Hair Loss is not always temporary

Oh KatieT, wishing you all the best and hoping that this will improve your hair growth. Xx

That is interesting that you oncologist never noticed your thyroid function as I thought this would be a standard test as part of your full blood count test which they do regularly through your treatment? I'm not a health professional though so I could be way off! Glad to hear they may be able to shed some light on the situation! 

Fingers crossed you will feel the benefits soon.

Excellent, that may well be the problem. Better late than never. Here's hoping for improvements soon. Best wishes.

Well there's been a small possible development with my situation.  I got to the end of my tether really and went to my gp to ask for a referral for therapy.  I had the usual list of things I never complain about to report when she asked me questions.

Fatigue, depression, unexplained weight loss, sleep problems, brain fog, aches and pains - I just accept all of these as part of the cancer treatment cocktail and never really report it.  In addition to my hair loss problems she suggested another round of blood tests to check on my thyroid.  My levels have come back low, so now I am doing another series of more detailed blood tests related to that.  It seems that I might be given medications to bring the levels back up to normal and this should make me feel better, lose weight, and may even improve my hair.  

I am wondering why my oncologist didn't check on this as I'm suspicious I've had a problem for over a year, but I am glad to have something to try to fix my situation.

Also, I now have a referral to a psychologist.

Thanks for your helpful comments.

KatieT - I totally get how you feel, there are absolutely days where I have felt exactly as you. I agree with Afraser, your Oncologist isnt the best one to talk to about all these things. I remember having a major meltdown beginning of this year, my treatment was over, everyone expected me to be the old me!!! BS!!!! I look nothing like her and I do have my hair growing back, my entire physicality has changed and that has been a very hard thing to come to terms with. I look in the mirror and cry because I dont recognise who I am either...BUT one thing I have learnt 11 months on is, each day I find something I like about ME...lets face it, its not about anyone else...whether people accept you or like you. What matters is how YOU feel about yourself, and that is so super critical. Katie...for all the moments Ive cried and hated looking at myself, Ive started to look a little deeper and a little kinder at me, where I go...OMG look at what youve been through. I acknowledge every little thing about it, on every level and I think thats half the problem, so much stuff doesnt get spoken about. 

My meltdown was on the phone to my breast care nurse who I never really spoke to...and it was over a rehab course I wanted to do but so much red tape, anyway my health fund wouldnt help and I lost it in a ball of tears on the phone...BECAUSE this was the one thing I felt could make a difference in me feeling better about me and to be denied that absolutely broke me!!! I recommend counseling I really do, I didnt do it this time but my first diagnosis 5yrs ago I did as at that time I lost my Mum suddenly then lost my marriage, had 2 children under 10 and then got Breast Cancer and honestly it helped more than I could say. Family and friends are well meaning and loving, but they don't get the depth of this journey or how impacting it is. 

I also know in those depths and those moments when you are so low that you dont want any of it anymore, I always found through the tears that I actually learned to love myself that little bit more something I never really did. Doing the smallest thing for me that I feel nurtured not by anyone else but by me. Cup of tea in the sun, soft music, something that I feel peaceful, it can be anything. You are not alone in how you think, believe me. It is a long hard road..but please keep talking and sharing. Hugs Melinda xo

I can understand that but you matter! And you matter to your family as a whole person, not just a shadow of who you were. Coming to terms with the fact that all big changes in our lives change us too is hard on top of treatment, fatigue and physical impact. But we can have some real control over the changes and make them work for us. We sometimes need help to do that just like we needed medical help. I don't think your treatment is over, but your oncologist may not the best person at this point. A good breast care nurse might be a start. Sorry, I am in Melbourne so not much use in recommending someone.

I don't know how.  I want to quick my job and stay home.  Nothing seems to matter ... except my family of course.  

@KatieT, have you thought of getting some counselling to help you with what is clearly a very dispiriting time? I thought I was doing fine through my treatment, but my third probably permanent side effect in seven weeks knocked me back a lot. I was referred to a terrific counsellor who helped me immeasurably to deal with my real problem (no longer feeling I was me but some rather broken other) rather than just coping with side effects. I only saw her for a few months but she was able to help in ways that loved ones sometimes can't. Getting yourself back is the real task, and it can be done, we sometimes just need someone who can read the map a bit better than we can. Best wishes.

@KatieT 
I'm on my 5th cycle with docetaxel, carboplatin and herceptin with 1 more cycle to go. I've still got my eyebrows and eyelashes and just realized yesterday that I have thin hair growing all over my head. so I guess everyone is different but I think you are entitled to how you feel and everyone has different views about coming to terms with what we've been going through. Do what feels right for you and do whatever that makes you feel comfortable. wish you all the best. hugs, Liana xx.