My Hair and I

Ohhh Felicia-

I read your post and I thought this was me about a year ago! You are "every woman" here. We've all been down that road. It is a struggle with the hair. It was not until I faced the same frustration that you face now that I decided not to put anymore chemicals or heat on my hair. It was a thin rat's nest for sure!I didn't even know the texture of my hair until I stopped trying to change it. I must say that my hair is... well lets say course but it is now thick, full, natural and has a natural wavy to it. I wore wigs while I went through the transition. I went to barber shops and met with women barbers who had expereince with natural hair. After I found one I liked I was shocked at how quickly my hair responded to natural care. It is so thick that I have to use a large tooth comb. I may get another perm later on down the line, but I'm loving my natural beauty; it's so carefree!. There's nothing else like it. It's like getting justice from all the years of trying to battle my natural hair . I pray you find justice too. God is able, stephanie

Felicia,

Before I even got a cancer diagnosis I was so fed up with my hair!!!  I even made a statement way back in November about shaving it off and starting from scratch. LOL. So I understand that sentiment.  I have no choice in that matter now  and to be honest I like not having to be a slave to my hair.  Face it, we black women have some serious issues with our hair, no matter what we do with it. 

My sister decided to go natural over a year ago and she loves it.  There are alot of style options out there for natural hair.  I plan on staying natural once my hair grows back I think it'll be healthier if I just stop fighting against its nature.  Maybe you can go natural for a little while to give your hair a chemical break and later on decide if you want to try chemicals again.  Just a thought . 

Take care,

Yogi 

My hair and I have become the best of friends so far. I am in the stage where it is growing back and keeping me in suspense. My texture is very soft and like a newborn's hair. I will most likely wear it short or in a bob, who knows!!! I just have to want and see    

I am loving my hair too.  It is very soft and curly.  I put in some curling mouse and out I go.  My father is a barber and I had him line me up a few weeks ago.  He hadn't did my hair since I was in high school and going through beauty school.  I was always the guinea pig for hair styles and new chems.  But this time was special.  While he was cutting my hair he said it reminded him of when I was a baby and my hair was just like it was then.  We both were emotional.  But I was glad to have that moment with my daddy.  Love you all

Sabrina

Just wanted to let people know..I had long silvery hair and had chemo. I had a hard time being bald probably because my hair was my security blanket.  In an attempt to make myself feel better, I wrote a song "I'm Bald!"and put it up on Youtube.  If anyone would like to hear it, go to youtube.com and put maria gillard in the search box.  Maybe some of you can identify it.  It was pure music therapy for me and it worked!  My treatments have just finished and I am growing little baby hair now and I am much happier!!  All the best in strength,

Maria Gillard 

Hey Sharon,

You go girl!!!  Well I have one Taxol tx to go.  I have a little bit on top but not as much as yours!!  How are things going with you?

Thanks Felicia, now if I can get the weight back down. The rad nurse told me that they don't want me to loose any weight until after tx, but I can't stand all the stuff on me. I don't know what the big deal is. Anyway, we'll see.

Yogi- I had a little numbness in all my finger tips and toes at the end of taxol. The numbness lasted for about three weeks until I could start feeling again. The bottom of my feet turned almost black. I bought one of those foot care kits and scrubbed my feet until I almost didn't have any skin left. They are back to normal now! I think I'm still going to loose a couple of finger nails. I lost one toe nail (left big toe). I think I might loose the right big toe soon also. Still, I think I did pretty good considering what I've heard other ladies had to go through.

School....I just pray for the Lord to give me strength to do what I need to do to get through. I haven't been in school for a long time. The youngsters, omg! The stuff they come to class in! This one kid in my business class came in wearing the baggy jeans hanging to the ground with the long tee shirt and three large silver chains hanging off his neck. I was so embarrassed. I wish there was a college just for us older kids so that we don't have to be subject to that kind of stuff! Oh well! Other than that I'm really having fun.

Hi Lashon. Nice to meet you and sorry you have to join us! If you need anything just ask. Most of us are going through or have been through chemo and know what you're going through. Chemo is hard, but with a positive attitude and the Lord by your side, you will get through this as well. Again, congrats on getting through your second round of chemo! I know when I started, I didn't think the end would ever get here. I'm done now and on to rads! If this helps, just think of the new pretty hair you will get after chemo!

Keep that beautiful smile my sista!

Hello Ladies

I am new to the community.  I found this site in the middle of the night on Wednesday.  While making a post about my fears regarding surgery, I raised a question about what to do with my hair.  I was referred to this link and I am so thankful.

I have been having hair problems since I finished radiation a few years ago.  I think it is because of the tamoxifan I have taken for the last four years. 

It do know friends that color their dreads.

I will be having a bilateral on September 23 due to two abnormal mammos and an abnormal MRI.  I won't have to have chemo, but I have been concerned about what I will do with my hair.  I have thought about getting braids.  The last thing I need to worry with is my hair while I am in pain.  My nerves have been doing a job on my hair as it is.  No telling what surgery and having limited mobility will do.

I am so thankful for a place where I can just let my thoughts out with no one telling me to stop being negative.  I don't think that it is negative to think about what my life is going to be like while loosing both breast and waiting for them to complete the rebuild. 

Well ladies, I had to take a break from rads. I am in so much pain. My onc said that the skin under my arm may start to peel so he gave me two days off. I only have two chest wall tx left and then five tx's to my scar and then I'm done.  They gave me some cream called Aquaphor made by Eucerin that I bought more of at Walmart. I can't wait to be finally finished with this!!!

Hello ladies

I'm new to your comunity and have enjoyed reading your posts. I have my 2nd tx on 9/30 and my hair is slowly coming out. I have been wearing sister locs for 6 yrs and so because I don't comb my hair I imagine that is why it is not out faster.if I actually pull on my loc it comes out But I have decided on Sat to go ahead and get it cut really short by a barber. I'm thinking about it too much and so to help me deal with hair loss I want to control it and cut it



Felecia I think you asked if dreds could be dyed and they can. I used to wear a short afro years ago before getting my sister locs and so once my hair grows back I will eventually get them again. Take care ladies.