HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hair loss

Support Forums
>
Breast Cancer
✚ New Topic locked
12 3 4
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/3/2005 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all

Just wanted to say my hair is finally going, it started a couple of days ago with just a small amount and now it is falling out faster. I have a couple small bald spots on the top of my head. I still cant get the nerve up to shave it all. It is getting very thin though. This has been the worst part of all of this, dreading going bald I dont know why it bothers me so much but it does. I wish they could find some way to save our hair during all of this. I dread going back to work on Tuesday because Im not sure I will be able to stand my wig. I guess you can still find a little bit to laugh at too.....everywhere I go in my house has hair on it! My dogs, cat, chair, bed EVERYTHING. It is kindof funny. My hubby is waiting with the clippers when Im ready. He still wants to shave his head too but I dont know if  want him to.

Thanks again for listening!

Posted 9/3/2005 11:56 PM (GMT 0)

Shave it all off. I waited until I looked like a dog with the mange and just stood crying. My husband came in and just shaved it. I wasn't as upset when it was finally all gone. I did forget I had no hair several times while showering and poured enough shampoo in my hand to do a dozen bald heads. LOL

It's one of the first things that I think you can do to let the cancer know you are going to fight.

Hugs, Jo-Ann


Say what, I started reading this post under my name and I never had chemo or lost my hair.... I was wondering how the heck I wrote something in a fog? or did I lose my mind?  Then I saw Jo-Ann had written it while she was here.  Whew did that ease my mind.  I really thought I lost it.  LOL

Bernadette, I have no idea what you look like since we have never met, but I form pictures in my mind of people and naturally Bernadette Peters came into view.  All that gorgeous hair she has and it is being shaved?  LOL.  How is it going, is the deed done?  It is so hard at first, but remember you are munching those little cells with chemo and that is the important thing. 

Hugs MK

Posted 9/4/2005 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jo-Ann

I just read your post out load to hubby and he got a kick out of it too!!! I already look like a dog with a bad case of mange. From this morning until now I have lost handfuls. I guess tomarrow is the day I want to do it before going back to work so that I can get used to it. Thanks for the post it made my day!
Posted 9/4/2005 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Bern, I agree....hair loss is about the hardest part of this all besides the initial diagnosis. You are right to be sad and mad....for me, once it was out, I was ok...it was the process that was terrible. I refused to let it fall out, so I had it shaved a few days before it was going to come out. When it finally did, it was just the stubble, and that way I was already detached from it and ready to see it come out. I rubbed most of it out in the shower over 2 days, it was quite a mess! Once it was out, I just wore wigs out and turban-like things at home (it was winter and cold out, needed covering in the house). I did look jealously at other people and vowed never to care about a bad hair day again! I am just happy to have hair!

Hang in there, Berndadette...it will get much easier after you cross this major hurdle.
L&H,
Lori
Posted 9/4/2005 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
SHAVE IT SHAVE IT SHAVE IT SHAVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tammy
Posted 9/4/2005 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the hair loss is the hardest part.  My advise is to shave it, too.  The wig will be much more comfortable with a bald head.  Mine was.  In my case, the process of the hair falling out was worse than actually being bald.  Once I shaved it, it was much better.  Before you know it, your hair will be growing back more beautiful than ever!
Posted 9/5/2005 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Bernadette,
I also waited to shave my head, but you will get to a point where it actually kind of hurts. After you shave it that will go away in about 24 hrs. I found it much easier to face once it was actually gone. You will proably never love your wig, but will come to tolerate it. I'am one month post chemo, and the hair is slowly coming in. I can actually joke about it now. Last week after herceptin I was riding in my best friends convertilble, and we were joking about my wig flying onto someone's windshield. Can you imagine?
Best wishes,
Michelle
Posted 9/5/2005 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Lori, Kathy, Tammy & Michelle

Thanks for your responses I still have not gotten the nerve to shave it but will do so later today. I wondered about
Posted 9/5/2005 7:25 PM (GMT 0)

scool  Well this is my first time posting. I totally understand the hair thing mine was to the middle of my back and has never been short in my life. I am on my third time of it falling out and it is to hot here to wear a wig. The only comfort is no matter how many times it falls out it will grow back. Mine is actually growing in thicker the third time. I just finished my chemo and will be starting rad soon. Dont worry they say that short hair is back in anyway.

P.S. Dont forget the sunscreen if you leave the wig at home.

Posted 9/5/2005 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Also the first time it started to fall out I had all my friends cut it and we donated it to locks for love. It made it a little easier to know it wasnt just going in the trash.


Cris
Posted 9/6/2005 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I know the hair loss is hard!!!  I waited the first time but then it began to hurt physically as well as emotionally.  The last time I had chemo, I shaved it the first day that it really started falling out - I felt much better - like I was in control of something.  And the wig isn't so bad,  sleep a little later each morning and then get dressed, put on makeup, shake your hair out and then slap it on!!!! Hope you are feeling better about this whole business.  Let your husband shave it off - if he's anything like mine - he'll probably enjoy it!!! HA HA

Posted 9/6/2005 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all

Well its gone and you are right, after a good sob fest it is alot easier than working with the mangy mess it was before. I still dont know about the wig but baseball caps are fine for now. I never did find any scarves or turbans that I liked. I usually get up an hour and a half before I leave for work and I wont have to do that anymore, it takes me 5 minutes to get my makeup on and thats it!!!!! There is always good in everything you just have to look for it!

On another topic I go in for my 2nd chemo today Im a little afraid considering what happened last time. They are taking the Taxotere out but Im still a little worried I cant take another week of being sick. Iam still on steroids for my lungs and still fighting a cough. Did anyone else have to take steroids for an extended period? I feel puffy and my upper stomach area is bloated.

Thanks again for all of the encouragement, it is much appreciated.
Posted 9/6/2005 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
MK


No I dont look anything like Bernadette Peters!!!!! Iam tall 5'9 and I have (had) auburn hair and green eyes. My hair is naturally straight, but Im hoping it will come back with a little curl to it. I had alot of grey coming in so I could do without that.

I wondered about the post that had your name but was signed by Joann too, now the mystery is solved.
Posted 9/6/2005 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Bernadette, I was bald for almost two years and when it first came back, I didn't know what was happening. I had this light brown whispy statically affected hair. My beautician said she wouldn't cut anything until there was real hair under that. She was right. When she finally cut what I had, there was the most beautiful curly hair. I have never had curly hair in my life and went to great expense to have it permed. Unfortunately, it only lasted for about 18 months and then it went back to straight.

I had gray before I lost it and the one fortunate thing that happened is that less gray came back then left. I had a wig and still have the wig. Here in Texas during a normal summer, it was just too hot to use it. And if it wasn't too hot, the thing was too scratchy. I used it as a wig twice. I used scarves and baseball hats. Today, I am proud to say, that wig is the best ceiling fan cleaner I could want.

I didn't realize that I hadn't changed the user when I first posted. I'm glad I hadn't done one of my highly inflammatory postings. MK lives too close for me to have her name associated with one of those.

Hugs, Jo-Ann
Posted 9/7/2005 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
Bernadette: sorry I missed the shaving party... yikes!!!!! I had a hard time too with the shaving of my head. I had hair down to the middle of my back and it was straight. I had DS shave if off before it fell out too much. Finding long strands of hair all over was really hard on me. So I said shave it off, shave it ,all, off. I was funny cause I would laugh while he shaved it and then when I saw it fall to the ground I would cry, once it was gone I got use to it. It took 6wks after my last treatment to come back and now its only about 1 1/2 inches. it looks like it may have a wave but can't tell yet if it will have curles. I wear a wig cap under the wig I have. I like my wig I feel very comfortable with it, you will get more comfortable with yours too. I occasionally wear a baseball cap gosh really not into scarfs or regular hats think I look like Minnie Pearl in them lol... we went to our state fair and I wore my wig... on the way home in the car I took my wig off I was so hot...anyway it was so funny to see people look at me at the stop lights. They would glance and then take another look... lol I teased DS and told him the next one that stares at me I am gonna wink at....lol!!!needless to say I was having a good time at the stop lights.. Things will fine at work for you in the wig...... have fun with it... ok... skeeter1

Posted 9/8/2005 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Getting up later in the morning will be nice.  The hair will grow back and you will really appreciate it.  Mine is very curly and cute.  Everyone loves it but not nearly as much as I do.  The first time mine grew back it was a couple of years before it straightened out and it still had a lot of body after 8 years.  You're right - everything has a bright side - more sleep is always a good thing.  Baseball caps, wigs, hats, ... it'll all work out and you'll find what feels comfortable.  I wore a wig because I taught 1st grade.  Of course, one of my students (who lives next door) came over one day and my hubby let her in.  She was surely surprised that Mrs. King had no hair but it wasn't a really big deal to her - she loved her teacher tongue - and she kept my secret until I came back with 1/2 in. hair.  My class quickly got over the shock and were glad to hear I was better now.  It all works out in the end, things we think are huge deals are really small in comparison to what really matters:  friends, family, students (in my case) and doing what we can to live as long as possible!!!
Posted 9/8/2005 8:14 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Bernadette, I'm glad that you're through that awful drama. I know it was very difficult for me to shave my head the first time and after my recurrence, even though I knew it would come back, it was still hard. I hoped that it would just get thinner and I'd be okay but after a horrible shower with my hair clogging the drain I had it shaved. It is a part of my sadness about having breast cancer, kind of a stark reminder everytime I take off my wig, but as a friend of mine said, "it's for a good cause".

I've styled my wig and even did highlights on it and since it's human hair it looks good...but I still miss having hair. I'm through with my last chemo (hopefully forever) and can't wait to get my hair back. I guess I'm too vain to go without a wig and ball caps don't work in my professional life so it's wig for now at work, and a breast cancer race for the cure cap in the evenings.

One bright spot is I didn't loose my eyelashes or eyebrows this go round! Hooray.

lol,

Donna

Posted 9/8/2005 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Skysnana, sounds like you've had a couple of recurrences. I'm anxious to hear about yours and would like to know how you're doing. And, how you've learned to deal with the fear of the "what if's".

I'm just finished with my second round of chemo and will start radiation in about 3 weeks. I have had a hard time with the shock of getting it again after not even a year.

My doctor did say that he would recommend a pet scan every 6 months for two years. Frankly even though I know it will be stressful I'm willing to do it because I'm so frightened about it coming back in a place that isn't noticeable. My others were under my arm and on the scar from my mastectomy.

Please write when you can.
Posted 9/10/2005 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All

 

I have a good story for everyone. I was feeling sorry for myself so I decided to go up to the casino. Well I thought Id try out my wig since I had not worn it yet. I had been there for a few hours and the wig felt funny, I reached up to touch it and found that it had a lump right in the middle. I figured oh well so I have a lumpy wig. The next time I went to use the bathroom I took it off and realized that it was the wig cap that had slipped and was in one big lump on the top of my head!!!!!!!! I must have looked a mess, and here I thought I was looking good. I guess I better work on the wig cap a little more. eyes

Posted 9/11/2005 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Bernadette, thats pretty funny. Its things like that that you will remember forever. I do not wear a wig cap. I dont have any problems without it and this is my third time losing my hair.

Good luck with the rest of your treatments.
Posted 9/11/2005 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Bernadette,

You already lost your hair after 1 treatment????? sad Geesh, I go for my 1st treatment on Thursday. The wig I want had to be special  ordered because they don't keep the color I want in stock mad   and it will take about 5 weeks to get it. It's been almost 3 since I ordered it, but with my luck it will take the whole 5 weeks or longer. sad Did you shave your head yourself with a regular razor? I may go and have mine done somewhere, knowing me I would cut up my head with the razor. I like your story about the wig cap. That will be something that will probably happen to me too. I may have to run up to the local beauty supply and get something before my wig comes.

Posted 9/11/2005 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Katt
I started loosing it 2 weeks after my first treatment and it took a few days for it to come out. I bought a wig about a month before just to make sure I had one. It isnt as bad as I thought it would be and it looks pretty good :) The only thing I dont like is the heat, it definitely keeps your head warm. I wore a baseball cap to work before all of the hair came out and that was okay. The only thing I dont like about that now that the hair is gone is that you look bald in the back. I have had two chemo treatments now last Tuesday was my 2nd one. Im still sick from the bronchitis that I got from the 1st treatment. I wish that I could get that over with. Katt I suggest you get a hat because you are doing the same treatment as I did and mine was going at 2 weeks. In fact the nurse that helped me with my first chemo treatment said I would be bald by my second one. It is not as bad as I thought it would be just VERY sad when it started to come out.

Vicky I found it much easier to wear without the cap too. It actually makes me feel whole again when I wear my wig, I know that sounds funny but I dont want to look sick.
Posted 9/11/2005 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hopefully my wig will be here by then. That's if it starts coming out about 2 weeks after my first treatment. That will be about 5 weeks. I should call them just to check on the status of my order. I'm not a hat or scarf person. And if I started wearing those things to work people would wonder why. Only a few select people in my office know. I work in a small office where there is always drama and office politics going on. I just feel funny about the whole thing. And I get so many compliments on my hair color. I dye it due to greying sad It's kind of a burgundy color. I had a lady over the weekend tell me how she was admiring the color as the sun was hitting it before I walked in the store and I wanted to cry. That has been my biggest dilmea with wigs. Finding a color close to this and a style. I sent away for a color ring thru a website that has the wig I want and I found a color a little close, that's why they had to special order it because they said no one has ever bought that color before. I guess most people get wigs in the basic colors.
Posted 9/12/2005 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
I know how you feel about yor hair I just wish this awful disease did not have to take our hair too. Its bad enough that we have to be sick but the hair loss makes it worse. My hair color is red/auburn and I get compliments on it all the time so it is wierd not having it. I did get a compliment on my wig, she said WOW new hair style I like it. Kindof surprised me. I wish you lots of luck on your first chemo, it really is no big deal during it. It didnt hurt at all I did have the metal taste after for about a week but other than that no problems. Ask lots of questions about your nausea drugs I wasnt sure when to take them and had to call. How are you going to work and not tell your co-workers? All of mine know and they are very supportive. I have missed alot of work so there is no way they would not have known. Talk to you again.
Posted 9/12/2005 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kattbird, I know what you mean about color and styling. It really makes me feel good when someone compliments me on my hair and the way I cut it. BUT... I have found that the highlighting kit really helped me with the color of my wig. It was all one color and darker than I was used to so I bought (2) highlighting kits that we're lighter and had a little copper color to them. It was easy to do the highlighting because my wig was on the stand.

It turned out so cute and I get compliments all the time. I have disclosed to a couple of people that it's a wig and they seem really surprised.

The brutal fact is that after 16 days with both of my chemo treatments I lost my hair. It was scary, the onocolgist told me but I didn't think he meant the very 16th day!

It's tough to feel crummy and not have hair too! Then add to it scars! Wow - aren't we amazing that we can even talk about all of this!

I agree with Bernadette - I was slow to complain about the nausea and pain meds only to find out that after they were adjusted I actually had an easier time.

Thinking of you and hope your first treatment is not as bad as you're anticipating!

LOL,
Donna
✚ New Topic locked
1234