Chemo in July 2015

SVGsurvive

Hey all - thanks for the replies. So I applied a test amount to my arm for 48 hours and that was fine, but I've since chickened out. Instead of using something off the shelf, I'm going to contact a place called Hairdressers for Heart that offer these types of services to cancer survivors. Maybe there's something like this where you guys live too? It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful & giving some people in this world are.

I'll report back once I have my new hairdo!

RuthElizabeth

hi everyone. I just caught up a bit. Congrats to everyone with all the good news.

As for the color question. My last chemo was Labor Day weekend. Two days before Xmas, I couldn't take the white hair a day longer. I used a semi permanent color, very close to my natural. I have to warn you.... It grabbed the color so fast and dark, I only had it on for about 5 minutes. So, if your doing it yourself, pick a color and go lighter. You can also add a little shampoo or distilled water to the color, which lowers the peroxide level. When you color white hair, it usually grabs the color really fast. Another option is, there are some colored mousses out there.... These would wash out with each shampoo. But, if you get caught in the rain, they will run. I wouldn't suggest doing a permanent color.... Good luck.... If I can help with any questions, just let me know. Miss you guys, Ruth

Twnkltoz

has anyone needed a haircut yet? I'm not there yet, but I was thinking I'd try styling gel and spiking it!

RuthElizabeth

twinkle, I have been trimming around my ears, but that all for now.... Good luck

6feetover

Twnkl: I've buzzed mine back to 1/8" a couple of times now, because it's growing in oddly (flat on the sides and a weird combo of flat and puffy on top). Shocking to see how much white hair I've got, too, after so many years of monthly henna-ing. *Sigh*

mdoc524

Hi All - I am literally dying to dye my all white head - If I don't wear my skull cap I look like my 9 year olds Grandmother at age 46 .. and BTW I feel like I am 80 trying to get out of a chair!

adarkadapted - mine is the same - flat sides with weird strands sticking out and the top is real fluffy sticking straight up .. and did I mention all white LOL and.. the hair has grown back everywhere on my body - have even had to shave legs - except for my Eyebrows - not a one ..

Ruth - when buying hair dye how can you tell permanent vs semi-permanent ?? I know that might sound like a dumb question..

I have read on-line the recommendation is to wait 6 months - there is no way - UGH

Mary

RuthElizabeth

if you go to salley beauty supply, they will have better color than somewhere else. The person who works there will be able to help you.... You could ask for semi color, or pick a color and make sure you are only using a 10% peroxide or lower. Remember to try lighter.... The color will grab fast....If you go elsewhere, read the Box, and if it says washes out or fades in so many shampoos, it should be semi permanent. Hope that helps. I deal with all beauty supply color, which you can't get.. Come visit, I will get you all beautiful again.... I love wella color touch. That's what I use in the shop....another possibility.... Is, if your hair is long enough, get a highlight cap. Pull the hair thru the holes and put color on. Watch as it develops. If you think you like the color, shampoo it off but keep your cap on. Towel dry it and if you want it darker, put more on and leave it on longer.... Then you will have some color, it's considered off the scalp color... Shouldn't do any damage to your scalp or hair follicles. Hope this helps... All the supplies you can get at salley beauty supply. It's the only place you can buy supplies without a license. Hope this helps..

Twnkltoz

Yesterday, 15 weeks pfc.

RuthElizabeth

twinkle, your hair looks great...that's about the color I added to my hair.... Love I and you look awesome....

mdoc524

Great pic Twnkltoz - You are beautiful - color looks great and nice eyebrows - did you lose them and they grew back? If so tells me there is hope for mine

Twnkltoz

thank you for the compliments! This is the color I was before, but so far the grey hairs don't seem to have come back. I did lose my eyebrows (and lashes) and it looked so funny! I was almost happier about them coming back then my hair.

mdoc524

Yeah Twnkltoz there is hope I will get my brows and lashes back .. I have hair everywhere else and not one eyebrow and a few lashes very tiny though ..

Twnkltoz

it probably took about 8 weeks to have kind of a shadow, then 10 before I had enough eyebrow to show up in pics.

Peabrain

Nine weeks out and I don't wear my beanie as much because it is starting to give me hat hair. I shaved all the initial white wispy hair fluff off after a week or so and now I have a short pelt that has grown in. A couple weeks ago I trimmed the sides so that I didn't have that just been treated for lice look, where all the hairs are the same length. This week I waxed my legs and eyebrows. It was necessary.The aesthetician told me that the only hair that does not have a memory are eyebrows. That's why they grow back all wonkety and crazy looking. Everyone else is well behaved (except for my cowlick that you can see in the bottom photo) but eyebrows, you have to train them.

The down side of all this solid head hair growth is that I am growing hair in places I never had hair. Lycanthropy, the little known side effect of chemo.

Twnkltoz

@peabrain, you look great!!

6feetover

Twnkltoz wrote:

"@peabrain, you look great!!"

Seconded!

And Twnkl, you look adorable! You two are inspiring me to start going without a beanie!

Pea: LMAO @ "lycanthropy!" Bwahahahaha! But so true. I've started sprouting this thick, light-colored (but noticeable) earlobe-to-jawline fuzz that I never had before. Looks like I'm going to be staying in on full-moon nights from now on...

MissBee123

Hi ladies!

I stopped TCHP September 14th and in about 4 months I had substantial hair growth. Everyone told me my hair would come back thicker/curlier and from what grew it certainly seemed thicker in spots. My hair on my temples used to be very thin, but it grew back just as thick as the rest of my hair, and I think my hairline was lower, too. I do have several permanent bald spots, though, where the hair never grew back. I have a spot smack in the middle of my front hairline about the size of a thumbprint, and a few others near my ears where the hair just won't grow.

Of course now that I'm on AC+T it's all fallen out again, but it was interesting to see. And as a lifelong blonde I was fascinated that my hair grew in quite brown!

Has anyone considered looking into a hair transplant using their own hair from the back of their head? I noticed that although some hair grew in thicker, the top of my head was still very thin. After all I've been through I thought this might be my one treat to myself. I've never had great hair and it just seems so appealing.

For now, though, I've just got to get through AC. I had round 3 on Wednesday and while 1 and 2 were pretty easy, this last one has really knocked me flat!

mdoc524

Peabrain - you look awesome and so jealous how dark your hair is .. I have a lot of hair now (always have) and it is still ALL white - trying to be patient.. So silly me had no idea what Lycanthropy and googled it and HaHa - good one!

MissBee - good thoughts your way for the rest of AC .. You can do it!!!

Has anyone tried Acupuncture for side effects?? And has anyone went on Antidepressants thru all of this - I know that might be too personal so understand if you don't want to share! The sudden menopause is really crushing me and to be honest I actually think that is what is causing a lot of the bone pain and my OBGYN said he would put me on Effexor to reduce some of the menopause symptoms - just curious if anyone has tried that?

Mary

6feetover

Mary: re: antidepressants - absoflippin'lutely. Many people, family members included, constantly marvel at how seemingly-well I've taken the "big C" diagnosis, chemo, surgery, horrible side effects, etc. My flippant response is always, "fluoxetine 40mg." Fluoxetine is generic Prozac. If I weren't on this medication (as I've stated to folks time and again), I'd be on the floor in the fetal position, screaming. As to the "chemopause" symptoms - the fluoxetine doesn't seem to have any effect on those, unfortunately, at least in my case.

Peabrain

@mdoc - I have gotten acupuncture treatments through this and have felt they really help. Especially for the neuropathy, but also the constipation, skin health and it's just such a peaceful process

mdoc524

Happy Valentine's Day - Hugs to All

RuthElizabeth

hi everyone. Glad to catch up again. I didn't look up lycanthropy, but can tell you I had so much hair on my face, I felt like eddy monster. My husband kept teasing me, so you finally took the razor, dry face, and carefully shaved almost my whole face. Luckily so far, it didn't grow back. I'm felt better... It was awful when the sun shone on you. Every time I looked into the mirror, I wanted to cry.

As for antidepressants, after my meltdown on Monday, I just might head that way. I have an appointment on Wednesday with the family doctor for my thyroid, and think that's my next possibility.

As everyone knows, I colored my hair about 15 weeks out from last chemo. It's growing in pretty good and even. And, I think it's actually getting a little of my old color back. I hope I hope.....

I just ordered a swim suit on cure diva site, since I'm not having any reconstruction till after my three year anniversary. They have 25% off today for Valentine's Day. I actually ordered two. One long sleeve for dealing with the lymphedema. I hope I like them and they fit.

I wish everyone some well needed sunshine. 9 degrees here and more snow tomorrow and then 2" of rain Tuesday. I'm so done with winter.

Love and peace to you all. Rut

RuthElizabeth

Omg, I just looked up lycanthropy. That is way too funny.... Thanks

mdoc524

Thanks adarkadapted and Peabrain on your response on anti-depressants and acupuncture - have to really look into both! My OB advised that he would prescribe Effexor for breast cancer patients with menopause symptoms but the acupuncture could help too so will have to figure out .. the hot flashes are unbearable at times especially during the night - wakes me right up!

Ruth - right with ya - so done with Winter - good for you on ordering your bathing suits - hope you love them!!

Mary

SVGsurvive

Happy belated Valentine's Day to everyone!

Hair: so with my 1 inch of white/dark grey rat pelt hair, I went to a professional salon and got a semi-permanent auburn color put on it. Once it finished setting, it came out way lighter than expected. In sunlight, it looked orange! So yeah - that was only marginally better than what I had. It didn't help that I haven't cut my hair yet so it has a Julie Andrews Sound of Music vibe to it......that is, if Julie was a clown. BONUS: since I clearly still need/want to wear my wig, I did. After 2 days of wearing it and 1 shower with overpriced color-safe Biolage shampoo/conditioner......THE HAIR AT THE WIGLINE FELL OUT. So yeah, we read about the "orange" problem and the "can fall out again" problem. It's real. Tread carefully. #regrets

Helpful stuff:

• Anti-depressants? Check. Was on a small dose of Sertraline (aka Zoloft) prior to DX. Found the Lorazepam (aka Ativan) the perfect "as needed" addition. Especially now as my 1st day back at work is tomorrow and my gut is swimming trying to figure out how the new normal will be....chemo brain? fatigue hurting concentration? leg issues keeping me from being in long meetings? etc.
• Acupuncture? Check. Had 1st session mid-chemo and tried to maintain a weekly cadence. While I haven't gone since my surgery, it will only be a week or two before I get back in there. Did it for neuropathy, and just overall quiet time. Love it. So peaceful.
• Other? Check! I'm slowly embracing aromatherapy oil, and have booked a 1h consult with a nutritionist to help me figure out how to speed up the detox process. My legs still need help, as does the fatigue, and it's time to take a more proactive approach.

I honestly think there's no tool we shouldn't try at least once to make this process more tolerable, if not even pleasant! Good luck Mary - let us know how you fare.

RuthElizabeth

oh svg, I'm so sorry you had a bad go at the salon. Putting a semi red on white hair will turn orange. And the sad part is, as it fades, it will be worse.... I'm going to try to get to the beauty supply this week. I want to see if they have a color shampoo, which may help make it a little darker. Or try a colored mousse, which will shampoo out with each shampoo. The color grabs real fast on the fresh white chemo hair. I'm so sorry you. Had a bad experience.... Did the stylist give you any suggestions on what you could do? She should be willing, at no cost to fix it. You could also add some steaks painted on with a brush that are darker, to tone down the orange....

You must listen to your body, once back to work. If you need a break, try to take it.... I've been lucky being self employed. Good luck !

madrew

Hello everyone! It's been awhile since I commented, but I frequently check in. Like many of you my most recent concern is how terrible my hair looks. Sigh. Greyish, a bit curly. It ages me. I had a mohawk during chemo and ended up loving it, despite it being completely out of character for me. Now I'm contemplating a dye job for the first time in my life. Perhaps something nutty like blue tips, just until it grows out more? The neighbors won't know what to think. I'm also having a few odd aches and pains (my upper arm and hips)...they feel like "injuries" or bursitis or pulled muscles. I've been assured it's quite common after chemo, as the body heals to have things like this. I've been sent to physical therapy where they tell me they frequently see post chemo patients whose bodies are trying to get back to normal.

I've also been writing some on my blog which can be therapeutic. www.slightlyexaggerated.com

Wishing you all the best.

SVGsurvive

RuthElizabeth, just wanted to thank you for your sweet & thoughtful reply. The color appears to be morphing a bit into something less hideous. I'm scared to try a mousse in fear of it causing more hair to thin....but it sounds so delightfully temporary and fun to try!

mdoc524

mandrew - great to hear from you .. glad you are doing OK .. agree with the hating hair and aches and pains - especially in hips .. For me getting out of a sitting position makes me feel like I am 90 and God help me if I get on the floor and have to get back up LOL ...

SVGSurvive - I have not dyed or done anything with my full head of white fluffy hair.. I actually now have eyebrows (so excited) - you really do look better with brows!! I can see a few strands of dark hair coming back in so I am going to give it a few more weeks

Hope everyone doing well!

Mary

Twnkltoz

i think my achy hips are getting better. Now when I stand up, I feel 70 instead of 90!