Hair Hair Hair - Another question

OK you are getting me weepy Ingerp. It’s extremely emotional time but you have to do this and you are going to come out the other side, stronger than ever.

It feels like forever when you are going through it but it’s all going to be like a passing bad dream in a few months.

Did you go to any of the American Cancer Society Look Good Feel Better programs? I think the biggest thing I learned was lining my eyelashes opens up the eyes when I had no lashes. But I took home some really nice products to work with. All complementary!

Your husband and you were very brave to do that together. I went to the wig shop made them turn the chair to face the opposite way of the mirror and had owner of shop hold my hand while an employee shaved me bald. Then I made them put my wig back on my head and I didn’t look in the mirror for days. I still cry thinking about it. Your husband sounds like an amazing man! Big virtual 🤗.

You are just being taken apart a little and you will be back together. And better than ever!

Peace

Oh CBK--I did not mean to make anyone sad! I had literally like two tears before the initial (1") buzz, and when it was time to shorten it up yesterday I decided I could be sad or not. I decided to go with not. I'm really pretty stoic about all of this. I know it's temporary and I do try to focus on the positive--like this is one small blip in my life, and this Friday I'll be halfway through the T, and. . . . I'm a little sad that the kid I'm picking up on Thursday who hasn't been home in two years and is bringing his young lady to Charlottesville for the first time will have a bald mother, this after such a fabulous graduation weekend with him and the whole family last month. (I started tx three days after I got home.) And while I mostly work from home (my office is three hours away), I have two Board meetings I have to go to every summer and that is going to be weird. I've known many of my co-workers 15-20 years, and they only get to see me a couple of times a year, and I think it will be a little awkward for them. It's kind of weird that I feel like we are the ones who are the last to get used to our new looks--because anyone I've even had a 10-minute conversation with has seen more of my scalp than I have. (I mean who at my age looks in a mirror more than absolutely necessary even on our best days??) It's still a surprise when I get a glimpse of myself. I'm grateful that I still have brows/lashes--there's always something to be grateful for, isn't there? I'm <mostly> just fine.

Ingerp-

You didn’t make me sad I just took a little trip down memory lane. You sound much stronger than I was about the whole thing. Little projection on my part.

Do you not want to get awig? Everyone is different. Actually my wigs look better than my own hair did after BMX and diagnosis stress.

Your family just wants to spend time with you. They don’t care what you look like. And you will be surprised how fabulous some people can be, co/workers included. Besides sounds like you have a super tough skin and the right attitude.

I’m cheering you on that you keep those brows and lashes. Keep us posted.

6 months and 2 weeks PFC. I was still bald 2 months PFC. Thought I was going to be one of the unlucky ones who didn't get her hair back. Now I have crazy chemo curls. I had wavy hair before chemo. Never this curly. My curly headed mother is fascinated by it!

I lost my brows about 6 weeks PFC and my lower lashes a couple weeks later. Never lost all my upper lashes. The brows came back within a couple weeks. Lashes slower.Both are falling out again now. I hope not all of them this time.

Ingerp, Everyone figures out what works for them. I had 5 wigs (including a great human hair one...expensive but worth it) and paid attention to my makeup so I could transform from Gollum to Human and my clients never knew I was sick. I’m now 10 months post chemo and went for my third haircut yesterday...it’s actually looking like an intentional inverted bob these days

Last year was very difficult for me but it’s getting better now. One day at a time

10 months post treatment.

Leesa, you look fit and healthy, and your hair is beautiful. Your stylist is a gem. Can't wait to see the long bob!

LeesaD- wow what a difficult time you have had. So happy you are moving on and healing. It’s incredibly remarkable through all those difficulties your hair grew and thrives. 👊

My hair is super nuts PFC 7 months now. When do chemo curls calm? Love to hear from those post A/C and Taxol?

Leesa—thanks for sharing. You look wonderful!!

CBK—those curls are out of control! Is that your old hair color? How curly was your hair before

CBK—I haven’t experienced this yet but do read the hair threads. Common experience seems to be whatever weird chemo hair you get will eventually revert to something close to what your hair used to be. In the meantime just enjoy those curls! I have a feeling Lucy Ricardo would be jealous. ;-)

Ingerp- HA! Very funny.  I know there are so many bigger things to worry about than my silly chemo curls. Everyone talks about their chemo curls having a brittle or dry texture.  Mine are not that way at all, wondering if they are just here to stay. 

Leesa D- Thank you... have you noticed any thinning of your hair on Arimidex combined with your ooph?  I mean your hair certainly doesn't look thin, but just wondering.  I have found that a huge adjustment in this whole process.. that no one even remotely prepared me for!!

CBK- so far I have not noticed any thinning due to Anastrozole or ooph. I've always had very thick hair. Prior to losing it my hairdresser would always have to cut into it with the thinning scissors to cut down on the volume as it grew. As it was growing back from chemo she was hesitant to do that but this last cut she had to cut into it again to thin it out as it was growing very thick. I still have a ways to go until I can compare apples to apples. When it gets back to at least chin length I'm hoping I can say it grew back exactly as was before. What I've noticed most from the lack of estrogen is skin changes and just more of an 'older' appearance. I feel like my looks have aged 10 years in 10 months.

Hello Ladies, I am 6 years out - After chemo my hair came back curly/wavy and I loved it!   Currently my hair has lost its shine and no longer has the curls/wavy -I have a lot of hair but lost so much of the body!  Has this transition happened to any of you?  Thanks for your input.

My hair started growing inn around April and now I have these weird tight grey and white and black curly curly (think pin curls from the 1950s) and look ridiculous, but at least it hair. My question is the wigs no longer fit right and some of these curls come through the side of the wig. I've tried a wig cap but its just too hot. When did everyone ditch the wigs?