Hello all, Showering on Sunday I noticed the hair falling out! it was of course expected, but still shocked me. I guess deep down I hoped to be that amazing specimen who has perfect hair throughout. ha ha Two days short of 3 weeks after first fec. Since then I have it coming out on everything, but still not obviously any missing on my head if you look. Don't feel like shaving it off-may change my mind later who knows. Head has been hurting a lot and i did not expect that, but I am all prepared with a(really obvious) wig from wig library and an assortment of hats, scarves and beanies. Had second FEC today, so suppose that will now hurry along the hair loss. Julia

Hi Julia You beat me on the beginning - my first loss started the day after 2nd FEC and like you no-one could notice except for the give away trail on the bathroom floor or shoulders of black clothing!! Then last Thursday night (6 days further on) my head was extra tender (like the seam on my night cap hurt when I moved my head). Wow, Friday morning, hair washing was amazing - almost blocked the drain in the shower (and I'd cut it really short) then as tried to dry more clumps came out!! Oh no the bald patches were ugly - so "announced" that going out without hat or wig was no longer a possiblilty. I only lasted till Saturday arvo and it was annoying me way too much - out with the clippers and the No4 trim allover. Actually had a huge giggle and handled it much better than thought although needed help with the back!! The great thing is that the head hurting stopped straight away. Now only a few more days on I'm really comfy with the look and am thinking of going No1 tomorrow to reduce the obviousness of the bald patches!! Interesting coming from me who said I didn't think I'd shave!! Hope your 2nd FEC went well today andall the best with the wig and hats - I'm having a great time with this new learning curve as I've never been a hat person apart from sun hats!! Hugs and lots of best wishes, Dette xxx

Hey Julia. I also have had a sore head but it seems to have abated for now. I'm nearly 2 weeks after my first cycle of AC and so far my hair has stayed put. I have scabs all over my scalp. I've got my second cycle on the 19th so not sure what will happen after that. I'm then down to 2 weekly for the last 2 cycles. Good luck and stay positive you and I and many others might be the lucky ones. All the best Al xx

Hi Dette, Great advice as always. Stay strong! I am also not much of a hat person but there are some great woollen caps out there as well as scarves. A learning curve for me too. Good luck as always with your hunt and thinking of you Your pink sister Al xxxx

Hi Julia, I think we all hope that, we will be the ones not to lose our hair. I couldn't come at shaving my hair of and nor could my husband feel like doing it for a start. The only way I could cope with it was to get a fine tooth comb (nit comb) and comb it out each day outside. I think I felt that I had some dignity left. When I only had a bit of hair left I finally cut those of with the scissors myself. I ended up having a nice wig for my daughters wedding and modern hairstyle (wig), looking at the photos now so that bit worked out well for me. Take care Kay

thanks Kay, good idea to comb hair outside!!! Julia

Hair today, gone tomorrow...... | BCNA Online Network

12 Replies

w_w_w_dette
Member
15 years ago
A big thanks for the salute Julia although Al is certainly showing way more strength than me.

I'm principal of a small primary school and because of the unknowns about how I would react to chemo combined with the need for consistency at school, we have appointed an acting and when I work I'm more in a support/extra role. We're very lucky as on my good weeks we're getting so much of the 'when there's time work' done! It's also a good feeling to know there's 2 heads if chemo brain hits me big time!

I know for me and suspect for Al that being there with the kids, who just say it as it is, is actually a big part of looking after what makes me feel good/worthwhile. For you, taking time off is probably the same tonic.

Well best get myself ready for tomorrow. Take care sisters

Dette xxx
Julia44
Member
15 years ago
I admire you all so much for your strength to work thoroughout this ordeal!

Julia
w_w_w_dette
Member
15 years ago
Hi Al and Julia

Hmmm.....we all work in schools and are so similar in our journeys!!! sounds like we were meant to be sisters of some sort, pink's good for me!!!

XXXOOO
w_w_w_dette
Member
15 years ago
Hi Al and Julia

Hmmm.....we all work in schools and are so similar in our journeys!!! sounds like we were meant to be sisters of some sort, pink's good for me!!!

XXXOOO
Al
Member
15 years ago
Hi Julia and Dette,

I'm probably at about the same stage as you are Julia. Small amounts of hair are beginning to fall out regularly so I went and got my hair cut very short ( was already quite short!) but I'm now suspecting that the bald patch will make an appearance soon! I also work in a school Dette so am on show everyday but Perth is a little warmer than dear old Tassie. ( I lived in Zeehan for 3 years! Originally from Hobart) I bought my first hat - a blue woollen beret made in Italy yesterday! Very cute and very me! I'll post a picture! Ordering the wig is next Friday! ARRGH!

Good luck to you both,

Your pink sister

Al xxxx
kay
Member
15 years ago
Hi Julia,

I live on a property, so no neighbours to see me combing it outside. On the day of my second chemo I think it was, my husband and I were having coffee and bits of hair were flying past him at the cafe as we were sitting outside. We had to laugh about that. I wasn't up to parting with it then. Hope all is going well for you. I didn't have a sore head.

Kay
w_w_w_dette
Member
15 years ago
Hi pink sister Al

Sounds like your time has also arrived - from all the comments on this post I think I was lucky to be 3 weeks before any hair loss/thinning!

If you enjoy the head massage and pampering then go for another haircut. For me it was only a week from the beginning to the bald patches being noticeable in my shorter hair (profile photo length) so another cut would have been a waste! I went the number 4 that day and then no 2 two days later - and loving it! Walk around home (inside) hatless but Tassie weather means I need a hat or the wig outside! MIght even get brave and upload a pic soon!

I found it really good to wear a sleep hat once I started to lose - no hair on the bed linen and again needed for the cold nights here. I have a couple of lovely soft cotton hats - not spectatular like some of the great winter ones but ever so good for bed and around home. I made a couple, picked up some great scarves to wear with the at the op shop and was also given some from "Gotcha Covered" - www.gotchacoveredhats.com.au

Also be prepared for the extra tender head time - for me the night before the clumpy loss. It even 'hurt' to move my head on the pillow!

As always, thinking all the best for you

With hugs Dette xx
Julia44
Member
15 years ago
thanks Kay, good idea to comb hair outside!!!

Julia
kay
Member
15 years ago
Hi Julia,

I think we all hope that, we will be the ones not to lose our hair. I couldn't come at shaving my hair of and nor could my husband feel like doing it for a start. The only way I could cope with it was to get a fine tooth comb (nit comb) and comb it out each day outside. I think I felt that I had some dignity left. When I only had a bit of hair left I finally cut those of with the scissors myself. I ended up having a nice wig for my daughters wedding and modern hairstyle (wig), looking at the photos now so that bit worked out well for me.

Take care

Kay
Al
Member
15 years ago
Hi Dette,

Great advice as always. Stay strong! I am also not much of a hat person but there are some great woollen caps out there as well as scarves. A learning curve for me too.

Good luck as always with your hunt and thinking of you

Your pink sister

Al xxxx