The hair is starting to go...
I'm curious how some of you other ladies have handled the process. I cut my hair short just before my treatment to transition a little. Yesterday, I noticed the hair is starting to fall out.
Considering shaving it off soon...any thoughts?
Michelle
Comments
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I cut my hair short at the
I cut my hair short at the start of treatment...on day 14 I went and had my head shaved. My opinion was that it was the ONE thing I had control over and so I did it on my own terms. To me, it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it would be. Hugs to you!0 -
Hair today...missingtexas said:I cut my hair short at the
I cut my hair short at the start of treatment...on day 14 I went and had my head shaved. My opinion was that it was the ONE thing I had control over and so I did it on my own terms. To me, it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it would be. Hugs to you!
Gone tomorrow....just a little hair humor....it is traumatic...I was 58 and thought I was prepared..bought my wig before I started the same chemo cocktail as you...wanted the lady to see my "real" hair...she's been in the business for over 30 years...she went to her hundred's of wigs...brought ONE to me...it looked exactly like my hair! Bought it on the spot..she and my hairdresser of 20 years said go with the synthetic wig....human hair has to be styled ...too much work! I had my hair buzzed first...exactly on day 14, as I had been told, the little buzzed hairs came out in handfuls in the shower..I got out and sobbed into my husband's shoulder...next day I shaved my head...as someoe said, it gave me some control of this nasty situation...I never looked back! What shocked me most was how very snow white my head was! Looked like the moon! I told my husband I had become our " night light".... I was amazed how quickly I became use to being bald...everywhere! I finished chemo that August, and went wig less the early part of January....curly and salt and pepper....got rid of the pepper quickly!
Hugs to you as you start your treatment....
Nancy0 -
I have almost forgotten
I was leaving Sunday evening for a business trip. My hair had started to come out but it still looked pretty normal. In the shower that morning, hair started coming out by the handful. I just didn't think I could handle it by myself in a hotel room, and I didn't want to go to my meeting half-bald, so I asked my husband to cut it really short with the clippers. The next day I wore my wig for the first and only time. I was so self-conscious. It didn't feel like me, was it slipping, it was too hot, etc. etc. After that I relied on colorful scarves, and on knit hats from HeadCovers.com. The short hair remaining after the buzz cut gradually fell out, and I was completely bald. At first I wore a little crocheted beret around the house, but after a while bald looked normal to me. I did keep my eyebrows and eyelashes, though. I am still wearing some of those hats, now that it's getting cold out, over my new hair.
Now, I can't believe how much I thought losing my hair would matter.0 -
...gone tomorrowMAJW said:Hair today...
Gone tomorrow....just a little hair humor....it is traumatic...I was 58 and thought I was prepared..bought my wig before I started the same chemo cocktail as you...wanted the lady to see my "real" hair...she's been in the business for over 30 years...she went to her hundred's of wigs...brought ONE to me...it looked exactly like my hair! Bought it on the spot..she and my hairdresser of 20 years said go with the synthetic wig....human hair has to be styled ...too much work! I had my hair buzzed first...exactly on day 14, as I had been told, the little buzzed hairs came out in handfuls in the shower..I got out and sobbed into my husband's shoulder...next day I shaved my head...as someoe said, it gave me some control of this nasty situation...I never looked back! What shocked me most was how very snow white my head was! Looked like the moon! I told my husband I had become our " night light".... I was amazed how quickly I became use to being bald...everywhere! I finished chemo that August, and went wig less the early part of January....curly and salt and pepper....got rid of the pepper quickly!
Hugs to you as you start your treatment....
Nancy
Hair today...gone tomorrow. I love it! Made me smile to hear a little hair humor. Thank you for that Nancy.
I had planned all along to buzz my hair off and shave my head when it started to fall out. Now its all about timing. Thanksgiving is in a couple days and I'm trying to decide if I should wait or just go for it.
I did buy a wig, mostly for my husband's sake. I never have been much on wearing things on my head, but that was while I have hair. He can't wait to see me in my wig. I'm just not sure how much I will like wearing it.0 -
It's only hair!mollieb said:I have almost forgotten
I was leaving Sunday evening for a business trip. My hair had started to come out but it still looked pretty normal. In the shower that morning, hair started coming out by the handful. I just didn't think I could handle it by myself in a hotel room, and I didn't want to go to my meeting half-bald, so I asked my husband to cut it really short with the clippers. The next day I wore my wig for the first and only time. I was so self-conscious. It didn't feel like me, was it slipping, it was too hot, etc. etc. After that I relied on colorful scarves, and on knit hats from HeadCovers.com. The short hair remaining after the buzz cut gradually fell out, and I was completely bald. At first I wore a little crocheted beret around the house, but after a while bald looked normal to me. I did keep my eyebrows and eyelashes, though. I am still wearing some of those hats, now that it's getting cold out, over my new hair.
Now, I can't believe how much I thought losing my hair would matter.
I think it was day 15 after my first taxol treatment and I ran my hands through my hair and ended up with a hand FULL of hair. I grabbed the phone ... called a friend and told her to plug in her clippers because I was on my way over to have her shave my head.
I've worn my hair short for years ... but so it wasn't a "huge" loss for me. In fact it was kind of a relief knowing I didn't need to wait and wonder when it would start falling out. She shaved my head ... and I looked in the mirror ... and swear I looked exactly like my grandfather and we had a good laugh about that... then I put on my little denim bucket hat from TLC ... and we went out to dinner.
I didn't want anything to do with a wig ... and never could master the fancy stuff people do with scarves ... so I just "lived" in my bucket hat. I actually got rather used to the low maintenance thing ... no shampoo, dryer etc. In fact ... when my hair finally got a little over an inch long I had my hairdresser shape it a bit ... and I've kept it short ever since. No combs, brushs, curling irons etc. Just wash-n-wear. Love it!
hugs.
teena0 -
Boy does this bring back fond memories
I had my first TC treatment and my hair stayed in until the night before I was scheduled to run a half marathon. Then, of course, it all came out at once!! You just kind of deal with this and do what works for you!! I started out with a wig and found that it was just too hot, so I spent the rest of the time in baseball caps of various colors. Somehow I felt more honest with myself and to others by wear the hats and didn't feel like I was hiding anything as much as I felt when I was covered up with a wig.0 -
Between dx and treatment I
Between dx and treatment I had 3 haircuts, I went shorter and shorter each time. My scalp was incredibly itchy for a day or two before my hair started falling out. Then for a couple of days it was falling out all over the place. When my daughter pointed out the bald spot on the back of my head, I got the clippers and cut it myself. I just bent over so the hair would fall on the floor and ran the clipper in all directions over my head.
I don't recommend shaving with a razor, just because of the chance of nicks. And I didn't use the shortest setting on the clippers, again I wanted to avoid nicks and irritation. Once I had no hair, my scalp stopped itching and it was fine. Someone here suggested baby shampoo for my bare scalp, which worked great for me.
I found the wigs I bought very uncomfortable, and wore scarfs and hats almost all the time. I even wore them to bed to stay warm.
I hope this helps.
hugs,
Linda0 -
it WILL come back
I felt like I was at death's door every time I looked in the mirror when my hair started falling out. After always covering up and having to lint roller my pillow every morning I got to the point of no return and had my hairdresser shave it all off. I was ready to cry a little but as soon as she started shaving I felt so empowered. My hair is going to abandon shop? Fine - it will do it on MY terms!! I discovered I had a nice shaped head! Who knew? You will want to keep a cozy hat handy because - especially as cold weather is coming up - you will find you will get chilled much easier with the hair being gone.
I have encouraged other women at my cancer center to go ahead and shave theirs too. One woman told me after she finally did it that she, also, was happy to have done it.
Get thee to a Look Good Feel Better! They will show you how to make it look as if you have some eyebrows and eyelashes. They might not fall completely out, or they might. Hair is hair, you know so don't be surprised to not have to shave your legs, among other things...0 -
Goodbye hair!Melaniedoingwell said:it WILL come back
I felt like I was at death's door every time I looked in the mirror when my hair started falling out. After always covering up and having to lint roller my pillow every morning I got to the point of no return and had my hairdresser shave it all off. I was ready to cry a little but as soon as she started shaving I felt so empowered. My hair is going to abandon shop? Fine - it will do it on MY terms!! I discovered I had a nice shaped head! Who knew? You will want to keep a cozy hat handy because - especially as cold weather is coming up - you will find you will get chilled much easier with the hair being gone.
I have encouraged other women at my cancer center to go ahead and shave theirs too. One woman told me after she finally did it that she, also, was happy to have done it.
Get thee to a Look Good Feel Better! They will show you how to make it look as if you have some eyebrows and eyelashes. They might not fall completely out, or they might. Hair is hair, you know so don't be surprised to not have to shave your legs, among other things...
By Wednesday of this week, my hair was really falling out. Fingers full were coming out in the shower and while trying to style it before going to work. I decided that this was the day...my husband shaved it off for me that evening. I was afraid of how much hair I would be losing in my Thanksgiving meal if I didn't shave it.
I feel very comfortable with it being gone. I forget that I don't have any hair until I look in the mirror. I'm not sure how much I will wear a wig or scarves. I have already found them too be a bit warm when indoors. I definitely wear a hat when I am outside since the weather is on the chilly side.
I am finding that there seem to be plenty of people who are a little uncomfortable around me with no head covering on. It's almost as if they don't know what to say. I am secure in my appearance and wish they would be too.0 -
I cut my hair short then as
I cut my hair short then as it was falling out I shaved it. The day before I shaved I had hair everyone in my house. I always thought I had fine hair but did not relize I had so much. Im not a clean freak but I could not stand having hair everywhere.
Hope this helps,
happy14150 -
Vanityhappy1415 said:I cut my hair short then as
I cut my hair short then as it was falling out I shaved it. The day before I shaved I had hair everyone in my house. I always thought I had fine hair but did not relize I had so much. Im not a clean freak but I could not stand having hair everywhere.
Hope this helps,
happy1415
I was very comfortable NOT wearing a wig. My favorite scarves were Titillating Turbans www.titillatingturbans.com and Beaubeaus www.4women.com. I bought other headcovers from www.headcovers.com. (yes, I did go a little overboard). I made fashion statements with my scarves and hats. As winter arrived, everyone wears beannies and I had some really cute knit beannies. And I had lots of baseball type hats. I never had enough self confidence to wear a hat or scarf back in the days when I actually had hair, but I learned that I liked me in hats and scarves. I was absolutely not embarassed but I would not go out without my head covered. I wasn't that brave.
And, I also wore false eyelashes after chemotherapy when all my eyelashes jumped off my eyelids. I got pretty good at doing that - and they looked really good (as long as I had them on straight). About 9 months after my last chemo, I got permanent makeup (brows and liner). I wish I'd done that years ago (I'm very fair)!
I'm just now learning to wear wigs as my hair has not fully returned. I'm no longer comfortable going out without "hair". I wear my headcovers in the house and have exercise scarves for when I go to the gym, but right now I'm sick of not having enough hair. My wigs look really good and they're quite comfortable. Yet, they're the first thing I take off when I come home. I'm always aware of something on my head, but I don't think they're hot or uncomfortable. I worry about them shifting or blowing off, but I don't think they're going to do that.
I've learned from this experience that a lot of women wear wigs and scarves for reasons other than cancer. You'd be surprised. I've really been amazed at the number of really good looking wigs that are available. I also see many older women whose hair has thinned terribly and I want to tell them that wigs are inexpensive, comfortable, and don't look like wigs anymore.
Still nothing beats having your own hair, but there are truly many good temporary fixes available.
Suzanne0 -
Michelle .. Great attitude, please keep this up --Double Whammy said:Vanity
I was very comfortable NOT wearing a wig. My favorite scarves were Titillating Turbans www.titillatingturbans.com and Beaubeaus www.4women.com. I bought other headcovers from www.headcovers.com. (yes, I did go a little overboard). I made fashion statements with my scarves and hats. As winter arrived, everyone wears beannies and I had some really cute knit beannies. And I had lots of baseball type hats. I never had enough self confidence to wear a hat or scarf back in the days when I actually had hair, but I learned that I liked me in hats and scarves. I was absolutely not embarassed but I would not go out without my head covered. I wasn't that brave.
And, I also wore false eyelashes after chemotherapy when all my eyelashes jumped off my eyelids. I got pretty good at doing that - and they looked really good (as long as I had them on straight). About 9 months after my last chemo, I got permanent makeup (brows and liner). I wish I'd done that years ago (I'm very fair)!
I'm just now learning to wear wigs as my hair has not fully returned. I'm no longer comfortable going out without "hair". I wear my headcovers in the house and have exercise scarves for when I go to the gym, but right now I'm sick of not having enough hair. My wigs look really good and they're quite comfortable. Yet, they're the first thing I take off when I come home. I'm always aware of something on my head, but I don't think they're hot or uncomfortable. I worry about them shifting or blowing off, but I don't think they're going to do that.
I've learned from this experience that a lot of women wear wigs and scarves for reasons other than cancer. You'd be surprised. I've really been amazed at the number of really good looking wigs that are available. I also see many older women whose hair has thinned terribly and I want to tell them that wigs are inexpensive, comfortable, and don't look like wigs anymore.
Still nothing beats having your own hair, but there are truly many good temporary fixes available.
Suzanne
as it will come in handy, should you hit any bumps during your treatment or journey! LOL=== there are ALWAYS BUMPS during our journey, dear Sister in PINK.
Please keep sunscreen within reaching distance -- I burned my scalp once just by going outside for a few minutes to pick up doggie doo. Now, that's a funny story.
Cotton or wool beanies (depending on your part of the U.S.) are wonderful for sleepwear and keeping our scalps warm.
Strength, Courage and Hope.
Vicki Sam0 -
Suzanne ... You look wonderful!!!!VickiSam said:Michelle .. Great attitude, please keep this up --
as it will come in handy, should you hit any bumps during your treatment or journey! LOL=== there are ALWAYS BUMPS during our journey, dear Sister in PINK.
Please keep sunscreen within reaching distance -- I burned my scalp once just by going outside for a few minutes to pick up doggie doo. Now, that's a funny story.
Cotton or wool beanies (depending on your part of the U.S.) are wonderful for sleepwear and keeping our scalps warm.
Strength, Courage and Hope.
Vicki Sam
My motto .. we need to maintain all that the Good Lord has provided us -- !
Gentle hugs,
Vicki Sam0 -
You have an amazing attitudemrs gadget said:Boy does this bring back fond memories
I had my first TC treatment and my hair stayed in until the night before I was scheduled to run a half marathon. Then, of course, it all came out at once!! You just kind of deal with this and do what works for you!! I started out with a wig and found that it was just too hot, so I spent the rest of the time in baseball caps of various colors. Somehow I felt more honest with myself and to others by wear the hats and didn't feel like I was hiding anything as much as I felt when I was covered up with a wig.
You have an amazing attitude Michelle!
Hugs, Debby0 -
Your support is so wonderfulVickiSam said:Michelle .. Great attitude, please keep this up --
as it will come in handy, should you hit any bumps during your treatment or journey! LOL=== there are ALWAYS BUMPS during our journey, dear Sister in PINK.
Please keep sunscreen within reaching distance -- I burned my scalp once just by going outside for a few minutes to pick up doggie doo. Now, that's a funny story.
Cotton or wool beanies (depending on your part of the U.S.) are wonderful for sleepwear and keeping our scalps warm.
Strength, Courage and Hope.
Vicki Sam
Thanks ladies for sharing with me as I take this same journey. Your wisdom and encouragement means a lot to me and others on this site. I have embraced the path I am on and have been trying to prepare as best I can for unexpected bumps in the road. Having tips and advice from you has made those bumps less unexpected and so much easier to prepare for.
I have decided that hats and scarves are necessary for outdoors, but have not been too fond of things on my head for more than a couple hours. I usually just go bare...home, work, wherever. I feel like it attracts a bit more attention than I planned, but I hope it helps others become a bit more comfortable with beautiful bald women!
Thanks again my PINK sisters for being there!
Michelle0 -
You are so beautifulmrlember said:Your support is so wonderful
Thanks ladies for sharing with me as I take this same journey. Your wisdom and encouragement means a lot to me and others on this site. I have embraced the path I am on and have been trying to prepare as best I can for unexpected bumps in the road. Having tips and advice from you has made those bumps less unexpected and so much easier to prepare for.
I have decided that hats and scarves are necessary for outdoors, but have not been too fond of things on my head for more than a couple hours. I usually just go bare...home, work, wherever. I feel like it attracts a bit more attention than I planned, but I hope it helps others become a bit more comfortable with beautiful bald women!
Thanks again my PINK sisters for being there!
Michelle
You are so beautiful Michelle! I will bump up a post titled Helpful Websites. It has a lot of good sites to get free scarves etc.
Hope you can get some!
Sue
0
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