Forum Discussion
Hair loss advice
Hi again. My last blog was deciding whether to have chemo or not and was a big decision for me. My Oncologist, who I'm very happy with, did convince me to go ahead as she had major concerns that my chances of recurrence were just too great for me to risk without it. I'd like to be around for quite a while longer yet! So I had my first treatment on the 16th December - 1 down, 15 to go
I tried the cooling cap and although I went ok with it, I don't think I want to continue so know I will lose my hair. I think I'm able to accept that now, and that's what I've had to do in my own time throughout all of this. I'm thinking it might be best to cut my hair very short before it starts falling out in clumps, as I've read can happen. Would love some advice on this and what others have experienced so I've got a fair idea of what to expect. My next treatment is 5th January so expect I will lose it within a few weeks of then? Thanks in advance for sharing any info.
27 Replies
- Hi Tonya. I have no doubt I will be upset when I first lose my hair but I think, like everything else that we all go through from the moment we're told we have cancer, I'll learn to accept it. So many life changes, so quickly, it's a whirlwind! I had my first chemo almost 2 weeks ago and so far I've been pretty good. A few days of nausea, brain fog and some weird loss of skin sensation but on the whole I can't complain. Day by day, see what happens. Xx
I wasn't too worried about having to lose my hair, more concerned I was about to lose my life. Fine by me to trade a breast for the rest of my life back, and throw in the hair while we are at it, why not?
I went to a Look Good Feel Better workshop three weeks before starting Chemo, and it was fun and very helpful. The wigshop lady tried beautiful wigs on us all, and everyone told me the blonde Marilyn Munroe look really suited me. So I started to look forward to finding out if blondes do have more fun even during chemo. And had to buy the wig, plus scarves, cloche hats, caps etc.
Had my hair cut short when I heard that it starts to look motheaten as it starts to fall out. There were strong winds as it started to loosen, and I thought maybe if I stood outside, the hurricane would blow it all away like thistle down. But no such luck. Got sick of waiting, and of the plughole clogging up in the shower, so my husband and daughter shaved it off for me.
My husband shaved his head too in solidarity. He said: I can't share your nausea or your fatigue or your sickness, but I can share your baldness. So I was not alone. In fact, when I wore my wig, people started to wonder if he was the one with cancer.
I did find out that gentlemen seem to prefer blondes and and are amazingly chivalrous to blondes, but maybe that was partly because wearing that wig brings out the flirt in me. It was fun during a time when otherwise I might have not felt very feminine, and wanted to.
Then the docetaxel and carboplatin was over, and my hair began to grow again at about a cm a month. After two months it was really long to me, but strangely people kept telling me how short my hair was.
It is wonderfully thick and wavy compared to my precancer hair. I also love getting it back, and feeling that as I get back my hair I am getting back my energy and health and life again. I hope you will enjoy the journey. It is not long, and it does grow back. Often even better than it was before
- Hi Robyn. I thought this might be something I should take control of and the replies today are convincing me it could be the right decision. I hope I can be comfortable with no hair too, would make it a lot easier! Will be cooler for summer that's for sure so there's a positive. Thanks for your reply and kind words xx
- Hi, thanks for your reply. I have lined up my hairdresser, who I count as a friend as I've been going to her for many years now, to come and cut my hair even shorter. I have always had very long hair until this - had to have it cut fairly short to try the cooling cap so think shaving is the next step now I'm not going to continue with that. Like everything that's happened, it's scary imagining myself with no hair but I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be and I have adjusted to the changes so far. Like you said, our lives are the most important thing in this picture. Good luck with your chemo, sooner it starts the sooner it's finished xx
- It's funny how things work out sometimes. I know a lot of women find it terribly confronting to lose their hair but fortunately I wasn't one of them. I hope what ever you decide to do, that you are able to you can manage to feel comfortable. Xox
- Hi Deanne, always look forward to your comments. You have a way of talking that makes me feel at ease. I think acceptance has come now that I've gotten past the anger, I feel a lot calmer about it all now. I have ordered a couple of things from Headcovers but they haven't arrived as yet. Will have to chase up a wig, not sure where to do that. Don't want to be caught unprepared. Have been told about the workshops, sounds like a good idea too. I'm a very private person so going to a group thing like that will be different. Anyway, thanks again xx
- I had that thought you know - wouldn't it be funny if I actually got comfortable with no hair? I can't imagine it now, but if I've learnt one thing through all this its that your outlook on things changes dramatically as you go as do priorities. Things you thought you could never adjust to - you have without realising! Thanks for sharing xx
- We are all different and I cut my hair into a short bob and let it fall out from that.My scalp was sore as my hair fell out and I hated being bald.I found it quite distressing at first but,as with all things, soon got used to it.I hope chemo won't be too unkind to you both. Big hugs,Tonya xx
- Well .. Me too About to start chemo, as prepared as I can be, with a wig, turbans etc.. Also ordered nifty headgear online. I've had a short haircut, preparing to have it shaved, by my lovely hairdresser, in a couple of weeks time. Re: the whole chemo thing.. I really think that if an oncologist advises it.. There's no way around it. My surgeon said, following the sentinel node biopsy, that the team would hit it hard.. So that I have a long life. I realise now.. That is overwhelmingly the most important thing. Very best wishes.
- Well .. Me too About to start chemo, as prepared as I can be, with a wig, turbans etc.. Also ordered nifty headgear online. I've had a short haircut, preparing to have it shaved, by my lovely hairdresser, in a couple of weeks time. Re: the whole chemo thing.. I really think that if an oncologist advises it.. There's no way around it. My surgeon said, following the sentinel node biopsy, that the team would hit it hard.. So that I have a long life. I realise now.. That is overwhelmingly the most important thing. Very best wishes.
