Hair loss: My chemo nurse said to... - SHARE Metastatic ...

SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

6,607 members8,142 posts

Hair loss

42 Replies

My chemo nurse said to expect some hair loss at 21 days after chemo and she was bang on. What she didn’t say as it would fall out in large clumps. I sat and ran my hands through my hair and it just kept falling out. I had enough and got my daughter to cut it short. This is two days ago and right now I have just a few little clumps left. It went fast but my head is lighter and it’s cooler in this hot weather.

Read more about...
42 Replies
Onie54 profile image
Onie54

Morning Sarah

I remember those days well my first time long ago! How easily it all came out with just finger combing your hair. I cut and shaved my head on Mother’s Day 2003, didn’t have much choice on time, I had a wedding to attend that day.

Much better to just be done with it than having it in clumps all over your head.

Not easy though, you are brave and courageous, always remember that! ❤️ We have to be in this battle.

You look amazing and beautiful!

you will be more comfortable with scarves and hats as the weather gets warmer too. Wigs get too warm and itchy.

Be safe, be strong! Beautiful fellow 🇨🇦

Susie ❤️

in reply to Onie54

Thanks Susie. I look serious in the picture but I was excited to have it shaved off.

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks

Cutting it really short is the way to go if you’re not ready to shave it off. You look great. Good luck with your treatment 💕

in reply to nstonerocks

Thank you. It is about 3/4 of an inch long but since that a large majority has fallen out. I was scared I might cut or burn my head with a razor.

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks in reply to

I’d use a shaver, no razor! But at least at this length you don’t have the trauma of pulling out chunks or having your hair fall like autumn leaves all over you. You’ve got a great shaped head! I added earrings and a bright lipstick to complete my look. I’m sure you can find a way to adorn yourself.

in reply to nstonerocks

My ears have never been pierced but maybe at 56 it’s time to do it. My daughter has a ton of earrings and they would be seen with no hair. Great idea.

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks in reply to

Definitely. A great look and something to feel good about

MacroMom profile image
MacroMom

Hi Sarcie! We're Abraxane twins! My onc said mine would fall out in 2 weeks and she was spot on too. Just like yours, it came out in clumps, except for the gray stragglers. I still have some of those, we just got clippers to buzz them. I'd heard from a wig specialist that it's better not to shave our heads because that can lead to rash and infected follicles.

Now that I'm 9 treatments into it my eyebrows are getting pretty sketchy too - for the first time in my life I'm using a little eyebrow pencil! That's quite a change from my natural Frida Kahlo eyebrows.

But....the damn stuff works. I had my 9th infusion yesterday and my CA 15-3 is staying stable at 130 (has been as high as 900), and the CEA dropped to 5. That's the lowest it's been in two years. So I'll take the hair loss, the funky nails and the occasional fatigue. Hope you get a good long run out of it too!

in reply to MacroMom

I am letting the rest fall out with some gentle running with a towel to hurry it along. It itches like crazy at night so I’ll be glad when it’s all gone.

I was wondering about my eyebrows but I don’t have much for eyebrows anyways so no key may eve notice. I told my daughter I could pencil them in but she said it would have to be waterproof as I sweat so much I’m always wiping my face. My eyebrows would be some funky shapes by the end of the day. 😂

I hope mine works like yours is. I know it’s not going to cure it but if it could knock back some of the numerous bone Mets I could have a lot less pain. I’m happy that I actually feel pretty good for the first time in two years.

Hi Sarah,

It's so nice to see a picture of you. You look lovely! Do you know whether you will wear a wig, scarf, hat or have no head covering?

Sophie

in reply to

Around home and family and friends I don’t plan on wearing anything. I will need something when outside so I don’t burn my head. A friend has a really nice straw hat that would shield my face and neck from the sun so I am looking for one of those for the summer. I’ve never liked wearing hats as they always make my head hurt so I think I will stick with bare head.

in reply to

It sounds like you have a good plan. Straw hats are a great idea in the sun.

Looking fab. Get everything pierced: brows, tongue, nose - imagine 😂

Clare x

in reply to

I can hear my kids now lol. They both had lip piercinhs at one time and my daughter had her nose done once.

Timtam56 profile image
Timtam56

Beautiful. You look gorgeous.hair or no hair!

in reply to Timtam56

Why thank you ❤️

Sarah!!! While I am of course sorry that you're doing harder treatment, the pic of you is so impressive! :) You look spectacular and formidable! A true warrior!

*One of my greatest regrets from my time as a bald woman was that I didn't take any pics!! *

I still remember, like it was yesterday, when my hair started to fall out -- just like you, right on schedule! I was sitting on my assistant's/friend's terrace, drinking a light red wine (pinot noir?). I ran my fingers through my hair as I was gabbing and a chunk of hair fell out! I let it fly out into the breeze. I started laughing/crying, like OMG, this is sooo strange! Here I go! Here I forking go! (but I didn't say "forking"! :) ).

I found it very liberating to be bald, as my 6 minute shower/beautification routine was cut down to 4 minutes!

Thank you for sharing this milestone with us...:) Sending lots of love and good wishes...(heart).

You really are an inspiration...Thank you!

Lynn

in reply to

Thank you Lynn for your kind words. I wanted to have a picture and I even posted it on FB to show family and friends. I figure I have cancer and I’m not hiding from people. This is me...love me or go away. Lol

I think I may have used similar words to “fork “ just like you did 😂

I truly appreciate you and other taking the time to respond. It’s a wonderful support and I feel I need to share with you folks as we are a little family. We may be spread out around the world but we all support each other.

Take care. ❤️Sarah

You can carry it off. To me you are looking good.

in reply to

Thank you so much ❤️

library2019 profile image
library2019

This is my 2nd time losing my hair 1st time was 2002 it grew back curly this time it’s gone again but I wear scarves and hats a small price to pay to live🌹

Julie2233 profile image
Julie2233

Hello, this happened to me with my first IV chemo. It just dropped out in 2 big clumps while I was in the shower, I looked down and without my glasses at first I thought there were 2 dead mice on the shower tray! It was almost a relief when I realised it was my hair!

It was this time of year too and it was almost liberating. Having no hair felt cooler and made showering so much easier. I kept my eyelashes and eyebrows throughout but they fell out overnight after my treatment had finished!

If you decide to get a wig or two (I had 7 and matched them to my mood or outfit) your hairdresser should be able to style it for you when they reopen. Most come with too much hair and having them styled makes them look more natural. Though if you go have a synthetic one don't open the oven door while wearing it :-) But saying that I think you look great without one!

in reply to Julie2233

Thanks for the advice. I had to laugh at the oven door comment 😜. The peach fuzz hair was nice. Now that’s almost all gone it’s a bit gross. Took the shortest clipper height I could find so it doesn’t look so bad. I’ll be glad when it’s all out. The itching is driving me crazy.

hdhonda profile image
hdhonda

Sarcie,

You look great. You just need a few pairs of earrings to make it look sexy and deliberate. Good luck with the chemo. Blessings, Hannah

in reply to hdhonda

Thanks Hannah. I just might have to get my ears pierced at 56.

BluHydrangea profile image
BluHydrangea

Good for you! Somehow feeling empowered about our hair feels good... better than having it come out in clumps. You are beautiful and strong!

in reply to BluHydrangea

Thank you.

Thatflowerlady profile image
Thatflowerlady

Looking good !

All the best with your chemo , remember to be kind to yourself ! 56 is the perfect age for a few piercings 😉

in reply to Thatflowerlady

Thanks. When everything is open again from Covid closures I just may get them pierced.

LaliChicago profile image
LaliChicago

Just finished reading through this thread. Sarcie, I adore your attitude and your spirit. Wishing you much success with this treatment. And to those who took the time to respond, how absolutely kind!

in reply to LaliChicago

Thank you for your kind words. This group is so amazing and supportive. Family and friends do their best but words from a person going trough the same thing makes a big difference

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

I know! My first time around my hair fell out in clumps and my hair was almost to my waist.

I found it very traumatic even though I knew it was gonna happen. Ended up getting my head shaved and got a free wig from Cancer Care.

It started growing back white as soon as I finished the chemo.

So enjoy a new wig, and know your hair will come back. It's only temporary!

I also got pretied head scarves which were cooler than the wig! Got many compliments on them!

Ibrance is thinning my hair terribly. Wear my head scarves again!

in reply to mariootsi

It is a nice excuse to but pretty things lol. I’ve never been big on head coverings as they always feel constricting. My oncologist said my chemo will be forever so I don’t think my hair will get to grow back but I will ask him more at my next appointment.

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi in reply to

I wish you well, Sarcie

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

God bless you, Sarcie!! You are in my heart and prayers! My twin sister lost all of her hair to chemo about eight years ago. Today it is thick and beautiful! And yours will be, too!!

XXOO Linda

in reply to SeattleMom

Thank you ❤️

kearnan profile image
kearnan

I know it's not me that it happened to but quite frankly, you can carry it off. I love the glasses, get some real class act earrings and you are ready to go. I would look awful. I look awful with hair anyway. Honestly, I mean it. If I did not, I would not make a comment. You carry it well. You got this!

in reply to kearnan

Thanks for the lovely comment. I’m sure you would rock the smooth head look! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and anyone fighting cancer has an inner beauty that shines through. ❤️

When I lost hair the first time around & as it grew back, folks would say how good short hair looked on me. Personally I knew I was never as cool and hip as that hairdo made me look!!

A friend loaned me a Joan Jett 1980’s kind of wig. It was black with a shock of hot pink punk rock wig which I’d wear for yucks some time. I was very sad about losing my hair so doing this once in a while helped my psyche.

in reply to

My best friend and daughter said I needed one with a purple streak. My hair was grey so a grey wig with purple might be cool.

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie

You are a very strong person and I think you look great ! If you are unsure about getting ears pierced at this time , get some bright coloured clip - ons ( not too heavy tho’ as you’re not used to them and they can drag the lobes down !) . A bright patterned neckscarf and a touch of lipstick for that glam look ! Lots of love ! x

in reply to Teddielottie

Thanks for the great ideas. I think my mother has clip on earrings as she never had her ears pierced either. I may raid her jewelry box.

You may also like...

Hair thinning or Hair loss

wondering if anyone had lost all their hair from meds? I am having alot of hair thinning. I am...

Hair loss or thining and hair color

Have any of you experienced hair loss or thinning on ibrance and do you use hair color? I have an...

Hair Loss while on IBrance?

further thinning or help hair grow back? I do wonder if aging contributes to hair loss. I'm 82....

Hair loss suggestions

ladies for your hair loss suggestions(both head and eyebrows). As I am figuring out what to do,...

To how much hair loss?

am on 125 mg dose. I am noticing significant hair loss (no other side effects except low WBC)....