Did Hair Come Back Better or Worse?

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  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited September 2009

    CONGRATULATIONS---shorfi111----Gone on and Celebrate  Lady!!

    I Celebrate every year and am just Thankful to be here too!!  Yes everyday I get up and all the things I am able to do, for the day, make me on my so called not so good days--Thankful to God!!

    Stay Blessed!!

    Linda C.

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  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited September 2009

    HI Delores,

     I am glad you got your information.

    Thank you for your support and thoughts.  I am glad we have each other to do this with too.

    Stay Blessed.

    Linda C

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  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 32
    edited September 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    My hair started coming out after my first T&C chemo treatment. I buzzed it and didn't notice any additional loss after the second treatment. My hair seems to be growing back now. I have 2 more treatments to go. But my question is when does your hair grow back properly i.e. not the peach fuzz? Is it after all chemo is finished? 

    Thanks for any info you can share. 

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  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited September 2009

    Hi kimby,

    For me the fuzz grew, when I still was on Chemo;   I took the wig off in Sept. and by Dec. I was able to get a "Curl" on my hair, with the smallest perm rod.  I am sure it depends if you have hair that grows fast or not, I do not think my hair grows fast.  Since you did not loose all of your hair, yours may grow fast.  I was completely "bald"!!

    Good luck to you.

    Linda C

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2009

    It is 10 months since I have been diagnosed with BC. I'm still under treatment However, I 'm also grateful to be alive and have all of you. 
    Diagnosis: 11/20/2008, IDC, 4cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/10 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+

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  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited September 2009

    Delores,

    We are glad to have you here too!!!

    I have to start treatment again next Monday--I feel like you--I am most grateful to still be here and the support and prayers from "my on-line-family" is wonderful!!

    Stay blessed!!

    Linda C.

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  • bar62
    bar62 Member Posts: 321
    edited September 2009

    Hi everyone,

    newbie here I think,

    I didn't have the foresight to save this thread when I first joined the board and today I found it again so it's in my favs now.. TY all. I posted sometimes on the Hair hair hair thread but was too tired to keep it up and so kept to my wonderful  Sept 08 chemo group.

    I had to stop chemo for a while to change my  Oncologist; he was a hateful dreadful person. During that 6 week period  my hair grew in   straight, fine  hair silvery on sides and mixed grey with brown on the top.  I have mixed race hair and was OK with it... hair is hair. I finished the AC and waited for my AARP supp and grants to kick in...My hair grew in same as first time...

    Then came Taxol in 2/09. My hair took a long time to grow in this time and  when it did grow,  it came in  straight, white, sticking out from the sides of my head and nearly transparent. I looked like a witch.  Taxol nearly killed me. I am Diabetic and  my Onc  and  my Rheumy worried about neuropathy   because I  also have Cutaneous Lupus and RA and FMS :lol:lol  ENUF already.

    One week after my second Taxol  infusion I woke up with swollen legs and a very swollen R foot and R leg below the calf with little feeling in that leg  and extremely poor balance. My Onc sent me to my Neurologist.  NO more Taxol for me.  My post Taxol hair has turned white, mixed grey and brown.  It's no longer transparent and sticking out everywhere.

    I am 64, but lordy am  I going to  use Henna ASAP. My doc says not yet and my Pharmacist is in agreement for any hair color chemicals  in my hair. I haven't relaxed my  hair in nearly 30 years  but still they don't like coloring yet...not even Henna. They think I've had too many chemicals  and  meds in my body, so I agreed with them and will be good for now.

    It's taken me this long to walk properly. Taxol had me using my mom's cane and walking  as if I'd had a 10 martini lunch.Laughing

    It's awfully nice to have all the hair interest on these  boards. One of my friends thought I was too obsessed with my hair; she's a fellow nurse and should know better. She's probably scared for herself. Anyway, I hate  hate hate wigs. I never did wear one last  winter. Instead I wore Knit hats  and scarfs.  If I have to do this again( I'm TN)  I will try  a human hair wig . I found several stores here and they are very reasonable in the city compared to some places outside the city.  Maybe they don't itch and aren't as hot. 

     During Taxol I did get a scalp rash. It was not folliculitis but  was ugly, annoying and itchy. My PMD prescribed Hydrocortisone  which  stopped the itches. My  Taxol regrowth  is not a thick as my A/C   regrowth. It  remains curly and silky  which is 50% of my normal hair; I expect my kinky curly hair  to come in the next year.

    Some one on the hair hair hair boards posted pics over 18 months showing how her hair progressed back to her pre chemo hair. I've had Lupus  for while and I know my straight curly hair is stronger than my Kinky curly hair. it's always left when my hair falls out  with a Lupus exacerbation.

    Wow can I run my mouth.

    I did get suggestions for Biotin via the hair hair hair  thread. I bought it, the shampoo and a bottle of hair skin and nails vitamins,

    I asked Rickys, a hair  and cosmetic  chain  here in NYC, about Nioxin. They told me not yet and recommended something else I forgot what ...chemo brain. 

    I am so glad I can go outside   and feel the wind in my hair. I can wait  for now white hair and all though I did buy Henna last weekend just in case I feel the urge to color the white. It has aged me I think and I prefer a color since I am 64 and  have no  real wrinkles as yetSmile 

    God bless us all,

    xoxo

    mina 

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2009

    Hi Mina,

    I had  horrible side effects from Taxol too. I colored my hair after three months of growth. I absolutely hated a gray patch on top of my hair.

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  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited September 2009

    Hi Mina,

    Sorry we have to meet this way.  Glad to meet you anyways.

    I am 62 yrs old. Hate wigs and have had to wear them from the Chemo, 3 times now.

    I found some cute ones, but due to the circumstance, I was in denial(for sure the first time, that my hair was even going to come out) the other times I accepted it was, but not readily!!

    When my hair has grown back in, it is a pretty silver gray, but I am not ready for the gray hair, just not!!  My Beautician uses an "organic" type of "color rinse" (don't have a clue of the name--Sorry) so it does wash out along the way, however I get Pantene shampoo that is for hair with color on it, and this keeps the color in a lil longer.  I have not had any problems with this, a sure enough "dye" would probably take my hair out.

    Good luck to you on your decisions.

    Linda C.

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  • bar62
    bar62 Member Posts: 321
    edited September 2009

    Afternoon...taking all all info...TY Delores and Linda. If I were working I'm sure I would have worn a wig somehow. I can't wait to get the white out; I  wouldn't mind silvery gray....thanks for the Pantene for hair with color  shampoo suggestion.

    I already tried a dye a few years ago in my late  late 40's-early 50's. My hair did not like it as much as it did when I was in my twenties when  it managed to survive my coloring and relaxing it   all within a few days:lol:lol

     NO more of that.  

    back soon

    mina 

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    I'm going to try Carol's daughter products. Oprah,Robin Roberts and Essence recommends her hair products. I am currently getting radiation therapy and it's a drag. Just trying a new hair product lifts up my spirits.

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  • bar62
    bar62 Member Posts: 321
    edited September 2009

    Morning everyone,

    I use their hair milk. and have since before Chemo. I'd forgotten about it but started again when hair showed up.  It made my  bald spots shine through  until I stopped using so much  and grew more hair. I guess a little dab  did do meSmile

     It's  great for shine and texture plus  it stops the frizzes. I hope you'll like it if you try it.

    Mina 

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2009

    Hi Mina,

    I brought Jada Dynamic Duo which is Hair balm and Lisa Hair elixir. I love Carols Daughter products. I just put a dime amount and it makes my hair moist and dosen't make my hair feel dry or oily.

    Next time she has free shipping I will try the hair milk too. Thanks for your help. I just started radiation therapy so good for you.

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  • bar62
    bar62 Member Posts: 321
    edited September 2009

    Hi again,

    Good luck with your radiation therapy!  My doc didn't tell me I was to have 8 boosts until the last week. Meanie.  I had so many problems with simulation...a wrecked shoulder for one month post someone jerking my arm up and behind my head so I'm sure she was afraid to tell me my total was 34 treatments and not 26Smile

    let me know how it goes

    mina 

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited October 2009

    Hi all,

    Mina I'm confused because my Rad Onc told me 33 rads and 8 accu boost and yours says 26 rads and 8 accu boost. I have to discuss this with my Rad Onc. Thanks for that information.

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  • bar62
    bar62 Member Posts: 321
    edited November 2009

    HI everyone,

    Delores,

    How are you...almost finished with your rads I hope. I'm sorry I haven't been back. I don't know how the docs decide the number of treatments but I did have 26 @ 180 and 8 @ 200 units. Wish I knew why. MIdway my 8 boosters, I burned and had to stop for a week so  the treatments  felt  even longer. My Onc gave me her favorite cream to apply( sorry I threw it our) and when I was  burned she sent me home with Vaseline guaze and Aquafor...It took approximately   a week to heal. I'm very very tired now and I think it's the radiation...who knows I haven't recovered my pre-radiation energy..bah humbugSmile

    I spend way too much time on FB playing Farmville and Cafe. If you're there come over and be my neighbor. I'll send you my FB moniker via PM when I come back home from my Onc visit.

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2009

    Hello Everyone

    Bar6 I have one more week of rads (yea). What is Farmville ,Cafe and FB moniker? I tried Carol's Daughter hair milk and everyone in my family like it. I'm sorry about your burns. I use bag balm after rads and it works good so far.

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  • JourneyNC
    JourneyNC Member Posts: 69
    edited November 2009

    Hello All,

    I finished my 33days of rads last Wednesday 11/04/09. I was burned under my arm and breast. I cried from the pains and they finally gave my Sylverdine *spelling*. I stopped burning as soon as I put it on. I also was using their radi-gel, my aloe vera and vitamine E oil 40,000 iu. Well I'm now peeling and the skin underneath doesn't hurt although it looks bad. I went to the health store and got Emu Oil and African Shea Butter. I was told the shea butter will get your skin back quicker than cocoa butter.

    With respect to my hair, it is baby fine, soft and straight. It's growing in more and all I use is KeraCare shampoo/conditioner and MINERAL OIL. The mineral oil is not only a laxative, but a skin conditioner. At night, I started using the Shea Butter. I DO NOT use a regular brush, I purchased a baby brush since the regular soft brush was still to hard on my scalp. The color is my natural dark brown, but in the sun there is a golden hue.

    I wonder how long I will keep this fine texture before it starts to wave up? Anyone know?

    God Bless All

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2009

    Hello Everyone,

    Journey NC after one month my hair started to curl and wave its has 6 months of growth and is about 5 inches long, but very curly and soft .Carol's Daughter hair products has helped my hair to grow at least 2 inches in three weeks. Her products are natural and the only product I would ever use in my hair. I'm shock at my amazing hair growth. Everyones hair is different what ever works for you thats good.

    At what session did you start to burn during your rad treatment? I've had 28 rads so far with no burns at all of course I use Bag Balm after every treatment. Did you use any ointment after each treatment? My radiated Left breast is a lot darker and smaller  than my right breast. Love to all 

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  • JourneyNC
    JourneyNC Member Posts: 69
    edited November 2009

    Hello Dolores,

    I started to brown more on the 5th wk of 6.5wks of treatment, then the pain escalated the last 1.5 week before I was to end. I've been putting on the radiation gel, aloe vera, high IU of Vitamin E. They gave me a prescription topical steroid then sylverdine. The latter is what they give to burn patients. That stopped the pain immediately. I'm now using still the vitamin E. I also just started on Emu Oil, which is anti-inflamatory and pure African Shea Butter. I could not find the bag balm. I'm better now. This is also my left breast. My skin is very sensitive. I burn easily in the sun.

    Peace and Well Being

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  • WORRIED55
    WORRIED55 Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2009
    my hair grew back and man was it ever a mess.  I went from no hair to big hair, and I'm scared to perm it because I always equate my cancer with perms and dyes. I know it sounds silly but when you have breast cancer you imagine all sorts of reason for it. now all i wear is this afro.Cool need new hair style.
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  • Deborahann
    Deborahann Member Posts: 37
    edited November 2009

    Hello Worried55,

    I also wear my hair "natural." (see photo) However, I do vary the style with headbands.  I also braid the front and leave the back "natural."  I'm also hesitant to use perms and dyes and probably never will again.

    I am really curious about "carol's daughter products.  Every thread I have read has been very positive,  hmmm?

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  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 32
    edited November 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    I'm so happy to see this discussion has been revived. I hope you don't mind if I join in.

    I have very fine hair all over my head and no hair in patches all over my head. I am 7 weeks post chemo and I am beginning to get concerned. I did taxotere and cytoxin x 4 rounds and had quite an easy time during treatment. Now that treatment is over i'm developing all sorts of annoying side effects. I know there's nothing you can do but wait for the hair to grow but it is difficult trying to stop myself checking for progress 3 and 4 times a day! I have completed 22 of 25 rads. I'll finish up with 5 boosts next week. Can't wait to be done. I get plenty of rest so fatigue doesn't get a chance to set in. My skin is holding up very well. I used Jean's Cream and Aquaphor. Last week Thurs I told my Rad Onc that I was starting to feel itchy and I believe the Aquaphor made it worse. She said some people have allergic reactions to Aquaphor. I thought she was going overboard but she prescribed Biofine. I used it and loved it. All my raised red hair follicles have calmed down. No burning. Definitely darker. I prefer the lighter consistency of the cream too.

    Is it true the skin gets worse after rads before it gets better?  

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  • nasharayne
    nasharayne Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2009

    Kimby - I didn't really have any problems throughout rads but, when it was over I got a lot darker and smaller. It stayed that way a few weeks and I was back to normal...well except the smaller part. My onc suggested a breast reduction on the other side.

    I have heard mixed reviews about Carol's Daughter but, I think it was mostly related to customer service but, I can't remember.  I plan to give it a try.  For those of you that are still ordering it...I saw it in JcPenney's in the Sephora section.  They won't let you use a coupon for it though.....I'm all about the coupons!!!

    I'm about 4.5 months PFC...My hair is really wavy and still really short (about 1  1/2 inch)  My hair used to grow fast but, I won't complain about the slow growth if I get to keep this texture.  I had a relaxer before and like many of you, I want to stay natural.

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  • nasharayne
    nasharayne Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2009

    bar62...I'll send you a PM. You are speaking my FB language.

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  • bar62
    bar62 Member Posts: 321
    edited November 2009

    Hi everyone

    My hair didn't like the Henna. I did it myself; I couldn't take grey hair with a white skunk streak running from R side of my head to the left side. arrgh When the Henna is gone in another week or two Maybe I'll get a professional to do it if I can $$$ it:) Carols daughter is great...MY hair is still curly but it got really tight after the Henna...oops...so I'll leave it alone...

    Moniker=my name.... on FB

    Delores, I've sent you some food and gifts.  hope you can come over and play cafe one day:)

    I've  recovered enough these past 2 weeks to make sense of most things  and I'm glad to be  back.

    My right breast didn't get smaller but it became lumpy lumpy under the nipple. I had a mammogram and US Friday. The US is clear and I hope the mammogram will be as well my doc is sure it will be. hugs everyone:)

    mina

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    The Health Food Store sells a non chemical herbal hair dye. It washed the gray out of my hair.

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    I finished rads on 11/14/09 Thats when I had  burns under my left breast. The next morning I had burns on my back, arm and chest. I was surprise because I did not have any problems during my radiation treatment. The Rad Onc gave me Radia Plex gel. It seems like never a dull moment in my life. I posted a new picture I don't have anymore gray hair. I use Carol's Daughter hair oil,hair milk, hair butter,herbal shampoo and hair smoothie. I color my hair with a herbal colorant from the Health food store

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  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited November 2009

    Hi Delores,

    I am sorry to hear the Rads took you through changes,(never a good time for such)--- and I am glad that is behind you now.

    That is a very nice picture of you!!! 

    I am glad to know about the herbal colorant from the Health Food store, I have had no trouble with my tint, but the Beautician does it 'cause I am scared!!

    Take Care.

    Linda C.

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited November 2009

    Hello Linda C

    Please join Mina and I on Farmville and Cafe World. Please post a new picture of you too.

    I hope everything is well.

    I wish blessings to all

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