Hair Hair Hair - Another question

imjakes

paxton29, Thank you so much! I don't want to burden my family too much with my hair loss grief. It's great to come on here and get it out .

Onco sent me to my gp to have blood work done to see if there was an underlying issue. All my blood work came back normal so now they're sending me to a dermatologist to look at the follicles, but that's not until July. Of course, they suggested Nioxin, but I've been using that for the past 5 months anyway. I'm also taking biotin, ItWorks hair, skin, nails, vitamin b12, and two other supplements my naturopath put me on; I've been rubbing coconut oil, sesame oil, cedarwood oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, argan oil at night (I smell good! lol). I keep my head uncovered about 80% of the time so nothing is rubbing my scalp... And the list goes on....

I'm not sure if they can biopsy for hair loss? I will definitely ask the dermatologist!!

labscientistmom

imjakes, have you heard of ovation cell therapy? I think they are online. supposed to be uber amazing hair growth shampoo and other stuff. I am in week 3 of taxol, waiting, dreading for my doomed hair to give up the ghost. It smelled weird today in the shower, its a terrible feeling, waiting ....I have a really bad feeling that I won't be as brave when it does fall out. Isn't that funny? they are shooting me full of poison every week, I had surgery and survived, but I am bummed about losing my hair? Just seems like one more violation from crummer cancer. This is a blessing to be able to vent. I know I am at the beginning of this trial still (although, 8 weeks out from surgery, so not really I guess) just seems like a long road to hoe. I am doing A/C after, so if the eyebrows or eyelashes don't fall out now, I know they will then.

thanks everyone for listening.

tjh

imjakes...vent away. Although my hair has returned...gray and courser texture my eyebrows have not. My dermatologist looked at them when I was in for my 6 month check up and she did not think they were returning. She said the folicless were closed (I think that was the word). My greatest fear with the taxotere lawsuit is that the lawyers will get millions and the patients a few hundred. A good natural hair wig is several hundred and up. No advice just cyber hugs your way...

tjh

labscientistmom....you are almost exactly a year behind me. I thought I was prepared for my hair to fall out but when it started I sobbed. At least with hair I felt "normal" even with the drains for 6 weeks after surgery. I did shave it wen it was about half gone, it felt better. I still, like most of us, want our "old" normal back instead of the "new". Stay strong...Cyber hugs to you.

labscientistmom

Thanks tjh, sharing the love...friends and family and church family support is amazing. [(hugs}) back to you.

One of my kitties, (see picture), Sophia will be very sad, because she likes my hair. She sits on back of the couch and will nuzzle and purr and chew on my hair. I shave my husband's head regularly because of his thinning hair, so he's totally sympathizing with me. I think once it happens and I am sad, then I can be ok with it. I got a way cool bandana with dreads behind it thats black with blue lightning. Looking forward to wearing that! blessings to you, A

Citrinetiff

Morning ladies!

I have 4 treatments left of Taxol and my hair has started growing. I was told this was a possibility, as is me losing all my hair again once I finish the Taxol.

I have read on this thread that some of you shaved your first growth. Is that something I should do? My hair that is growing is mainly white. Is there a reason why I should shave it? I really don't want to cuz I am really liking seeing the hair on my head!

MaryJC

iamjakes: I'm sorry you're going through this. But I promise you I was the exact same way. I haven't read back on this thread and don't know your whole story but from what I've read and saw clinical documentation for is that those who sadly experience permanent hair loss have certain traits in common. They lost all body hair- meaning no hair returned so if your hair on legs comes back it is an indication that the rest will return too. That's what it was for me. My hair on my legs was outright furry but had these faint blond hairs on my head. Also clinically ladies that have a thyroid dysfunction were to unfortunately have permanent hair loss. I've read there is a specific lab work for the thyroid test and not just the regular levels. I know for sure it can feel like forever so like our other sister said vent away

Hi Paxton: thanks girl! I don't really recall but I'll look it up once back home and post.

sherryh16

Shelly52, not sure exactly when neuropathy went away. I would venture a guess of somewhere between 12-18 months after last chemo. Mine wasn't too bad and I just know I noticed one day it was gone!

I went through chemo summer of 2012 so my onc had no knowledge that taxotere may lead to permanent hair loss. Had he known, I know he would have told me and advised me of my options.

Its hard enough to go through cancer and lose your breasts (which insurance will cover the expense to replace), but to be left without hair is extremely distressing. And, insurance won't cover cost of hair replacement or even wigs. It completely sucks.

BUT, and that's a large BUT, I am alive and will deal with my new normal. Glad to be able to come here to share and vent. Family and friends do not really understand. No one does unless they've taken this journey. Thanks to everyone.

imjakes

@maryjc thank you so much!! That gives me hope . I'm 5 1/2 months post final chemo but maybe it will still come?? I haven't completely given up. I'm still seeking expert advice and using many products to try and help. My hair on my legs came back thick like before :. On my arms it is much thinner than before. Oddly enough my hair came back in my right armpit and not my left. So weird. btw, you look beautiful! Stunning really. My project this weekend is to figure out my eyebrows and eyelashes (fake ones that is...).

MaryJC

Iamjakes: you're very welcome! I see your on the mouse, i.e. Herceptin. Have you finished yet? I bet you you'll see some progress once off of that stuff. Seems like once on break started and kept growing. Just has to be able to sprout out???

MJS1266

sherry16h,  Vent away.  All of us understand how you feel to have permanent hair loss.  Friends and family often don't know what to say to someone with cancer or survivors.  They want to be positive and supportive but their efforts just fall flat.  I think I heard there is a lawsuit over this, maybe the company would at least provide money for hair replacement/wigs, etc.  In the meantime, keep venting,  Best, MJS

imjakes

tjh, did you get the tattoos? I'm curious how you like them? I'm thinking they're a possibility for me. I'm only 5 1/2 mos pfc so will give it a little more time but wondering if you like them

tjh

No tatoos yet...she doesn't do them until 1 year pfc and wants ok from oncologist and she is about 8 months pregnant and doesn't want to do the first session and thenhave baby . So September. Apparently there are several methods. She does a light touch method. I will have my makeup done for my vow renewal in August.

Nebraska917

I think today is about 17 weeks pfc. About 4 months. I got it trimmed and colored last week. It did turn kinda orangish, red... but I'll just recolor it again in a few months

tjh

Looks good Nebraska. To counter act the orange/red try dome shampoo specifically for brunettes. Aveda has one and Clairol also does.

kellychameleon

Nebraska917, I think the color looks good! I will definitely be coloring mine when it grows a little longer.

8 weeks PFC, and it's starting to fill out a little more. I had surgery 2 weeks ago, and I haven't worn a wig or hat since. I'll be returning to work in a couple weeks, and I think I'm just going to embrace the super short hair and totally ditch the wig. I'm a little nervous about it, but it's definitely freeing not to constantly have my head covered.

Angtee15

Looking good Kelly! I returned to work today after BMX recovery and decided to go for it and leave the wig at home. I am 7 weeks PFC and don't have quite as much "ground cover" as you lol.

It was like ripping off a Band-Aid! Not as anxiety inducing as I thought it would be.

It is too hot for wigs.

tjh

Looks great Kelly! I first went hatless 20 weeks PFC. I had it trimmed around the edges so it looked like a haircut. I got 1 semi-negative comment when one of my students said it looked "kinda creepy, but in a real good way"....But keep in mind I taught 6th grade students with emotional/behavior and learning disabilities. All other comments were supportive and positive...but my co-workers have been like that since diagnosis.

Sloan15

Just wanted to give you ladies some hope! I thought about keeping my hair grey, but my stylist said, "If cancer hadn't hasn't happened, would you be letting it turn grey now?" Hmmm, probably not for a couple years. So, I opted for color and a short haircut. I found out I had cancer 1 year ago; 7 1/2 mo PFC.

tjh

Sloan15....I am very jealous...you look great. Currently I am staying gray...partly because my hair won't take the dye. The last pictures I posted are 9 months PFC and although growing it is a super short pixie. AND no eyebrows....

Sloan15

My stylist had to put something in my hair dye to keep the color in I think. Also, with eyebrows, mine kept falling out for a while! It wasn't until 6 mo pfc that my brows started growing permanently. Don't give up hope! I'm Italian, so our hair is dark and thick and curly. My friends with fair skin and fine hair took a little longer to grow their hair back.

Also, I read what someone posted about leg hair... My leg hair was the first thing to come back, too! It seemed so insulting at first, but if it's a sign of later head hair growth, then that is a hopeful thing. Hang in there ladies!

ThinkingPositive

You look great! Love the short haircut and color.

kellychameleon

Thanks for compliments and reassurances! Sloan, you look great in all 4 pictures! Short hair really suits you.

Tjh, that made me laugh about your student. My mom went through chemo 11 years ago and was teaching 4th grade at the time. She decided after Christmas break to come back without the wig and sent out an email to the parents to let them know and to prep the students that she would look different (she had dyed her hair dark brown for years, had a dark brown wig, and was coming back with super short white hair). She said she came back, and the students didn't say anything and would barely look at her. Finally she told them "you don't have to completely ignore the fact that my hair looks different!" Then they all started making comments - mostly positive. But of course kids will be brutally honest!

Deaconlady

Hi everyone. I had 12 weeks of Taxol and finished in early April. I'm almost done with rads, just 3 more! Next week will be my 2nd every 3 weeks Herceptin.

My hair has thinned some, but I managed not to lose a lot during Taxol. However, now I have some eyelashes on one eye that seem to have fallen out. I'm wondering if this is related to the Taxol this far out? Just wondering if anyone else has had anything similar happen?

Thanks!

Peachy2

Hi Deaconlady - My eyebrows and eyelashes thinned on Taxol and I thought I was in the clear at the end of treatment. Then six weeks later I was down to two eyelashes above my left eye. They all grew back well, and then four months later thinned to less than half.

Deaconlady

Thanks, Peachy2! I thought it would have happened while I was getting the Taxol. Anything is possible!

Smurfette26

Great pics ladies. Looking lovely.

fightergirl711

Peachy2 please tell me your lashes came back after that four-month fall out! all of my lashes and about 80% of my brows fell out in the end of April, but this was the AC, not Taxol. Or it could have been delayed effects of Taxol, hard to know really. I am just so glad to see stubby lashes growing, I'd hate for them to fall out again!

Paulinek

has anyone experienced soft fuzzy hair growing n their face? I'm not sure if it's the biotin or tamoxifen, but I have fine, fuzzy hair growing on my jawline (like a beard)

anotherNYCGirl

Sloan, - Beautiful!! (I wish mine came in even half as thick as yours!, - I recently purchased a wig like your hair!)