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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2016

    tjh, too funny! I love that you were going to work with a faux-hawk, because I am nowhere near that brave.

    rainynyc, my son got his dad's straight, thick, coarse hair. It sticks up straight, and refuses to comb flat. We call it the "special quick-dry hair" because it doesn't stay wet for long. And he's telling me "Mom, when your hair gets as long as mine, you won't need your wig! " Ah, yes I will!

    I didn't have the grandpa hair stage, somehow. Just baby chick fuzz, then hair, and the gray hairs are outpacing the dark hairs. I knew they always seemed to grow faster! Extreme facial fuzz has also arrived, and will need to be addressed this weekend.

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited January 2016

    Rain, I go around comparing my hair status to everyone I see....though not necessarily to my son, since he is blonde (and I am definitely not). However it comes out, pretty sure I will never be a blonde.

    The other day a co-worker who is out on maternity leave brought in her baby girl so we could all ohh and ahh over her. Ok, this kid is not yet two months old and already has more hair than I do! (She was born with a full head of gorgeous brown hair). Everyone else was saying how cute she was; all I could say was that I would consider killing to have hair that looked like that baby's!

    Octogirl

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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited January 2016

    'Extreme facial fuzz' for the win.

    You aren't kidding.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2016

    You girls are so brave, and just plain ADORABLE! My hair is still on its way out for vacation, lol! & I start Taxol and Herceptin again on February 4th, so no hope in the near future. Carry on the good fight ladies! ♡

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  • justmaximom15
    justmaximom15 Member Posts: 264
    edited January 2016

    I've made the decision that beginning Monday morning, it's no wraps for me. I don't know who in my office I'm trying to impress and I take the dang thing off the minute I get in the car so I'm going for it!!

    I can totally relate to the black maternity pants comparison LOL! I have a khaki bandana/wrap that is my go to when I'm tired of trying to match things. It's getting a lot of use lately.

    I never did a wig because I am hot all the time plus now I'm getting hot flashes, I knew that would never work for me.

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  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 221
    edited January 2016

    If this thread teaches us anything, it's that there's no need to fear short hair--everyone looks great!

    But of course, we like to control when and why we cut it! I started TC last Friday so I figure I have about 7-10 days. I have a couple of wig questions: anyone else have Aetna, and if so did they reimburse all or part if you had a prescription? There is a wig store close to my office with human hair wigs and I've tried a couple that I like. The length I'm looking at is $1000 (each). I know people have mentioned ordering online but that makes me nervous as I'd like to try before I buy. The cost seems in line to me with online pricing for human hair wigs. What are the thoughts of you ladies who went the wig route?

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  • VickiRides
    VickiRides Member Posts: 211
    edited January 2016

    Here I am this morning -- 3 weeks PFC and about 10 days after I buzzed everything off (no guard on the clippers). I'll probably just keep buzzing it off every few weeks until the top and front catch up.

    My husband got the same buzz cut on the same day as me (his normal haircut) so he is my comparison subject. His is so thick!

    image


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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2016

    Wow VickiRides! I was as bald as a doorknob at 3 weeks!!


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  • SoCalGrl
    SoCalGrl Member Posts: 105
    edited January 2016

    Hi ladies, I'm about 3 months PFC. It seems like my hair is taking forever to grow, but I just did a comparison shot. These pictures were taken one month apart from each other. (Sorry for the grainy quality.)

    image


    My new hair is thick and fuzzy. It feels like a carpet. It's also a lot darker than my natural color - I used to have a reddish brown color, but I'll take it! :)

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2016

    Looks great SoCalGirl! I finished chemo a week after you did, and I don't think I'll catch up to you in the next seven days. ;-) I too am much darker than before.


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  • molly1976
    molly1976 Member Posts: 403
    edited January 2016

    Hi guys, I'm eight months PFC today and I think really in the past couple of weeks I genuinely look like I did this to my hair on purpose. Hang in there!

    image

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited January 2016

    Paxton, I went the wig route, and I'd suggest that if prices are comparable, buy from the brick and mortar store. That's what I did, and it turned out to be great because they did quite a few things as part of the price: took out the clips and sewed on places for double-stick tape when my hair fell completely out, buzzed my hair, sewed the clips back in when my hair grew again, and gave me all kinds of free stuff to go with, i.e. wig caps, a stand, tape, shampoo and conditioner, and other similar items. Between the customer service (including hugs when I was going bald), lessons in wig shampooing and styling, and free product, I'd say that added a LOT of value to the purchase.

    Insurance will not pay for human hair, unfortunately, unless you're severely allergic to the synthetic wigs. But it was worth it, even so!

    Good luck to all ladies whose hair is preparing to go on, er, vacation.

    And thanks to all my sisters in regrowth who've posted their stories.

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2016

    Molly, that completely looks like you did it on purpose! I would be saying "What a great hair style!" to you if I saw you in person.

    Paxton, I agree with rainynyc on buying from a store that specializes in wigs for hair replacement. My experience was similar to hers in that the women there were lovely and gave me lots of instruction and encouragement. I needed someone to say "the darker color washes you out" and show me how to wash a wig. I don't have Aetna, but my insurance covered $500 of the cost. My wig is a combination of real and synthetic hair. One of the infusion nurses that I met for the first time later in treatment asked me "Wait, did you lose your hair?" So, worth the expense to me.

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  • VickiRides
    VickiRides Member Posts: 211
    edited January 2016

    Peachy2, I started noticing some hair coming in around week 6 or 7 of Taxol so I had a bit of a head start.

    SoCalGirl, that is amazing progress in a month! Looking good!

    Molly1976, I love your hair! So cute. Did you have curls before chemo?

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  • molly1976
    molly1976 Member Posts: 403
    edited January 2016

    Nope, I've never had curly hair in my life! I have no idea what to do with it. Fortunately my hairstylist has curly hair too and she recommended some products to keep it un-frizzy. I do think it's already starting to relax a little bit, about six months after the regrowth started.

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  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 221
    edited January 2016

    Thanks, rainnyc and Peachy Interesting that insurance won't pay for human hair (at least, not fully so, sounds like). I'm an attorney and go to court often so I feel I need as consistent an appearance as possible. I'm ok with it not looking exactly the same--I've had many short cuts in my day and lots of colors--but I don't want the focus on my (fake) hair.

    I don't think the wig place I checked out first will be giving away any freebies, sadly, but given their same day service I'll probably end up buying from them. I assume the cost would be an appropriate deduction if we otherwise qualify to deduct medical expenses but regardless, I have to buy one and it's just another delightful cancer expense, I guess. I figure one wig costs about 2-3 salon appointments so looked at like that it's not so bad.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2016

    You look great, Molly!

    I have Aetna and I bought a human hair wig. They told me I could appeal because it was out of network by saying they were the only place that sold human hair wigs in the area. I didn't even try because I had out of network surgery and I figured anything that went to my out of network deductible was ok. I think they paid about 1/3.

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited January 2016

    Paxton, yes: I'm a freelancer and desperately needed word not to get out about my breast cancer so I wouldn't lose work. So I was willing to spend the money on a good-quality wig.

    My other advice is to bring a friend when you shop. I brought a cheerful sweetheart of a friend, and it was so helpful to have her perspective and support as I tried on wigs.

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  • Sher0402
    Sher0402 Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2016

    AETNA told me they would reimburse 90% and did not give any restrictions on real hair versus synthetic. I turned in receipts late and forgot to send the prescription with it so I'm still waiting for reimbursement. Maybe it depends on the type of plan you have also. My work has a very good plan that does not require referrals for anything and has a low deductible so I'm crossing my fingers. You can call Aetna and ask them what your plan will pay for. I did that before I purchased.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2016

    Paxton - be sure to get a prescription from your MO for a "cranial prosthesis". There's a medical code number of course but I don't remember what it is.

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited January 2016

    image


    Since everyone else is sharing, I felt it was time. This is 1 day short of 21 weeks PFC. You can see that the hair is fairly thick but not controlled. There is a wave/curl that's not willing to be tamed at this point. There's more gray than the photo shows, and especially what this photo doesn't show is the Bride of Frankenstein effect with the sideburns, which are mostly gray. Not sure what I'm going to do about that yet!

    I'm terrible at selfies, hence the brow lines of worry. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm VERY glad I have hair, and I hope this is helpful to those who are only just finishing chemo. But I'm not ditching the wig yet!

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2016

    rainynyc your hair is so nice and thick! I would not be surprised if mine develops the same wave.

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  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 221
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for the insurance advice, all. I have a PPO plan and they're pretty comprehensive but they do nickel and dime about random stuff sometimes. It wouldn't have occurred to me that any wig shop would be in network. At this point I'll probably just take my chances. I do have a prescription from my MO.

    rainy, I really like your hair color!

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  • tjh
    tjh Member Posts: 469
    edited January 2016

    rainynyc...great hair...when I read the post I almost turned green with envy...I read it 21 days pfc. Your top is longer and more wavy then mine. I haven't worn a hat since the new year, except outside in our Wisconsin winter. I chose not to wear a wig, but getting it where you can try a bunch on makes sense to me. I know my Tricare would pay for a wig up to $500. with a prescription.

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited January 2016

    great hair Rain!! and it looks like you have real eyebrows!

    I can't wait to get to that point. I really understand not wanting freelance clients to know about the bc (I work for a large employer and didn't need to worry about that, but I *still* didn't want people to know..but now that I've been wearing hats and scarves to work every day for month, I think people have figured it out...)

    and I am more ok with that than I used to be, but damn! I am SOOOO sick of hats! and scarves! when I get to the stage you are at, I have a feeling I will ditch the hat...

    ok, working on my pics now. Will post soon.

    Hugs to all

    Octogirl

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited January 2016

    Here you go...first of two shy views, of back, taken a few minutes ago at between 11 and 12 post weeks PFC....

    image

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited January 2016

    and here is the top, taken today also...

    image

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  • Shopgal2
    Shopgal2 Member Posts: 649
    edited January 2016

    omg octo you have a lot of hair! Yay! I swear mine grows overnight. Now if it would turn darker and the chemo grey would go away...

    I started back at work this week and am going without hats unless my head is cold. I saw a co-worker today who is stage 4 colon cancer who is getting maintenance chemo every other week. He was so happy to see me and I him. He said I look great, gave me a great big hug, and said I was really missed. Made me feel awesome.

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  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited January 2016

    Octo! Hair!!!!!! It's real.....

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited January 2016

    thanks Rain and Shopgal...yep, it is real...but I am still obsessed!

    Octogirl

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