Did Hair Come Back Better or Worse?

I didn't have chemo, but I remember that my mom's hair grew back really fine and curly. She also didn't need to relax it for a while, but it also went back to its regular texture after a few months and then got even more coarse. She had to relax it more often, too.

My hair took forever to grow back. When it did it was fine and straight  like babies hair for a few months and now it is like a jheri curl. I do not need to perm it but I am limited to how I can wear it because it is so curly and fine. I always had hair that did not really need perming but had thicker longer hair. I am not complaining I was bald for very long and am happy for what I have but (here's the but) it has been over a year and my hair is still short and not growing? Any tips? Benita p.s. I miss going to the salon  

We've always have had a "thing" about our hair, but it's funny how cancer changes even that. Sigh...

I didn't have chemo and had been growing my hair back to one length after years of short, tapered cuts when I got my dx. I felt sooo fortunate to have dodged the chemo bullet, but when I got tired of having to do my do as it grew (especially with the athletics - what a pain! How many ponytails can you wear?!?), I was too afraid to cut it in case the cancer came back and I did have to have chemo. Being 6'2" and thin, I've gotten more than my share of "Can I help you, SIR?" when peole approach me from behind and I'm wearing a cap and sweats. I was too afraid of having to deal with that again - especially having no breasts - that I've kept the hair past its shelf life. It was like having cancer put me right back in junior high with all the body issue drama...

But I interviewed a woman last week who had a BEAUTIFUL cut and I thought about letting the scissors fly again. I hear you about time for change!

when i was diaganosed with ca i had 12 weeks of chemo. my hair grew back wild. the back was straight, left side was coarse, the right side was curly, and front was a mixture. after my bilateral, i had to go back for four treatments of chemo,my hair fell out again. i am now bald. i am wearliy waiting to see what texure my hair will be!!! strangiest thing; my eybrows didnt fall out this time around. has anyone seen robin roberts bald? i saw a clip of her when her hair was being shaved off.

MY HAIR CAME OUT THE 1ST TIME WITH THE ADRAMYCIN AND ALL IN 1999.  THIS MARCH OF 2007 I HAD TAXOTERE AND MY HAIR CAME OUT AND GREW BACK IN SOFT SILVER GRAY, AND I ALWAYS TINT MY HAIR DARK, AS IT LOOKS SO THIN, IN OCT. AFTER STARTING NAVELBINE  AND TYKERB(AND MY HAIR HAD JUST GROWN IN FROM MARCH) AND A BAD DIP IN WHITE BLOOD COUNTS TO 1.O, MY HAIR CAME OUT AGAIN---WELL, IT IS GROWING IN, BLACK--HAS ANYONE HEARD OF SUCH--I AM NOT MAD AT IT--JUST DID NOT EXPECT THIS, AND NEITHER HAS MY BEAUTICIAN--WE THINK DUE TO THE CHEMO, ANY ANSWERS OR THE LIKES??!!  I AM 60 YEARS OLD, SO THE GRAY GROWING IN WAS APPROPIATE.

LINDA C

Sparker...your name sounds real familiar to me.  I've only found this site recently.  I THINK you are from the Chicago area. Correct me if I have the wrong person.  I am really glad to find this site...I know it is important to find other sisters out here going down the same journey.   My hair is starting to come in.  It is really short, but soft as as a babies.  I thought this day would never come for me.

im in the same boat as a lot of you i dont want to go bald again i hated it so bad i cried all the time i didnt even go back to work i was gust to depress to go back every body said they understand but how can they if they havent been through this i am glad i found this site

Hello all.  Happy New Year.

Hi Lee yes I am from Illinois.  About an hour in a half from Chicago.

A week after my second chemo my hair started coming out.  I was finally at the point of sporting a mo-hawk before I got up the nerve to finally shave all of it off with the help of my 12 year old son.  He wouldn't leave my side as I sat on the side of my bed and stared at my missing breast and my missing hair.  I think he was thinking I was going to freak out.  But for some reason I felt this overwhelming peace.  My daughter was not home at the time but when she came in and saw me she got angry.  She first said that she didn't see why I had to cut the rest off I should have waited longer, she didn't like how I looked, and she just kept stareing at me.  She finally appologized and said it wasn't her but the fear of what I am going through that scares her.  She is 15 going on 35.  My best girl friend.  She is used to it now.  I have never been one to wear weave or wigs so I went out to purchase my first wig.  I think it is cute but she doesn't like it.  I feel real uncomfortable wearing it so I don't.  I like wearing my hats.  Something I never did before either.  During the holidays I had a lot of company and I would just watch the reactions of people seeing me bald and it didn't bother me.  So after wearing long thick hair for 38 years I think the short hair look is the way I am going to go when it starts to come back.  I had the Mya Angelou look with the silver patch in the front.  I hope it comes back.  The only thing I hate is that the hair on my legs and arms are not going anywhere.  Thank God its winter so I don't have to shave my legs.  Ha ha.  Question?  Has anyone ever had a problem with pulling out hairs?  I think it's a OCD- nervous problem.  I pull out my eyelashes, eyebrows and hair on my head.  Have done it for years.  If anyone knows anything about this please let me know.

Take care all

sabrina

HELLO SABRINA,

YOUR SITUATION CAUGHT MY EYE AND HEART.  PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DRS. SO THEY CAN SEND YOU TO THE RIGHT PERSON, AS FAR AS YOUR URGE TO PULL OUT YOUR HAIR.  THERE IS A NAME FOR THIS, IT IS AN ILLNESS AND THERE ARE MEDS OUT THERE TO HELP AGAINST THIS URGE,AS IT IS A FORM OF HARM TO ONESELF, ALSO COUNSELING TO HELP TO.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS--IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME, BUT YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS--THE CANCER MAY YET BE ANOTHER STRESS AND CERTAINLY SO--TAKE CARE OF YOU--I HOPE YOU HEAR YOU POST SOON.

LINDA C

Before bc I wore locs and had taken them out before diagnosis.  I've gone from past the shoulders natural hair to natural hair that has a completely different texture and seems to only have grown at a snails pace since my tx ended September 06.  Still, I am so thankful because after bc I hate wigs!! 

HI SALLY,

EACH TIME MY HAIR HAS COME OUT AFTER CHEMO I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH ORGANIC ROOT STMULATOR PRODUCTS--THE CARROT CREAM AND THE TEMPLE BALM FOR THE EDGES AND TEMPLES. THEY HAVE THERE OWN SHAMPOO. IT CAN BE BOUGHT AT MOST HAIR SUPPLY STORES AND WALGREEN STORES--A LIL PRICEY BUT WORTH IT.  HOPE IT HELPS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON

GOOD LUCK

LINDA C

HELLO SHORBR

DID YOU HAPPEN TO TAKE NAVELBINE AS A CHEMO AT ANY TIME---IT REALLY CHANGES HAIR----MY HAIR IS OF A FINE THIN GRADE--AND NOT A GOOD GRADE OF HAIR--I WEAR A CURL---THAT LOOKS LIKE A PERM TO KEEP IT HEALTHY(WHEN I HAVE SOME)BUT THE NAVELBINE HAD MY HAIR LOOKING SOFT AND ALMOST STRAIGHT AND 2 MONTHS OFF--I GET BACK "LINDA HAIR"---THAT IS THE GOOD THING ABOUT NAVELBINE--I KNEW MY HAIR WOULD BE PRETTY, I WEAR IT SHORT AND THE CUTS WERE SO CUTE--CANT WAIT TILL IT GROWS IN SOME MORE

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU

LINDA C

I am also using the "organic root stimulator" products.  Although I must admit, I'm a little concerned about the "petrolatum"(a gelatinous mass obtained from petroleum) in the olive oil hair dressing.  I am trying to elimate all "petroleum" (a by product of hydrocarbons) from my beauty regimen.

I am considering using "Carol's daughter" products once I finish using what I have.  Has anyone tried her products?  If so, I would be interested in your opinion...Thank you, Deborah Ann

p.s. Thank you Mel for your comment, you are too kind