Hi all, since my diagnosis I seen to Have become incapable of even if simplest decisions so I was after some advice. I currently have thick wavy shoulder length hair which I usually wear up. I have an mx and node clearance booked for the 8 th Nov followed with chemo, so I know it’s going to go but I can’t decide whether to have it cropped before surgery? Is it Just going to be too tricky to put up, wash etc whilst I recover? I know it’s maybe a bit trivial but worrying about the details is a good distraction from the alarming bigger picture! Any advice kindly received
Herbi x
Hi Herbi,
I would recommend you do it in stages, have it cut up a manageable length for your op (I’m not sure of mobility after an mx as I had a WLE).
I have had 2 cycles of chemo so far (about 4 weeks in) and I had it chopped into a pixie cut (in photo) then had to have my hair shaved yesterday as I was shedding far too much to keep up with it!!
It’s also given others get used to me loosing my hair!
Good luck with your op & chemo (it’s not nice but it is doable!)
Hugs
Axx
Personally, I would leave your hair as you want it. I had mine cut before surgery and in anticipation of chemo - but then found it very hard to get a wig to match my “short” style. Longer wigs are easier to find, and style, I think. Of course you may not want to wear a wig, but if you do, its better to get one fitted while your hair is still in the style you want your wig in. Regarding coping with hair after a mx - I was able to shower quite quickly - my wound was “waterproofed” and no real problem , although I think my OH did wash it for me once. Whatever you decide, I am sure it will be right for you and I hope all goes well, best wishes, Mo x
Hi Herbi
I had a left mx and managed to wash and dry my hair 3 days after surgery. I think it would have been harder to do if it had been my right side cos I managed to hold the hairdryer in my left hand and style with the right, so that might make a difference for you. Also bear in mind the time between mx and chemo starting (I’ve been about 6 weeks). I think Annies suggestion is a good one having an easier to manage shorter style might ease you into it but if you have it cut short now you wont be able to tie it back.
I agree with you sorting the details is a good distraction, I even went to the dentist before my mx just to get it out of the way 
Hope it helps
L4W
Hi Herbidacious you have been given some good advice on this question, I agree with moser I think it depends on whether or not you intend to wear a wig and if you want it close to the style you have at the moment.
If you don’t then it just depends on how brave you are going short, funnily enough I got so fed up with my hair in the summer, pre dx, that one day I got my husbands hair clippers out and cut my hair with them using a no. 8 guide about 1 inch long.
So will be keeping it that short until I don’t have any I think…
My husband did wash mine once for me but after a couple of days found it possible to wash myself might be a bit more difficult with a lot of hair!!!
Good luck with everything
BW
Jean x
Hi there, After my op (WLE & node collection) the nurse on the ward washed my hair for me, but I managed to dry and style it myself. It too was shoulder length and wavy, easy to handle and put up. Since then, I had it cut into a shorter style in anticipation of chemo. What a mistake, it now takes more styling than it it did before and now I’m just holding out for a couple more weeks to have it shaved. In my experience, it has been quite a few weeks from surgery to first chemo, so you probably have a good few weeks before you need to crop!
Hope this helps
Sissors x
Hi Herbi,
I forgot to say that I only had it cut really short after I had started chemo. I found the 3 weeks between my pixie cut and shave a little distressing - maybe I should have just gone for an immediate shave but I’m not sure?
Do what feels best for you at the time!
Axx
hi herbie
just another little tibit for you, i had mx and node clearance about 3 weeks ago, my hair is prob just on shoulders, i did find washing my it difficult at 1st due to not being able to lift my arm fully, but it was manageable, by mostly using my other arm
i have been using hair washing as a gauge to how my movement is improving, which it is day by day
good luck
Gill x
It really is a personal decision but i had fairly long hair and i made the decision to cut it short and have one last funky fun style before i lost it, i cut it quite short and coloured it red, i loved it so was less distressing cutting off my long hair and i have found it soooo easy to do, i can literally wash and leave and it looks ok or blowdry it and put a bit of wax in it to style nicely and it takes me about 5-10mins tops. Im glad i cut it!
After op i did find it a bit difficult and tiresome to wash my hair, got hubby to wash it for me once but he insisted on playing and made a mohican out of the suds and took a pic *rolls eyes* i didnt ask him again lol
Im nearly two weeks in from my first chemo so am going to shave it on saturday before it falls.
just a thought but have you considered using the cold-cap during chemo to hopefully prevent/minimise hair loss ? Or is it not available at your hospital ?
I hah my thick, wavy hair cut in stages and was chin-length when i started chemo. Unfortunatley the cold-cap didnt work for me and i am now sporting funky headscarves and bright lippie but i know that the cold-cap can have fab results : a lady i chemo with is 5 sessions in and altho she has lost some hair, it still looks fantastic and i have serious hair-envy !!