Hi all
So it’s day 17 of first cycle,
I started 1st June as I think a couple of you ladies also did. I was doing well on the hair front but it appears today is the beginning of the end. I’ve gone from literally no hair left on the bottom of the bath to absolutely tonnes of the stuff. It seems to be coming out from all over but my parting does look suspiciously wider. All feels a bit more real now ?
C xx
Sue and Belle, thank you for the links. Really glad I asked! Charissecarson, I’m dreading the reality of the hair loss. As much as you know it’s coming and feel prepared, actually seeing it happen must be such an emotional thing. Sending hugs your way xx
Thanks Belle yes I have sorted a wig which is very similar to my hair that I’m pretty happy with just like you. I guess although we will feel like people are staring at us they will probably not even take a bit of notice. I wasn’t going to do scarves as I think they shout ‘cancer’ to the world but my husband made me try them and they can actually look quite pretty so I have a few of those too. I feel like you about shaving it off, I want to hang on as long as possible but another part of me just thinks once it’s gone I can be done with the waiting and watching and just move on without it hanging over me. I guess when I get to the point where I’m not willing to leave the house with the way it looks I will do it then.
C xx
Thanks Taran yeah I felt fully prepared and in control until I saw it in the bath. Supposedly it starts from day 14 onward so even though I knew it would still happen after I passed that date with nothing subconsciously I guess I relaxed a little like maybe it wouldn’t happen for a bit longer. Oh well. Onwards and upwards.
Yes Rosieflower you shouldn’t see anything for 2 weeks. Apparently you still will shed quite a bit at first and some people think that means the cold cap hasn’t worked but it slows down between treatments and then you lose another chunk after each one. I’m not using the cold cap but that’s the information I have read.
C xx
hi all,
This is such a great thread with some fantastic,feisty, fighting ladies. So much good information being passed around too. Thank you all for taking the trouble to post.
I’ve made it through day 1 without too much difficulty, actually still waiting for the bad stuff to kick in and so far it hasn’t, which has to be good. Only low point was my oldest daughter came home from Uni for a weekend and has a stinking cold so I didn’t get a hug and she’s keeping as far away as possible, I reckon that has to be one major downside to chemo…also husband working 4,000 miles away and only able to offer support via phone and skype is pretty crap too. Oh well at least I can cuddle the cats!
Enjoy the rest of the evening
Judith63
Oh my god Sue, that’s hilarious! I can just picture it! Really made my day reading that! Yeah I have a couple of simple beanies too as I guessed I would wear them around the house as it would probably feel cold but also my husband doesn’t need to see my slap head all day long ? X
Sue… Sorry but that has made be laugh. Your right about humor … These past few weeks, I forgot what laughing was. That’s another tip ill definitely remember xx
C, I hope your feeling ok. I read somewhere that for every hair lost, a ‘c’ cell has been zapped and gone. I have a short black “afro” hair, its very thick at the moment. Will have a trim on Monday before I start. Looking at myself in the mirror today and trying to imagine my self bald with no eyebrows n lashes. Oh my goodness…will not be a good look but must be positive about it.
Judith, glad to hear your feeling ok after your first one. Are you taking the injections to boost your white blood cells?? Hopefully you will continue to feel ok. Xx
Was it Sue. I’ve read many of your posts…probably all of them. You have many words of positivity and encouragement. Despite that you are going through it yourself. Thank you. Xx Good to hear about the eye hair. Great news, you have your appetite too. big hugs to you too. Xxx
Hi Nettie37,
How has your first day gone? Hope it was as good as mine…
Don’t know anything about whiteblood cell injections? It hasn’t been mentioned - is it something that is cocktail specific? Any ideas anyone?
Judith63
I’ve not started yet Judith. Next Tues is my first. I have small children, so apparently ill have injections (at home) to boost my immunity. I’m think that’s why as kids bring all kinds of germs home!! You’ve got me thinking now, thought it was routine. Xxx
I have been having those injections Netti, I have children too. They gave me them to take home after first chemo. I had to put them in my tummy once a day. About 7 days worth. They give you a sharps bin to dispose of the used needles and then you return them to the hospital. It was difficult to do the first one myself but it got easier. Doesn’t hurt just mind over matter xx
Hi all, just popping in from January thread. With eyebrows and lashes I found that I keep all of mine throughout the FEC part of the chemo. They started to thin out after chemo 5, which was my second docetaxel. Chemo finished 25th April and I’m left with around 10 lashes on each eye, I also have eyebrows, though they are thin and patchy.
I’d also recommend the look good feel better workshops to you all where you can get some tips regarding makeup as well as a bag containing lots of makeup and beauty goodies. It’s also a nice to meet up and chat with other ladies. Good luck to you all starting this month xx
Hi AngeNut, how are you finding the new hair? It’s a lot easier in the mornings. Just wash and leave it and job done!! But I’m having some kind of phantom hair thing where I still feel like I need to take it down from being tied up by the end of the day. But obviously it’s far too short to have been tied back like normal. Lol!!!
Sissylw, I’ve want to do one of the look good feel better courses. Can you take a friend with you? I feel like the hair is a lot easier to disguise than the eyebrows and lashes.
I’ve been told I’ll have the injections too. I have 4 children so could be that, or could just be I’m lucky in the area I live. I just thought it was standard too but obviously not xx
Hi Taran, I’m not sure if you can take a friend, I think you’d have to ask whoever arranges your local course. Regarding the injections, I though they were standard issue regardless of if you have children or not. I had 5 each time during fec and 7 each time during T xx
Thanks for the tips about the eyebrows ladies. I’m sat here plucking them at the moment as they are a bit unruly at the best of times. How ironic (that’s my word of the week). I’ve not brought a wig yet, or looked for head scarfs…i can’t bring myself to do it. I will have to, I just keep putting it off. I’m getting my nails painted tomorrow. I’ve never been a person who pampers myself much… Always kept my girls looking good. I might consider these " look good feel good" sessions. Might help things. Xx
I’m joining here too - well thought I had so I’ll try again lol
First chemo on Tuesday yikes. Rosie
Evening all,
Tonight my house is beginning to resemble the floor of a hair salon so on Day 11 of my first FEC the Great Shedding has begun in earnest. My scalp is tingling, sore and almost electrified in sensitivity and I have had a dull headache for two days now. It is time to take action. So my friend is coming tonight with her clippers and shaving the lot off. From now until chemo is over, I will be rocking the slap head look. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. Slightly concerned I’m about to morph into my bald Dad which isn’t such a good look on a 50 year old woman. Also slightly concerned that my head will turn out to be a really weird shape. But pretty soon, all shall be revealed.
Wish me luck!
B x
Good luck Belle! Hopefully it will just be a relief when it’s gone, although I’m paranoid about their weird head thing too!! Apparently I have a birthmark on my head in the exact same spot as my daughter’s though so am quite interested to see that when the time comes!! Let us know how you get on xx
Hi all
Belle, you are brave, I am cold capping but have found today when I washed my hair a few handfulls came out and my scalp has gone from being itchy to tender in places. 2nd session on Wednesday so will see what happens after that. If it keeps coming out I will have to bite the bullet and go and buy a wig.
Good luck to all those starting this week and hope your SE’s are few and go quickly xxx