Hair Hair Hair - Another question

lrr4993

Erin - My heart is breaking for you.  What a horrible thing to go through at your age.  I know you said you don't like to wear your wig, but maybe you should try some others to see if they work better.  My wig is the only thing getting me through this.  It is a human hair wig with a lace cap (not the lace front type, but a cap).  It is slightly itchy but not bad.  I have some other "for fun" wigs that are much worse with the itchiness, so I think the way it is made makes a big difference.  I highly recommend the wig in the link below.  It is gorgeous and with a cut, it looks almost exactly like my own hair, but slightly better (no dry ends, etc.).  It is expensive, but I think it is totally worth it as I would otherwise be stuck inside for the next year.   

http://www.headcovers.com/12243/isabella-by-jon-renau-wigs-human-hair-monofilament/  

You are so gorgeous in your picture.  I hate that you are going through something that makes you feel like you are not beautiful.  

If I can figure out a way to do it, I am sending a private message to you. 

dutchgirl6

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer here, but I just read an interesting article about the Brazilian Blowout.  I thought it might be worthwhile to post the link:

http://www.nytimes.com2010/11/04/fashion/04SKIN.html?_r=1&hp

Nodapearl

Dutchgirl - My stylist just talked to me abut this yesterday.  They definitely need to do some more research.  I am not going to over-react to this, and as silly as this may sound, if I need to continue to do this to my hair, I will.  I was at the point that I didn't want to leave the house.  It took me forty minutes to style my hair, and it still looked like crap.  With this, I spend about 5 minutes, and my hair looks great.  I want to give my hair some time to grow, and with the Blowout I can. 

Nodapearl

Erin - The hardest part for me was when I lost my brows and lashes.  You have made it so far, and you are getting through the worst of it.  Even adults can be insensitive to what we go through.  When I first went without my wig, a friend told me "Oh my God, put the wig back on."  Others have told me to "get over it".  While I would not wish this on anyone, I tell them to go shave their head and eyebrows and lashes, and walks around for a while.  See how it feels.

MelBell07

Ok, thanks everyone. I had my bf trim around my ears this past weekend so it looks a little neater. The hairline and sides still aren't fully grown in...but I think I'm ready. I think. I've been showing more people my "free" head to try to get used to the idea. Sometimes at work I'll even take everything off in my cubicle b/c the damn heat is on so high and the hot flashes suck. 

My hair is dark, but it's a weird color. It almost looks transparent, or white-ish. I don't know how else to explain it. Will that change?

I do love that it's so soft. Throughout chemo I kept telling myself that I was going to grow, grow, grow my hair as long as possible b/c I missed it so much. Now, I'm not so sure. I kinda like it "Demi Moore" style Now I just need the confidence to rock it! 

elaineg

I am able to pull out chunks of hair 15 days out from 1st treatment.  I made an appointment to have it buzzed Saturday as 1. its messy and 2. the lady I bought my wig from will do it for free, and I love free.  Plus this lady is a BC survivor as well so she can relate to any feelings that may crop up. 

A few years ago there was a local pharmacist that was diluting chemo drugs to make himself rich He was getting 3-5 payments for 1 actual bag of meds (Robert Courtney, google if you didn't see it at the time).  The dad of a man I worked with died after going through chemo with this man as his pharmacist.  But he never felt sick and never lost his hair.  So to keep it in perspective I am glad for the hair loss, but sure I will be ready for it to grow back when the time comes.  I hope it does so as nicely as the pictures being posted!!

Nodapearl

Erin - I also had problems watching TV for the same reasons.  Everyone had hair but me.  Then I would find myself staring at people's hair.  What looked good, what didn't, color, style, everything.  Even if someone had really bad hair, I would sit and think that they looked better than me.  Ugh.

 I will say that when I look back at some of the pictues taken (and there are not many.  I hated having my picture taken), my hair didn't look as bad as I felt like it looked.  Hope that makes sense................

stlcardsfan

Hello everyone,

27 weeks PFC for me. Hard to believe. Herceptin # 15 out of 17 now complete - yea!

I took a ruler to my hair today, almost 2 inches up on top, a littler shorter on the sides. It is as that sticking up every which way phase - oh well - who cares. It is kinda of nice to just wash, comb and go. It has been 10 months since I last used a blow dryer or curling iron, or hairspray or moose. Think of the cost savings! Chemo for me done 4/28, I ditched the wig in mid-June and switched to hats. Ditched the hats in September. 

lovemygarden

elaineg, there was an episode of "American Greed" all about that doctor! (Courtney)

I hope he's still in jail and stays there for about, oh, 150 years or so.........

LtotheK

I haven't been a pain in the behind/needy on these forums at all, but I honestly am starting to wonder if I'm one of the people with permanent hair loss on Taxotere.  It is almost week 8, and I'm basically bald as a cueball.  The same wimpy stubble, which is totally bald in spots, has hung around for weeks.  Everyone else seems to get a full covering by week 8.

Could you guys share with me when it actually started to grow?  This is really getting ridiculous, and I'm danged sick of it!

Claire82

By week 8, I didn't have much. Give it another month.

juli0212

MHP:  I did not take taxotere, so not sure how different it is than my regimen (cytoxin, adriamycin, taxol, gemzar).  I just know that my hair grew in FULLY about 6 months after chemo ended.  I'd give it a bit more time.  Hope you're pleasantly surprised by your *new* hair!   ~juli

hmh23

Erin;

Although all of us on these pages have gone through or are currently experiencing hair loss, few if any of us are as young as you are.  I remember thinking when people would say to me, 'it's only hair'...I often thought to ask them how they would feel walking around bald.  We all try to be so strong during this time, you owe it to yourself to mourn your hair loss but please remember with the process of losing your hair, you have begun the process of saving your life.

I went commando, BALD last night for the first time. Even though my hair is still pretty sketchy as I am only 8 weeks PFC, I just decided that I would do it.  It was so liberating!!!!  I attended an Leukemia event of 400...got some stares but my friends and husband gave me strength to take the leap. WANDA is officially now on the shelf!!!

Have a wonderful day...off to #20 of 33 radiations.

Fondly, Heather

juli0212

Amen Heather!   GOOD for you going 'commando'~~that was very brave of you.  You're right, we're all very different, and being young really does make a difference, I believe too.  But, yes, losing our hair was saving our lives.  I really LOVED LOVED LOVED being bald...my BF is bald, so we matched.  I could've cared less about the stares, but was open to discussing if anyone had questions.   Good luck on your rads...I had 35, 5 of them were boosters.  KUDOS~~juli

ToniB

Try not to worry.  I too had Taxotere and had no hair at all until about 8 weeks PFC. Then it started coming in almost clear and like peach fuzz.  It was a full 2.5 months PFC before I had a full head of stubble.  I am now about 9 months PFC and have about 2.5"  Hopefully you'll start seeing some peach fuzz very soon!

Marion

I was on Taxotere too. I hardly had anything at 8 weeks PFC. My last chemo was at the end of November 09 and I did not remove my headscarf until April 2010 ! I know it is hard but be patient, it will grow back !

LtotheK

Oh, I love you guys.  Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without these boards!  You have comforted this bald dork very, very much.  Hugs to all.  I see so much about Erin, and given how serious it sounds, I tried to find the original post.  Erin, alas, I have not.  What I can cobble together, it sounds like you are young, and having so much difficulty.

I am not so young anymore, I was 39 at my diagnosis.  But, I will say this:  the world of BC is set up for the post-meno group.  And that's great!  It's a huge world of support, studies, etc.  We are in a different camp.  For starters, menopause from chemo is horrible.  And vanity serves a different function.  It's one thing to be in a long-term relationship, and another to be young, and trying to find love while dealing with an illness.  I haven't availed myself of the Young Survivors group, but I plan to.  Their statement is basically that this is a different disease for women under 40.  A lot more research needs to be done, and we need better community.

I am always happy to PM with people who feel like they need to talk more.  

elaineg

My sister was 30 when she had her chemo and she has had 3 kids since then, so not certain menopause...  Oh and her hair grew back better than before, that was 12 years ago and it is thick and lovely.  I hope all here have the same luck!

LtotheK

Elaine, important reminder--menopause is not certain.  For women my age, it's about 50%.  And now, the studies apparently show the longer you menstruate during your chemo regimen, the more likely it is to return.  Just so no one misreads what I said!  Chemopause is not certain menopause.  I wish it weren't certain ever!  I would like to resume my periods.  It is too early for my bones and body to be fully menopausal.

juli0212

True that MHP.  I was totally pre-menopausal (age 47), periods regular.  Until cytoxin/adriamycin, then I had a period every single day of the 8-week regimen.  First day of Taxol---BAM, slammed into chemopause in one day.  Have not had a period since, and labs show totally post-menopausal.  Hence, change from tamoxifen after 3 1/2 years (due to BEING pre-menopausal) to Aromasin a couple months ago.  I will not get my periods back, and yes, I'm too young (51 now) to be totally post-menopausal....not good for my already stressed bones (density loss).  We who were pre-menopausal were not 'lucky' enough shall I say, to gradually ease into menopause.  But, we do the best we can...gotta fight the disease.    ~juli

(Oh, was this about hair, lol???  Sorry!)

joan888

MHP... I am now 9.5 weeks PFC and am just starting to feel like something is really happening with my hair.  The fuzz seems to feel thicker today and I think it is actually starting to lay down some instead of just sticking straight up and out.  Not ready to go commando yet.  It is too darn cold around here.  It is so hard to be patient!

elaineg

So if I am doing radiation after chemo will that affect the growth or can I hope for hair like those who have posted pics?  Also what about herceptin, anyone on that who can comment?  Thanks all

toughmom38

elaineg,

I just had Herceptin #11 yesterday and I think it may be slowing down my hair growth a little, but I don't think it's much.  I am 15 weeks PFC and have about 1.25" of hair. Average hair growth is 1/2" a month I believe.  I saw hair growth at 2-3 weeks PFC so it's been growing for about 12-13 weeks and it should be about 1.5" long but it's not quite there.  I think other people have posted here that their hair seemed to grow faster after Herceptin was done.  I'll just be happy to be able to cover my forehead, ears and neck.  It's cold outside!!! 

Jennifer

stlcardsfan

I am on Herceptin as well, 2 more to go!

Just past 27 weeks PFC. Hair on top just under 2 inches, sides a little shorter. I kept looking and looking - I think that is the trick to get it to grow! Any way, one day I looked and there was black stubble everywhere.   I knew it was on it's way back.

I did have some fuzz on my head that I cut off once the real hair started coming back. 

The very top of my head seems to have started to grow first. That hair is definitely longer than what is just starting to fall on my forehead. 

Carrol2

Just to add my pre menopause experience so far. I am 45 mom and sis went thru the natural change at 50 so I figure  did not have many years left anyway. I got my period right before my first chemo about a month ago now. I had my second chemo, (taxotere and cytoxin x 4, 3 weeks apart),  11 days ago. Had some pretty intense night sweats last month. This  month I am fine just did not get my period. No biggie for me. I figure i wont need any condoms if this keeps up lol.

westiemom

I too was on taxotere and cytoxan. I'm 18 weeks post and just now getting full scalp coverage. Have a few bald spots on the front area but my onc reassures me it will grow. I'm on arimidex, so this slows the growth down significantly. I too had little stubble at 8 weeks and I actually lost hair up to 3 weeks after my last treatment. Permanent hair loss is a rare side effect, bet you get new sprouts and head full of hair in no time. Don't worry sick over it - it will grow back.  

kittycat

Has anyone tried to color their hair after chemo?  Mine is about an inch long.  I bought hair dye at a beauty supply today.  Mine is super gray and I wanted to make it dark brown.  They told me to use this new hair color product and get a #20 processor.  I was going to dye it tonight but I'm too tired.  I'll try it tomorrow. 

Sugar77

Hi Kttycat - I coloured my hair at 12 weeks PFC and stopped wearing my wig that same day.  I don't recall which page on this thread but back around the start early May, you'll see the photo I posted.  I had a demi colour put on because it's very gentle and it took really nicely.  I just had my roots done last week.

Marion

Hello Kittycat,

I colored my hair blond 18 weeks PFC. I hated the grey hair so much. I am sure one inch of regrowth is enough. You'll feel so much more like yourself when the grey is gone!

MBJ

kittycat:  I bleached my hair out I was so mortified by the all grey hair!  When my naturaly dark hair started to come back I went back to my dark hair.  The blonde was fun while it lasted but too much upkeep!  So glad you are done with the chemo!