Thanks Ali
Not sure what I would have done without pump dispensers this past few weeks.
Naively, just thought hair fell out, didn’t think about scalp being sensitive, that’s what’s so great about these forums, lots of lovely, useful tips, advice and info.
SJ xx
Hi Everyone
Karen - thanks for the advice think i will try some of those a woman can’t have too many hats in this weather!
Tracey - Your story did make me laugh! i had quite a shock this morning whilst defrosting the car for the school run, i was cleaning the front windscreen and as i walked away a thorn bush that was hanging down from a tree caught my wool hat and pulled it off ! luckily i had my S Turban ‘kimmy’ on underneath that caught slightly and i got it before it all came off ! that would of been VERY cold and i live on a busy main road opposite a Pub! but it was quiet thank goodness.
Julie - good luck with washing your hair i made my mind up to shave it when i sat in my second chemo and my pillow was covered.
SJ - i too am having chemo-rads & tamoxifen to prevent it coming back good luck on your first chemo.I think someone once said it was strange having a shower with no hair as you still go to ‘wipe’ your hands over your head to rinse your hair, takes a bit of getting used to but my shower lengths have dramatically been reduced !
Shell x
How y’all doing on this very foggy day!!
SJ - sorry you have to be part of this community but also welcome to the most amazing community. I have found chatting to all the amazing ladies on here an absolute godsend. I am coming towards the end of my chemo now - hoorah!! Had 6 rounds got one more to go. Then rads and tamoxifen, also herceptin for a year. As for how your head feels in the shower - well I actually quite like it! There have been a few days pre-hair loss when my scalp way to sore to touch but other than that having the shower on my head I find quite massaging! I have no problem with temperature, in fact I have to have it hotter these days - the chemo I am having at the moment is messing with my nerve endings big time so I can’t feel stuff like I used to!
I found having my head shaved very liberating and as it turns out I loved my skin head. More fell out after the shave and now I resemble a photo of me at 10 months old! LOL! I still wash my head every other day with baby shampoo and the gorgeous smelling baby condiitioner. It works for me. My scalp feels soft and conditioned whereas it was very dry and flaky for a while. The hair thats left is also very soft and I can’t stop feeling it - niether can my husband! I do love the time it takes me to get ready these days. Talk about shower and go! Brilliant! I wear hats most of the time, but at home I don’t bother. I have to make sure I have a hat by the front door though cuz I don’t want to scare to postman! Some of my friends have seen me bald but I still feel quite concious about it. I actually feel worse when I am wearing a wig cuz I am convinced that everyone is staring. I do worry when I am out and about that my hat will fall off so on windy days I hold on to it!!!
Good luck with your treatment I hope you manage to cope with it all ok. On the days when you feel rubbish just log on to here as there is always someone who knows exactly what you are talking about.
Take care
Bird
xxxxx
Hi All,
Brrrrr - didn’t appreciate quite how warm my hair kept me!
Janvis- my next chemo is Monday too. I was dreading it a bit, but I’ve had such a good ten days or so, that I feel refreshed enough to go another round. What do you feel about it? Was it worse anticipating the first one? I’m still living with my lump, as having up-front chemo. But you’re right, my nurse said to me very firmly that the mastectomy (in my case) will get rid of the cancer, this is treating the risk of it coming back - belt and braces if you like.
I need to book in for LGFB. What with Christmas, builders and a house move, I keep forgetting. I usually wear make-up, but have never done anything to my eyebrows for instance, so think I’ll need some help there. My hat was good yesterday though, was nice and snug. Shell - that did make me laugh about your hat experience! I have a dread of mine being pulled off unexpectedly!
All the best on this very windy, cold day, hope all in good spirits, Tracey x
Hi all
Its absolutely chucking it down here in Bristol and I’ve got to go to hospital again. Went for blood test yesterday and neutaphils were low again so i have to go back today just to check they haven’t fallen any further then FEC5 can go ahead on Thursday. Not looking forward to it at all. Having just been away for the weekend I feel refreshed and back to normal so dreading feeling like death warmed up by Friday 
Anyway, must go now as the dog won’t walk himself! Can’t decide what hat/scarf/wig to wear in this weather!
Love to all
Debs
x
Hi all,
Well still not brave enough to shave my head, but so much fell out when I washed it this morning. I have got dentist today so i am going to have to work out how to put a scarf on securely!
Buzzy - good like with your blood test today. I have got my 2nd chemo on Thursday so feeling exactly the same as you after having a good few days.
Julie
x
Hi guys…bloomin wet here!
Things to be thankful about with no hair…
Can anyone add to the list?
Hi All
Julie - I know how you feel it took me a while to shave it off but you will do it when your ready, i do feel better for it now but was shocked when i first did it, but its easy to just pop a hat on now, kids have got used to it now, and you won’t have to brush your shoulders every 2 seconds with the fallen hair!
LIF - That is really funny but very true:
7. Late for school pick up …grab your hat and go !
8. going on a night out… style your wig on a stand then pop it on !
9. You don’t burn yourself with the straightners anymore
Shell x
I added a post with number 7, don’t know where it went. I’ll try again, but it’s no 10 now.
Sounds like you’re having fun shocking people LiF. Wish I’d been there to see their faces.
stella
Hi,
I worked out how to put a scarf on and ventured out to the dentist. At least with the scarf on I am not leaving a trail of hair wherever I go. Not brave enough to face doing the shopping on my own, so dragging my husband out tonight before chemo tomorrow.
Julie
x
11…you can see the back of your head without a mirror…in fact with a wig you can see what the back of your head looked like before hand!!!
12. aerodynamics…bet I can swim and walk/run faster lol
Hi Girls,
Like yourselves, I knew i’d go bald but was so curious to see how I’d look, after my first chemo i decided to cut my shoulder length hair really short…so liberating. After 10 days the rest just fell out.
I’ve had so much fun though, scared the postman a couple of times, sat in a restaurant and heard someone suggest I might be one of those ‘lesssbeeens’…I just turned around and stared till the offending diners were embarrassed to death. Been shopping in ASDA and had some strange looks, particularly from men, I just hold my head up and stare at them back!
Actually, I don’t really care if anyone sees me bald, and even though i have a lovely wig, it’s great fun when folk compliment me on my hair (wig) and i just whip it off and say ‘do you want to try it on then?’ They go white with fright!
I have to admit it’s pretty cold though just now and I have a nice selection of hats, and scarves which i can tie into exotic turbans. Just add large ear rings and voila! I never have a bad hair day, and I just wash and go each day in the shower.
Find a good selection of hats and scarves online at Suburban Turban. They even show you how to tie a scarf so it stays on.
Looking forward to the warmer weather…oh yes, hope my eyelashes grow back…
Hugs to all
Jane xx
Hi all
SJ, I’ve been fine in the shower. I use baby shampoo and find it quite soothing. My scalp was sore for a few days when the hair first started falling out but has been OK since.
On the subject of frightening the postman, I did frighten mine the other day when I opened my curtains as he was coming up the drive! Think he pretended not to have seen.
I had my oncology appointment this morning and learned all about radiotherapy which I will have in the new year. Made me feel that I can see the end of chemo. I have FEC5 next week, then just one more to go.
Love to all,
Amanda
Oops, sorry I’ve thrown the numbering into dissarray - don’t think I read the last page before I posted!
Amanda
Lilac x
OK there goes chemo brain again - shouldn’t have started at no. 10!!
Hi ladies,
Just trying to cram all the things I need to do into week 3 while my brain can focus.
Does anyone have wig stand? I don’t have one, but my son has a plastic skull (he used it for drawing), so I use that. You can get a shock when you look across the room and see eye sockets with hair.
Hi dancing girl.
Yes I have a wig stand made from polystyrene. When i got it, I put the wig on it, a plastic carrier bag over the top and put it in my wardrobe where it has stayed. I thought it would give me nightmares if I woke up and saw it sitting on the dressing table!!! It might be good practice to draw eyebrows on the stand!
Julie
x
Mmm wigs. Have not got one as yet. Am amazed by the amount of people who suggest that I do…I love my Suburban Turban hats. I have about 8 now, as I have ordered a couple more of my favourites in different colours since I started wearing them. I only go bald in the house, I have to say. But on the whole- I am really pleased how little the hair loss has bothered me. It was a milestone definitely, and as everyone says, You start ‘looking’ like you have cancer. But back to the wig thing, I think a wig makes OTHER people feel better- that is why so many people have been suggesting it to me.
LGFB booked- should be a space after Xmas. Can I ask a general question? What do you do with sparse or no eyebrows? Is a pencil the thing, or eyeshadow? Mine are very pale in any case. Tips and hints please!!
Love, Tracey
Hi Tracey
Yes, pencils seem to be the thing for eyebrows and lashes. If your eyes aren’t sore you could try falsies for a special occasion. However, the LGFB session will supply everything you need and they will show you how to apply your make up to make you look fab. I can’t speak highly enough of the girls at the Freeman Hospital who did our session.
Enjoy it…
hugs Janexx