Well, I've taken the next step in this adventure - it was time to cut my hair off yesterday. I used the cooling cap first chemo treatment but had decided it wasn't for me and wasn't going to continue. As it turned out, I was losing substantial amounts of hair the last few days so although it had slowed down the process, I was still losing my hair rapidly so had made the right decision to stop the cap anyway. I found it incredibly distressing to lose my hair in chunks like that so was ready for the cut. I now have a number one crew cut and look like a boy but it feels so much better! Guess you can't have it all! My wonderful husband did the cut for me and we both handled it quite well. I made a point of not covering my head so we could both get used to my new look - I have to be able to feel comfortable getting around at home a la natural so best to do it straight up. I think it must be harder for him, I don't have to look at myself! I found lying on my pillow was weird - felt like little spikes in my head and wondering if that will settle but guess I'll lose what I have left soon enough after my next treatment tomorrow? Always look forward to your thoughts and comments.

I was like you and found it easier to just do the shave once it started to come out by the handful. I had very thick hair and other people said that maybe I would not lose it all, but I did. Well, except for a few stray hairs that were just about invisible because they had no colour to them. But I was very lucky when it grew back. Hardly any grey and pretty much like before. I just keep getting it cut short now, as I love the freedom of not having to spend time drying and styling! I have discovered that really short hair suits me! I remember the prickle stage as being very irritating when trying to sleep. It did not last long but I have heard that a satin type pillow case can be more comfortable. I never really got used to the chemo look. It just did not look like me in the mirror. Very strange feeling but I did love it when I put on my wig one day and walked out to the living room waiting for a comment from my youngest daughter. I had to point out the wig after no response was forthcoming. She said, 'I really don't notice what is on your head (hat, turban, wig or just bare), you just look like Mum to me! Hope that it settles for you after your second chemo. You will be another step closer to that finish line. Take care. Deanne xxx

:I shaved my head,just before treatment started.It didn't take long to get used to it.I remember the feeling of lying on the pillow with the spikey bits,but once your hair starts to come out,those little bits will just fall out.You can hurry them along by rubbing your head in the shower with a facecloth!! Take care,and enjoy the bald head in this hot weather!! It makes showers quicker too,and you can drive with the window down and not worry about messing up your hair!! Cheers xoxRobyn

Got to say I like the feeling of all that hair gone - it had gotten to the stage where I couldn't wash, brush or touch it without heaps coming out so was ready to say goodbye and I think it made it easier. The cooling cap had damaged my hair to a degree where it looked and felt yuk anyway. I'm thinking I might keep my new hair ( when it comes down the track) fairly short too, always had very long thick hair but that was then. Funny to think how much BC has changed my thoughts and ideas already about so many things in a positive way - who'd have thought? My daughter couldn't bring herself to stay for the shave yesterday so hope she handles it ok. She's coming for the outing to chemo with me tomorrow and I'm sure she'll be fine - think she'll be ok knowing that I've accepted it and just moving ahead. Don't think any of us will notice after a while. Yes, the finish line is closer with each treatment so I'm ready for number two! Xx

Had a shower after the big haircut last night - felt so weird not to have any hair but also so good! Glad it's summer, helps me appreciate it more I think and will just snuggle up in a beanie in winter. I'll have to try the car window down - got to jump on the positives! Thanks Robyn xx

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12 Replies

Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
Still getting used to my new look, or trying. I really don't like it at all but what can you do? Hot wearing head covers at the moment, over 30 degrees all the time here at the moment outside so thank goodness for air con! Def wear hats when out in the sun though, scalp seems to be very sensitive. Will try some moisturiser, good idea. Always used a chemical free gentle shampoo anyway so its very gentle. Thanks for the ideas xx
Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
Wow, people can be so insensitive! Those kind of remarks can kind of stick in your mind if you let them. I don't wear dresses so might have to follow your lead!
Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
I have signed up to go to a LGFB workshop on January 19th. Ive been thinking about it and can see there could be a lot to be gained from it and it could be fun. My daughter is coming with me and is more excited than I am! I haven't lost my eyebrows yet, one of the first things I look at in the mirror each day as I thought I would have by now. Funny but it scares me a bit, almost as much as losing my hair! I will need a lot of guidance on how to make me feel comfortable looking in the mirror. I am going to look at the possibility of a wig - trying to be open to ideas. I know it will get easier. Second chemo yesterday went ok, back to nausea etc today but if it passes as quickly as it did after the first treatment (within a week felt pretty good again) I'll be a happy girl. xx
JessicaV
Member
11 years ago
Hi, One thing I do now, and started to do when my hair was growing back but only a cm long, is wearing really feminine earrings and scarves or necklaces around my neck. And often lipstick too. I began this after a female barister at Qantas Club turned to me and said "Yes sir, what can I do for you?"

I felt insulted. I realised that I needed to make it easy for people who don't know me to tell I am female when I wear trousers.
yetbeung
Member
11 years ago
Are you able to sign up for the Look Good Feel Better workshop where you are? Even if you wear makeup alot, they cover things that you've never had to consider before cancer ie. how to draw on realistic looking brows, how to make it look like you have lashes, how to brighten up "chemo complexion"...and if you don't wear it, it's a great day out where you can meet other ladies all at different stages of the journey, feel pampered for the day and score a great make up bag to take home.

They also talk about wigs, how to tie scarves in creative ways and different types of head coverings, if you did want to cover it up. I loved being bald and never covered my head in public - actually I did the opposite, tried to focus on my head however possible ie. henna tattoos, creative make up, big earrings...but a lot of ladies appreciated learning about ways to cover the baldness without having it scream out "I'VE GOT CANCER!"

They don't mind if you take someone along for moral support if you are a bit nervous (maybe your daughter?) and I had lunch supplied at mine, so it was also a good opportunity to have a bit of a chat with the other ladies and also the professional makeup artists who were there!

I signed up for the workshop through the hospital I did my chemo at, it's free and they usually do one a month I think, your hospital may run something similar if LGFB isin't available in your area. It might help you feel better about the hair losss side of things, so you can then concentrate on the rest of it all!

Best of luck with your next chemo :-)
yetbeung
Member
11 years ago
Are you able to sign up for the Look Good Feel Better workshop where you are? Even if you wear makeup alot, they cover things that you've never had to consider before cancer ie. how to draw on realistic looking brows, how to make it look like you have lashes, how to brighten up "chemo complexion"...and if you don't wear it, it's a great day out where you can meet other ladies all at different stages of the journey, feel pampered for the day and score a great make up bag to take home.

They also talk about wigs, how to tie scarves in creative ways and different types of head coverings, if you did want to cover it up. I loved being bald and never covered my head in public - actually I did the opposite, tried to focus on my head however possible ie. henna tattoos, creative make up, big earrings...but a lot of ladies appreciated learning about ways to cover the baldness without having it scream out "I'VE GOT CANCER!"

They don't mind if you take someone along for moral support if you are a bit nervous (maybe your daughter?) and I had lunch supplied at mine, so it was also a good opportunity to have a bit of a chat with the other ladies and also the professional makeup artists who were there!

I signed up for the workshop through the hospital I did my chemo at, it's free and they usually do one a month I think, your hospital may run something similar if LGFB isin't available in your area. It might help you feel better about the hair losss side of things, so you can then concentrate on the rest of it all!

Best of luck with your next chemo :-)
Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
Hi Liz. There were no guarantees with the cold cap and I found it a long and uncomfortable experience on the day but was worth a try. I'm having trouble liking what I see in the mirror the first day after shaving my hair - hoping I get used to it quickly! Have a couple of head covers I can wear but trying to get comfortable just being me at home. Will be wearing something when I go for treatment tomorrow though! Good luck with your treatments too.
Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
Had a shower after the big haircut last night - felt so weird not to have any hair but also so good! Glad it's summer, helps me appreciate it more I think and will just snuggle up in a beanie in winter. I'll have to try the car window down - got to jump on the positives! Thanks Robyn xx
Dragonlover
Member
11 years ago
Got to say I like the feeling of all that hair gone - it had gotten to the stage where I couldn't wash, brush or touch it without heaps coming out so was ready to say goodbye and I think it made it easier. The cooling cap had damaged my hair to a degree where it looked and felt yuk anyway. I'm thinking I might keep my new hair ( when it comes down the track) fairly short too, always had very long thick hair but that was then. Funny to think how much BC has changed my thoughts and ideas already about so many things in a positive way - who'd have thought? My daughter couldn't bring herself to stay for the shave yesterday so hope she handles it ok. She's coming for the outing to chemo with me tomorrow and I'm sure she'll be fine - think she'll be ok knowing that I've accepted it and just moving ahead. Don't think any of us will notice after a while. Yes, the finish line is closer with each treatment so I'm ready for number two! Xx
Robyn_W
Member
11 years ago
:I shaved my head,just before treatment started.It didn't take long to get used to it.I remember the feeling of lying on the pillow with the spikey bits,but once your hair starts to come out,those little bits will just fall out.You can hurry them along by rubbing your head in the shower with a facecloth!! Take care,and enjoy the bald head in this hot weather!! It makes showers quicker too,and you can drive with the window down and not worry about messing up your hair!! Cheers xoxRobyn