Hair loss

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.

[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 ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Onie54]

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

[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 💕

[Hidden 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 in reply to Hidden]

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.

[Hidden 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 in reply to Hidden]

Definitely. A great look and something to feel good about

[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!

[Hidden 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.

[Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

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.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden]

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

Clare x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

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

[Timtam56]

Beautiful. You look gorgeous.hair or no hair!

[Hidden in reply to Timtam56]

Why thank you ❤️

[Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much ❤️

[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]

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!

[Hidden 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]

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

[Hidden in reply to hdhonda]

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

[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!

[Hidden in reply to BluHydrangea]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

Looking good !

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

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

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

[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!

[Hidden 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]

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!

[Hidden 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 in reply to Hidden]

I wish you well, Sarcie

[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

[Hidden in reply to SeattleMom]

Thank you ❤️

[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!

[Hidden 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. ❤️

[Hidden]

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.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

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]

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

[Hidden 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.