Even though of course I was expecting it and I’d had it cut into a short bob its falling out in handfuls and am feeling very low.
Hi liz,
Have lost my hair twice now and had my head shaved as soon as it started coming our, wore my wig twice then decided to go bald. Know how you feel very hard at first allowed myself a wobbly moment on all the firsts through treatment then picked myself up and remembered im stil alive and tried to think of positives no more bad hair days for a while.
A funny thing happened while i was out shopping with my husband in marks and sparks he is bald has piercings and tatoos and what with me being a baldy as well we were followed by security guards round the store , we had a great laugh about that one and still do.
I now have a full head of hair, but there are great wigs and bandanas, scarves etc, perhaps there is a headstrong near where you live this is part of BCC, have a look on this site.
Hope Ive cheered you up a little bit take care sending hugs and kisses xxx Pat
Dear Liz
I am sorry to read that you are feeling so low, I am adding the details of the Breast Cancer Care ‘Headstrong’ service kindly mentioned by Pat which you may find helpful at some point. They give practical tips and information on looking after your hair and scalp before, during and after treatment. You will be able to try on a range of hats, scarves, fringes and hairpieces in a comfortable and private environment. You also have the opportunity to buy selected items of stock. As well as being free, you can attend as many times as you want – and you are welcome to bring a companion along for support.
For more information either click on the link below or contact the helpline on 0808 800 6000.
breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=2458
We have also published a booklet about hair loss containing useful tips and hints which may also be of some help to you, you can read it via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/hairloss_2004_v2_0.pdf
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Liz,
I’m sorry to hear you are feeling really low today. I had chemo from may to oct last year and nothing n the world could have prepared me for how sad I would feel when I lost my hair. Prior to diagnosis I had v.long hair but decided to get it cut short when I went in for my mastectomy. Then, the day I got home from my first chemo, my boyfriend shaved my hair off for me to a No3. I thought I was therefore all mentally prepared for what was to com but it turns out I wasn’t. I was gutted!! Totally devastated to be honest. It actually all came out 2 days after my second epi on my OH’s birthday. I was determine not to cry and spoil his day but I just couldn’t help myself. I cried buckets!
Anyway, I was amazed at just how quickly I adjusted to life without hair. I rarely wore my wigs, preferring head scarves instead. It has now grown back and I can not remember at all what it was like to have no hair. It really does get better, I promise you.
Take care of yourself and I wish you well,
Kelly
-x-
Well here’s a tip you wont find in any booklets (you might have seen it on another string) DONT try to hover in the ‘ladies’ becuase it will go straight down your legs, jeans etc.! Think it is to do with no ‘guiding strands’ pointing in the right direction. You have to sit down…
Hope thats given you a giggle-my hair is just coming back, 0.2cm of fuzz but I’m proud of it. Lynette
Hi Liz
Lost mine 10th December my daughter came to do it as a treat as we aere all going out for an xmas meal it came away in her hands and she got so upset, so i took the bull by the horns rang a friend who is a hairdresser and sfter the shop was closed my partner and i wetn and she completelty shaved it off and put my wig on for me , my daughters have never seen me without wig or hat. I went out that night as if nothing had happened i was complimented by people that did not know how much they liked my new hair cut.I have had comments like well the good thing Kate is at least you have not lost your hair, and, you look twenty years younger, and, love your new hair style from a daughter of a friend that i taught brownies to and she does not know.I was sitting opposite a lady having her last chemo on the 13th Feb i was having ist Tax i hardly dare ask her and my daughter when i did said mum i thought you were being so rude. She had an amazing wig looked stunning and she said she dare not go out for 7 weeks after she lost her hair. I do mean amazing, it really suited her and it certainly did not look like a wig. My partner kisses my head every night brefore i go to sleep and first thing in a morning and that does really help. I don’t wear anything at home on our own but if anyone comes at all i put the wig or a hat whichever is nearest.
Hope this has helped and you are beautiful with or without your hair and as someone said we do ont have bad hair days i actually did worry about that a week ago before i looked in the mirror i was in a half awake state !!!
Lots of love and very best wishes you know we are all here for you and know what you are going through and what we could’t do with a few magic wands jsut to change your life right now pretend that we have and pretend that we are usaing them on you.All the love we send will make a big difference
Kate xxxxxxxxx
Hi Liz
I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling so low. Losing your hair is awful - I cried buckets too. Like most ladies, once mine started to come out in handfuls, I got my hubby to shave it off for me. (this is after I’d attempted to just hack it off with the scissors myself - you can imagine what I looked like - lol!). Anyway, I did order a wig but in the end never wore it, preferring bandanas instead. I had loads of different ones to go with each outfit and really got used to them. One bonus to not having any hair is getting ready to go out in no time - and I saved loads of money on my usual highlights and regular haircuts! (and hubby was glad I wasn’t pinching his razor to shave my legs!)
I don’t mean to make light of what is a horrible situation for you, but like Kelly said, it really does get better with time and before you know it, it’ll start coming back and you’ll be having bad hair days again (like I’m starting to now!).
Dry those tears, have a large glass of wine and remember your friends on here are with you all the way !
Wishing you all the best with the rest of your treatment
Lots of love
Julie xxx
I’ve just had my first FEC, and have been told mine will be thinning when I get to my next course in three weeks
I’m getting a number 3 next week, as I figured at least then there’s less to lose
{{HUGS}} to you, I know it’ll be me in a week or three
Rebecca
Hi Liz
Sorry to hear you’re going though this. I lost mine 14 days after first FEC and I was extremely distressed by it. It’s such a blow to have to go through that along with everything else. If it’s any consolation to you at all, once it’s out, it’s out and in a way it’s a relief when you no longer have to worry about when it will come out.
On the up side, I had my last chemo at the beginning of November last year and now have a pretty good head of hair, over an inch long and with lovely curls.
I hope all the lovely posts on your thread have cheered you up at least a little.
Take care
Cecelia. x
Hi Liz,
I’m sorry to hear your feeling so low.
I know its hard but we there is nothing we can do. Just try thinking positive that at least the chemo must be working as the hair is falling out.
I too am experiencing serious hair loss espeically today and yesterday. I got my sister to come it for me as i can’t bare to look at it. I’ve tried to hold on to it for as long as poss but now its getting on my nerves as its every where - my food, the bed everything i lean against, all my clothes, the toilet, the bath, the laminate floor and this is just making it more painfull so 2nite hubby is shaving it off.
too make you laugh hubby told me it looks better as its been thinning so yesterday while he wasn’t looking i pulled some hairs off my legs as I haven’t waxed since DX and put them in his dinner.
Today at dinner i told him and all he could why trying not to vomit ohh my god I might have radiation in me as on friday I had a bone scan !
try not to get too upset.
Take care
Luv
Sukes XXX
Hi Liz, i know how you feel . I am having my 2nd FEC today, my hair started coming out on day 16 ugh!! , was trying to hang on as lomg as poss but unfortunately it is coming out alot now, all over the place , in my daughters pizza the other day!! my son wants to pull it out too !!!
i think if it was not for losing your hair the chemo would be alot more manageable. I think losing your hair is like a sign on your head saying ’ i’ve got cancer’ which when you have been trying to carry on with some normality brings it all back to you.
I’m sure we will feel better soon, at least it will grow back as lots of people say, does not actually make you feel better when you look like Kojak!!!
Take care
Sarah XX
i lost my hair last january and finished chemo in june. i have wore a wig all this time. my hair is now in the nape of my neck so last week i had hair extensions. i was really looking forward to it but am really disappointed with the look and have sunk into despair again. how long did it take for other peoples hair to come back enough to go without
Hi Liz, I lost my hair 4 weeks ago I have treatment number 3 of FEC tommorrow. I’m hating being bald too but have bought an army of different wigs hats and scarves and am trying to make the best of it. I found headcovers.com a really good site with the wigs being much cheaper than ones in uk. Charity shops often have a nice selection of floppy hats and scarves. I find a wig with a nice hat can look really flattering on a dull day.
I hope you feel better soon Liz. Keep in touch Judy
DEAR LIZ how I agree with all the lovely ladies who have replied to you.
I was broken hearted to see hair coming out in clumps . I seemed to be picking up hair from all over the house and the shower tray was always bunged up . My mobile haidresser persuaded me to have a NO2 .MY neighbour had to come and hold my hand I was so upset BUT I can only Endorse what others say GET IT SHAVED OFF be done with it !!! Then put all your energy into fighting the wretched cancer. I have super NHS wig and hats and bandanas, sleep cap to keep head warm at night. BITE THE BULLET GAL… IT WiLL grow back!!!
Lots of love and hugs. BOBBIE
Arh Liz
Would love to give you a bit hug, its just about this time 2 yrs ago since i lost my hair. Its bloomin horrible no other words for it.
yes it will grow back but just thinking of you dear girl.
Ruthx
Hi liz
I had lovely long blonde hair and obviously hated losing it, but now 4 and a half months later which has gone so much quicker than I thought it would I am looking forward to having a new trendier short style when it grows.
Sounds weird but sometimes when on chemo I was glad I was bald as I knew if I had still had hair I would have been too tired to wash, dry and straighten it!
Thinking of you
Liz x
Hello Liz
I remember very well when i lost my hair, i was told at my first Fec that it would start to fall out on the 2nd, it all started to go really dull and horrible looking, then one night i put my hands through it and it started to fall out, i arranged for my daughter to come the next day and shave it all off, so by the time my Hubby and other daughter came home from work it was all gone, i wanted it that way as i did not want a big fuss. To be honest i was dreading it, but felt a big relief that it was another hurdle that i had faced up to, i was lucky that i had a good wig all organised and took the bull by the horns and went out shopping the next day. when i think back i can’t believe i took it so strong, but i was determined the bugger was not going to stop me getting on with my life.
I only went last week and got my hair dyed and cut and have finally got shot of my wig.
To all you ladies out there, believe me if i can do it, so can you.
Luv & Kisses to you all xxxxxxxxxxx
Nobody has answered donnakebab (see above).I cant because I still look like a boiled egg. Can anybody help her? Moderator??
What about trying massage, or ask your doctor about some of the drugs taht sometimes help stimulate hair growth? I know a lady who lives near me who is in the same boat as you donna, hair extensions no good. She blames the arimidex but I dont know what you are on…
love, Lynette