Hair Hair Hair - Another question

staceyt

Hello All

Well ladies I did it - I went without my do-rag on Monday - little nervous at first but it was actually ok.  I truly felt like a cancer patient w/o my cover the folks at work said no not at all - that I did when I wore the covers. They have been wonderful - do get the stares and actually had one guy ask me if I was trying to look like him (bald) and told him it wasn't by choice - open mouth insert foot! 

I keep reading about all of you that have curly hair growing back.  I would kill for that - before BC I had the curliest strawberry blond hair - I was worried that it was going to grow back in so tightly curled I wasn't going to be able to anything with it.  NOT - it is dark and straight although it is thicker than before.  I understand that after several trims and cuts it goes back to the way it was before.  I would just like to have some wave or curl in it - I wouldn't know what to do with straight hair - Never had it before. 

Have a great day ladies - and keep your chins up !!  - We are the only ones that know what we have been through and how we feel - don't let anyone tell you different - there is a great bond on these threads and I, for one, am very glad I have found all of you!

Stacey

Rocket

Good for you Stacey! I'm glad you found us too.  I felt liberated and self-concious at the same time when I went topless for the first time.  I had two fabulous wigs that everyone thought were my real hair so the first time I went without one, everyone was shocked to realize that I had lost my hair in the first place.  I'm struggling along with the curly hair after having straight hair for 50 years!  Mine is thicker than before too.  I'm grateful for that!

MBJ

Rocket:  I am right there with you.  I got so frustrated that last week I purchased another inexpensive wig.  Then I bleached my hair again, and I am back to wearing it out this way.  Most people had no idea that I had lost my hair!

jenn1975

I know the answer to this has been on here before but I cant go through everything.... Does the white peach fuzz that is all over my face ever go away? It is even on my forehead.

Jennifer

kane744

I must be really strange!  I found not having hair anywhere quite liberating.  Boy could I get ready to go out really fast!  At first I did the wig thing, then the hat thing, then the scarves.  Finally, I just said, "Screw this, it's not my fault I have cancer." and presented myself to the world bald.  I got treated really nicely, met many women who had gone through treatment or were getting ready to.  I also decided when it started growing in (about three weeks after chemo ended) that it was a good opportunity to stop coloring.  So now I'm, shall we say, pewter.  When my hair first got some length, it was curly curly curly.  Loved it.  Eventually that went away.  Now it's everything--some curly, some straight, some wavy.  Got so fed up with it (even though I said I'd never complain about bad hair days again) that I had it cut short short short.  And that's where I am today.  Life is about changes.

SunnyCoconut

Jenn- I have the same forehead fuzz!  I feel like the little Grinch.

gingersfavorite1

stacyt - you go girl!    And kane,  I feel the same way.   Had no idea how I'd take this new found baldness but I'm embracing it and enjoying it.    Have tried caps and scarves, etc.  but just feel better without .....

I do understand it's an individual decision though! 

On my way to church this morning:

 

dutchgirl6

Ginger, if I looked as fabulous as you do, I might be tempted to go topless as well.  You go girl!

Firni

You are one beautiful bald girl!!!!!!  I pretty much looked like Uncle Fester.

Firni

congrats on getting to the end of chemo, Ivory.  I liked not having to deal with hair when I was shiny bald.  But to maintain that after hair starts coming in would be work. 

Rocket

I shaved the white peach fuzz that appeared on my face and forehead until it finally stopped growing.  It took a few weeks if I recall correctly.

FaithFollower

Congrats Ivory!

stlcardsfan

So, I am 15 weeks PFC. Hair is about 3/4 inch long. I am back at work after 6/21 surgeries, and decided no more wig (aka hamster) just to hot, and my head is actually covered. I am fine around the house topless, but feel more comfortable with a cap on when I go out.

So, going back to work, decided to wear ball caps - good price at Walmart $2.50 each and they have multiple colors. They are solid with no sayings or designs.

Why do people feel the need to tell me that I really don't need to wear the caps. That my hair looks fine. I mean, what business is it of there's? I know that they are trying to make me feel better - but comments like that really don't help. Even my boss (he is a male) told me to bag the hat. I mean, he has more hair then me for crying out loud, and I told him that!

Anyone got a good comeback for me? 

I too have that lovely peach fuzz on my cheeks and forehead. I shaved once, but it came back. I guess I need to shave it again. 

edited to add - removed the double post below - sorry about that. 

stlcardsfan

So, I am 15 weeks PFC. Hair is about 3/4 inch long. I am back at work after 6/21 surgeries, and decided no more wig (aka hamster) just to hot, and my head is actually covered. I am fine around the house topless, but feel more comfortable with a cap on when I go out.

So, going back to work, decided to wear ball caps - good price at Walmart $2.50 each and they have multiple colors. They are solid with no sayings or designs.

Why do people feel the need to tell me that I really don't need to wear the caps. That my hair looks fine. I mean, what business is it of there's? I know that they are trying to make me feel better - but comments like that really don't help. Even my boss (he is a male) told me to bag the hat. I mean, he has more hair then me for crying out loud, and I told him that!

Anyone got a good comeback for me? 

I too have that lovely peach fuzz on my cheeks and forehead. I shaved once, but it came back. I guess I need to shave it again. 

MBJ

stlcardsfan:  People can be really insensitive and I am sorry that you even need a comeback--cancer is bad enough on its own without unnecessary, unwelcomed comments. However, since your boss is one of them, I have to ask:  Is there a dress code for your job and is a baseball cap appropriate wear for your type of work?  Maybe the baseball caps are too casual for work?  Hats are really in this season and maybe if you got something less "weekend wear" you will start getting complements on your great style instead!  If your work is very weekend casual i.e. jeans and tee shirts, then shame on them for saying anything and tell them when they start showing models and actresses without hair as the latest fashion craze, then you will consider going hatless!  Hang in there, take some biotin, eat lots of protein and it will grow in faster then you think!

MBJ

Ginger:  I wish I looked as great as you do without hair!  It just so wasn't working for me.  Of course, it was pretty cold out, too, when I lost me hair.

dutchgirl6

Firni, that's funny, Uncle Fester indeed!  I can relate.  My sister was over for a visit, and she took some pictures of us (see my profile pic).  My first reaction when I saw them was "who's the bald guy beside you?".  Now I know, it's Fester's cousin, haha

Firni

Hmmmm.  Maybe we should start a Fester look alike contest.  The winner doesn't get anything but bragging rights.  I mean, really, who didn't love Uncle Fester?

Isla

I'm one of the lucky ones who has a good shaped head and like many of you on here I also think I look better bald than in a wig.  I have a nice wig but it still isn't 'me' and its a bit tight.  So over the last few days I've started going naked (no wig or hat) - I pick my occasions. For example I was at a school choir competition today so did wear my wig, simply to avoid standing out.

So far , bald (or for that matter wigged /hat) I have not experienced any stares or unpleasant comments.  Naturally people do a brief 'double take' , but only for a second and I've actually been amazed at how quickly they 'recover' and treat me just as normal.  Even quite young people in cafes etc have been lovely and natural.

My 17 yr and 19 yr old sons are my biggest fans of my bald look!! 

MBJ

Isla:  Oh to be born with a perfect head!  I'm afraid I am in the uncle fester camp! LOL!

Firni

Ivory, I love your comment on men and style.  It's so true.  

Isla, you are another who would never win the Uncle Fester contest.  You look great bald.  

When I was shiny bald, I was so swollen and bloated in my face from chemo and steroids that I didn't look good bald, with a wig or hat/scarf.  It was just an ugly time for me no matter what I did.  Some of you just look like you accidently washed your hair with Nair.  Still beautiful faces, just no hair. 

gingersfavorite1

ditto to Ivorymom,   although I made eye contact with one little boy at Walmart yesterday  (maybe 5 yrs. old?)   and he put his hands up to his mouth and giggled.   I just gave him a BIG smile and scrunched my shoulders as if to join him in the chuckle.    Otherwise though, it's just brief glances.   Or those that do comment are complimentary of my courage and say that I look great - which I actually feel that I do  (LOL)  I wear a little extra make-up as well, just to accentuate the femininity a bit.    I guess I had confidence to do so in the first place but I feel it's boosted my confidence even more.    Tonight I will see (for the first time since losing my hair)  the guy I dated much of last year.    We broke up long before my diagnosis, but he's been incredibly supportive, kind and caring since then.   

arubajan05

Hey Gingersfavorite ~ You are channeling your inner GI Jane. Way to go!  I am impressed that you weren't troubled by hair loss.  Not that courageous myself.  That is the worst part for me! Also like the tattoo of the breast cancer ribbon and cross idea. Nice!  Have a great time tonight... it speaks volumes that even though you broke up you can maintain a supportive, loving relationship. You must be a wonderful lady! 

((Hugs to all!))

gingersfavorite1

thank you arubajan!    That's what I thought (about the guy)   he knew of the tests I was having, so asked me to stay in touch.   He actually was in more contact with me after diagnosis and checking on me after surgery & chemo.    He said from the start  "hair or no hair,  boob or no boobs,  you are incredibly attractive - it's the whole package."    And his actions have followed his kind words accordingly.    Whether or not this ever develops into anything .... it's nice for now  (whatever it is)   it gets me out of the house and in the company of another positive / optimistic person.    That can't be a bad thing in my book  

ghostie

Ginger and Isla, you both look stunning! I think I was more in the Uncle Fester camp. I was already deadly pale before chemo and lost all color.

My worst--but kinda funny story--was that one day I thought nobody was around and went outside in all my bald glory to collect the mail. Just then my sweet neighbor came outside with her 4-year old daughter, who knows me quite well. But when she saw me without hair, she was afraid of me! Her eyes were just huge and she could not be persuaded to come anywhere near me, even with her mum holding her. I think it made my poor neighbor feel worse than it did me!

Thankfully, those days are past and I now have a solid inch, or maybe a little more, hair. Coming back pretty thick and the same color as before! I'm so, so grateful.

ghostie

To Doozer:

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. I'm not sure that you received many responses but I do have some advice that I think may help her. I've always been troubled by fine, thin, flat hair and thought that after chemo it would be even worse. So as soon as I finished, I started taking biotin capsules, and--this is important--CHEWABLE multivitamins. The regular type of vitamins are too prone to pass through without ever properly dissolving. I've also been told that pre-natal vitamins, like women take during pregnancy, are wonderfully helpful to encourage hair growth. It's worth a try for her!

And my best of luck to you...

ghostie

To Doozer:

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. I'm not sure that you received many responses but I do have some advice that I think may help her. I've always been troubled by fine, thin, flat hair and thought that after chemo it would be even worse. So as soon as I finished, I started taking biotin capsules, and--this is important--CHEWABLE multivitamins. The regular type of vitamins are too prone to pass through without ever properly dissolving. I've also been told that pre-natal vitamins, like women take during pregnancy, are wonderfully helpful to encourage hair growth. It's worth a try for her!

And my best of luck to you...

ghostie

To Doozer:

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. I'm not sure that you received many responses but I do have some advice that I think may help her. I've always been troubled by fine, thin, flat hair and thought that after chemo it would be even worse. So as soon as I finished, I started taking biotin capsules, and--this is important--CHEWABLE multivitamins. The regular type of vitamins are too prone to pass through without ever properly dissolving. I've also been told that pre-natal vitamins, like women take during pregnancy, are wonderfully helpful to encourage hair growth. It's worth a try for her!

And my best of luck to you...

stlcardsfan

MBJ - no dress code regarding hats. I asked boss multiple times before I went out for surgery. They have a policy about wrinkled clothes being a no no, but no mention of hats. I will continue to wear them until ready to go topless!

MBJ

stlcardsfan:  Then you wear them with pride and your boss is totally out of line.  My bosses were idiots when it came to dealing with my cancer.