topless as we speak!!
Just today, I put the hats and the wig on a shelf and taught a class with just my regular look. I am 3 months out of chemo and have a full scalp of hair (kind of a 'boot camp' cut). It felt soo good not to have anything on my head and the kids didn't say a word!!
Congratulations! It is a really good feeling, no?0 -
I am now 4 months out since my last Chemo treatment (Oct 1st )Clementine_P said:Hurrah!
Congratulations! It is a really good feeling, no?
I'm too embarrassed to wear nothing at work or when I'm out and about. I too have a full head of hair but it is very salt and pepper in color and is growing in very uneven. More on top than the sides. I currently wear wigs (as you can see) but will probably go back to hats very soon as the weather gets warmer.
I don't want to wear anything but I feel I look too masculine. and am afraid to go without. I've always had long blonde hair (no gray) and don't want to look like a dude. I'm somewhat apphrehensive about putting chemicals on my new baby hair. But I know I will have to if I want to cover the gray.
I admire everyone of you that can go without anything. I wish I was there !!!
PRay for me.
Love to you all
Kelly0 -
Though I admire, no ENVY all
Though I admire, no ENVY all of the topless sisters, I never, ever did...not once, not ever. I hated seeing myself without hair...hated my Reggie to see me that way, hated my family seeing me that way~ they didn't care at all, it was 100% me! It was hot, hot, hot in California too, and I was so miserable! But I went to bed with a bandana on, and got up (hopefully) earlier than Reggie to put it back on, as I knew it came off in my sleep. I wore a hot hot wig, and false eyelashes if I went out in public. I simply hated everything that screamed cancer!!! I remember being so blasted hot at the 4th of July celebration, but I just couldn't do otherwise. I am in treatment for a recurrance right now~almost 8 years after my original diagnosis. My oncologist says I no doubt will eventually need chemo again~ I wonder if my self image has changed and that I won't care! I also hope my Dr is wrong and that I never find out! LOL0
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