Hair? What to do?

OAJ2013

What worked best for you? I've heard and read mixed reviews. Some women have said they liked shaving it all off. Other women have said don't and just buzz it short. What did you do and why? Thanks

labscientistmom

I start chemo next week, just got my port today. My post is maybe not helpful, but I am thinking of cutting it short after the second round then maybe buzzing it if the falling out stuff really bugs me. I will let you know what I end up doing.

OAJ2013

Hi Labscientist,

I started chemo May 2 and chopped my hair short that weekend. I just had my second infusion this past Monday and my hair is slowly starting to fall out. 😔 Just not sure what to do now... Ugh! Good luck to you! What will you be starting? I'm on AC dose dense for 4 rounds, then 12 weekly taxol. So far my biggest SE has been fatigue, thankfully! I've made sure to keep up on all my meds they recommend. I set alarms and everything so I don't forget! Prayers to you

ShetlandPony

Somebody said that shaving can irritate your head, so I just got a 2" short cut and let it fall out naturally. During that time I used one of those tape rollers (for pet fur) on my silk pillowcase. A little bit of hair actually stayed and I was glad to have it.

OAJ2013

Thank you Shetlandpony

Smurfette26

By day 15 post chemo #1 my hair was everywhere. Even in my food. I buzzed it to about half an inch.

Day 17 I buzzed it without a comb on the clippers. My nurse told me not to shave it with a razor as a small nick can result in a big infection. Our immunity is so low during chemo.

Many find their head hurts just before "the fall"; especially around the crown. Mine did.

Wishing everyone minimal side effects during chemo. Hugs Donna.

OAJ2013

Thanks Donna,

My head has been sore off and on this past week, so I had a feeling I would start shedding. Thank you for your input on shaving and why.

Veronica31

I got it cut short (think pixie) a few days before it was going to start shedding. Then a few days after it started shedding, I buzzed the whole thing. My head was really sore leading up to that point, and buzzing my hair made the soreness go away immediately. I was left with about 1/4 inch of hair. I didn't want to see long strands fall out everywhere.

Good luck to you!!

KarenInCanada

I initially got mine cut down to a pixie cut as it was long and I didn't want long hair falling out all over. On day 14 after my first chemo it started coming out so I took my sons buzzers and buzzed it all down. Has been much easier. I have one chemo left and I am actually glad not to have had all my hair as my head seems to be hot a lot from the chemo side effects.

All the best

labscientistmom

Hi back OAJ2013!! I will have weekly taxol fir then 4 2 week rounds of AC. my son "grads" from 6th grade two days after my 2nd round. Hoping (perhaps in vain)t.put off cutting it til after. My hair is a bitnlonger than shoulder.length snce high school's. Grrr, why does such a simple, mundane thing ike hair mean so much?? I do like the idea of control in its falling out, sort of. Praying for u too(and all of us)!! We are not slaves.to fear, cause we are children of God!

thanks.to eveyone for encouraging posts - reading whatswritten here y are you intrepid cancer warriors makes me more confident that I can get thru this.Blessings

ShetlandPony

Just wanted to add something about getting the short cut and letting that fall out. The shedding was only on my pillow and in the shower, because otherwise I wore a beanie, cap, or pre-tied scarf and that caught the hair. But most of it came out in the shower.

OAJ2013

Well... I went for it. 😭 Still sinking in.

Beatmon

It is so hard, but you look beautiful with a twinkle in your eyes! Good luck and hugs during chemo..

Brenda E

MsPharoah

OAJ, you are beautiful. Kick cancer's a$$

MsP

OAJ2013

Thank you, ladies!

labscientistmom

OAJ2013if you don't have it, borrow the Incredibles by Pixar, (if you havn't seen the movie, its fun and funny ) but on the video.extras, there is a.little rocket that pops up on the menu periodically. When u click on it, you get a music video of all the explosions - this is my visual for bombing all the cancer cells -gotta nuke them all !!!

Catherine3

Really appreciate all the posts here. I am on a 3 week schedule for chemo. My first was May 19 so my next is June 9. Feeling pretty good now but I don't really know what to do about my hair. I got it cut short like a bob cut a few weeks ago. It is starting to hurt and I am nervous when I brush it. I have a ton of hats ready and some scarves but a friend recently suggested i get a wig just in case i would rather. I wonder if a wig would make it easier not just for me but maybe on my kids too? They have been awesome and helped me pick out hats but I guess when it really falls out it is going to be a shock at first? I don't know and would love to hear some wig opinions I guess. I had not planned on getting one but just getting nervous I guess about it. It seems silly to be focusing on it I guess. I was so wrapped up in all the other side effects last week that my hair has been the least of my worries. Wig thoughts ...???

Thank you!

OAJ2013

Catherine,

I had my daughter with me every time I cut my hair shorter and when I buzzed it all. That way it wasn't a complete shock to her. She'll be 3 in July, and was so sweet about it. Saying mommy you look so pretty. She still asks randomly, "Mommy, your hair is gone?"

As for wigs, if you bought a bunch of hats, this type of wig might be great for you. It's a halo wig that you have to wear a hat with and it was only $30ish.

http://www.tlcdirect.org/Shoulder-Length-Straight-...

I also bought a wig from a wig place. It was over $300, but my insurance covered it bc my Drs gave me a prescription for it. I still haven't worn it. I usually rock a scarf when I go out.

Good luck!

Catherine3

OAJ2013 Thank you!! I am going to look into that now. It is a great idea especially since I live in FL and the heat is really picking up so a full wig might be hot. My kids have been especially sweet about everything so I am not sure why I worry so much. I guess it's just not knowing what it will be like but hey I got through chemo 1 so I just have to get my "Fierce Calm" warrior mode going and take this on I guess. Thanks for your help!💕 Remind me I said that next week! ;

Smurfette26

I was able to borrow a wig from my cancer centre's wig library. I was so glad I never went to the expense of buying one as I didn't wear it. Our summer here (Australia) was way too hot for wig wearing. I didn't really feel like myself in it either. I almost always wore cotton bandannas. They were good because I could wet them before I put them on and they kept me cooler.

Having said that, it's a very personal choice and lots of ladies love their wigs. Hope you find something that is comfortable for you Catherine3.

PS: My grandkids weren't at all fazed by my bald head. Kids are so accepting.

Catherine3

thank you Smurfette26! Yes the heat does make it tough so that will be a factor. I like your idea of wetting the scarves. I have those ready to go anyway. Thank you for your input and help. I do appreciate it.

BodyShop502

2 weeks into chemo, my hair started falling out...i could pull what i thought was large amounts out. I buzzed it all off, and only had a quarter of an inch left. Here I am into my 10th week of chemo, and it never all fell out. It is actually growing. I have heard that people with really thick hair dont completely go bald, but my hair is thin. I have also been told that my last 4 rounds of chemo will cause me to go bald. I guess we will see....almost there!