Hair loss

Donna, did you get a human hair wig? Because I thought you could only due things to human hair wigs that you can do to your own hair. That was one of the first things I asked at this place I went to, if I could color it and they said only if it's all human. The one I ordered is part human and fiber and I won't be able to use real products on it. I may call tomorow to make sure they did order my wig. I already got my meds filled and will take them with me on Thursday so they can tell me what to take when. I can't even remember to take a vitamin once a day (which reminds me, I need to take one now) I don't know how I'm going to keep up with taking what I have. I have 3 diff meds right now. I hope they will work and I won't have to get something else filled. Of all things I just came back from vac yesterday and last week while away part of my tooth broke off. One that is more filling than tooth. I knew this tooth would have to be crowned eventually. I went to the dentist today and told him about my cancer and treatments starting this week and if there was any way possible he can do something temporary. Well, he was able to do it but said any kind of sensitivity or anything to let him know right away. Gosh I hope I don't have to try to have a root canal and crown while I'm doing chemo.

Hi Kattbird, yes my wig is human hair. By the way my insurance company paid for it and that was a relief because it was very expensive ($1200). I couldn't have paid that much on my own.

It is really natural looking and as I said I get lots of compliments. After visiting several wig shops in the malls I cried and felt like I was going to look like a sick alien forever, then found this site. And as it turns out I've had to wear it for almost a full year -- what with having a recurrence in June -- I'm hoping for hair around December but at first I'll still need to wear the wig.

I finally made sense of the cost by telling myself that losing my hair was bad enough without having to deal with a wig I didn't like. Don't know if you still need a wig but here's the web site for the company I dealt with and they're world wide. www.iwanthair.com/locations/mem_CO_hairunlimted.htp - the contact email is [email protected] it's for Hair Unlimited but I think the parent company is Transistions.

I know what you mean about meds. Wow, I've never been so consumed by what I'm taking and when I'm taking it. It's weird to have to take so much and to have to pay the co-pays. Ick. I just keep telling myself that this is only temporary.

I agree with Bernadette - NO VOMITING! It shouldn't have to be that hard these days -- after all it is 2005 right!

Sorry about your tooth!

Thinking of you!

P.S. Hope you're better Bernadette - bronchitis makes it difficult to sleep as I recall.

Hi Kattbird, I'm very lucky that my insurance covered it! I wouldn't have been able to pay the difference either.

I order the little turban/headcovers the first go round with my chemo and I got a few scarfs -- I'm with you I won't walk around bald either!!

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow - by the way I imagined my first treatment to be much worse than it actually was. I had a couple of people tell me horror stories of friends of friends etc. that they'd heard of that had it really bad. Not exactly sure why anyone would do that but almost everyone knows someone who's had cancer and has a story to tell.

I was so scared that I cried the night before and couldn't sleep wondering if I could endure it...well, the answer was yes I could. Actually my side effects happen on the third day after the chemo, the first two days are a breeze. Strange but true and still even at their worst they weren't as bad as I had imagined!

I will tell you that I experienced really profund mood swings and by the fourth day after chemo I'm pretty teary. It goes away in the next couple of days but I wasn't prepared for that. Don't know if you'll have the same reaction -- I understand that chemo is as individual as cancer in the way it affects people.

Please let me know how you're doing.

Hi Bernadette, yep, both on the left side.

Actually my recurrence was on the scar from my mastectomy. I was told that less than 2% of mastectomy patients have a recurrence and that I'm on the unlucky side of the statistic. Hopefully the surgery got it this time, and if not maybe the chemo and if not maybe the radiation.

I understand the anger at this disease...I think that's pretty normal. Sometimes I feel very lonely, especially around my family because they don't know what it's like to have your life threatend with cancer, and even if they try they can't understand the feelings.

It's hard to be positive all the time, especially when you're not feeling well. Besides coughing all the time stinks and it's difficult to sleep which adds to the depression.

I'm interested in the book! I'll look for it at the book store. Do you know the author?

I can't stand sitting at home with nothing to do either. During my first cancer treatment I stayed home on my chemo weeks (I got chemo every other week) and went to work the off week. I hated it, it's not like a vacation or time off where you can do something fun or complete a project.

This time around I stay home if I'm really sick or if I'm going to be teary (a side effect for me on the 3rd day). I don't want to cry at work - it's depressing for me and for my co-workers. Plus going on long term disability is a huge budget issue. I understand you're being depressed. I think I remember someone writing on this site that it's okay to express real feelings. I can't promise that I'm always going to feel up even without going through treatment.

My new most hated phrase is "keep a good attitude" man, that really makes me feel crummy. Especially if I can't do it. It seems that only people who've not had to deal with cancer can say that. In the real world it isn't that easy!

Thanks for asking about my history, I'm glad to have a connection!

Hugs back to YOU,
Donna

All you women just sound so wonderful. I submitted a post a while back about my dr. giving me a menu of treatments. I went back to him and told him I decided which one I wanted: "the one that got the best chance of getting me better". So he started me on weekly Taxol. Just had my 4th - 1/3 of the way thru. Started losing my hair last week, so went and got a buzz cut. Also bought a super cute wig and a couple of babushka type scarves. I can't stand going around without something on my head because it's drafty up there. I live in Clear Lake, TX, a suburb of Houston. I'm a very young 63. I just feel so much love for all of you. I imagine that you're younger than I am and have more to cope with; family, job, etc. I'm divorced, live alone with my pets, and am on long term disabililty from work.

Just wanted to jump in and say HI. and thank you all for the replies I got from my "no subject". Not sure I know where that subject line is yet.

Mary

Bernadette, you just reminded me that I have AFLAC insurance along with regular and I have disability with them, but I have to be out for a week before they start paying. That's one of my biggest fears (besides the hair loss) that I will get sick and have to miss time from work. I just got vac time (3 weeks) and have used most of it. I was on vac from 9/1-9/11. For the most part it was ok. It relaxed me (the beach always does), but I was making myself sick before I went just thinking about all this. I had such stomach pains that i was going to bed early so I could fall asleep and not have any pain. A girl in my office I think is coming down with a cold which is all I need with me getting my 1st treatment today. I took off today due to my hemorrhoids being inflammed from constipation. I know, too much info (TMI). But I am going to go to the wig place that I went to a month ago and get some head coverings for around the house. I still have this feling I will have to go to the beauty supply and get a quick wig before mine comes.

Welcome Mary, I'm new to all this too, and these ladies have a lot of info and I have learned a lot. Even though my doc's say don't believe everything you read on line. Well, you/these ladies are going/gone thru this and share your experiences which helps others in what may happen. Doesn't mean tha same thing will happen to you, but you see what things can.

{{{HUGS}}}

Kathy

By the way, anyone have any suggestions on lotion(s) to use on your head for moisturizing I guess. All I have in my house is perfumed type lotions, would they suffice?

Joyce,I had the same thing happen to me about the bald head and to use soap or shampoo,I think the chemo brain started settin in.You have to have humor through all this,how about your eyebrows did you have a hard time keepin both of them on?I get hot and i wipe my face in the store and when i get home i only have one eyebrow on.HA HA i just crack up laughing....Tammy

Good idea i will try that,Thank You...Tammy

Bern, I'm only taking Taxol.  I'm being treated for mets from original CA 12 years ago.  The dr. put me on Arimidex in April - when I first found about the recurrence - it did no good.  So now Taxol.  I know he's got a bag full of other tricks if this doesn't work.  Since I'm not having any symtoms of the CA, I think he feels he can start conservatively.  I'm being treated at M.D. Anderson, they're suppose to know what they're doing.  I haven't had any side effects except hair loss.  And I haven't lost a whole lot.  Kind of wish I hadn't gotten it buzzed so short.  My hair is very coarse and it feels like a prickly pear (folks from Texas will know what that is).

Kathy, thanks for the welcome.

Joyce, your shampoo story cracked me up.  luv it.

luv you all,

mary

Kathy

I have had 2 treatments and will have my 3rd on Tuesday I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes Im very surprised at that but very happy. I still have stubble on my head too, Im not sure if it is trying to grow or what. I lost all of the rest of my body hair so not sure why I still have eyelashes and eyebrows. I love not having to shave it is great.

How did your first chemo session go???? I was not home to post yesterday. I hope all is well and you breezed through it.

I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes after the fourth treatment,as soon as i started taxol they were gone....Tammy

Hi all

 

Well this just sucks....I was soooooo happy that I still had my lashes and brows and now I find out that I will loose them when I start taxol. This is not fair. How many Taxol treatments did most of you have? I just know after my AC they will start me on it. I have just finally gotten used to being bald now this.....does it ever end.