just had all my thick hair cut short and first chemo 24/8

I think the key thing is to remove your hair on a day when you are feeling mentally strong.

I had my hair cut to a similar length to my wig pre chemo (AC) - a chin length bob.

Then when my hair started falling out (days 14 to 21) I wore hats (beanies, berets) and brushed my hair twice a day to remove the loose hair. the longer length meant the loose bits knotted with non loose bits so it didn't fall out until I brushed out the knots.

Wearing the hats meant I could keep my hair until I was mentally ready. I had bald spots which the hats hid.

ultimately what happened was day 29 I washed my hair and it practically all fell out in the shower. Such a weird experience. But kinda cool. Luckily I was feeling strong that day anyway.

The hair around my face actually hung in there for a few more weeks so when I wear hats I still don't look bald (except the loss of volume).

I also have shoulder length hair and am planning on getting it cut very short before I start my first chemo 27/8. My oncologist tell me that it may take a few weeks to fall out so advised not to get it shaved yet. As soon as it starts to fall out I think I will just shave it all off. It is hard to think about losing your hair.

Good idea to get your hair cut. I was dreading that more than chemo, believe it or not!

i had red shortish hair but got my hairdresser to give me a pixie cut before first chemo. After 17 days it was falling out all over the place and getting annoying so my two girls (23 and 20) enjoyed shaving off the rest for me in a buzz cut. Took a long time, my hair is very very thick! Now finally I decided to completely shave it and actually, I quite came to terms with it all. Much better than I thought. Maybe because I did it in stages?

good luck with the rest of your treatment. Xx

Hi Anita. Good on you for getting your hair cut. It's a hair thing to do, and a big adjustment to make. I had collar length hair, so didn't think I needed to get it cut, but your breast care nurse is right. I found it quite confronting & traumatic when it started to come out. At that point, I had a buzz cut, which was a good move.

What chemo, and how many cycles are you having?

Take care, Lyn

Hi Anita great to read you have such wonderful support.  I have my education session on Tues,  and going to Mr hair dresser Tues morning.  She suggested a pixie cut prior to my chemo which begins Thurs.  A little nervous,  I have thick brown/red hair and not looking forward to losing it. However trying to be positive with the thought of how it will grow back,  curls maybe?  Anyway all the best with your treatment.  Sending hugs

Sonya ????

Hi Anita, embrace the day Honey, and go to spend time with your friends and family. I've sent you a connect request. To connect with another member, click on their name and a screen will come up that has the persons name and underneath there is a pink connect button. When you press that, it will show pending and send a message to that person that you want to connect. Go to your profile and click on listings, in there you'll see the connect request, just click the accept button and it will create the link. It just means that we can send messages to each other that don't show on the online network. Best wishes for your chemo. My radiation starts on Tuesday. Cheers, Trace ????

Hi Anita,

Well done beautiful for doing the chop to your hair.  It is a transition for when it does start to fall out.  Mine started to fall out day 14 after AC treatment.  Although I had it cut to a pixie style, I still found it confronting when it was coming out in the handfuls.  I went back to my hairdresser and she clipped it with shears for the really even shorn look. I found it a away of taking control over the situation.

All the best with the info day for chemo.  There's a lot to take in but the only advice I can give is to remember that anti nausea medication has developed so much that you don't need to suffer.  The nurses were constantly reminding me to not wait til the next round of chemo if things weren't under control. Adjustments could always be made to the medication.

If you get a chance, attend a Look good feel better workshop.  I went to one last week and met some amazing women (experiencing chemo with different cancers), great makeup and hair & scarves strategies.  It was a morning of pampering.

It's great you have family support.  Lots of cuddles. My teenage boy loves big bear hugs and my teenage daughter thinks I'm a trendy mum who can tie a good turban. I'm learning not to criticise how hubby and kids stack the dishwasher!!

Be kind to yourself Anita,

Karen xx

Hi Anita having your hair cut is a good idea, mine was already short so didn't need to cut it. Chemo is hard you might one of the lucky ones and not be to bad. You can do it reading someones pst the other day I liked her comment we are warriors. Take carexx

Hi Scotty,

I might ask for that will see how I go, I;m sure I'll be fine as I have a positive out look but I get scared and anxious too but I have fantastic support I just ordered some new chemo hats from hat house online I already have 2 so at least I'm prepared, I've gotten used to my haircut now it's so easy. Sending you cyber hugs Anitaxx

Hi Trace,

I would love to keep in touch along my journey but what's a connect request and how do you do it? Do you still start Radiotherapy this week? I've been a little anxious last night and now I can't sleep but I'll try as I know I need my rest because I have a very busy week my cousin sent me an email yesterday and is planning to come up from Sydney for the weekend I really hope it eventuates as we haven't seen each other since 2007 and she's like a sister to me she has 3 kids 2 boys and a girl and Angelena hasn't met her cousins so one of my plans after my treatment is to take her to Sydney and my home town of Melbourne we lived in Canberra for 10 years before moving to Darwin, I'm still planning on going to the BCNA forum in Darwin on the 25th even though chemo starts on the 24th as my hubby and I have been looking forward to it having chemo doesn't mean my life should stop. My daughter in a way knows somethings happening as she's an only child and is allways  around adults I think she's a bit more mature than your average 9 year old she's so smart but I suppose I'm a little biased my hubby has been so supportive even though I know he's starting to find it a little hard he's from sri lanka  but has lived the last 20 years in Australia and I'm aussie we are like each others right arm in fact the day I start chemo is the day we met 19years ago so I suppose you could say we are starting another journey on our special day my breast nurse thinks we should go out on the weekend and have an have our anniversary early and do something special, I think I might take her advice what do you think,sending you a big cuddle Anitaxx