Loss of eyelashes

Hi Murph

Any worries do speak to your doctor or breast care nurse although I bet you'll find everything is "normal".  Chemo can  do weird things and I definitely remember that my eyelashes seemd to thin out before growing back finally.  I think it was because we lose so many lashes each day and you're noticing these things, possibly for the first time!  Good luck with the rest of your treatment.....

s

I have finished Chemo in June this year and Radiation in early August. All my body hair grew back quite well, though now my pubic hair and eyebrows and lashes seem to be thinning out, it seems to be a bit of a cycle. Is this normal and will it stop.

Hi all. Yes looking back The time I felt most vulnerable and exposed was when I lost my eyelashes. And then I ended up with styes in my eyes Where my eyelashes used to be. I was putting cream on from the chemist to keep it clean .... the husband had to lead me to bed because I couldn't see. now two weeks after radiotherapy stopped, three months or so after chemo it's all coming back. Hang in there, have courage and look after yourself. It will come back. I know I said it before, but the rehabilitation has been absolutely awesome. It's made me feel like I'm getting my power back and taking some control. I've been seeing a neuropsychologist weekly it's all covered by the health insurance. I've been having exercise rehab physio. Good thing to get something back off the health insurance. If You don't have health insurance I think is other rehab available publicly really I'm not sure about this. I must admit I remember thinking that the Breast care nurses would reach out to me but I had to reach out to them. then. Maybe that's what I want to say the most. Reach out to people, seek support and look after yourself. You will get through it.

Hi Margherite

I'm sorry you're starting to not believe but it's very normal - you can't be happy and positive every single day. You've been through the hugest upheaval ever, both physically and emotionally.  Stay with how you feel - don't pretend that you're okay when you're not.  I hope you have someone who will listen to you whinge - if not a friend, do you have a breast care nurse?  I didn't want to be a bother to family and friends (which is the totally wrong way to feel, by the way) and my nurse was amazing.  This forum is also ideal because we have all been there one way or another and we listen to each other.  

I still get the odd stye as well.  Throw away any eye products you might have had for a while - I found that this helped reduce the amount of irritation alot.  And chest infections make the healthiest people feel low so you are entitled to feel as low as you like.

Thinking of you - it gets better, slowly, slowly.

s

Thanks all. Yr comments are v helpful. I finished Five months of chemo last week and though my lashes had been thinning I got away with using liner (as well as eyebrow pencil). I then lost all my lashes and The last two days I've had styes. First in one eye then th other. The chemist gave me an antibiotic cream but hey are so sore and effect my vision. It's worse than the chemo. ..or maybe just that I thought I was over the worst when chemo finished. Also have a chest infection which is depleting my energy. I try to keep telling myself that if this is the worst it will get I will be fine. I don't always believe it but I try.

Thanks all. Yr comments are v helpful. I finished Five months of chemo last week and though my lashes had been thinning I got away with using liner (as well as eyebrow pencil). I then lost all my lashes and The last two days I've had styes. First in one eye then th other. The chemist gave me an antibiotic cream but hey are so sore and effect my vision. It's worse than the chemo. ..or maybe just that I thought I was over the worst when chemo finished. Also have a chest infection which is depleting my energy. I try to keep telling myself that if this is the worst it will get I will be fine. I don't always believe it but I try.

I was the same. I lost my head hair at week 2 after chemo #1 and i was ok, bit teary but managable and lost majority of my eye brows and lashes about a month ago after chemo #5. I was devastated! I can even count them haha one on the bottom and about four at the top on each eye, but over the last few weeks im getting used to drawing on the eye brows and using mascara on limited lashes and i must admit u cant really notice. And my leg hair is starting to grow back now bugger! haha have to start shaving haha what we girls have to go through haha!

I am also sory to hear about ur pathology results, i understand that it must be very upsetting for you, but cry and let it  out when u want as thats natural, i know that helps me when i hear news. but just think how far you have come and what will be will be, keep on smiling as we are all here for you :) take care xoxoxoxo

Somehow I don't think Playboy would buy our gnarled chest photos so no worries there.After all the horrible chemo you've had,radiation will seem like a picnic Jen.You might get a bit tired part way through but nothing like chemo tired.Your chest might glow like a hot plate but it's no worse than a bad case of sunburn.It is tedious going every day for 6wks.My skin never broke down and I'm fair in colouring- you just don't know with that side of it.Gosh ,all these treatments cut a years chunck out of your life don't they.It's good to get away-gives you something to look forward to.You can relax and forget about the cancer world for awhile.

                                    Tonya xx

Once again girls it was lovely to hear from you and I can totally relate to both your comments. I am trying to stay calm and get on with everyday living, my radiotherapy starts mid November so hoping to get a few days away with my hubby before then. I have been told they are treating a very large area with the highest dose possible and to expect burning! Something else to look forward to!! When they were doing the planning yesterday and took photo's I told them to make sure they didn't end up in Playboy!!!

Have a good day xxx

Once again girls it was lovely to hear from you and I can totally relate to both your comments. I am trying to stay calm and get on with everyday living, my radiotherapy starts mid November so hoping to get a few days away with my hubby before then. I have been told they are treating a very large area with the highest dose possible and to expect burning! Something else to look forward to!! When they were doing the planning yesterday and took photo's I told them to make sure they didn't end up in Playboy!!!

Have a good day xxx