I have never used a Forum before so here goes! I’m 46, was diagnosed with breast cancer on Friday 13th June (unlucky for some!), had a subsequent mastectomy 4 days later and lymph node clearance a fortnight after that. I spent the whole of the Summer holidays dreading the first chemo but threw myself into looking after the children and trying to enjoy myself. When the dreaded’C’ day arrived, I chose to go out looking for a wig in the morning to distract myself which worked a treat. I found one that looks far better than my own hair! I’m 21 days into my first FEC treatment and having suffered very few side effects, imagined that I would be immune to the hair loss. Today, the hairs on my lap tell me differently. I have become obsessed with running my fingers through my hair to see how many have fallen. At this rate, it will be gone at the weekend. Vanity has made me feel quite depressed today - I made a cheese sauce for the macaroni and found myself stirring in a few hairs to add flavour …
hi hamsters,
my hair started coming out last Friday… 15 or so days after first chemo. the bundles of it that came out each morning was annoying more than anything so got a grade 4 and grade 2 shave cut which actually looked pretty good for a couple more days. however I now have bald patches at the back of my head and am wearing hats everywhere, bed, cooking, shops, hosp appts… it is a shock, I went from really long elbow length hair to a chin lenght bob to a punk cut, and now patchy soon to be nothing all in a matter of weeks. I was incredibly upset to start but now I just see it as another hurdle to get over, once thats gone it on to the next side effect (oh joy). I wore my wig out yesterday for the first time and had a hot head all day, couldn’t wait to get home and go au natural!
I’m also on FEC - my second chemo is on Mon 22nd. Although I know I’m going to be ill, at this stage I am willing the time to come round quickly so I can just get this over and done with.
Emma.
I’m waiting for my first oncology appointment and will be starting chemo some time soon, too (I’m 42, btw). I know my hair’s going to fall out so in preparation I had it cut really short. My hairdresser’s going to come round and shave it all off after the first chemo so that I’m in control of it shedding. I hope that for you the side effects continue to be not too bad. I reckon that cheese sauce with added hair might not go down too well with the kids, though.
Emma G
My second chemo is on Thursday 25th September which is my Wedding Anniversary - ho, hum. When you say you are expecting to be ill, have you been so during your first and if so, what have you been feeling? Undoubtedly, I have had less energy and have felt more irritable. Mind you, my period is supposedly due in a few days’ time so it will be interesting to see if it comes or not. Also, I was very headachy for the first few days and had that ‘hungover’ feeling as well. Apart from a little constipation and, believe it or not, weight loss (despite eating like a horse) it’s been okay. I have been told that effects are cummulative so that by treatment 6, you feel quite worn out.
Hamsters,
What a cr*p day to have chemo on 
Although in the evening you may not be feeling too bad, so get hubby to cook you a nice meal! I was sick for about 5 days with a hangover feeling after FEC, vomited a little in the mornings with a headache, then just tired and wiped out in the afternoon. Followed by a week of sheer knackeredness! However I didn’t have FEC yesterday, was given Taxotere as FEC didn’t do anything and ca had grown! Arrghh. NOT good news. Side effects so far non existent bar sleeping 12 hours solid. From other threads it seems the SE’s come on after a few days, they seem different to FECs, more fluey and achy rather than sick. I’ve heard the same that as time goes on we feel much worse. I’ve lost weight too, not many people seem to, they weighed me and I’d lost 10lb in 3 weeks! Which surprised me, I hadn’t realised it was so much.
Hi ladies
Iam now on my 3 CMF after 4 epi I lost my hair about 14 days after first epi found this quite distressing but after the initial shock you get used to it and I go commando all the time Iam proud to be part of the club and not ashamed of what I have. its been 5 weeks since last epi and my hair is now about half inch long it came in white at first and then multi coloured so i took the plunge last week and dyed it blond it looks good although when I first shaved it everyone couldnt help but know that I had cancer now they just think I have a bad hairdo lol but hey ho I know its not forever and it will never be down to my waist again but im getting to old for that style now and besides if posh can go short who are we to defy fashion.
Joanne
Hello Ladies!
I have been reading the forums having been diagnosed on 5th August but have only just registered so this is my first post!
I’ve had a WLE with sentinel node biopsy (12th August) and 1st session of FEC 2 weeks ago (wearing cold cap) and to be honest it’s been a lot better than I had expected! (I’m 35 years old). The only symptoms I had were a bit of queeziness for the first couple of days and about 5 days ago my mouth started to get a bit tender. However, I have woken up this morning and it feels like my scalp is really starting to get sore. Could this be the onset of the dreaded hairloss??!!! I am about to get in the shower and wash my hair very carefully but I guess if it’s going to go it’s going to go!
Good luck for your 2nd go tomorrow Hamsters! I hope Monday went ok for you Emma! Do you know when your first appointment is yet Cat? Joanne…do you still have your eyebrows and eyelashes. I think it’s the eyelashes that I’m more concerned about losing as I never leave the house of a morning without my mascara!!!
Good afternoon ladies,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May had op in june, and have been having FEC regime chemo cycle of 6 every 3 weeks.
on 1st October it will be my 5 cycle, so I am really on count down till it finishes.
I dont know when you have but on my second cycle I was fitted with a PICC - so I didnt need to have any more needles stuck in me, felt like a pin cushion.
I had most of my hair till the 3rd cycle. Having a sore head is the start of hair loss - SORRY - (I didnt heed the advise of the nurse to use baby shampoo - did once made my hair brittle, so I stuck to Tresemme Shampoo and Moisturing Conditioner - the lady at the hair clinic, couldnt believe I had my own hair. ) Sadly my dad shaved it with clippers to a grade one, and I plucked up the courage to shave it all with a razor today.
I have been luck not to have to many side effects, only weepy after the chemo for a couple of days, hairloss, and the dreaded weight gain. Weight had been up and down by 12lb.
My family have been very supportive, my dad said I couldn’t go bald before him, so he shaved all his hair off last week.
doesnt know that I have done it yet. Will see what he says when I pick daughter up from them later.
I have been off work since June, going back on 15/10/08 before my last chemo on 22/10, to be honest I am dreading it.
But needs must I’m afraid my savings have not dimenished and I have to go earn some more.
Take care everyone.
Just thought I’d butt in here!
Elsbeth, I’m 3 weeks past my last epi and are now on Xeloda tablets (oral chemo). I’ve not lost my eyelashes or eyebrows (although I know some do) and like you I was more bothered about losing those than my hair. I admire people like Joanne who go commando but I couldn’t have done that and got 2 wigs (one online from Contrast Wigs which is lovely). My hair hasn’t started growing back yet except for my legs!!
Like you all say it is cumulative and I was completely shattered by the end of epi. But although not pleasant it is doable and the time passes in a flash (thank goodness). Just go with the flow…
Take care girls & good luck.
Mal
Emma G - happy anniversary.
my hair started coming out about 2 weeks after my 1st fec so my other half shaved my head for me as i was sheading all over the place. i won’t wear my wig as i hate it but prefer to wear my bandana outside and inside i don’t bother unless i get certain vistors.
btw i’ve just turned 40 and am now on taxatore. i have 2 more lots to get and then on to rads. i have been told treatment should be finished by xmas - yipee.
best of luck to you all. x
Ladies… my hair has gone! Half of it came out in the shower yesterday and the other half today! Oh well… onwards and upwards. It’s an excuse to go wig shopping instead of shoe shopping at the very least. I’m just waiting for my husband to get in from work in half an hour… I think he’s in for a bit of a shock!!!
Oncologist appointment tonight and if bloods are ok then it’s chemo round 2 for me tomorrow morning.
Hope all is well with you!
E x