I have long hair but have been losing it in clumps since December. I've been reading about the hair loss from the chemo. Did most of you find it better to cut your hair before you started chemo Or even before surgery. I almost chopped my hair off before the surgery but couldn't do it. Any thoughts anyone?
I am seeing my surgeon for the results on the 17th. I expect he will lay out when I'll have the chemo.Thanks Shaza.
Hi Shaza,
I wouldn't cut your hair until you have to. My hair started to fall out last Tuesday, 12 days after first chemo, which sounds about the same for most people. My daughter cut it for me while my son & husband watched, we made it a bit of a joke. Than I put a hat on! And I have not looked at it, yes I am a chicken! Thursday night it started to fall out in a big way in the shower, I just let the water wash over me and kept clearing the drain! Traumatised I took Apo-oxazepam and went to bed. Last night same thing, I think I have a fringe of hair around the out side, little bits sticking out from under hat, still not looking! I am sporting a scarf at the moment in the fashion of Queen Elizabeth, to celebrate her reign I am telling people. But I would shave it all off if I had this week again. I feel better when I am in control.
I went to the wig library & borrowed a wig & scarf after getting my hair cut as short as I could tolerate & felt happy with the wig thinking I would wear it everywhere when my hair fell out.
Well my hair came out in clumps & I found I was just wearing the scarf or beanies that my bestie made me. I found getting ready was so much quicker & actually revelled in the fact I could just shower, pop on a scarf & go out.
The times I did wear the wig we had some very funny moments, it would have us crying with laughter instead of being mortified as I thought I would be. That's also what friends are for, to keep you from despair.
I just let my hair fall out naturally but wigs do fit better with no hair underneath. My hair has grown back curly & yes, people can't get over the curls. Some women look great without hair, I was told I looked like Uncle Fester!!! It doesn't take long to all come out & by leaving it come out naturally it wasn't such a shock. Apart from the cold I didn't mind not having hair, do what you feel most comfortable with.
Best of luck with your treatments too.
Hi Shaza,
I can totally relate with you about losing your hair. I had very long hair when I was diagnosed and was devastated when I was told I would be needing chemo. I just couldn't image life without my beautiful hair. I was told by a few people that I should really cut my hair short before chemo as it will be excrutiating when it starts to fall out. I had a couple of inches taken off but couldn't go any shorter. I was very fortunate as it didn't hurt at all when my hair started to fall out. Once big chunks started to fall out (around day 15 after my first chemo) I decided to shave my head. It was the bizarre feeling and I didn't even cry. In fact I had some family come over and we all had a good laugh.
To be honest, the thought of losing my hair was far worse than actually losing it.
Sending you lots of love and strength and I'll be thinking of you on the 17th.
xxx
Hi Shaza my hair started to fallout after 1st chemo. I went and had it cut off because I couldn't stand my husband following me around and picking up hair. I brought a wig that I wore for work and the rest of the time I wore a scarf or hat.
Yes it was hard but what to come was harder, my hair has grown back really curly and silver grey. I have now coloured my hair and getting used to the curls. Take care
Hi Shaza, I can understand your reluctance to cut off your hair. I had long, very thick hair before chemo and the thought of losing it was one of the hardest things I had to come to terms with. I didn't cut it until after surgery and held out cutting it short until my oncologist confirmed there was a 97% certainty of losing it. I got a wig that looked like my hair (at that time) and held out hope that I'd be in the 3% who didn't lose my hair :-) Unfortunately that wasn't to be, and about 14 days after my first chemo started to lose my hair. When it started shedding everywhere over the next few days my hubby shaved it so that at least it was even all over and I didn't have gorgeous bald patches! I used my wig and also had a selection of hats and sleeping caps that got me through the following 6 months before I started sprouting new hair. I can't say I ever really loved the bald / short hair look on me, but lots of ladies do look amazing and have found the shorter styles suit them better. Best of luck for the 17th. Jane xx
Hi Shaza
I shave my hair when 1st chemo done. My Surgeon and Onco doctor explained to me and confirm my hair will definitely go, but will come back. I prepared the worst for the chemo period, and I thought I dont want to see myself some hair here, losing bunch and bunch, or some patch on my head. I thought during the chemo, I just have hard time and causing bad mood, it would be very discourage when seeing myself like "something" but not myself anymore. That's why I made myself do it. Also, I feel it's much easy to handle and take care, especially when showing. I was in Winter last year, so put on hat, binny is good, also put on a wig was not as hot as like now.
Shaza, we are all brave women here. The best thing to help ourselves to get good ready and prepare for it. It's glad that nowadays technology and medication do help a lot to ease and cure.
Take good care and prepare for the battle. I started my juicing and exercise, make myself happy to get into Chemo.
Take care. (hugging)
Rosanna
