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what do i use on a bald head

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Posted 4/21/2005 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
redface Hi ladies,I lost my hair two days ago and i dont know what to use .Do i use shampoo and lotion or does it take something special? Also after chemo i have decided to have my other breast removed on right side that would be both gone,But i was wandering if their not supposed to use the arm that had lymph nodes removed for blood draws or etc.for those of you that had both breast removed did they go ahead and use those arms and did you have any trouble with it afterwards?  Love Tammy(possitive) 
Posted 4/21/2005 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Ahh, the debate of all times! I used a pea sized drop of shampoo on my head, to help me retain "normalcy"....and also I kept a few little sprouts of hair, so it made sense to me to use shampoo. I think all of us did something a little different.

As for the breast removal question, Mikki had a prohylactic mast and they accidentally took nodes on that side (ones were in a strange place she said), so she has lymphedema issues in both arms. I think it all depends on whether they take any nodes out as to whether you'll have blood draw issues later.

L&H,
Lori
Posted 4/21/2005 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Tammy,

 

I am so sorry about your loss.  I'm sure it has to be an emotional rollercoaster for you right now.  I don't have any personal experience to give you about that.  But I can tell you about my DH.  He's a head shaver (if he didn't shave it he'd have that really cute horseshoe thingy going on) and he still uses shampoo and conditioner.  I make fun of him for it but now with the BC it has made sense with all I've read.  The scalp is the reason you we use shampoo.  The skin is different than on the rest of our bodies.  And it tends to be oily, his head gets shiny at the end of the day.  So I would say you should still use a shampoo but make sure it is gentle.  The conditioner may be questionable since I think he uses it to keep his hair softer to get a better shave.

 

I hope this helps you some.  You may want to talk to the American Cancer Society's Look Good Feel Better (did I get that right? I always mess that up) program.  They give cosmetic pointers to cancer patients and help with finding the right wig.  I'm sure they have experience with this question.

 

And please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers!

Big hugs {{{{{{{{Tammy}}}}}}}}

Love,

Posted 4/21/2005 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Tammy-
I had both removed. Cancer was on my left side, but I didn't want to take a chance with the right side. All I thought about was future testing, waiting, anxiety...etc. so I opted for the prophalyactic (sp?) on the right side. I did not have any reconstruction, and I am happy with that decision. They absolutely cannot touch my left arm for draws, IVs, pressure cuff, or anything else. I had 49 lymph nodes removed from left side and have lymphedema issues, but nothing too bad... I've had my 2 treatments for my arm in the 4 years post dx.... it's an inconvenience to think about my arm all the time, but that's the way it is. So far no complications or anything.

Hang in there Tammy....! We are here with you!
stef
Posted 4/22/2005 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for the information.also the doctor said by my fourth treatment that i will be really tired.what was your experience with this. Thank you Tammy
Posted 4/22/2005 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Tammy, the effects of chemo are supposed to be cumulative. I did not notice much difference between my treatments, but others may have different stories.

Hang in there....you'll make it!
Lori
Posted 4/22/2005 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Tammy, I have had only one breast removed, but have had lymph node surgery on both sides. We do not tough the arms for blood draws. Luckily I have a port for that. To do blood pressure, they use my calf and get the pulse from the top of my foot. Glad the first treatment went well. Good luck.
Posted 4/22/2005 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Tammy-
The treatments are not as awful as people think, they should give you meds to control the nausea (zofran worked best for me, others like kytril) so you should NOT have any 'break thru nausea' (actually throwing up). I did work part-time throught chemo and rads, because it was a part of my routine that kept me feeling 'normal' and not like a cancer patient. The treatments are cumulative, meaning by the last one i was quite tired and feeling like a
slug :-) , but mentally you KNOW it's the last one, so that helps in getting over it more quickly. I had 3 rounds of AC and 3 rounds of FEC, then 4 rounds of taxotere, and herceptin (weekly infusions) for one year, so my chemo phase was longer than average. But you can do it too, just make the decision that you're going to get thru it... that they are giving you all these drugs to make you better, and the time will slide by. Then you'll be recovering, getting stronger, and knowing you got thru it.

good luck!
many hugs
stefanie
Posted 4/22/2005 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Tammy, I shampooed my head with baby shampoo, like someone else said, it made things feel more normal. One thing I did get was a sleep cap, however my head was bald in the winter months. I couldn't believe how cold my head got at night. It was a very soft night cap and worked wonders. This was a tough thing for me to deal with but I enjoyed how quickly I could get ready in the mornings. Good Luck and I will keep you in my prayers.

L&H
Sara
Posted 4/22/2005 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for all your replies,im feeling pretty yucky right now,but knowing i have caring friends like you really helps.Thank you  Tammy
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