Hair Hair Hair - Another question

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  • gramadeb
    gramadeb Member Posts: 210
    edited September 2008

    Hi all - I am 3 1/2 months out from chemo. Hair is 1 inch long and seems to be getting curlier everyday. The back got wavy very quickly but sides and top were just starting to wave. This past weekend, the wave became a more pronounced curl. I was working in the garden and it was very warm outside.When I came in the top of my head was very curly. Thought it was from the humidity and  it would go away after a shower - but it stayed. The sides are frizzy curly, back and top are more wavy and "softer" curling. It's like I have 2 different kinds of hair. When I went back to work on Tues after the long weekend my co-workers could not believe the change.

    Artsee - mine started with a few waves. I did have some wave in my hair before chemo - but not very much.

    Those of you waiting for curls - I hope you get a fun surprise and those little hairs start curling real soon!

    Take Care

    Deb

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  • TennesseeMichele
    TennesseeMichele Member Posts: 136
    edited September 2008

    I'm about 10 weeks out from chemo.  I have almost 1" all over; lots of silver with the brown.  No curls yet.  I decided this week that I was tired of wearing scarves and hats, I was going for it.  I'm getting  lots of "I love it- it looks great!"  and a few "you're so brave!"  I'm not sure what to think when people say that one.

    My first day out I was dropping items off at the local mission when a man approached me and said, "may I help you sir?"  He was terribly embarassed and I just laughed.

    I can see eyelashes in my magnifying mirror, and my family is using a magnifying glass to see them too!   At least I know they're on their way.  And the eyebrows are filling in fast.  I hated looking in the mirror to see no eyebrows.

    Happy weekend!

    Michele

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited September 2008

    That's great news, Michele.  I'm ahead of you, time-wise, but behind in hair growth.  At 13 wks post-chemo, I have maybe half an inch of brown/gray/? hair.  It looks like a severe boot-camp cut--not a shave, just a really short crewcut.  When I look in the mirror, though, it's not nearly as scary as when I was shiny-bald.

    People could assume I did this on purpose.  I try to make sure I'm wearing earrings and a bit of makeup when I go out.  So far, everyone has referred to me as "ma'am", thank goodness.  I've been waiting for somebody to make a remark about "women who cut their hair so short" (etc.), so I can tell 'em what's going on.  But, here in the deep south, people seldom make rude comments like that to someone's face.  They're more likely to whisper about it among themselves, after you've rounded the corner into the cereal aisle and are out of earshot. 

    Here's to HAIR!

    otter 

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  • revkat
    revkat Member Posts: 763
    edited September 2008

    otter, I think I finished up about a week after you and I only have about 1/2 inch of hair too. I've got pretty good coverage -- mostly dark or white -- but the length is really slow to come. I've always had thick, fast-growing hair so I'm a little annoyed at how slow it's being.

    But, as you say, here's to HAIR! of anykind.

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  • DebSue
    DebSue Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2008

    ChemoChicks.com has full head tattoos for $10.00

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  • SQK
    SQK Member Posts: 89
    edited September 2008

    Otter and revkat, I finished chemo about the same time as both of you.  I also have about 1/2 inch of growth.  Thicker toward the back, a little thinner near the front sides.  So far, it's straight and fine...just like before chemo.  But I'm very glad to have it.  Smile

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  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited September 2008

    Hey guys....Four month out on Sept. 9th. I measured my hair today and it looks to be 1 and 1/8 inch. The top front is getting wavy and I'm pretty excited. Still can't go out in public. If I pull out the sides they are just laying over my ears.They just don't stay there. All the other hair is back to normal. Thank God. I never thought I'd love shaving again.I always had fast growing hair except now. Although if I would put my head hair on my legs I'd be pretty anoyed and would be VERY hairy.

    Everything is relevant..............I guess.Tongue out

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  • sandym
    sandym Member Posts: 101
    edited September 2008

    It's 10 weeks out for me too.  This hair thing is so strange.  My eyebrows left after the last tx but are back and came in dark brown as before.  They shocked me. I was using pencil and brow powder when I went out but last week I looked in a magnifying mirror and realized I didn't need it anymore.  The one or 2 leg hairs and the single pit hair I shaved haven't returned.  The chin hairs are growing like crazy but are mostly very light.  The head started coming in white and seemed to be making progress a few weeks ago but now has just about stopped. I have 1/4 inch on the sides and areas that are 1 inch top and neckline.   I guess there's some growth because there are a few patches that are starting to look darker.  At first, I thought my scalp was changing color.  There's still definitely more scalp than hair.  Since the hair's mostly white and the sides and back were peeking out from under the wig, I used Loving Care (it has a new name I can't remember) over the weekend.  Directions state not to rub it into the scalp which is impossible when there's more scalp than hair.  I chickened out after 15 minutes thinking my scalp was going to be stained and rinsed it out.  There was some color left in the hair but had a strange hue.  It's all washed out now.   I think I'll try again and leave it in longer.  Since I don't leave the house without something on my head a stained scalp won't matter.  My family are the only ones who see me bare and are used to my changing head.

    There's plenty Loving Care left in the bottle for another application but directions say not to save it.  I did save it and plan to use it up.  Has anyone had a bad experience with that?  It seems too gentle to cause problems.

    So thankful for the weekend.  I started back to work last week after 6 months and I'm exhausted. Have a great weekend. 

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  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited September 2008

    Sandym.....you can keep the hair color. Just make sure it's sealed off real good. I don't know what you have it in, but if it's in a bottle then the cover will keep it just fine till the next time. I just needs to be sealed from the air.

    Good luck, Artsee

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  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 560
    edited September 2008

    Hey otter...after you round the cereal aisle, since you're in the south don't they say "well she cut her hair rather short didn't she, bless her heart?" LOL 

    Speaking of hairs, I had a funny one I had forgotten about until reading this thread. A little while back my bf went to brush what he thought was a stray hair, and then he took his thumb and brushed and then brushed again...pretty soon he says "um....you have a chin hair!..I'm sorry, I wouldn't have done that, but I thought it was from your head." LMAO I was mortified! I've known him for a long time, but still..omg how embarrassing to have my first chin hair be found by someone else. About a week ago, my 21 year old daughter called and said she'd just plucked a loooong hair from her chin. Made me feel a whole lot better. Cool

    9 1/2 months out, I think my hair is starting to come in less curly. I'm actually losing my afro! I don't mind so much, as it looks longer that way.

    HHH (happy hair harvesting).

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  • sandym
    sandym Member Posts: 101
    edited September 2008

    Thanks Artsee.  If I'm going to wear a medium brown wig for who knows how long, I can't have those white hairs sticking out.  With hair so sparse, you'd think they wouldn't show but there they are.  My wig tends to inch up a little and that white hairline (and white scalp) aren't becoming.

     I have to add for those just starting to wear a wig that it isn't as bad as I first thought.  Don't think I love it but I don't hate it as much as I did.  I used to get an instant headache as soon as I put it on.  I think my head was just chemo sensitive.  I get through an 8-10 hour day now and sometimes forget it's there - another reason to cover the white.  Taking it off is still the first thing I do when I get home. 

    I returned to work last week for the first time since surgery and chemo.  I'm a public health dental hygienist. The first few weeks of my school job are all paperwork so I don't have to think about clinical duties until after my exchange surgery in 2 weeks.  I've practiced with the face mask that  I'll have to wear and  find it very uncomfortable.  Are there any health care workers out there who wear a mask over their wigs?  What kind of mask?  I always wore earloops but it makes a mess of the wig.  Help!

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  • Lucy47
    Lucy47 Member Posts: 183
    edited September 2008

    bump

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  • Deen
    Deen Member Posts: 105
    edited September 2008

    bump

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  • kimbly
    kimbly Member Posts: 398
    edited September 2008

    The first time I coloured my hair it stained my scalp as well but just like you I wasn't leaving the house without something on my head so I didn't care.  I used natural instincts which washes out 28 shampoos. I have done this colouring now 3x.  I am still so impatient for the length to come in, although yesterday I was at a stop light in my car and looked in the mirror and thought wow I actually look like someone who cut her hair on purpose like this.  I feel the same though, if someone comments I will say not my choice to have it this short but making the best of it.... etc. I have had several people ask if I am going to keep it this short. UM NO... lol easy/quick to get ready in morning but still not leaving it this short. I think it may be time for us all to post pictures again.  I am now  5.5 months out from chemo... and last pic i posted was from June.

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  • ggrose
    ggrose Member Posts: 64
    edited September 2008

    Hi everyone.  My last TC treatments was 6 weeks ago and I think I'm losing more hair!  I never lost all my hair, maybe had about 5% that hung around during chemo.  New growth started right before my 4th TX.  A few days ago, my scalp was sore.  The soreness went away but my head has felt tingly on and off.  Now some of the hair is falling out when I rub my fingers through.  I'm going through rads now but was told that I would not lose my hair again.  Has anyone had the same experience?  Could it be stress? 

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited September 2008

    bump (thread fell off the 1st page)

    otter 

    ggrose, I just noticed your appeal for help about your unexpected hair loss.  I lost almost all my hair during my 4 cycles of Taxotere & Cytoxan. I didn't shave my head--I just clipped the remaining hair short as it got thinner.  By 6 wks or so after my last chemo tx, I had soft fuzz coming in; and those 1-inch hairs I had left from pre-chemo were really conspicuous.  Then, something really weird happened:  the 1-inch hairs came out.  They pulled out really easily, just like the rest of my hair had come out during chemo.  Now, all I have left is the new, short stuff.

    otter 

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  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited September 2008

    Me too....after everything was all over I was gently pulling on my hair while watching TV and all of a sudden I had hair in my fingers. Luckily they were ones that hung in there did not take the nose dive yet. Not to worry, It stops before you know it.

    Artsee

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  • LorenaB
    LorenaB Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2008

    I've started getting comments from people about how "fabulous" my new haircut is.  I don't know why, but I always feel the need to explain that it wasn't a voluntary thing.  Why can't I just say "thank you" and move on?  It just feels weird for me to take credit for some sort of fashion statement when it's been so traumatic for me, when I NEVER would have done this on purpose in a million years.  At the same time, I'm glad that it looks ok.  For me, life is so much better with hair.  Tomorrow is my last day of radiation, and I'm lucky that it hasn't been bad for me -- but I credit my positive attitude to the fact that I am no longer bald.  Everything is easier to deal with as long as I have hair on my head.  (I am such a weirdo, I know!)

    Any more pics or stories to share, anyone?

    Lauren

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  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 560
    edited September 2008

    Lauren..not weird at all. I TOTALLY relate to each and every thing you said. I feel exactly the same...life is so much easier with hair.

    ggrose, when I got my head shaved I kept some wispy bangs and they didn't fall out until after I started growing new hair. I guess we have to shed the old stuff to get the new? Odd.....

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  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited September 2008

    Lauren......You have hair that people think you had cut deliberately into a style and you're still on radiation?  Good for you. I'm done with rads since July 14th and I still am not going in public without something on my head. It's about 1 1/8 in, Maybe I'm just a slow grower. I'm feeling better though now that it is getting a little longer. Except it's coming in curly so it looks shorter that if it were straight.

    Have a good day, Artsee

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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited September 2008

    Mine is at that transition stage where I think it's starting to go straight maybe, so it's really weird. THen there are spots where I'm sure I didnt lose it all, as it hurt and still does in those areas. Like above the crown on the left?  Its a bit straighter there, and the hair loss from Arimidex is more prominent there also.  The sides have never gotten really curly like the top and back did.  Just so frustrating at this time, b/c I feel like I have an 80's cut with it getting long on top, but the sides are not growing out :(  Hate my hair, but hey...LOVE that I have hair.  You could say, I have a love/hate relationship going on.  Would be the understatement for certain! :(

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  • Deen
    Deen Member Posts: 105
    edited September 2008

    Ok.  I feel particularly ugly right now.  But, I'm posting a recent pic.  This is me at home, looking quite nasty.  I am so tired of waiting fo this hair to grow.  Though, I know I should be grateful.  It's just so BORING!!!!!

        

    So, this is me at 16 weeks.  It is sitting quite nicely (at least it's even).  But, I have a few bits at the back that are threatening to curl.

    I just want it to be back to the way it was before!

     BEFORE! Blond, and minus chemo weight

    Blah, blah, blah. Moan, moan, moan,

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  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 560
    edited September 2008

    Deen..I think BOTH pics are adorable I know I know..you get sick of hearing that, but your new hair is coming in so nice...very even. You're a cutie!

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  • kerry_lamb
    kerry_lamb Member Posts: 778
    edited September 2008

    Hey Deen!

    I'm liking the dark version too. How much weight did you put on? I'm up to 6kg with one blast to go. Talk about adding insult to injury! 

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  • ggrose
    ggrose Member Posts: 64
    edited September 2008

    Thanks everyone for your comments.  As you can tell, I was totally flipping out at the thought of losing more hair.  It does seem that the "old" hair left after chemo is being replaced by new growth.  Even though most of the hair is only about 1/8" long now, less scalp shows through so I guess that's progress!  Guess I'd better get things back in to perspective...I'm done with chemo and my hair WILL grow back.

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited September 2008

    ggrose - I'm on my second round of regrowth. First, I had neoadjuvant chemo and lost it. Then, while I was on my break for surgery, I had a nice head of hair come back. When I started my adjuvant chemo after surgery, I had about 3/4" but lost it all again. Now I've been finished with my chemo for about 3 weeks. There's a sprinkling of white hairs popping up about 1/16 - 1/8", but I think I had more dark hair last time. Makes no difference to me as I will be coloring my hair, but the sparseness is what worries me. I did notice this last time, and it eventually filled it, but who knows if it will react the same way again?

    Anyone else on here have to go through this more than once? 

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  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 3,766
    edited September 2008

    Nancy...I did lose some of my hair after starting my second form of chemo...not all but some.  It has all come in nicely. Except for the curl I can say that my hair looks like MY HAIR!!!

    I finished all of my chemo at the end of August 07, surgery in Sept and Oct. by November my head was covered with allot of growth. The end of November early December, off with the wig and I wore my new short, short hair. Had color put on it..and had my hairdresser shape it up! It looked pretty good.

    My avatar is a pic of what my hair looked like in April...just 4 months later..and 2 haircuts later. Of course I use a straightener to get it straight.

    Ladies..it does come back...all of it!! Before you know it, you will be blowdrying and styling it once again!

    All the best to each and everyone of you!

    xoxo

    Lisa

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  • sandym
    sandym Member Posts: 101
    edited September 2008

    Deen, I'm impressed!  There's no scalp showing. You look wonderful.  I'm almost 12 weeks out and that's my first goal for my hair - to have my scalp covered. Looks like it may be a while but there's hope.  Thanks,

    Sandy

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  • Deen
    Deen Member Posts: 105
    edited September 2008

    thanks all for the encouragement.

    I just get impatient and want (what I think we all want and will never have) things to be back to how they were before this.

    Kerry - fellow Australian - I put on about 9kgs. Grrrrr.

    Sandy - there's definitely hope.  It may not happen as fast as we'd like but ....

    Artsee - do you think I can dye it now????? Can I? Can I? 

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  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited September 2008

    Yes, Yes, Yes.....you can dye it Deen. I'm either doing mine tonight or tomorrow. That will be the second dye job for me.I absolutely love these curls, but that makes it look so much shorter.

    So Lisa...I'm assuming the Avatar picture is really 8 month out correct? It looks so nice and LONG. I'm 4 month out and they are probably half the length.Yeah, moan, moan moan,Undecided

    Artsee

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