Calling all peeps who finished their chemo about April time this year…how long is your hair?
Mine has a covering all over but appears to be growing really slowly!
Although i am getting braver at going out and about bareheaded, i think i would feel far more confident if i had a bit more, so i am hoping it will grow some more soon as it feels strange still.
Nasreen x
Well my last chemo was 22nd March, so that’s 16 weeks hair growth, similar to you, and it’s just about 3cm (i measured it!) but looks it a bit shorter. I’ve been without any hat since the last chemo.
I find other people don’t have a problem with it. It’s chic to have cropped hair at the moment and I’m quite enjoying being able to open the window in my car on a hot day and not mess up my hair!
There has only been one instance when I passed a couple of girls, who were about 8 years old, and they started whispering to each other, they couldn’t take their eyes off me! I think they were just curious. But otherwise people have been saying how well it suits me.
I finished chemo end of November 2009. Totally bald ! In fact eyelashes went following that date. early aparil we went abroad somewhere hot. although my hair was very short, (maybe less than 1" all over but looked shorter as it’s very curly now !) I didn’t take my wig as I would have been too hot. Nobody batted an eyelid, though admittedly I found it easy as I was never going to see any of the hotel guests ever again. back home I dropped my wig mid may - about 4.5 months after the end of chemo. My hair is now about 2" long but again looks shorter because of the curls, but it’s shiny and strong.
Hang in there !
Hi Naz
Mine is about 3cms too. I finished chemo on 26th March.
Don’t yet appear to be getting curls, but still wonder if it is too short to know.
I do know I need a tidy up trim at the back of the neck as it is looking scruffy now.
Have only had compliments so far, but it was a very odd moment when I met up with my old boss who got diagnosed and treated at the same time as me. Seeing someone with the same hairstyle as you walking towards you is very odd, especially as the rest of the time I totally forget what I look like!
Hi flora, had only been thinking earlier whislte
Reading an old thread that I hadn’t seen you post for a while so pleased to know you are about.
Hi
Last chemo Feb 3rd this year, lost all hair, eyebrows, lashes and all other body hair. Eyebrows back within 6 weeks just a little less thick than before. Lashes back about the same time and not as thick as before. Head hair just an all over covering, just measured it 1 cm at the longest bit at the back strangely it is jet black and I was a mousey blonde before. All the rest of the body hair some back some not, leg hair starting to return, Underarm hair no sign yet.
You lucky lot with 3 cms of hair, I have in the last 2 week ditched the scarves and wig, too hot for either. Not had anybody stareing yet but a lot of people, some of them complete strangers have complemented me on it coming back. It seems most people have guessed why I was wearing scarves.
It is very flattering to have complete strangers speaking to you and complementing you, it has certainly given me a boost.
I have got so used to seeing myself with no hair, that I was shown a picture of me at a christmas office party 2008 I was in a group photo and I didn’t recognise me in the picture, how embarrassing.
As it is coming up to a year since dx, my life seem to be more and more split in two, pre cancer and post cancer. I am finding it more and more difficult to come to terms with my 2 lives.
Marian
xxx
Thanks for sharing all of your hair stories!
I guess at the end of the day, everyones hair is different. Mine was quite slow growing before treatment, so i am expecting the same this time.
Not many people have seen me with no wig or scarf, my parents, OH, complete strangers, and two friends -that is it.
Lashes and brows don’t look too bad at all i have to say, and i can now ditch the brow make up and wear some mascara on my lashes.
Marian…good on you for ditching the headwear, i bet it feels good?
I have also ditched the headwear apart from on the school run…i get all wobbly and put a scarf on for some reason!
How are you feeling now in yourself?
It will be a year in September since the beginning of my diagnosis. Not sure how i feel really, not much at present as it all seems a distant memory in a way…
Hey Naz good to hear from you - you and I are on the same path I feel - September for me too. I am on herceptin at the moment (and Tamoxifen) and think it definitely slows hair growth. I can just about (nearly) get my fingers through my hair - it is thick though and 2 people this week have said they like my hair “cut” so I guess it looks ok - short though !
Eyelashes are pretty short so I got eyelash extensions and they are totally fab 
My eyebrows are a mess - short and stubby and sparse so I have to use eyeshadow to draw them in every day - boring but still looks ok.
no doubt by Christmas we will have longer locks ! LR xx
RECS! Wondered where you had got to!
So glad you are doing okay!
Mmmmm…tamoxifin may be slowing the growth, grrrhhhhh… not good for an impatient person like myself!
The lash extensions sound good…where did you get those from…Boots?
Got the short ‘look’ here too…still find it strange looking in a mirror, BUT, love the fact that i can get wet in the rain and not look like a frizz ball!
Roll on Christmas and those locks!
x
p.s Flora, good to hear from you too…
I bet it was strange walking towards someone with the same hair cut as you, how often does that happpen in life!
Have you had a hair cut yet. Is it the same colour as before?
the lash extensions can be done in a local salon - can be a bit pricey but shop around - they are lovely ! and they do stay in for ages - you will find a local person using a web search - really makes me feel like a woman again - I know that sounds stupid and shallow but losing my lashes was almost worse then losing my hair (almost !)
I’m not sure if tamoxifen does slow hair growth or not - might be the herceptin - might just be me !!
LR xx
Hi girls
lovely to see so many of your posts and glad to see everyone is getting on okay. It is a bit ironic, I was out in Delia Smiths restaurant on Saturday and met a lady with the exact same hairstyle and colour - there was a momnet where we locked eyes and froze, then the recognition of our ‘unchosen’ hairstyle was registered and then beams of smiles in both directions. Pure moment of solidarity with a complete stranger (or maybe not!!
Mine is getting pretty curly at the back - already had to have a trim and yes - the compliments keep on coming - its not so bad is it really
Leigh x
Hi,
I had my last chemo April 3rd. All my body hair was pretty sharpish to return, except for half an armpit. As for my head, I have about half an inch with some patches about an inch. It’s coming through quite thick thankfully but a bit lighter than it was and I think straighter. So far it’s straight and very easily spikes up on top, I try to tame it with product but it just tends to do its own thing, today I had a mini mohican. People keep telling me it suits me and I should keep it short but I can’t wait to have enough to comb again and I’m really excited about being able to have a ponytail even though it’s still a few years away.
Em x
Hi gals. Sorry if not posting had worried you - just been to Mallorca for a few days after doing tge half marathon Bristol SunWalk, so been busy!
Leigh, your story brought a tear to my eye!
I also missed my lashes and brows almost more than my hair but they came back quickly (had always been very thick before) and I lovingly slop mascara on them now!!
I am finding this experience really makes you not take stuff for granted anymore.
Hi NAZ
Now I have gone hatless it is quite liberating, don’t mind it too much now I have got used to it. It is nice to be able to wash and go in the mornings, and in the hot weather it was absolutely great. But still can’t wait for a bit more hair.
Feeling a bit wobbly at the moment, was dx last August and the annual check-ups are about to get started. It is bringing back all the memories of last year. So much so I have asked for some counselling sessions which I am starting at the end of this month. I am finding it hard to put my pre-cancer and post cancer lives back together again.
I think the change in appearance is one of the most difficult things to deal with along with the ever constant tiredness. My hair is coming back, but dealing with the permanent effects of mastectomy and the scars that go with that and the portacath I had to have put in are beginning to get to me. I don’t regret having the port put in and would recommend it, but having yet another scar is not the best thing to my self esteem at the moment as I try to come ot terms with the “new me”.
Marian xxx
Defo agree with you Flora…I will NEVER take any part of me for granted ever again!
Marian, I know what you mean about the whole appearance thing.
I am not too bothered with the scars, but i am bothered about the hair. Although i am happy that i can get ready in minutes these days, i am envious of people with their long hair, or even styled hair…i can’t help it!
Counselling might help you to get things out into the open and deal with the changes in your life.
Do you work at all?
I am doing some voluntary work at the mo, until i get a job, think that will help with recovery too!
Bye for now.
NASREEN XX
Hi - lots of ‘old faces’ on this thread and you all seem to be in good form. Well done Flora doing the walk, I too would like to do one perhaps next year. My hair too is growing, thick and grey but no sign of curl yet. It is about 2cm long. Had the long bits cut so that it is a standard length now. Have to say I may keep it short as it is so easy to deal with, no worries with dryers, nor wind blowing it astray. Just step out of shower and give it a rub down and it is done. It does have a mind of its own and will not go elsewhere so given up trying to use a brush or comb. Grey is okay at least I don’t have to make a conscious decision to go natural. Am told that it suits me so why not keep it. Lovely to hear you are all doing well. Cannot believe that it is 11 months since I first heard the dreaded C word. Feel really good now. Love xxx
Hi Naz
Yes I work full time in a doctors surgery (not my own doctors surgery).
I went back to work whilst still wearing my headscarves, I have only recently had enough hair to go hatless.
The patients have been lovely and are really kind.
I have had 1 counselling session at a local cancer charity and it was quite useful, in that it re-enforced what i really knew but have not been doing. The life is different, I don’t have to like it but I have to find a way of living with it that I am comfortable with. I am very lucky in that I have wonderful family support and work support.
I am in a bit better place than my last posting, but still dreading my 1st mammogram at the end of next month.
I still like my new hair, it is brilliant being able to wash and go, and I do not miss the hairdryer or tongs or the expensive shampoos etc i was using, only using baby shampoo and condition at the moment
Marian
I finished chemo in March. My hair’s about 2 inches long and I’ve had it trimmed twice now. I also have it tinted, as it came back grey, so its now blonde. I’m going for the full peroxide bit next month!
Julia xx
Awww Julia, be careful ,don’t want those lovely locks falling out again…glad you got it tinted though, that must make you feel alot better…
2 inches, that is good…well done your hair!
Marian, glad you are in a better place, good on you!
Also glad you like your new hair, i also like th ‘wash and go’ approach, but would love it to be a bit longer, just so i can use my hair dryer for a bit!
Mine is prob just over an inch long now, finished chemo beginning of April, so guess it’s not doing too badly…i am taking all the vitamins i can under the sun though!
Happy hair growing to us all…
Nasreen x