Hair Going

Hi ya all,
I haven't been onsite for some time so I'm at a complete loss on how everybody is doing. Will try to catch up later.
It's almost time for Chemo #2, can you believe it?
On good ol' St. Paddys' Day.
Anyway, the hair started coming out by the wads on my 17th day, and is still coming out. I am looking like a dog with the mange.
It is about 4 to 5 inches long all over, or was I think hubby and I will cut it down to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch and maybe that will help.
Afraid to shave it. I razorburn so easily even with an electric razor.

Question: did you all have complete hair loss, or patches, or what?

You know how men bald but yet have that little fringe all the way around? I think if I let it do it naturally, this is what I'm going to have!!LOLOL

Nancy J.

Nancy,
My har started to fall out in big clumps 14 days after my 1st chemo. I choose to have my hairdresser friend shave my head at that time. This was easier for me to handle. I lost my eyebrows & lashes after the 2nd chemo. I choose to wear hats & turbans, leaving wigs for special occasions such as church. I found wigs uncomfortable.
There are advantages to being bald. Not having to blow dry, style your hair saves time.
Having your husband cut it short will make cleaning the hairfall mess easier. You will soon become accustomed to being bald. I didn't believe this, but it is true. There is a certain feeling of being "free" without hair.
Good Luck with your chemo.
's
Ruth S

Ruth,
Do you still use eye makeup when you go out?

I was wondering when the lashes go if you can use a soft darker eyeliner to give the illusion of lashes?

nancy j

It's hard to lose it--that was the worst part for me. Once it started, I got it down to about 1/2 inch to let the rest come without mess. Then it took forever it seemed (I could've been topless 4months post the last chemo but waited 6 Have you been to "Look Good, Feel Better" by the AM. Cancer Society? They can show you how to do liner, etc. so you look like you have lashes. I really enjoyed that program.

I haven't been to any meetings. They are all at night and 100 miles away
Not much support for us country gals.

Nancy J.

Nancy,

I did not have complete hair loss, although it thinned out quite a lot - but I had had thick hair to begin with. And, that will come back. (And, that's with 9 chemos).

I chose not to shave my scalp, as another person with Ovca had told me that shaving led to a feeling of 'stubble'. But, this was a personal decision, and maybe not everyone experiences the 'stubble' feeling.

For me, it was a case of my hair breaking, leaving it about 2 inches long, from a prior length of just below my shoulders. Boy, is short hair ever easy! And, for a couple of months, my hair got quite inky black - very artificial looking. All I can say is that I look forward to the day - this year! when I will have some nice brown and blonde streaks professionally done!

I chose to 'wig' it; one of the reasons being that I was not that keen on my side profile without long hair. Another was that it is quite a different culture here.

I lost my eyelashes, but they quickly grew back in - like in 4 days or so!

s to you

s Nancy

I never went completely, smoothly bald. But I never cared for that sparse, sparse hair look that some cancer patients maintain. So my DH would occasionally shave whatever sparse hair was left on my head.
Eyebrows and lashes took a few more treatments before they vacated. But came back quickly when chemo was completed.


karenann

Hi! My hair loss experience was very similar to everyone's. However, I could never bring myself to shave it off. It got very, very thin but I figured any hair that would hang it there with me during treatments deserved to be pampered with shampoo and conditioner. When my hair finally began to grow in, my daughter took scissors and clipped the long hair to the same length. My eyebrows/lashes didn't get thin until after my final (fourth) treatment. Like others, they grew in fairly quickly. My hair is now about an inch long and it seems to me to be taking forever to grow (and lots of gray is showing up...bummer!!!). However, others tell me that they are surprised at how quickly it is growing! Patience!!! It will be nice to get rid of my wig by the time warm weather returns.
Hang in there! There is life, and hair, after chemo!
NDB

Wild Rose, it should be a kick to see what color changes my hair will go through

karenann, sounds encouraging about the lashes!

ndbunny, I think I am going to just leave mine as it is. when I go out, I'll just stick on a cap or hat. Here at home, well, it's my home and if people come in.....this is what they will see!!LOLOL

Nancy J.

Dear Nancy,

The key to feeling like a girl during chemo is eyebrow pencil and fabulous lipstick. I didn't mess with eyeliner, but I did use eyeshadow. Losing my eyelashes was no fun, so I was really happy when they grew back in after chemo. I did lose almost all of my hair. Shaving it seemed to be the only way.

So sorry you're having to go through this. Hair loss is traumatic.

s!