Hair Hair Hair - Another question

Summergirl - I too had long hair (just past my shoulders) and dreaded the hair loss.  In preparation, I had my hair cut just above my shoulders, then to my chin and finally into a pixie.  My pixie lasted about 4 days (which was day 18 after my first chemo).  When I noticed it falling out, my DH scissor cut my hair as close as he could to the scalp.  Then I had a friend come over and buzz it.  I found that having it fall out in my shower or in the bed was not something I wanted to have to clean up.

I bought two wigs before my hair fell out so that I could match the color.  My mistake was buying wigs that were longer, like my own hair.  Guess what happens when you put your purse or laptop bag on your shoulder???  Yep, you can pull the wig right off your head.  After a few times of that, I stuck mainly with scarves and hats.  I bought some of the soft caps from headcoverings.com.  I found the ones made out of soft material (like thick tee shirt material)  irritated my head less.  The wigs were also very scratchy and uncomfortable even though they had lace caps. 

I know how hard it is to go through this, but you will make it.  You have to do whatever it takes to make yourself comfortable.  You can always vent here.

Saralmom - Your hair looks awesome!  Very fetching. 

Cat123 - You should do whatever you are comfortable with as well.  My previous comments were from my own experience....others didn't care nearly as much as I did!   That was an eye opener!

Jerseylicio,

What looks realistic on one person may not look realistic on another. Thats why I stayed away from web sites and actually went into wig stores so I could try them all on. Have heard human hair has more natural movement. My wig wasn't human and I can't tell you how many people said they didn't know it wasn't my own. I went with a wig that was the same color and length as my natural hair. Hopes you get to your decision soon, so you can move on.

To the vets that have been blessed to start going their hair back, what does your head feel like before your hair starts to grow back. My head has felt weird all day, can't even put the feeling into words.

Jerseylicious I definitely recommend a synthetic wig because it's so easy to care for if you will be wearing it a lot-wash it once a week, brush it and it stays in the same shape/style. I have been wearing mine 5 days/week for work since Feb. and it's holding up very well. As far as how you feel about the wig-it's normal early on to worry about how it looks and whether it will look natural. I chose a wig that closely matched my highlighted hair and the style to make the transition easier. People can not tell I am wearing it and a lot of people have actually said, "oh, you got your hair done". It just makes you feel self-conscious because you are so aware of it but over time you will find that other people have no idea. I vividly remember the first time I walked out of the house wearing my wig-I went into a Dunkin Donuts and felt like I had a neon sign letting everyone know and of course no one even looked twice at me:) I also had my wig cut to thin the sides and make it less "poofy" since I always wore my hair so straight and had bangs cut to soften it a bit. My avatar is the wig-I'm actually amazed at how good wigs are now...

I was worried after chemo hair wouldn't come back. Tomorrow will be 12 wks PFH. Very short (half inch maybe) but getting thicker- still a little skimpy at some male baldness sites top of my head. I went topless at about 8 or 9 weeks PFH gradually. Will wear ball caps at times. My hair has a few places where the scalp can be seen.

I did like wearing the wig as others said- when I just didn't want the looks or didn't want to talk about anything. Never felt confident in the wig though. 

Glad we have options- and we all need to do what makes us comfortable- we deserve that. I need to take another photo of my hair & will try to post it to see if my buddies (all of you) on here think I have had any growth & if it's like some others who have passed this stage (which I consider sort of awkward the phase I am in). 

I have two wigs... One long and one shorter, with bangs... I bought the shorter one (same as the longer one, just shorter) because i was going on spring break to st john, and was afraid i would be too hot with the long one... And the wig boutique cut bangs into the short one... Mine are both lace front, whichi love because i could pull it back off my face.. My wigs look great, and the color is blonder and more strawberry than my hair, so i may take one in when my hair is long again, and have my stylist match that color... It was gorgeous.



I plan to go topless for everything, but i have my 30 year high school reunion at the emd of sept, and may choose to wear the wig... But i will need to lighten the front hair as it will po thru the lace and look funny. When i bought the wig, my hair had a lot of highlights, especially in front so it blended in just fine, but my hair is more or an ash blond, not currently sun bleached so i will need to help it along.. Maybe after another inch of hair.. Its only about an inch now... Need a little more.

I bought a synthectic wig and a natural hair wig, don't like the style of the synthetic on me, looked better in the store I guess.  My other wig the natural hair is the one I wear all the time to work.  While I do have to wash it, then air dry it and curl it, I do love it.  The very first time I went out in public with it I went to pick up a prescription, the pharmacist said she loved what I did with my hair and I told her it was a wig and that I just shaved my head.  For some reason I felt really fake, and had to let her know, Now I can't believe I said that but I'm sure with all the meds I'm on she's got to know anyway.  As far as work, I get complimented daily on how everyone loves my new hairstyle, sometimes times I just want to whip it off and say THANKS, wanna try it!!  LOL  Sorry, that's probably not funny but I have to find humor in my baldness somehow. 

It will take a really long time but once my hair grows back I think I'm going to try and grow it into this style. 

I

It's funny how sensitive you can be....even after time passes.  A "friend" of mine saw a picture of me in my wig on facebook - she laughed hysterically and said "what the hell is that on your head???" - ouch!!!  I tried to be a good sport and laugh along with her but I sure wasn't very amused.  It was Christmas and my DH and I were dressed up to go to a dinner dance and it was the only time I actually wore a wig.  When I see that picture now, I just remember how terribly sick I was and how GOOD it felt to dress up, hair and all, and have a 'normal' night out.

Margie, that totally sucks about your "friend" making fun of your wig...  I'm glad you remember how good it felt to dress up, and I hope you had a FABULOUS time.  Not that you ever want to see someone else go through cancer, but there are just some people you would LOVE to see having to deal with some of the side effects, aren't there?     I only wore my wig a handful of times (MAYBE 5), and I really dislike any pictures of me in it, but that is probably because of the weight I gained on chemo's fault more than the wig's...    

BDavis, I had my 30 year high school reunion this summer, also, so we must be about the same age.  Hope you have a GREAT time!  I thought my 30-year was WAY different than the 10 and 20-year reunions had been...  I had my last chemo the Tuesday after my reunion, so I didn't have any real hair to worry about. 

I, too, usually tell people my hair is fake when I got any compliments on it.  Although I didn't wear my full wig very often, I did wear the halo a lot.  Maybe I was/am worried they're being sarcastic or something, so I feel the need to make sure they know it's not the REAL me? 

That person who made fun of me actually went through treatment herself so I think that's why I was a little more than surprised.  Like you mccrimmon324 my DH and I joked around all the time - mostly about my changing appearance - IMO you need to be able to laugh at yourself, but that being said, we are sensitive and it IS a very personal thing.  One think I have learned is that some people just need filters!!

sweetcorn - I am double your PFC and saw new brows and baby lashes last week, so maybe another month?  I was fortunate that I did not lose all of either, but they are making a comeback.  Right about that same time my very sparse hair on my head increased.  My DD was out of town for a week and noticed the difference.

My wigs (both) are just great. No one, even those who knew i was in chemo, thought it was a wig.. They just thought i didn't lose my hair... But the wig in pictures doesn't look as good... Which i don't understand.

My brows seemed to come in around 10 weeks and it only took about a week to fill out once they did.  My eyelash line is showing the tiniest of stubble beginning to grow out now, and it's been almost 12 weeks.  I will take even the stubble, because it makes me look less washed out,

SpecialK, Glad to hear I'm not the only one.  I haven't had to shave the underarms but my legs I've shaved once or twice, think it may be time to do again.  My brows were pretty think but light before chemo so actually I don't mind them thinning, just don't want to lose them all, the missing chunks of eyelashes are weird and I want them back. 

What's the H in TCH?

mccrimmon - the H is Herceptin for the Her2+, still receiving it every three weeks until 2012, finished the TC part in June.  FL is too hot for just about everything, especially a wig!  As soon as I get back in the house I rip that thing off my head.  I throw it on whatever surface is closest - my DH calls it "roadkill" and it always startles him to see it laying there.  I like my "underhair" better because even with a hat it is cooler and more comfortable.  I need to come to Sarasota - DD went there to see the Dolphin Research Center, and talk to someone about an internship and she went to St Armand's Circle and said I should check it out.  She is not a shopper so I was pretty surprised, but she loved it.

I went to a Sephora store and a wonderful girl showed me how to "put" on my eyebrows with a very fine pencil.  I had lunch with a gal going thru treatment and she said "at least you didn't lose your eyebrows".  I told her to look again they were drawn on !!  We had a good laugh.  Eyelashes are starting to come back and I am surprised they are coming in DARK.  Always had blonde eyelashes before.  At 12 weeks PFC my hair is coming in very slowly.