Hair Hair Hair - Another question

1…351352354356357…864

Comments

  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited August 2011

    Saralmom, you are very pretty and your hair looks very thick.



    I just looked at your progress pics. At what points did you have cuts?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PSU222
    PSU222 Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2011

    Saralmom, your hair is beautiful and so are you!

    Racy, thanks for your kind words and support. 

     Ladies,

    I am going to take the advice regarding Nioxin.  Not sure of what number to buy.  Any thoughts of what might help the most?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited August 2011
    saralmom ... your hair is absolutely adorable!  i'd like to wear my hair like that post chemo even after my hair has completely grown in.  so cute!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • saralmom
    saralmom Member Posts: 329
    edited August 2011

    Awww - thanks everyone.  While I stll feel conflicted about my hair, it is better than it was even a couple of months ago, and you all will feel this way too.  I never thought I'd get to where I could wear a headband - makes me feel like my old self.

    Racy - I had my first "trim" and color at 4 months PFC - In December.  Then I had it trimmed and colored pretty much every 6-8 weeks after that.  I actually just had trim/color last Saturday.  :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lilylady
    lilylady Member Posts: 1,079
    edited August 2011

     I have been going without anything on my head ever since spring. I have what I call "wig-worthy" occaisions but otherwise I go bald. Worst thing I have had happen is people wanting to come up and pray over me. I tell them to think of me when they go to bed that night.

       Someone took a picture of me this spring in a scarf-I decided that looked more cancer-y than bald. I do wear ball caps to keep from sunburn.

       At 6 weeks PFC I have a preety good 5 o'clock shadow going on the sides-less on the top. I have been brushing it with a baby brush because someone told me it promotes growth.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cat123
    Cat123 Member Posts: 296
    edited August 2011

    Sarahlmom....your hair looks fantastic!  I am 3 and a half months post chemo and my hair is growing well I guess.....a watched pot never boils!  However, I have the greatest wig.....only because my hair was very simple when I started so the wig place cut and coloured my hair exactly the way my real hair looked so nobody could tell the difference.  I want to wear my wig for a long time because I love it....is that bad?  Some women have been too opinionated with me saying I should take it off and go short but I love wearing my shoulder length wig.  Is there anything wrong with that?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited August 2011

    Cat absolutly not!  We all have to do what feels best for us and makes us feel the best.  I wear a wig to work and when we go out for dinner or something.  Other than that I love my bandana! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited August 2011

    Lilylady, sounds like you are right on track with your growth rate.



    Thanks Saralmom, you give me hope for Xmas, when I will be 8 months pfc.



    PSU222, still praying for you.



    ToniB, I feel your distress and will add you to my prayers. Have you consulted with a reputable hair replacement company? I saw a segment on The View a few months ago that demonstrated success with a laser light system (chemo wasn't mentioned though).



    sweetbean, I didn't realise that Nioxin contained parabens till I read your post. I then checked my bottle and the two parabens are listed at the end of about 100 ingredients. Maybe this means they are the smallest quantities. I am thinking they must be small anyway with so many ingredients in it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • saralmom
    saralmom Member Posts: 329
    edited August 2011

    Cat - there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing what feels best for you.  I didn't go wigless in public until about 7 months PFC.  I didn't wear my wig at private family events starting at 4 months PFC, and I didn't take it with me to Mexico where I was anonymous - at 5 months PFC.  But around town and at work, I wore that wig until it had a hard time fitting over my hair!!

    Just realized as I was typing all those PFC dates, tomorrow is my official 1 year PFC!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited August 2011

    saralmom Congrats on 1 yr pfc!  I love your hair too, cant wait till I am there. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited August 2011

    Cat123 There are plenty of women that wear wigs all the time that don't have hair loss or chemo hair loss. The non custom wigs are all designed assuming people have hair. If you like wearing a wig then do it.

    Congrats Saramom.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2011

    saralmom - you and your hair are so cute!!!

    cat123 - I say do what you want and whatever makes you happy!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FLwarrior
    FLwarrior Member Posts: 977
    edited August 2011

    Cat123 ~ No, it is not bad, there is absolutly nothing wrong with you wearing your wig...or wanting to wear it.  You should do what makes you feel good!  After everything we have been through, you should do what makes you feel good!!! If the wig makes you feel good wear it!  My wig makes me feel good and I do wear it and I will continue to until I decide otherwise!!! 

    As for the ladies that are comfortable going topless that is great too!  I admire them for being brave.

    Saralmom ~ Your style and color is GREAT on you! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited August 2011

    Hi all, I was hoping to join in your group if its ok (need encouragement) I am on day 6 post TC x6 TX and am already having panic attacks about having NO hair, I have always had long hair all my life and actually self conciusly hide behind my hair, I do have a wig ready and its similar to my own but I tried wearing it out the other day over my own hair as I was in the city and no one knew me there but I felt like a FAKE , please tell me it gets easier , I love my social life and dont want to stay home out of embaresment , I didn't cut my own hair yet as my wig is long, ANY ADVICE from those of you BRAVE women that have been through this . Thanks :) 

    Elizabeth07 (I am right there with you also getting them exact nightmares wake up 2 to 3 times a night , first thing I do is check my hair. )  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited August 2011

    summergirl1, I am not one of he real regulars, but welcome!  I can assure you all are extremely welcoming here.  Jump on in!  Don't know what to tell you though, sorry.  I would say just try to get comfortable with yourself.  I mostly wear ball caps.  I do wear my wig some times and have had many compliments on it which has helped.  Maybe post some pix and get some feedback/advice form the ladies on the board.  I am sure you look much better than you're thinking you do.  Take care, it does get easier.

    I am starting to see what you talk about when you say your hair sticks up in the air.  I think mine has grown a little bit.  (It still only looks about a quarter inch though) and is now long enough to do that.  I remember seeing my son's baby hair do that as well.  Will see what it does from here.  It still is scaring me because it seems so sparse and thin.  But I'm only 4 weeks PFC.  Hair started growing back on Taxotere, although very slowly, but am also doing Herceptin and understand that can also cause the hair to grow slowly.  Trying to be patient.  It gives me hope when I see your beautiful pix, but also makes me frustrated to get there.  GRRRRR!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited August 2011

    summergirl, I would recommend to get your hair cut shorter, so it wont be as hard on you.  Mine started falling out on day 14 of TAC, after about 2 days of shedding and falling out in clumps I had my friend buzz it off, that way it wasnt so messy.  Good luck. It is hard, but God will get you through.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • survivor11
    survivor11 Member Posts: 550
    edited August 2011

    Summergirl 1, I so know what you mean about feeling "fake". I feel the same way everytime I put the wig on and it's been 4 months hairless. Everyone is different, but I mainly stay in scarfs and reserve the wig for public events, dinner out, etc. It is nice to put it on and not get the "she has cancer" looks. It does get easier as you go along and you just except things the way they are at the time. It gets hard again, like I am now, finished with chemo and anxiously awaiting the day I see any real regrowth. Like many of you I have started to dream about having my long hair back and wake up very disappointed. Just keep trying to imagine the day when I have enough hair to run my hangs through. Will get there with time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carberry
    carberry Member Posts: 1,153
    edited August 2011

    summergirl  welcome, I recommend you take your wig with you to the hairdresser, she will be able to trim it or give it a style that is close to your own, then when and if you decide to cut your hair you can gradually add the wig in an d the transition will be less dramatic.  Everyone loved my wig and said it looked very close to my own but I still felt a little awkward with it on.

    Like someone else said here...some women wear wigs for the fashion of it just because they like to change out their hairstyles. 

    saramom your hair is super, mine is finally starting to curl a little with the help of a lot of product. I was flipping the back up in kind of a ducktail but now its getting too long for that (in-between stage) but not long enough to pull down straight   I have not had a cut or trim since chemo, it amazes me that it is kind of growing in a layered look all by itself.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Carrol2
    Carrol2 Member Posts: 2,903
    edited August 2011
    saralmom looking good. I can't really wear a headband like you yet the bangs would just pop out not long enough. I have been blow drying it for like 5 mins every day just to smooth it out. I have not let it air dry in a long time I need to try it again and see how it looks. I think I will have to trim the back at some point too, until the rest grows in. I like the idea of a wedge cut. II think I have a few more months before I am in danger of the mullet not sure. I will try take a few pics after i get ready for work today and then post them another time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited August 2011

    Anyone still have hurting hair? I'm 8 months PFC and when I wash my hair or brush it it still hurts like when it was about to fall out or when it started growing in.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited August 2011

    Summergirl... I remember buzzing my own long hair at day 16 and went to my wig boutique and spent the dsy with them styling my wig and getting it to fit well... The first day i went out with the wig, i felt very fake and then i had my first day at work... Thought my heart would leap out of my chest... BUT it does improve... After a few days and many sincere, "i love what you've done with your hair" and i was comfortable and confident... It does indeed improve... Just bite the bullet and it gets easier.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marial
    marial Member Posts: 255
    edited August 2011

    I also always felt "fake" with my sig on..but I got all kinds of compliments..and never really knew what to say..I had people ask me where I got my hair done at..how muted they liked my highlights..even when I brought my daughter to a nice hair salon, the front desk girl asked if I got my hair done there because she liked the style so much.



    I went on vacation at 7 weeks PFC and wore a hat there and have not put the wig back onexcdpt for once when I went to a nice dinner.. I feel my top is still a little sparse to go topless..but have a few cute caps I wear around.



    I just had surgery 4 days ago and noticed when I was taken to my room they left my little blue hat only head..which I thought was very nice..but I took it off and went topless..after all I was in. A hospital!..hope my hair doesn't slow much from the stress of the surgery

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited August 2011

    Thanks so much everyone for your comforting comments and I KNOW I sound so vain but its my self esteem Im worried about ,  losing my breast was a breeze for me as no one noticed due to my TE so I didnt have any trouble getting past that hurdle this was the thing I dreaded so much and now its getting so close Im panicking, I hope I surprise myself and have more strenght than I think I have . heres hoping, :) CONGRATS  to all who have been though it already and getting their lives and HAIR back ,

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2011
    summergirl1 - check out the site www.hatswithhair.com for a look at their product the "underhair".  I had long hair as well.  I had my hairdresser cut off 8" small ponytails all over my head and then style my hair into a cute short cut awaiting the fallout from chemo.  I sent my pontytails in and they made me a hairpiece out of them.  I have to wear a hat to cover the cloth part, but I do feel like "myself" in the underhair, more than my wig.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula1231
    Paula1231 Member Posts: 456
    edited August 2011

    Hi All,

    I wanted to check in to say my hair is finally growing back again.  I got my first trim (if you can call it that) on Saturday.  It is still thin and I can see my scalp.  Anyone know if it will eventually thicken up?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula1231
    Paula1231 Member Posts: 456
    edited August 2011

    The hair I do have is curly in some parts and straight in others.  Will it eventually go straight again?  I am totally struggling with the weirdness of it all.  Must say, I am so happy to have hair again, I will take what I can get.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited August 2011

    Hi there Paula,

    I finished chemo on 3/22/11 and had surgery on 4/13/11.  Started Herceptin at the end of May (my onc kinda screwed up, so I started late).  Anyway,  the surgery and the Herceptin are slowing down my hair growth for sure.  My hair is still a little thin on top - you can see my scalp ( if you look for it) in one spot.   It's not super obvious, but still, I am so impatient.  Anyway,  I see that you had surgery in March and then again in July.  That kind of trauma, plus the anesthesia, can definitely slow hair growth.  I am sure that your hair will fill in.  Keep the faith!   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited August 2011

    I must be the most impatient of all! I'm 6 1/2 weeks PFC and I want hair! I miss my long hair so much! This GI Jane look is not suiting me :(

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited August 2011

    MamaV, your hair will come back super fast!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kll22
    kll22 Member Posts: 124
    edited August 2011

    Hi Ladies - first time posting here.  I am 2 1/2 weeks PFC and seeing some very fine, sporadic growth, which makes me very excited.  I did not shave my head because I liked having a little hair showing when I wear my hats.  I finally made friends with my wig after having my stylist trim the bangs so they weren't so heavy.  She raved about how close the wig was to my actual hair which made me feel much better. I still feel fake wearing it but I get tired of  looking around the bills of caps all the time.  So many different solutions to this one problem!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories