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TonyaM's avatar
TonyaM
Member
15 years ago

steel wool

It's 5 months since chemo and abit more hair is coming through.My head now resembles a big steel wool brillo pad.Didn't have any grey hair b.c.- now I'm covered in it.It's way too short and thin to go "topless"just yet.The hot weather/tamoxifen combo sure cranks up those hot flushes.It's a pain trying to figure out what to put on my head when I leave the house so as I don't combust! It's really down to 2 cap choices now- biker or sailor girl.At this rate I'll have to get a tattoo.I was not prepared for my hair to take so long to grow half an inch.I have become obsessed with it and I'm not sure if that's vanity or loss of identity.

hair-loss

8 Replies

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Vicki,

    It's sounds like you had alot of chemo.You must have been put through the mill.I have read that the tingling in fingers/toes may reverse over time.I hope that is the case for you.Thanks for the hair dye tips.Enjoy your cool weather while it lasts-back to hot flushes before you know it!

                                         Tonya

  • VickyC's avatar
    VickyC
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Tonya

    In the second 3 months of chemo I  had Taxol (Paclitaxel) weekly for 11 treatments but didn't have the last one because of the numbness and tingling.

    I have a short hair  wig but wasn't happy with it so I went back to the wig shop and they gave it a little trim for me. Remember if you cut it it doesn't grow again!! It is so cold here in SA today that I have a soft cap on to keep warm.

    About dying my hair it was a bit of trial and error but in the end I used 'Clairol nice'n easy root touch up' and am happy with the colour plus it is fine for my scalp. I used 'Light Brown' and it was the colour  I wanted. I first used Schwarzkopf Live Colour but found the colours totally different to the packet! It is quite funny, I must have got used to the grey fuzz because it took me a few days to get used to the brown colour (similar to what I had dyed my hair pre-chemo).

    Good luck ,

    Vicky

     

     

  • VickyC's avatar
    VickyC
    Member
    15 years ago

    In the second 3 months of chemo I  had Taxol (Paclitaxel) weekly for 11 treatments but didn't have the last one because of the numbness and tingling.

    I have a short hair  wig but wasn't happy with it so I went back to the wig shop and they gave it a little trim for me. Remember if you cut it it doesn't grow again!! It is so cold here in SA today that I have a soft cap on to keep warm.

    About dying my hair it was a bit of trial and error but in the end I used 'Clairol nice'n easy root touch up' and am happy with the colour plus it is fine for my scalp. I used 'Light Brown' and it was the colour  I wanted. I first used Schwarzkopf Live Colour but found the colours totally different to the packet! It is quite funny, I must have got used to the grey fuzz because it took me a few days to get used to the brown colour (similar to what I had dyed my hair pre-chemo).

    Good luck ,

    Vicky

     

     

     

  • VickyC's avatar
    VickyC
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Tonya,

    It is 4 months since I finished chemo. My hair is slowly growing, it is about 1 to 2 cms, soft, white and grey and hugs my head.  I recently dyed it as I could see the white at the sides when I have my wig on. This way I will be able to see when it grows because it is certainly growing slowly. It is a good thing that  the weather is mostly  cool as the wig gets itchy in the heat.  Someone I spoke to said she wore her wig for 18 months and now I can understand why. My biggest problem is the tingles in my hands and feet as they interfere with daily life. I can cope more easily  with the hair but I agree with you in that it does affect your identity. However it is good to see hair present.

    If patience is meant to be a virtue then I am lacking in it!

    Vicky

  • kay's avatar
    kay
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Tonya,

    I only go out once a week to town as we live on a property, and the weather  hasn't been to bad, but it is getting more humid. I'm usually inside at craft when I do go out. Mine is grey and black , mostly grey.My  hair is thick.  I am still getting shoulder pain, and will go and see about it. I shouldn't be on the computer either as it plays up then :-(.  I have never had mastectomy scar discomfort or pain after the op.

    Kay

  • kay's avatar
    kay
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Tonya,

    I only go out once a week to town as we live on a property, and the weather  hasn't been to bad, but it is getting more humid. I'm usually inside at craft when I do go out. Mine is grey and black , mostly grey.My  hair is thick.  I am still getting shoulder pain, and will go and see about it. I shouldn't be on the computer either as it plays up then :-(.  I have never had mastectomy scar discomfort or pain after the op.

    Kay

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Kay, how do you manage wearing the wig on hot days?I can only wear mine for a few hours and mostly in the evening.Yeh my hair is sticking up all over the place.What colour is yours coming through?Are you still getting shoulder pain or mastectomy scar discomfort?

                      Tonya

  • kay's avatar
    kay
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi,

    I know how you feel. I wear a wig when I go out. I just wish my fringe would grow a bit quicker, but my hair is curly and the fringe is curling up :-) .

    Kay