Forum Discussion
The sky is falling... Ummmm nope just my hair. "Warning .... artistic semi nude photo"
So last night I was sitting chatting with a fellow cancer fighter who was steeling herself for chemo today and we were talking general inane crap when we were pondering when my very thick hair would start to shed. My scalp has been itchy and irritated for days. Next minute I casually ran my hand through my hair as you do....... and there in my hand would have been about 2 dozen hairs..... Bugger.
I have to admit, I knew it was coming, I had been warned, but it still made my heart skip a beat.
This was the next big step. This is where I go from someone who looks fine, who you would walk past in the street and not tell the battle my family and I are facing, and I would become "that person". I would be recognisable as a cancer patient. Bugger Poo Bum.
I had a sook and a little cry in the shower this morning. But then, the big girl undies came out... again. And I pulled them on... again. And got on with the day... again. I put my plans into overdrive. Kiah and Lilly came over and took me to spotlight, and we picked up some fabric to make groovy hats to keep my head warm in the cooler months, practiced a bit of scarf tying, and then I did the unthinkable. I asked my poor daughter to take nude boob photos of her mum. She took it in her stride and to her credit, did an amazing job. We even got her Dad involved and anyone who knows Rick, knows he likes having his photo taken about as much as Clive Palmer enjoys a good interview with Kochie about his floundering failed factory up north. (If you missed that interview, go find it. It was a good barney). I had thought about asking my son to do the photograph.(he's a professional cameraman).. but well.. asking my son to position my hands over my nipples properly... well there's just some things you don't ask you son to do. I think he'll agree with that ;)
So here they are... a massive thank you to my gorgeous daughter. Her bravery in doing this was not unnoticed. The girls, my hair and the love of my life. xxx
17 Replies
- Donna those pictures are so powerful. Your daughter has done a beautiful job. Paula
Hi Donna. The photos are beautiful. Your daughter has done a gorgeous job with them. So much love....
It's so confronting when your hair starts to come out. Mine started right on cue, 12 days after my 1st chemo. I never regretted shaving it. Now, 6 months after my last chemo, it's nearly an inch long, & the chemo curls that I'd given up on are starting to come, lol. "It doesn't happen overnight, but it will happen ".
Hope the side effects are staying away, Lyn
Love the photos. I just did them on my own and put pink hearts on them. Love the ones with hubby. Washing your hair is the worst once it starts. In the end shaving released me from the stress and gave me the control back.
great pictures
Hi PrudenceRose,
it is very confronting losing your hair. I personally shaved mine off before I started chemo as I couldn't bare the thought of it falling out in handfuls. I had a wig that I wore to work but other than that I went nude nut. I wore beanies in the colder months to keep me warm but otherwise didn't bother. It rarely worried me and i just felt it was the one thing that made me confront that I had cancer. I now have beautiful curls, hair thicker than it was before and darker brown than before. Good luck. Karen xox
The photos are just gorgeous Donna. Xox
Glad you worked it out, PrudenceRose. There's a conversation going on about headgear here that might interest you.
Hi
I have just worked out how to add comments to posts! I am on Day 7 of my second AC treatment and am beginning to rise to the surface again. Although I used the cold cap for both of my treatments, my hair started thinning after about 15 days of the first treatment. The morning I washed my hair and I felt it come out in handfulls I cried. It is still thinning and now after the latest treatment, my scalp is sore again so I expect the back, which has held on, will soon be leaving me. Although I showed bravado before I started treatment; actually thought hair loss would give me an excuse to go 'natural' and go grey, it's not the same as the constant thought of waking up with more hair on the pillow. I lie in bed, putting off the shower. I have days when I cry for most of the day but yesterday i put my hat on and visited the school where I work. The kids welcomed me with enthusiasm which warmed my battered ego and today I went to the physio without head covering. This weekend a friend has offered to shave what remains off. I am not prepared; haven't got a wig or comfortable caps to protect my sore scalp because i live in the country but I am sick of my hair everywhere i look. I wonder what i will look like with grey hair? I still have 2 treatments of this AC round and then I have the choice of Docetaxol or paclitaxel for 12 weeks followed by radiotherapy. Bring on 2017!!!
Hey Donna
Fantastic photos - and your daughter is not a photographer ?? YES SHE IS !
I hope you have them blown up and framed for your bedroom wall as they are soooooooo sexy.
Summer :-)
Love the photos Donna, your daughter has done a great job a lovely keepsake.
Hope your chemo is being kind to you & that the side effects are minimum. I start my 1st cycle of AC on Tuesday.
Sending hugs.
Eileen x
