Hair Hair Hair - Another question

Options
1…9293959798…864

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    As of yesterday I am 3 months PFC, or 13 weeks out.  I have a little more growth every week, now that I am looking at photos I took last month.  Mostly very thin on top at the crown.  Back is coming in okay.  Could be thicker all around, but it will come back.  I am about 3 weeks behind in progress, Chris, because I had a bad case of folliculitis following the last chemo on 4/23.

    I packed up my wigs and chemo hats (except for the cute ball caps) to store in my closet.  I tried each of the wigs back on, but now they just don't look right, because I've been going with just a bandana or without for a while now.  I will keep them because they are part of my journey, though maybe down the road I will donate them to the american cancer society.  I do have a wedding shower and wedding coming up that I might wear them to . . . but then again, I might not and just proudly wear my hair!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leeayn
    Leeayn Member Posts: 40
    edited July 2009

    My last chemo was August 18, 2008, a date I will never forget.  I stopped wearing scarves/hats around mid-November.  My hair came in white, then gray, then the color.  I had my hair 'cut" because it was so fuzzy, I looked like a Q-tip; then had to get it shaped a bit as it grew.  I had my first hair cut in June.  My hair is a little more course than before, less gray, but hey, Hair IS OVER-RATED!  It will come back, the hair on my legs came back, but not under my arms at all.  My eye lashes and eye brows are still growing, slowly but surly. 

    My kids laugh at me, when my hair started growing, I would stand outside just to feel my hair blow  :)  Before cancer, I had to have every hair in place and would panic if it was messed up.  Now, I get excited when my hair gets messed up, I point it out now "HEY, look, my hair is messed up, cool!"  :)  It's all a matter of perspective 

    Just happy to be cancer free!  :) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited July 2009

    I can't wait till I can go "topless".  Just need to stay patient.  You dyed your hair right?  What do you do about getting dye on your scalp....just rub it all over and wait for it to wear off OR try to dye hair only?  This is my plan for tomorrow.  I think I will look as if there is more there if it was all one color!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    I did put hair color on - the first time with the natural stuff, I had more trouble getting it just on the hairs, because they were so fine and spread out, so it did color my scalp, but it eventually washed off after about 2 washings (though it did make it look like I had more hair for a bit).  With the growth I have now, it was easier to apply, though it still got on my scalp and washed off.  I used facial toner for anything around the hairline that splotched and the tops of my ears.  I have a bunch of those very stubborn longer crazy hairs that I really wanted covered.

    Leeayn, I am with you on the hair thing!  Before BC, I was obsessed with my hair - it was very thick and I was growing it past my shoulders.  I would wash, blow it dry, flatiron it, had it colored or highlighted, every which way, and it always had to be perfect.  I wouldn't work out if I had just washed it that day, because I wanted to keep it perfect.  Now I am THIRLLED to be able to run my fingers across the suface and feel the hair ripple.  That's excitment!  I am obsessed with not having it stick up all over like an ostritch, so I use a smoothing cream to help tame it and make it do the old man combover on the top.  :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited July 2009

    How long did you all wait to get a hair cut? Mine are about 1.5" now, I have an appt next week and I do have to say that I'm a bit scared and nervous about it. I only have 1.5" and I'd like to keep it that way, but at the same time it's starting to look like a big puff on my head and it's getting quite long for spikes. The girls seems to know what she's doing, she's handled cancer patient before. I'll probably still go, but I'M SCARED! ;)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jewlls
    jewlls Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2009

    hi all ive just had my first chemo on wed and all though it was not as bad as i thought im scared stiff about my hair falling out!! my wig is sitting in bottom of wardrobe and hats scarves etc all in but im so scared as im very self consious as it is and i think once it goes everyone willbe staring at me....i know this is paranoia but i guess untill it happens i cant say howi feel.....now its just they waiting ...i did try to get hair cut but got to hairdresser and totally frieked out crying shaking and ready for being sick , i went home in tears ...........

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited July 2009

    Jewlis:  Just wait...closer to your next chemo it will start falling out.  You will want to get it cut off then because it gets very annoying.  We have all been there.  You will be fine.  Find headwraps and hats that you are comfortable in.  People do stare, but most are out of sympathy.  No one wants to be in our shoes.  I like Buffs from PlanetBuff.com.  The summer ones keep your head cooler.  I usually wear one under a basball hat when I go out.  I save the wig for special occassions.  I go back to work in September (teacher) so I'm sure I will where it everyday there.  You found the right boards...you can vent, share, ask, complain,celebrate...whatever.  Have you checked for a July Chemo board.  It is nice to chat with people going through everything at the same time as you.  The March Chemo board was a  blessing for me.

    Take care!!!

    Chris

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • soaplady1950
    soaplady1950 Member Posts: 74
    edited July 2009

    hi chelev, i haven't been on in awhile but i noticed you are looking good. i just had my first hair cut last week  the hair dresser is a friend and i told her i would take her life if she cut to much off i cut the duck fuzz off and now it looks darker i am 26 weeks PFC  I found to calm the wayward hair that palmaide works well i got it at walmart it is called short sexy hair in a white jar with yellow top it works real well  i have several pictures of my venture but i cant figure out how to post them right now i love my hair it is curly and i have never had that before unless it was permed which i never liked this is natural curl wash and go hair it is GREAT !!!!  there is a lite at the end of this horrible tunnel. everyone just starting keep you chin up it will be over soon!!! Attitude is everything

                                          Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aoandrews43
    aoandrews43 Member Posts: 68
    edited July 2009

    For those of you using Nioxin - is it the shampoo, or scalp treatment or all the products? They seem to have numerous different products.
    Also, do you need to order this online (I see Amazon has it) or can you find it in a drugstore? I live in a rural area so do not have much beyond CVS and Walgreens.

    Thanks,

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nj09
    nj09 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2009

    hi all,

    this week is my last week of taxotere chemo! yay... almost there after so much trouble with this taxotere...hate it... I noticed this wk that my hair is starting to grow... whitish.. but oh well....when is it ok to color it? would it cause damage if one does? any recommedations on what shampoos to use? how about drye shampoos- are those bad ?

    thanks

    NJ

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kjbell
    kjbell Member Posts: 974
    edited July 2009

    I tried to go topless yesterday. It didn't go over well.I work in a nursing home and a resident who is alert and oriented wanted to know why I cut my hair to look like a boy! She laughed and laughed and laughed! Then a residents grandaughter looked at me and asked her mom if I was going to be a boy now that I cut my hair off. My coworkers kept telling me to ditch the wig saying my hair although short, looked cute. So the wig went back on, where it will stay for awhile: (

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    kjbell - just go for it!!  I am a marketing director for a boat manufacturer - I come in contact with our dealers, the public, media, etc. and I have decided that it is obvious the hair is coming in, that I had something to cause it to go away in the first place, and that I am fierce without the wig!!  I carefully packed all of my beautiful wigs up, and my chemo hats, washed all of my bandanas and put everything where I could get it if I needed to, but it was so freeing to go into our computer/workout room and not see all of the wigs and hats everywhere.  It helped me mentally move to the next phase!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Need advice from all of you ladies with hair.  I have about 1/4" of hair all over my head.  Some of it's darkening a little, the patch on top is the thickest but it's the lightest, which makes sense because that is probably where I had the gray before.  My hairdresser works for Aveda, which all of their dyes are plant based with no harsh chemicals.  How much hair do I need to be able to color.  I think at this point I'd actually ditch the baseball hat if I didn't have CLEAR hair.  My onc said I could do it if I wait at least 3 weeks to get the chemo out of my system.  What do you guys think based on your experience.  I want to go TOPLESSSSSS!!!! HUGS, Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Dawn, go for it!!  I started putting natural colorant on mine as soon as it was long enough to see - it helps you see what you have!  You might have to leave the plant based dye on a little longer to make sure it penetrates the hair shaft, but it is so worth it to see what and how much you actually have on your head!!  Send pix!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Thanks Chelev,

    I'll be 3 weeks out on August 10, but that's the day of my exchange surgery, so hopefully the week of 8/17 I can do this.  Plus I'll have even more hair by then and new boobs to boot.  YIPEE!  Thanks for your inspiration!  You guys just ahead of me provide so much support. I'll try to post some pics after that.   HUGS, Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited July 2009

    NJ... I'm using the Nioxin system myself.  I'm 12 weeks out and I haven't tried coloring my hair yet.  It seems as though a lot use Clairol's Natural Instincts when they do venture out on the coloring.

    ~Jan~

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    Jan..does the nioxin system help?  Are you taking biotin also?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    I am topless at work! Totally spur of the moment, after a very freeing weekend of no wig in public. Plus it's finally hot and humid and I just couldn't put the thing on my head again this morning. I just couldn't. it was time.

    Everyone in here is such an inspiration, but this morning, I channeled chelev & lainey & maggie & sue13! You guys were cheering me on in my head.

    PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket"

    PhotobucketI do feel rather naked. And fat. And vulnerable. And I wonder whether my coworkers' compliments are genuine. I mean, really, who's gonna tell cancer girl she looks terrible?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charmd
    charmd Member Posts: 118
    edited July 2009

    I had my last chemo on May 21st, and started getting the fuzz last week.  My kids went out of town on Thursday for a long weekend.  When they saw me last night, they were amazed at how much my hair had grown and how dark it looked.  I  still can't tell much difference, but they seemed to think it was a big change if just 4 days.  I was starting to freak out because I had heard that about a month after chemo the hair would start to grow back, but it wasn't.  Now, just out of no where its growing.

     I have not worn wigs during this time, just scarves and hats.  I live in Jacksonville, Florida and by the time I cut my hair off last February, it was already in the 80's.  I couldn't justify spending the money on a wig I knew I wouldn't wear.  This past weekend, I made my first foray into going without cover.  I took a baby step and went to my church prayer group.  Everyone acted like it was no big deal, which made me feel more comfortable.  I'm not ready to go out in the general public yet, but hopefully it won't be too much longer.

    Blessings to all of you -- we are all beautiful!Kiss

    Charmaine 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    Lisa!  You look AWESOME!  I can't wait until I have as much hair as you!  This thread is SO encouraging! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Lisa810 - wow, you have GREAT coverage on your head - way more than me!  How long out of chemo are you? 

    We DO look terrific with little or very short hair, fat and vulnerable - after what we've been through, nobody would DARE to criticize or say anything uncomplimentary to our faces.  If they are uncomfortable with how we look, either let them turn the other way or try it!   Go, ladies, go!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited July 2009

    Titan... I'm 12 weeks PFC and I have full covering on my head.  Actually, I've had a full covering for a while now.  It's just a matter of getting it long enough to go topless.  I primarily use the shampoo and follicle booster.  I think it's the follicle booster that works.  I've taken GNCs "Hair, Skin and Nails" vitamin for years (except during chemo).  It has biotin in it... I think between the two a day I take, I'm on 6,000.

    Lisa... WOW!  Your hair looks great.  Did you use color on it?  What color?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DaffyB
    DaffyB Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2009

    Deen, I'm exactly four weeks out from A/C and starting to feel stubble all over.  Can't wait to see how it comes in.  Becky

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2009

    I cannot wait to say PFC! I told my husband what the "F" stood for and he was a little taken aback.....I loved seeing his face...and I can't wait to say it out loud!



    I wish the hair could come in a little faster but I guess when you look at it 3 times or more a day it is hard to tell!



    Patience, patience, patience

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • florbo
    florbo Member Posts: 178
    edited July 2009

    chelev,

    You look great!  I didn't have that much hair when I was 2 weeks out.  I am 7 weeks PFC and my hair is starting to feel soft and "not like a man's stubble" per my husband.  It was hard snuggling up when I was in the stubble stage. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited July 2009

    Hey ladies... just checkin in.  Lisa-YOU GO GIRL! WOHOOOOOOO!

    This week is 5 months PFC.  We just got back from vacation so I have some new hair pics to share. I think the warm sun is making it grow faster!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited July 2009

    Susan~ I LOVE the hairdo :)  You look awesome.  Come check in with us furies.  We miss hearing from you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited July 2009

    Hey Jamieh!

    I have been off the boards for a while... I will check in with the furies!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kimbly
    kimbly Member Posts: 398
    edited July 2009

    I have not posted or read this thread in a LOONG time.... but you ladies all have me laughing about the pfc thing ...too funny. I am hmmm lets see.. 16 months PCF, and just had my first actual styling haircut last week. I had had 5 previous just trims to shape it cuts.  It took forever to grow the bangs.  This cut was the first time she touched them with the scissors at all.   Ladies it is a long process growing hair back, the key is have fun with it.  It makes you feel so much better to use color and to trim .. just makes you feel less and less like a cancer patient kwim?!!! Everyone looks great ....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited July 2009

    Hi All! I am 5 weeks PFC, and I have colorless peachfuzz! I keep touching it!  It is thicker  in the back, some on top and very sparse on the sides!  It just feels good to feel something besides skin! I am going to wait awhile to color it because I  won't go without my wig until I feel comfortable with the length!I am using ManeN Tail shampoo as someone recommended, and I guess it is working! Thanks for all of the tips!  Happy Growing!  Dawn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories