What to do with patchy hair?

Hi girls I also have a port that was inserted under a local anaesthetic. I was awake for the whole procedure. For me personally, I have had lots of needles and procedures over the years due to other health issues, but I was anxious about the procedure but you get through it. I was sore for weeks afterwards and am still very aware of the port some 6 months later. It has made things easier for treatments though. Don't know why but for me it is the one thing that has made me come unstuck emotionally, which is bizarre as I have had lots worse medical procedures done over the years than this. I too find the seat belt very uncomfortable. Mine is on the left side so as a passenger I can hold the belt away from it. Having said all that, if I was in the same position again, I would definitely have it done again. Karen xox

Hi Laura Maria,

I had a sedative and a local anaesthetic, and I was asleep about the time they did the anaesthetic. The radiologist had two goes inserting the canula for the fluids, or whatever they used it for.

My port is clear of some bra straps but not others. It's on my right so the car seat belt goes over it when I'm driving - which is unpleasant cos it's quite sensitive. So I keep a folded scarf in the car as a pad for the seat belt. Some people have mentioned a small pillow for this purpose, but the scarf works for me.

For the first week or two, I didn't want to sleep on that side, so I put a pillow beside me to prevent me turning that way.

It's great that you're really clear about getting one. It makes it much easier to manage the process.

Take care,

Gillian

Hi Laura Maria,

I had a sedative and a local anaesthetic, and I was asleep about the time they did the anaesthetic. The radiologist had two goes inserting the canula for the fluids, or whatever they used it for.

My port is clear of some bra straps but not others. It's on my right so the car seat belt goes over it when I'm driving - which is unpleasant cos it's quite sensitive. So I keep a folded scarf in the car as a pad for the seat belt. Some people have mentioned a small pillow for this purpose, but the scarf works for me.

For the first week or two, I didn't want to sleep on that side, so I put a pillow beside me to prevent me turning that way.

It's great that you're really clear about getting one. It makes it much easier to manage the process.

Take care,

Gillian

Thanks all, I figured there wasn't much I could to to get it all off! I'll just have to wait, I guess. I might comb it in the shower and see how that goes.

 

In regards to the port, my veins were amazing last week, this week they suddenly stopped being so nice. You're definitely sedated in my hospital for day surgery so you don't know it's happening and don't feel a thing other than a bit of tenderness afterwards. I can't believe yours is just a local! Is this definitely for a port and not a pick line? I have no hesitation in getting the port - everyone around me that had one said it's the best thing they ever did. I do not want to go through another week of trying to find veins that work, so I can't wait! They're so common that I'm sure they're well experienced in placement for mastectomies.

Thanks all, I figured there wasn't much I could to to get it all off! I'll just have to wait, I guess. I might comb it in the shower and see how that goes.

 

In regards to the port, my veins were amazing last week, this week they suddenly stopped being so nice. You're definitely sedated in my hospital for day surgery so you don't know it's happening and don't feel a thing other than a bit of tenderness afterwards. I can't believe yours is just a local! Is this definitely for a port and not a pick line? I have no hesitation in getting the port - everyone around me that had one said it's the best thing they ever did. I do not want to go through another week of trying to find veins that work, so I can't wait! They're so common that I'm sure they're well experienced in placement for mastectomies.

I'm on day 3 of my second docetaxel/ carboplatin / herceptin cycle. Im on three weekly infusions. My hair started falling out about day 14. It is very thin and patchy (I shaved too). Not sure what to do either, I seem to lose more each shower, so here's hoping it all just gives up soon. Im wearing scarves so it's not really a big deal. I found some cute headwear at hathouse.com too, though must say my fave is just a long scarf I found! Glad to hear your treatment is going well!

I'm on day 3 of my second docetaxel/ carboplatin / herceptin cycle. Im on three weekly infusions. My hair started falling out about day 14. It is very thin and patchy (I shaved too). Not sure what to do either, I seem to lose more each shower, so here's hoping it all just gives up soon. Im wearing scarves so it's not really a big deal. I found some cute headwear at hathouse.com too, though must say my fave is just a long scarf I found! Glad to hear your treatment is going well!

I found that the shedding lasted about a week, then it was over. I felt quite sad while the hair was shedding, but that sadness has passed.

To avoid having lots of hair in my bed, I started wearing a bed cap. Other than that, I spent time on the deck running my fingers through my hair for a few days, encouraging the hair to fall outside, rather than in. There was lots in the shower for a few days. On a couple of days, I vacummed the bathroom after showering and drying my hair.

When the shedding finished, I was left with thin, patchy hair which I cover with scarves, as I mentioned above.

Regarding a port, it was recommended for me because I have 16 chemo sessions plus all the blood work, and one arm can't be used due to lymph gland removal. All in all, I don't particularly like it, but it seemed the better option. It was inserted with a heavy sedative - I slept and wasn't aware. There was heavy bruising that took 2-3 weeks to clear. It certainly makes the treatments easy, and the nurses love it!

Take care,

Gillian

I found that the shedding lasted about a week, then it was over. I felt quite sad while the hair was shedding, but that sadness has passed.

To avoid having lots of hair in my bed, I started wearing a bed cap. Other than that, I spent time on the deck running my fingers through my hair for a few days, encouraging the hair to fall outside, rather than in. There was lots in the shower for a few days. On a couple of days, I vacummed the bathroom after showering and drying my hair.

When the shedding finished, I was left with thin, patchy hair which I cover with scarves, as I mentioned above.

Regarding a port, it was recommended for me because I have 16 chemo sessions plus all the blood work, and one arm can't be used due to lymph gland removal. All in all, I don't particularly like it, but it seemed the better option. It was inserted with a heavy sedative - I slept and wasn't aware. There was heavy bruising that took 2-3 weeks to clear. It certainly makes the treatments easy, and the nurses love it!

Take care,

Gillian

Yes, mine thinned dramatically but is not entirely all gone. I thought that the remainder would go after the second chemo, but it didn't.  I figure that only shaving it would get it all off and I don't want to do that.

I wear a cap to bed so my head doesn't get cold and I wrap scarves during the day. I've had fun finding different kinds of wraps - from the very simple through to some very elaborate Nigerian wonders!

So, I don't mind that my hair is thin and patchy, cos it's under whatever wrap I choose for morning, afternoon or evening, or the event/occasion. It's quite different from my usual 'comb the hair and forget it routine'.

hathouse.com.au is where I got a couple of bed caps and a beanie.

Good luck with everything,

Gillian