Forum Discussion

Autore's avatar
Autore
Member
10 years ago

I want my eyelashes back now please !

Hi ladies

I'm new to the group and wanted to introduce myself.

I was diagnosed with triple negative BC last year. The tumors were aggressive and growing fast (the biggest was 3cm). We have no family history of cancer so it was a shock to discover I also have the BRCA gene mutation.

I was living on the other side of the world and had to drop everything to move back to Australia. Suddenly I was homeless, jobless and trying to make sense of cancer. I've always been independent, so this was a huge adjustment.

I've had 7 months of chemo and felt nauseous and tired the whole time. Mostly now I just want my eyelashes and hair back please (it's the simple things lol!). I have 3 treatments to go, then I need to prepare for a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction and removal of my ovaries - oh the joys! I'm petrified of surgery but thankful for the invention of anesthetic (and pain killers!)

Well that's my little story. Now for the real pressing issue... has anyone tried false eyelashes ? I'm a little bored of having bald eyelids Lol xx

BRCA1-BRCA2
triple-negative-breast-cancer
  • Sally_M's avatar
    Sally_M
    Member
    10 years ago

    lashes and brows are quite remarkable Kym.. I swear mine seemed to all of a sudden reappear also!

    Unfortunately now I'm experiencing a 2nd wave of brow and lash loss (finished chemo end Oct 15) which I've read can happen. 

  • Sally_M's avatar
    Sally_M
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Autore

    Unfortunately as Kym has mentioned, false lashes need to be attached to lashes, not skin. I had no lashes or brows for what felt like ages but actually it was really 3-6 weeks (they all fell out after 12 x taxol) but they grew back very quickly. I used an eye liner and shaded my brows (they need help at the best of times so I was already pretty good at this!) and to be honest no-one knew otherwise, and I worked every day. 

    At least as women we can wear make up I guess!

    Good luck with the rest of your treatment xx

     

  • Autore's avatar
    Autore
    Member
    10 years ago

    Will certainly try that Kym :) I haven't been wearing makeup during chemo because my skin has been too sensitive, so was wondering if it would irritate my eyes. I will have to try some lashes and find out! xx

  • Kymvass's avatar
    Kymvass
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Autore,

    I just looked at my eyelashes this morning and they're back!!! Yay.

    My last chemo was 24 November, they have been sparse for a while but then it seems overnight they are all there again.

    I enquired about fake eyelashes, but they need to hold on to something to be successful. I tried the glue ones but they fell off during dinner as my eyes were weepy from chemo. Too wet to stay.

    The best think I discovered was waterproof eyeliner you paint on with a brush applicator. I got really good at it and at least it stayed for most of the day regardless of my weepy eyes.

    All the best,

    Kym

  • Autore's avatar
    Autore
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thank you for the link Inkpetal. This is a fantastic tutorial on recreating eyelashes! What great tips and tricks. Will give it a go for sure :) x

  • InkPetal's avatar
    InkPetal
    Member
    10 years ago

    A woman with Alopecia named Carly Severn was featured in Vogue last year in an article about hair loss and style (if you're interested, link: here). She has a YouTube channel with a bunch of beauty tips for the hair-free from how to draw on convincing eyebrows, and applying false lashes (here)! I hope this helps.

  • Autore's avatar
    Autore
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thank you Christel

    Wish I joined the group sooner in my journey!

    My chemo was A/C, then Taxol, not sure if yours is the same? Best of luck with it.

    Let me know how your gene test goes. Fingers crossed for a negative result! Happy to answer any questions you may have :) 

    Sending hugs xx

  • Christel's avatar
    Christel
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Autore,

    Welcome to the group, only recently joined myself and everyone has been so lovely and full of support and information.

    Having your life turned upside sucks, but having it happen whilst overseas would have made it all the more difficult, I hope you have a good support network now that you are home.

    I can't help with the eyelashes, sorry, as my chemo starts tomorrow, but am keen to follow and see what feedback you receive. Like you I am triple negative, but will have my blood taken this week for the BRCA testing. 

    good luck with your last 3 treatments, I will be sure to keep following you as I am a few months behind your journey.

    Take care.

    C xx