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Jane_Elizabeth's avatar
Jane_Elizabeth
Member
10 years ago

Thar she blows!!

I started AC chemo on March 2, and my hair fell out 2 weeks later, 95% of it within 3 days, and I have been pretty much bald since. I am now up to my 4th round of Taxol, and, after getting various family members (under various degrees of duress) to confirm my suspicions, I can proudly announce....my hair is growing back! It is downy soft like a baby's and silvery grey unlike a baby's, but it is definitely there.

My first thought? "That was quick!". My second thought? "No, no it wasn't". So as with most things that have happened to me so far on this journey, it feels too fast, too slow, too soon, not soon enough. Time and experience is definitely warped at this time, but, whatever, I have tactile proof that the autumn of 2016 is at last at an end for me, along with the feeling that my life was withering and falling away, and that after the long winter period of dormancy it is possible that there will be a time of new growth and new life.

So for the moment I feel pretty good!  Happy weekend everyone. Jane

coping

10 Replies

  • Autore's avatar
    Autore
    Member
    10 years ago

    Same happened to me ! All fell out fast during A/C , including eyelashes and eyebrows.

    Then I started weekly Taxol, and by week 5, I thought I was imagining baby fluff hair regrowth. But it really was growing back! 

    It still looks very thin and fluffy (and somehow now it's all grey) but it's coming back. Cheers to hair YAY!!!

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    Actually had a bit of research and looks like the weekly taxol might just let some of our hair grow back. All depends on the individual how much would be lost on weekly if we had a full head of hair to begin with, apparently some people just thin. ??

  • Jane_Elizabeth's avatar
    Jane_Elizabeth
    Member
    10 years ago

    Oh, oh well at least I can run my fingers through my down and enjoy it while it lasts, even if that might only be short term. Darn cumulative Taxol.......thought it was being nice to me.

  • Jane_Elizabeth's avatar
    Jane_Elizabeth
    Member
    10 years ago

    Good luck with getting the port in. I hadn't had trouble with my veins until the most recent 2 rounds of Taxol. I mentioned to the nurse last week how straightforward it had been up until then, as she struggled to insert the canula. She just looked at me as if I was a donut and said "Chemo". For some reason I thought once easy always easy. Sometimes its the bleeding obvious (did you see that pun?) that is the biggest surprise. Also, I agree, hair on some places I am happy to see back, other places.......not so much! Jane

  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    10 years ago

    It's exciting when your hair starts growing back! I had assumed nothing would happen until I had finished chemo, but like you it started growing back about half way through the taxol. A week or so later I discovered the tiniest imaginable row of eyelashes!

    Such a great reminder that our bodies are remarkable, in so many ways. Three cheers for your hair, and for you. I am looking at 4 years post diagnosis soon and it's been good. Best wishes to you.

  • Doll's avatar
    Doll
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Jane, reading your post made me smile.  Reminded me to appreciate the small things.

  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    10 years ago

    Nice analogy of the seasons. Mine is growing back too but its a completely different colour now to mousy brown. I was a red head lol.

     

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    I have that lovely soft down too but suspect it might still keep falling. I think the taxol might be more accumulative  as given weekly. But who knows...at least we know it will grow back.

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    10 years ago

    YAY for the comeback of hair ??

    That is great :)

    Jel

  • prudencerose's avatar
    prudencerose
    Member
    10 years ago

    Just like in Narnia, life regenerates. I am pleased to hear your hair is growing back.

    i have also finished AC and have had 2 rounds of paclitaxel. My hair is sparse but prickly but I have noticed that the hair on my legs may be regrowing - bummer. Haha. Beggars can't be choosers.

    today I was supposed to have a picc line put in but my veins were too hard. So now I will have to have a port in next week. Should have listened to the experts at the start. But they didn't actually say that AC was hard on veins. I will look for a silver lining in this; just like I have all the way through.

    Good luck on the rest of the journey and enjoy the regrowth, Jane.??