Hi ladies
4 weeks since op and feeling much better. Wound a mess and nurse every other day which is so frustrating. Chemo delayed. Hopefully will start it in 4 weeks if wound healed.
Could I ask advice about getting hair cut before chemo. Cut short or just leave to fall out ?
Thank you.
I had a shoulder length bob at the start of chemo, but had it cut to a 'Sharon Stone' crop before it started to fall out. It was my way of taking control of a rubbish situation, and I *loved* my short hair so much, that when it starts to grow back, I'm going to keep it short like that. My hairdresser was practically dancing with glee when she finished my hair, and she said she's never letting me go back to long hair!
Then, when the chemo effects hit big time, my husband clipped it all off for me, down to a grade 1. I cried buckets and wondered what had become of my life, but a hot shower and furious scalp scrub helped. My fuzzy hair felt weird for a while, but I soon got used to it.
It's personal preference, but it gave me the chance to stick two fingers up to cancer and be in charge of what happened.
Dear Alf77. I had long thick hair. When it started coming out it felt awful loosing such long pieces. I went to the hairdressers and had it cut into a 1 inch pixie look. Radical and crazy but it only lasted a week or 2 before it came out so much I wear a little hat. I have to admit to quite liking the pixie look and I much prefer loosing short hair than long. My neck feels cold! Good luck with your choice.. T. X
Hi, I had my hair cut short before starting chemo for the practical reason that it would make less mess when it started to fall out. Once it began to come out, My hairdresser shaved it all off and didn't charge me either. I did have a wig, but have only worn it 3 times as I prefer little caps which are less itchy.
Hope you will be able to start chemo in 4 weeks time and that it will go smoothly.
Best wishes,
Barbara
Thank you so much ladies.
You all made up my mind !!
I know I have four weeks until chemo starts (hopefully !!) but the thought of long tufts all over the place is not nice !!!
I'm going to make an app this week for a short pixie look!!! My hair is just past shoulders but I tend to wear it up so probably people won't notice the difference !! It's tricky washing my hair at the moment as can't shower so my daughter washes it over the kitchen sink !!
Sitting here reading info about the chemo drugs is terrifying. People on here are so incredibly brave. Sometimes it's just hard to grasp that I have the c word.
Sarah
Good on you! You might find you love your short hair.
Try not to fret too much about chemo. It's not lovely, but I've not found it to be half as bad as I had anticipated (and nothing like on the TV/in films). I know it's different for everyone, but hopefully you will cope with it just fine.
It just seems that you just start to come to terms with each stage of this horrid disease then you are onto the next stage with more concerns. Surgery hard enough then app re chemo. I know they probably give you worse case scenario but it does seem that this next stage is going to be tricky.
Like a lot of ladies it all can be quite lonely as I don't want to be upset in front of my family as it's hard enough for them.
Support here is so good. Especially in the night when you suddenly wake up and can't get back off to sleep.
Reading all these posts is so comforting.
I am waiting to begin chemo and had my hair cut short last Saturday. I thought I could get used to looking at myself with short hair before I started to look like a boiled egg!
That's was my way of thinking too!!
I thought if it was done in stages it might not be such a shock.
I had long hair b 4 chemo and I left it until it came out it was horrible! I washed it one morning and it went into a big knotty ball that I could not get anything through I eventually did and I filled the toilet how about four times with my hair it was sooo distressing but my friend is a hair dresser she came straight round and cut it all off!! I must say I hated the bald look I could not look in the mirror as I tried to be positive and get on with life normally until the mirror which smacked reality back in my face! So it was a bob hat at nighttime and a fantastic long wig which sometimes I had pinned up other times straight n sometimes curly love them perfect hair all the time no taking an hour blowing and straightening just shove on n hey presto all my mates are jealous! Not much to b jealous about round here I tell them would swap with them anyway! Enjoy ur new easy to do hairstyle and good luck with whatever head gear u choose u will look fab xxx
Oh no that sounded awful.
You have definitely made my mind up for me!!!
App will be made tomorrow !!!
I have just ordered a couple of caps/ scarves from eBay. Thought would introduce them to the family slowly !!!
Hey Alf!
I too decided to take control and got my hair cut short a couple of weeks before I started Chemo! I had a shoulder length Bob! Wouldn't have had the courage beforehand to get it cut but when I did I discovered that short hair really suits me! It's great cos now it's growing back I don't have to wait as long as I have totally decided that short hair is for me!!!
Silver linings and all that!!
Onwards and Upwards and best of luck with the rest of your treatment!!!
Dx
Totally the same here! I would never have cut my hair short, but it looked really good, so that's what I'm aiming for when it grows back...by Christmas?!!!
I will post some pictures if I can - I don't know how to attach it to a reply. I had my hair cut into a pixie cut from a shortest bob 10 days after my first chemo when I first felt it itching then shaved it all off on day 21 when bald patches started to appear. I found this best for me and I would do the same again.
Hope your wound heals soon.
Sandra xx
I had a thick chin length bob which was in tip top condition.. I had it cut into a short pixie style so as to take control and get used to having it shorter. As it came out my hairdresser cut it on a no 2. To be honest I never completely went bald with always some downy fluff to anchor my wig to.
Between chemo and when I was having my op, it started to grow back. I have one more to go so hopefully in the next 6-8 weeks I should have something worth having on my head..
xx
It's scary listening to how quickly after the first treatment hair starts to fall out.
How do you ladies cope with loosing eyebrows and lashes ?
I taught myself how to put strip lashes on.. Ardell seem to be the most natural. NYX do a really good brow powder with a wax to set it with, or opt for a really sharp pencil using short strokes and Lipcote to set it with.. There are tons of YouTube videos with demonstrations. xx
PS if you haven't booked in for a Look Good Feel Better course run by Macmillan - do so. Really helpful, plus you get a goody bag worth having.
Thank you !! I am on the waiting list for the LGFB course.
I know it seems unimportant in the grand scheme of things but just want some tips ready for when start to feel better.
All this really knocks confidence.
Yes it does. But I promise you, you'll get your head around it. My hair was my pride and joy and I sobbed buckets when diagnosed. But when it started coming out, I was more worried for my sister who is usually as tough as old wellies. She had blinkered herself to my losing my hair- somehow it wasn't going to happen to me.... But hey, we're where we are and like a warrior going into battle, you will find the appropriate weapons. There are some really good wigs out there and loads of tips to help you through. Don't be afraid to ask xx
I have organised a lady to come to the house on Thursday with a selection of wigs and have made app for hairdresser to come on Friday for the short chop. While I'm having a good couple of days I thought I would just go ahead and sort it.
This merry go round if feelings takes a bit of getting used to. One minute I feel positive next hopeless !!!
Hi Sarah
I had my hair quite short before diagnosis so it wasn't a huge step for me to have it completely shaved off before my second chemo. I had been told when to expect it to fall out and I just could not bear to feel and see it falling out . I suppose I wanted control over something . I had a spray tan on the way and had already been fitted for a wig in the same hair salon which specialised in looking after chemo women's hair. I was delighted with my wig and it was so like my own hair some people didnt know. I appreciate if you have long hair the loss feels greater as that is a bigger step to take. As for my eyebrows a lovely girl in a beauty counter who was recommended , taught me how to replace them. I didn't do false eyelashes as I am just plain awkward and would probably have blinded myself trying to get them on ! Good luck with whatever you decide to do. You may even find as lots of women here have found , that short hair really suits you. Mine grew back thick , curly and it's real colour of silvery grey which everyone including myself likes. Take care.
XXX
Thank you MollyO.
My hair is very fine and I always wear it up otherwise it just hangs so I think I should have had it cut short a long time ago to give it some body!! It will be lacking that for a while !!
I do dye it so will be a shock when it grows back grey !!!
If it does grow back grey you may like it too and think of the time and money saved. Plus it is so liberating not to have to watch out for your grey roots . Whatever you decide I am sure you will look great anyway. Let me know how it goes.
XXX
Thanks Molly. Hair cut tomorrow 😬
Donation think it's ok to dye it so soon after surgery. Not started chemo yet.
Hair return!
Hair Loss
Hair!
