Hair Hair Hair - Another question

I can't remember if I have asked this before but has anyone ever had, or heard of anyone who has had hair extensions after chemo? I have 2 more treatments. My hair is growing back and is about 1/4" long now. I have heard that extensions can be put in with an inch of hair. I know it's expensive, but I just want to look like myself again. My hair grows very very slow and it will be a few years until it gets back to shoulder length again. I don't want to be reminded for that long that I was a cancer patient. I called the American Cancer Society to see if they had any local resources for extensions. They basically told me they had never heard of such a thing and said they couldn't help. There is a salon in Minneapolis that specializes in chemo hair extensions but that is a very long way from here and traveling there is not feasible. I'd love to hear if anyone has any thoughts.

This was 7 months post chemo. My pre cancer hair was straight, straight, straight. And I had a lot less grey.

Dara--Thanks for the info. I saw the post from Hair with a Cause. They are in Los Angeles. Not sure if travel there would be possible for me. I'm going to keep searching and will post as soon as I learn something. It will be so long till I can even seriously consider extensions so I have a lot of time yet.

Akioli--Good insight about extensions. I know it is super expensive to have these put in and there is maintenance involved too. That part worries me. Like you, I could pay for it one time. As of now the only place I have found that does extensions after chemo is about 1000 miles away from here. It's just so upsetting to look in the mirror every day and know that the person looking back isn't me. This has been hard enough on all of us, it's not fair that we should have to be bald too.

I first colored my hair about 5 months PFC. I use the Madison Reed coloring system and do it myself. I never colored my hair by myself before but it is really easy since it is short. The Madison Reed is natural color without all the bad chemicals so I feel better about using it. If anyone would like to give it a try I have lots of coupons to give out for first time customers.

Thank you everyone for your posts and pictures! It gives me hope..

that initial fuzz i had that grew in all came out. The top took a lot longer, the back is now curly which I've never had, I'm hoping length will help with that

A latecomer to the TV series "Bones," I find myself annoyed that the handsome young intern goes from bald to a full, thick head of hair supposedly one month after finishing his chemo. The weird things I notice now...

Lyn

Myra--that commercial bugs the heck out of me!!! They didn't think that one through very well, did they? Unless it was the day after her very first chemo, she would not have that full head of hair, yet she walks as if she is a very weak, sick woman, meaning she would have had several rounds of chemo already to be in that shape!! I never paid any attention to that commercial until after I had my first Neulasta now it really bothers me!

Myra, I never even thought about that and I've seen that commercial at least a dozen times. You are totally right!

Myra, I noticed the exact same thing and complained to my husband. He did note that it could be that she was still in the initial stage before hair falls out. I guess... but still made me mad.

Hi everyone! I have my last chemo treatment on Friday (AC/THP). I've been using the Nioxin scalp recovery shampoo and conditioner even while completely bald - I think it has helped keep my scalp healthy. Have any of you used the Nioxin System 2 to help the regrowth process? Like it? Not like it? It is for noticeably thinning fine natural hair. TIA!

that neulesta commercial bugged the crap outta me when I was going thru chemo. There was a different one that had a woman with short grey hair. Those commercials made me feel nauseous whenever I saw them.

I think it would just break the warm fuzzy loving feeling we're supposed to have when we watch that commercial. Not!

Any suggestions?

I finished chemo in early December and now I only take Herceptin. My husband used gel cap therapy and I lost very little head hair. Yesterday, to my shock, I have lost clumps on my bottom eyelashes on both eyes. I have realized for some time that my upper lashes were thinning.

I realize this is a small side effect compared to many but I am really upset. My oncologist nurse told me these lashes may never come back.

Coach Vicky

As to the commercial, I think sometimes they want to show how hard it is, but not too much. I understand that sentiment as well.