How did you deal with Hair Loss?

[Michelle]

While this is primarily a cosmetic issue, for some people this is one of the most traumatic parts of chemo.  Did you do anything to prepare for the loss of hair? How did you feel about losing your hair?  What suggestions or words of encouragement do you have for others regarding this?

[Cari]

Its funny you ask that question Michelle.  You would think losing your hair would be the last thing you think about when you have been diagnosed with cancer--so of course I have a story to tell--
I was basically diagnosed over the phone because my surgeon is in a different city than I--so the phone call came in--I answered the phone and my mom was there with me--so of course I put my doc on hold so she could get the other phone so we could listen at the same time--welp it didn't work--I even hung up on him accidently OOPS--anyway so he called back I answered and just said ok tell me then I will relay the info to my mom--so he said blah blah blah blah blah high grade Osteosarcoma--blah blah blah cancer blah blah blah--I really didn't know what he said it basically went right through me--but I was fine--smiled and said ok--do you mind repeating everything to my mom now--so she got on the phone and actually listened to what he said a lot of uh uh's and then she said so she needs to start CHEMO right away--his answer was yes--I heard CHEMO I started bawling--WHY--of course because I knew I was going to lose my hair---Fast forward to the first oncologists I met-(he was an ASS) I told him I didn't want to sit there for 2 hours and here about EVERY single side effect that I might have--I just want to learn about things as I need too--so he said being the smartass that he was--so you don't want me to tell you about a medicine that could help with some of the side effects---DUH---so I said (being the smart ass that I can be) CAN YOU GIVE ME SOMETHING TO KEEP MY HAIR!!!!  he said NO--I said well right now your not helping me then!  hehe  the nurse came in to talk to me after that--because then I was crying again and after talking with him I thought I was going to die--she said did everything go ok with DR.......  I said no he is an ASS--she said yea we have a hard time working with him too--so I got my doc that I have now and LOVE-----anyway
I CRIED at every THOUGHT of losing my hair!!!!  But actually once it was gone I was glad it was gone!--I was so sick could barely move-was lucky if I could shower and if I would have had my long think curly tangly hair that would have been miserable!  By the time it fell out I was already to sick to notice or care--Its funny because I look back on pictures that I have and I say WOW I really was bald--I didn't really think it--I knew I was but it never really sank in-not sure if that makes any sense!
NOW I can say I sure appreciate my hair so much now
Sorry for the story!! 
Cari

[Cathy]

After being told I was never going to walk again, my hair became a very secondary problem.  I started noticing  clumps of it falling out around the house and I asked my friend to take my to a walk in beauty shop and; just like that, had it shaved off.  My friends started buying me hats and I did buy a wig but never wore it.  Everyone commented that I had such a perfectly round head that it became a joke. I never was brave enough to go out in public though without a hat on.  Growing it back in was a bigger deal as it was kind of like Spring time - watching and waiting to see what it was going to be like.  A renewal of my body as a cancer free survivor. 

[Jeanne_C]

During my first visit with my oncoogist I was told that TOTAL hair loss would occur in the first two to three weeks.  I made the decision that as soon as the clumps started to fall I would just cut it all off.  And that's what we did, on Easter Sunday last year.  I cried as we clippered it off and actually kept the hair in a plastic bag for awhile.  That lasted until the cats discovered the bag, tore into it and started carrying hair clumps around.  I laughed so hard my sides hurt and then I just threw it all away.  I opted out on wigs....they kind of looked like road kill to me....and only wear hats when its cold or to protect from the sun  (I actually got freckles on my head this summer LOL).  I'm so use to it now that when I look at pics where I have hair, they look funny to me.

[Cari]

Oh My Jeanne--your cats got your hair clumps--that is soooooo funny!!!!
Great story!!  glad you can laugh about it!
Cari

[Celeste]

  Hi, guess we all have a story about our hair...it's funny after but not while it's happening.

   I did not have the chemo for bone cancer I had it for breast cancer and they were not sure if I
was going to lose it. Well one saturday I took a shower and most of it fell out in the shower. It all stuck to me it was terrible. After the shower I got dress and sat the the edge of the bed to dry what was left to my hair and stupid me the rest of my hair was all over the bed!!! I had to vacuum it up. It's funny now but it wasn't then.  Dave a guy i was dating he came over after the shower he was great he picked up all my hair cause I could not. He also brought coffee and a donut with chocolate frosting and I had frosting from the donut on my finger and scratched my head and there was more hair on the frosting...man did I cry. I used to say that was the worst bad of my life, surgery and chemo was nothing till I lost my hair. I used to be a hairdresser. After a couple of months I was really ok with it. One time I order pizza had it delivered forgot to put a hat on, the poor guy looked like he saw a ghost!! It was me!!! There are so many stories. Funny now but not then. The only other thing I can say...you know the chemo is working...or you would not lose your hair.


  Great stories,

    Celeste

[Mariana]

I was so sad about that!  When it started to fall out, my husband shaved it all off at once.  That was so weird.  Then, when my eyelashes, eyebrows and everything started to fall off ugh.  the eyelashes weree really traumatizing for me.  I'd go through days were it was all just fine...when it would bother me most was when i wanted to feel like a GIRL...pretty and such.  That's when it would kill me, that I looked like some alien and no matter what I did, i didn't look pretty.  I did have a favorite hat to sleep in ( the head becomes so sensitive) and a favorite hat for daily wear...unless it was hot out then I'd go bare! I hated wigs because they itched my head.  The regrowth of it is pretty rough too because I have curly hair...so for months, I looked like a sheep! 

[Charlene]

Well - when I found out i would loose my hair no if ands or buts about it i wasn't concerned about loosing the hair on my head but on my body (ie - privates) sorry guys.  hehe!  my friends would make so much fun of me.  i was freaking out about it.  it was always funny because i thought of the most silly things - imagine i still do.  to prepare for my hair falling out i got it cut short - i think orth oncs suggestion.  i was going to go to my hair dresser to have my head shaved as soon as i noticed it was coming out.  well one thing no one ever mentioned was how much having hair could hurt.  the chemo burned my hair follicle so bad that i couldn't waite to get it shaved.  so 2 friends took me to the mall and off it came.  funny thing is the beautician didn't speak good english so she couldn't fathom why i wasnted my head shaved.  so she decided to leave me some fufu bangs in the front.  i said no shave it off.  she refused.  so i started pulling the rest out with my hands.  she got the hint and shaved it off.  we had such a great laugh.  threw on my baseball cap and off we went shopping in the mall.  my only regret is that i didn't take pictures.  it was such a momentous occassion.

it was actually a blessing not to have hair going through treatment.  couldn't imagine having to fuss with hair when i barely could lift an arm to wash up.  especially after my limb salvage surgery no baths/showers for about 2 months.  i went to get a wig but couldn't bring myself to get one.  was too self concious thinking one day i had that hair, then none, and now all the sudden a head full.  not for me.  did offer to get one for my friend but she passed - i was shocked cause she's always had something crazy going on with her hair.  so i wore a baseball cap, dress hat or just went bald.  people were gonna stare no matter what.  so why not give em a show. 

at times it was difficult to look at the person in the mirrow - bald, pale, black eye and accept it was me.  the growing back process was also eventful.  my hair grew back in darker, thicker and curly.  what a treat to try and ffigure out how to care of a mop of curly cues after 25 1/2 yrs with straight hair and 6 months without hair.  it took awhile for me to get comfortable with my new locks.  but my friends were great and on a weekend get-a-way i was not allowed to wear a hat at any time.  that was the break through for me.  the thought of a hairdresser scared me to death.  so it took over a yr before i got my first haircut.  everyone came to see my long ringlets and admire.  it was fun to see their reactions when they asked if it was natural and i'd say nope had to go through chemo to get it - highly suggest it beats a perm. lol! 

if I had the balls i'd stay bald.  no bad hair days!

charlene

[Elaine_1968]

I need some input.  Mark has lost most of his hair but it is very patchy.  Do i let it fall out?  He wanted me to shave it but they said with his white cell count down and his platlet count down also it is a risk for infection and bleeding.  How do i make him feel better about himself.  He will not leave the house because of his hair.  He hates hats.  Any suggestions?  Please help....

Elaine

[Kevin]

Elaine,

Shaving his head shouldn't be a problem as long as you don't use a razor.  A bladed razor might cause nicks so that's why you wouldn't want to use one.

But, you can use hair clippers like they use at a barber shop without any attatchments.  A couple of other things you could use are a beard/mustache trimmer or an electric razor that has a beard/mustache trimmer attatchment. 

Hope it helps.

Kevin

[Randy W]

I would recommend shaving with clippers as well.  I remember having the same issues with patchy hair and my wife shaved my head while I was in the hospital in traction.  It really sucks to be in that situation.  I hope things get better soon for Mark.

[Brian]

I agree with kevin and Randy use the clippers. The little bit that is left  wont be as messy if it falls out later. When i did mine then rest seemed to come out in the shower a short time later. Hope you feel better soon.



Brian

[Michelle]

Chris hated being bald too!

Remember there are some good things about being bald.
1. Bald is currently IN fashion!!
2. Cooler in the summer.
3. Less shampoo to buy
4. Low maintainance (too tired to spell correctly---that doesnt look right)
5. you can blind oncoming traffic with the shine of your head.

Okay....so maybe not number 5.

No hair for a short time is worth it if it saves your life. 

Michelle

[Mark]

Thanks everyone....I am now bald!!!!!!!!! and yes Michelle it is shiny. 

[Cari]

Hey Mark,
The important question is--Do you have a nice shaped head?  Hopefully it is not lumpy !
Hugs to you
Cari

[Lisa]

I was devastated to find that I would be losing my hair.  All my life people always told me how beautiful my hair was, it was the first thing people would see and mention... ask me if it was naturally red and curly, which it was.  So when it came time to face losing it... I did it in steps.  The first thing I did was go to the beauty salon with my soon-to-be mother-in-law and we got our hair done.  I cut my really long hair short, just so I could get used to that.  And it would also be easier for me to deal with when it came time to falling out. Also, my fiance made me a promise that when my hair fell out he would completely shave his hair off as well.
The day came to do it and I had my mom take the clippers to my head.  I cried like no tomorrow.  Jason came home from work and went straight into the bathroom and shaved his head.  Then he came over to where I was propped up on the futon and let me inspect his newly shaved head.  I mentioned that people were going to think that's quite something.  That's when he said "Well, not as much as this" and pulled out the ring.  He asked me to marry him.  I cried and hugged him and told him "Of course I will!".  My mom was there and even she cried.  
So I look back on the day my hair went away with a smile and remember the beautiful thing Jason turned that memory into for me.  Gosh I love that man.

[Mary]

Wow, Lisa, that is so awesome! I wonder how many people were proposed to on the day the day that they went chemo-bald...I bet you are one in a million...or less! WOW!

[Cari]

AWWWWWW that is sooooo sweet!!!!!

[Olga]

WOW!!!
Lisa, I like your story about what happened with you when you lost your hair!!! very romantic!!
I guess, I'm a lucky one, who likes wearing a wig. before I lost my hair I went to the wigs' store and chose the wig that looks exactly like my hair. it was expensive one,$ 300 but was worth it. very comfortable, even can't feel it. I think it depends on Brand also.
Some people who don't know what happened to me last summer even have no idea that this is not my hair.
because I'm working at the College, where a lot of young people, I feel more comfortable wearing a wig. However, at home I prefer to use my bold shiny head to bring brightness during dark time of day!!:)) Saving on electricity!:))

I agree with everybody, that boldness is a advantage when you going through chemo and don't have energy for anything, even wash your hair!

[Rene]

I was so in shock from the diagnosis that the thought of loosing my hair was on the back burner. At my What to Expect During Chemo class, the nurse told me in about 14 days I would loose total body hair. So my hubby's twin sis, who's a hair dresser, came over and cut my hair real short a couple of days after my first treatment. I started loosing my hair in about 10 days. I had her come back to shave the rest off because I found that the anticipation of it being gone was worse than just getting rid of it. Plus it let me still have what little control of my body that I still could. My sis in law being the joker that she is, first cut me into a mohawk and then left a tuft of hair behind one ear, all the while taking pictures. The last pose was with her face and the back of my bald head. My thoughts on that are, guess what picture will be on the front of her Christmas card. ha ha

My husband shaved his head with me and my older sis in law cut her hair real short too. That meant so much to me. My husband say's as long as I'm bald, he will be too. It still gets me choked up to think about it. I called my mom to warn her about my hair being gone, but she still cried when she saw me. I think for family and friends, seeing me bald makes them have to face how serious this all really is. After seeing me a couple of times they get used to it I guess. I wish I could shield them from the pain, but I can't.

I went to a Look Good Feel Better class from the Amer Cancer Soc last week. I would recommend this highly to women with hair loss. I'm not sure if they have them for men. There were about 6 of us in the class. There were Skin and Hair care professionals to show you how to take care of your skin and apply makeup when your facial hair is gone. This was my first time being bald in public to try on wigs and hats. It was kind of freeing actually. They did give me a wig. It's really cute. I'll have to put it on and take a pic to see what you guys think. My hubby says it looks good but he likes my bandannas better. They also gave me a ton of high quality skin care products and makeup. I can now see such a difference in my skin.

Back to the hair. I had shoulder length, super curly, coarse hair that I was dying red. I have always wanted straight hair of course. I wonder how it will come back? I have a feeling there will be some little silver highlights in there. I think I'll try highlights when it come back and keep it short. Who knows? Rene

[Scott_06]

Hi Rene,

Thank you for sharing that story. I think your hair just might come back straight. Chemo does very strange things. My beard is usually blonde, but when it grew back after my first chemo it was jet black! I loved that look, but in about a month it went back to being blonde. Strange.

Before the cancer, I usually Bic'ed my head or kept my hair fairly short. So the idea of being bald wasn't shocking to me. But my hair was about an inch long when it really started to go. After a shower, I was towelling my head off and probably 1/4 of my hair came out and got in my eyes, nose, and mouth. THAT was distressing! So I went to the free barber shop at MD Anderson and the woman shaved it all off. I usually just wore a hat to keep my head warm, but that shop offers lots of wigs for women. That was nice of your husband to shave his head for you!

Wow! What chemo was that that killed your hair off in 10 days? All the chemo I got took 21 days to kill my hair.

Scott

[Rene]

Hey Scott, I wrote a post and just as I was going to finish it my daughter clicked the mouse and bye bye post. So I'll try this again. My one day chemo is Cyclophosphamide IV, Doxorubicin and Vincristine(aka red devil). That's the one that caused my hair loss. My 5 day in a row chemo is Ifosfamide and Etoposide. I will have 17 cycles of these two every 3 weeks. I'll get a break when I have surgery, and then I will continue on until next spring. So far I've only gotten nauseous from the 1 day treatment and pretty tired and very loopy from both. Fingers are crossed that it stays that way. 

[Lisa]

You know, I have to add something else to this as well.  In the beginning I was rather self-conscious about the way I looked bald, so I would never leave the house without a bandana or wig on.  Then one night when my dad and family were visiting from the east coast, we were going out to dinner and I totally forgot to bring anything to cover my head.  My dad came up to me, wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and told me I had absolutely nothing to be ashamed about, that I was beautiful and I should be walking around bald everywhere I went. 

And you know what?  I did.  And the more I did, the less I cared about it.  Sure, sometimes I was just not in the mood to watch little children stare at me in horror and/or fascination when I'd go to the mall or the store, but it was more about me missing my hair than anything else.

I spent almost $300 on a nice wig with the color as close to my natural color as possible and i rarely wear it.  I feel kind of funny in it now.  So if i feel the need to cover my head i do it with one of the comfortable colorful cotton bandannas that i match to my outfits.

[Katie_B]

Aghhh!  My hair's started to REALLY come out now  , it was shoulder length, so its coming out all over the place.  One side of me thinks should I make the most of it while its still here and pick hair's off my clothes all day and the other thinks should I be brave and get it shaved off and over and done with?  Sorry I know this post is how did you deal with hair loss!

Help!
Katie.

[Mary]

Okay, Katie, I didn't deal with this because I didn't have chemo...but I have always thought it would be more traumatic to watch it come out in more and more chunks than to get it shaved off? I mean, to get it over with at once??? That seems like it would be more cathartic or something. Less traumatic overall? I don't know. UGH! You will make it through this, whichever way you choose! I think most of our members gave in and went for the shave.

[Cathy]

Katie,

My hair was also coming out in chuncks all over the house. I found that disgusting.  So I asked a friend of mine to go out to lunch with me and then we went to a walk in beauty parlor and I had the girl just shave my hair off.  I did not have any real issues with losing my hair as I knew I would and felt like I needed my energy to fight the chemo instead of mourning the loss of my hair.  I know most people had huge issues with losing their hair.  I just did not.  But, it might help you if you have a friend go with you to have it shaved off and make an outing of it.  What bothered me most was not having any eyebrows and I wasn't very good at drawing them on!  Anyway, it will come back and it's interesting to see how it does come back - curly, darker, lighter, etc.  Just think of it as a temporary condition.

Always,
Cathy

[Randy W]

shaved it off

[Rene]

When I started losing my hair, I  decided I wanted to be in control. These are some pictures of me getting it shaved... Rene


Getting shaved by my sister in law.


Posing with a mohawk.


My husband shaved his head too.

[Cathy]

Rene,

Loved the pictures! How sweet of your husband to join you in baldness!  I too took the bull by the horns  and just had my head shaved.  My hair was falling out in chunks all over the house and I found that to be disgusting.  Actually, it was a blessing to shave it as I was too sick during my treatment to fool around with my hair.  I know some people have a real hard time losing their hair, but I wasn't one of them.  So glad you are doing so well.  I think of you everyday.

Always,
Cathy

[Cari]

Hey Katie,
The weid experience with me was kind of backwards--when I found out I had cancer the main thing that I cried over was the fact of losing my hair...I cried and cried and cried...but then when I actually started chemo felt HORRIBLE and the hair actually started coming out I wasn't blown away by it....I didn't shave it only because it seemed to just be gone one morning--I think I thought like you and told myself if I don't touch and am very careful it may stay longer than its suppose to--but it didn't--it wasn't very gradual either--one day a little came out the next day I brushed it and it all fell out--so boy I guess in a way that was a good thing I didn't have to agonize over it....to tell you the truth though once it did come out I was so relieved.  It is soooooo much easier dealing with sickness and everything else that we deal with during chemo with no hair---it is definately one last thing that you have to worry about!!  And its really nice not to have to shave your legs  WOOHOOOO I asked my doc if I could keep that side effect of course he told me NO--Geez the one thing I wanted to keep they wouldn't let me!   GOOD LUCK to you!!!!  Start buying some cute hats!!
HUGS

[Deb]

i bought cute hats, and scarves and added my old fun pins.. I am a pin nut... I have them for every holiday and just fun animals...

I revert to a kid as I get older....    I loved not shaving my legs.. Cari I too hate that the hair grew there afterwards...  Although it's not toooo bad since I only have 1.5 legs to shave 

I lost eyebrows and eyelashes.. Trouble is I hoped they would grow back dark, long and thick... Not... the doc lied about that part... 

They grew in blonde and you might as well not have any.. Can't see them...  I hated the part that my hair fell out everywhere.. I was constantly picking up mounds of hair from my clothes, pillow... urgh.. I didn't think about shaving it off... I probably would have....

[Mary]

Have you shared your hair loss stories and pictures?? A lot of our visitors want to know how to handle this! This message thread has been viewed 2500 times.

So if you haven't shared yet - how did you deal with hair loss? For those who look back on the experience, any words of wisdom?

[Tara]

The day after my first chemo I cut my hair into a cute, short cut that I'd wanted to try for a long time, but didn't quite have the guts to go for. 
2 weeks later, so in love with my new short hair, it started falling out.  It was a very quick process.  My hair actually hurt...... Within a few days it started falling out in huge hunks. I used one of the tape, lint rollers on everything in our house to pick up hair.  It was always in the bed, on the furniture, everywhere!!! Best 94 cents I ever spent.  So, on Christmas Eve we shaved it. 

I've worn scarfs and hats for almost a year now.  Never did the wig thing.  I'm very comfortable with it now - I don't normally notice that I'm not wearing anything. Can't figure out why people are staring at me? We had a supervisor candidate campaigning back during the summer.  He couldn't talk for staring at the top of my head.  I asked if I needed to put a hat on so he could complete his "spiel".  He was so flustered, poor thing...  It took a while before I was comfortable though.  Weird thing - my head always felt wet for a couple of weeks after it was shaved.  Was so weird feeling.  Did anyone else have that? 

Now that treatment is over, it is growing back.  I am SO GLAD to see it return.  I love having eyelashes again (you take for granted that they are actually there for a purpose before you lose them).  I love my eyebrows because I can make expressions with them when I talk.  Have ya'll ever noticed trying to "waggle" your eyebrows when you don't have them....... It kinda takes the ooomph right out of whatever statement you are trying to make.

 Best of all, the hair on top of my head is growing in.  I learned why they tell you not to shave long haired dogs during the summer - that their hair is actually a cooling device.  That's true in humans too I think. It's only stubble.. but it is growing and getting thicker every day.

I haven't shaved anything in almost a year.  That is one thing I do not miss............ but I'm not going to complain about it when it returns either!!   

[Mary]

Oh I just have to share this picture of Rachel's artistic bald head with everyone! Haha

[Mary]

If you haven't answered this question - come and share and help our visitors!

[Cindi]

I was never really upset or scared to lose my hair...I was more concerned on how my 18 month old son would react.  They told me I would most likely lose my hair 2 weeks after my second cycle and they were correct.  I have always had long hair.  After the first cycle I cut it short...and I loved it.   I can't understand why I kept it long all those years.  Then 2 weeks out from my second cycle it started coming out in chunks and it was everywhere.  So I decided it was time to shave it.  I put 2 chairs in the backyard.  I sat in one and my son sat in the other.  My husband shaved my head.  After a little bit my son went about his business.  When we were finished I asked him where mommy's hair was.  He innocently looked at me, put his arms in the air and said "all gone"...and he has never looked for it since.  I got a wig but have only worn it a few times.  I would much rather wear my bandannas or beanies.  I am proud to sport my "badge of courage".  I still have my eyebrows...I have finished 6 cycles and still have 11 more to go so who knows...but right now they are still holding strong :-).

Staying strong-
Cindi

[Tara]

Cindi- I think we were on the same page.  My son was a little over 2 and I was terrified he would see me bald and think, "where is my mama??"  I cut it really short the day after my first chemo so he could get used to it.  Then he watched me get my head shaved.  He would watch a little and then play... come back and stare... go play.  He took to it easily, never questioned who I was - that was my worry, not his I guess.  The funny one - my head was shaved on Christmas eve, we went to my parents immediately after and my nephew who was 2 also had the funniest look on his face.  You could tell he was trying to figure out what in the heck had happened to my hair and why no one else seemed to be upset about it.  He would stare.... then look at Conner like "dude, what happened to your Mom's hair?"  Look at his older sister kind of questioningly like "KK what happened to Aunt Tootie's hair?"  He stared at me all night long.  It was funny to watch him blatantly lean around someone and stare.  The next time he saw me - it was normal to him.  My son associates my hair growing back with me being well though.

[Cindi]

That is so true....kids can be so innocent.  My nephew was the same way...never really could make eye contact with me.  He is getting use to it now.  I can't wait for my son to associate my hair growth with me being well...congratulations.

Staying strong-
Cindi

[Teddy]

I was just diagnosed and haven't started chemo yet, but I was lamenting the anticipated hair loss to a friend who, incidentally, has beat cancer 3 times. I was especially wondering how my 5-yr-old grandson would react. She gave me a great idea. Said she bought some Crayola washable markers and let her grandson "decorate" her head. He thought it was pretty cool!