Ok, so I'm set for cycle 2 of FEC next week, and am prepared for the hair loss to start the week after. Or, I thought I was. I was all "cancer chose the wrong chick to mess with - let's shave it off a week ahead!" & even had a chin length cut as midway step to the shave, which is booked in for the day before cycle 2. I think a shave will make eventual hair loss less traumatic - or will it? Bought the top line wigs, shopped the cool scarves... It's so superficial I know it'll grow back & this is about living, but I'm starting to mourn in advance for the loss. Any long haired girls done the GI Jane shave in advance or chemo hair loss? Regrets? Or good decision? Moonface x

Hi, I really dreaded the hair loss and was expecting that it would be really traumatic. Like you I was prepared in advance with all sorts of hats and scarves and a couple of wigs. I am not a hat wearing person in general and knew that I did not want to go down the bandana path - I was hoping to blend into the crowd rather than effectively put up a sign saying I have cancer. The publicity factor was definately one of my biggest concerns, I am a fairly private person and didnt want every person who saw me to know my story, and at the end of the day the lack of hair is really the only outward sign of what you are going through. My second concern was of course more superficial - how ugly was I going to be with no hair!! Anyway, my hair was about shoulder length I guess and I didnt cut it in advance. Once it started coming out the loose stuff quickly matted up so I basically just chopped the matty pony tail bit which left me with very short hair all over. That was short lived though as it was all gone within a couple of days - for some reason I expected it to take longer but no, it was all over pretty quickly. What surprised me though was that I was able to laugh at how it looked and marvel at how I managed to still have any on my head when there was so much in my hand.......so all my bracing for the emotional effects was in vain and I actually was fine with it in the end. I did have a couple of melt down moments when I couldnt get comfortable with the look of the wig but since then all has been well. I get so many compliments on my wig (many of them from people who dont know it is a wig) that I now dread having to go back to real hair!! Not to mention how easy it is - no more bad hair days and very light toilet bag when you pack to go away without all those hair products! Good luck with your chemo, hope it all goes well and remember that your body is going through a lot so be kind to yourself Justine

I did something similar to Leonie -- had a haircut before surgery, then a shorter one before I started chemo. The minute it started falling out I went for a number one -- it's a lot easier to lose stubble than it is for whole strands, especially when it doesn't come out evenly. I actually still have a very light stubble on my head, which is nice cos I still have some scalp sensitivity. The other thing that makes the pre-emptive shave worthwhile is that it's depressing seeing your hair all over the house, and sweeping it up. Go well, hope you enjoy the 'new look' as much as possible! Heather

Hey JoJo, I did EXACTLY the same thing as you, I LOVED my long hair & 6 weekly cut & colours and had ALL the expensive stuff to look after if! THEN CAME THE BC! On New Years Day, 3 days before my 2nd chemo I shave the lot! I didnt even go the "mid-bob" thing first. I actually LOVED it! It was really liberating (which I had heard other girls say before, but refused to beleive them!) I celebrated DURING the process with several glasses of wine which made it fun! Once I looked in the mirror, I cried and squealed both in delight and sadness. But never regretted it! Good Luck! Sam :-)

wow, thanks so much for putting it all into perspective for me - great to get some advice from those who've been there. it's just bloody hair, right?! :-) Thanks for replying and hope you're all going well with where you're at. no doubt chat again soon. JoJo xx

The Pre-emptive head shave - help!

18 Replies

JennyS
Member
15 years ago
It was great to read these posts :) I had my 1st chemo 2.5 weeks ago and my hair started falling out quite badly a few days ago. I've cut it above my shoulders now but it's quite thin. Have been thinking about shaving it totally off, my husband, 3 year old son and myself are all going to do ours at the same time and this has just made me feel much more comfortable about it :)
-Samantha-
Member
15 years ago
http://www.bcna.org.au/user/92/blog/9333#comment-7802

This link is for the girls that have done it already! I love this thread!

Good luck xxxx
jojo71
Member
15 years ago
Pink Ladies, the shave was awesome! I'd attach the pic if I knew how, otherwise I'll change profile pic.

The night before was a bit of a different story, panicked & once again was second guessing myself. However when i woke up and was able to brush a decent ball of hair into the sink, I knew the time was right & havent looked back. I was even sans hat or cap yesterday in public, enjoying the hair whilst it lasts.

If you or any friends are yet to make this call on hair pre treatment, I agree it's worth it and offers us at wee bit of control in a time when we have little. thanks for your support chicks x
jojo71
Member
15 years ago
Pink Ladies, the shave was awesome! I'd attach the pic if I knew how, otherwise I'll change profile pic.

The night before was a bit of a different story, panicked & once again was second guessing myself. However when i woke up and was able to brush a decent ball of hair into the sink, I knew the time was right & havent looked back. I was even sans hat or cap yesterday in public, enjoying the hair whilst it lasts.

If you or any friends are yet to make this call on hair pre treatment, I agree it's worth it and offers us at wee bit of control in a time when we have little. thanks for your support chicks x
Caz
Member
15 years ago
Hi there...when my hair started to fall out in clumps we had a gathering in the bathroom and my son, my husband and I ALL shaved our hair right off! My son thought it was hilarious (4 1/2 years old at the time) and we tried a mohalwk on him for a couple of minutes before shaving the rest off. It lightened things up for him too. I too felt very liberated and quite enjoyed being bald for a while. Play around with your scarves and head pieces..they are trendy now! All the best xoxo
pacwood
Member
15 years ago
Hi all.

I just chopped my mid back length hair into an ear length short style. I am seeing the oncologist Monday and thought a nice new do would help me feel good for a while.

I too dreaded the thought of my lovely long red hair being all over the house! If and when the time comes that it really starts to fall out, hubby is ready and waiting to shave my head!!! The kids think that is silly!

I cant control the cancer and treatment but I can control how I look and and feel! xoxo
Liz24
Member
15 years ago
Hi JoJo,

Like yourself I'll be having chemo 2 but the week after next. I went for the pre-emtive shave only a week after chemo 1. That was just a few days ago. It's down to a number 1. I was surprised that I felt comfortable and ready for it to come off. It was as the other girls are saying "liberating" and "refreshing". I just wanted to get in there beforehand and get it over and done with. I was kinda glad to see my multi coloured, quick to oil, old hair land all around me. Weeks ago I had it cut shorter than my usual medium length hair. It was a way of slowly preparing myself for the next step - The shave.

Even though I don't like the idea of my hair completely falling out I know it will happen soon. Probably in a matter of days now. I'll be mainly using hats and a wig too, but I look forward to what my hair will look like when it grows back.

I also like to think about the people who shave their heads in the name of fundraising. I think that's pretty brave!

Liz :)
Liz24
Member
15 years ago
Hi JoJo,

Like yourself I'll be having chemo 2 but the week after next. I went for the pre-emtive shave only a week after chemo 1. That was just a few days ago. It's down to a number 1. I was surprised that I felt comfortable and ready for it to come off. It was as the other girls are saying "liberating" and "refreshing". I just wanted to get in there beforehand and get it over and done with. I was kinda glad to see my multi coloured, quick to oil, old hair land all around me. Weeks ago I had it cut shorter than my usual medium length hair. It was a way of slowly preparing myself for the next step - The shave.

Even though I don't like the idea of my hair completely falling out I know it will happen soon. Probably in a matter of days now. I'll be mainly using hats and a wig too, but I look forward to what my hair will look like when it grows back.

I also like to think about the people who shave their heads in the name of fundraising. I think that's pretty brave!

Liz :)
melphilp
Member
15 years ago
Hi JoJo,

I was devastated about the thought of losing my hair!! I had masses of curls and I felt i was really defined by hair in so many ways!! But I did have it cut short and then when it started falling out I had a number 4. This was SOO much easier and I am glad I did it. A few weeks ago I went down town and there were 5 people that didn't recognise me!! I was wearing a scarf and not my wig that day - it was quite depressing!

I can't wait for my hair to grow back, but losing it wasn't as bad as I thought. I guess with this whole process you just take everything in your stride as it happens. I am focussing on one day at a time and not letting myself think too far ahead.

Good luck JoJo and know we are all here to help you!

Mel
melphilp
Member
15 years ago
Hi JoJo,

I was devastated about the thought of losing my hair!! I had masses of curls and I felt i was really defined by hair in so many ways!! But I did have it cut short and then when it started falling out I had a number 4. This was SOO much easier and I am glad I did it. A few weeks ago I went down town and there were 5 people that didn't recognise me!! I was wearing a scarf and not my wig that day - it was quite depressing!

I can't wait for my hair to grow back, but losing it wasn't as bad as I thought. I guess with this whole process you just take everything in your stride as it happens. I am focussing on one day at a time and not letting myself think too far ahead.

Good luck JoJo and know we are all here to help you!

Mel

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The Pre-emptive head shave - help!

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