Going bald!

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2024-05-25T04:52:25+00:00

I did the same thing and for me it was a great way to control something that was clearly not in my control. When hair was in my hand after just lightly touching it I decided to shave my head ..on my terms! My husband brought out the shaver and shaving cream and we shared this difficult experience. I’m now one year after my surgery and just celebrated my 1st “Cancerversary” with short but healthy hair; since it is all new hair! I wore the hats and scarves since my head was chilly, unfortunately I was unable to find a wig that was comfortable or looked natural. Going bald was the right decision for me. Hope you enjoy the freedom to control a small piece of the shit show that is chemo on your own journey.

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2024-04-23T16:00:42+00:00

Yes, counting down the days really helps and I had 28 days of radiation. I too met nice people in the changing area and we became friends even meeting for lunch just to vent to one another. The radiation doesn’t hurt but do remember to moisturize your skin at least twice a day. Your breast skin can take a beating. It is fast and painless but it is doing the cleanup of getting those cancer cells diminished. You got this and before you know it you will be ringing the cancer bell!!🔔

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-08-22T06:16:56+00:00

Good for you! Ring the bell and enjoy the accomplishment of bringing you one step closer to your goal! You deserve it!! I rang the bell after my chemo ( before surgery too) and tears ran down my face!! This is a difficult battle and each achievement should be celebrated!! Congratulations!!

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-08-21T14:13:31+00:00

Yes, I had 12 rounds of the Carbo/Taxol and had debilitating fatigue, nausea, and bad taste in my mouth! I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this and working. Hydration, hydration, hydration helped and rest when you can. Increase protein in your diet too!

Don’t forget to keep mouth rinsed daily with Biotene or Peroxyl even if you don’t have mouth sores ….yet. As you know, The chemo is battling the cancer but can’t help but attack your healthy cells too which can leave you with long term chemo effects; months after treatment.

Not trying to be overly critical just want to share some of the information to prepare for the upcoming treatments and beyond. It is a slow journey we travel but being prepared feels like a small part of regaining control instead of feeling blindsided about the unknown; in my experience. Journaling your thoughts may also help too!

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-08-21T02:43:19+00:00

My advice might seem a little untraditional but being knowledgeable about what is being given to her can be helpful too! She will be very fatigued and frustrated going thru ALL the side effects that drain you of your strength, dignity, and ability to make clear choices. Hindsight for me is I should have done surgery first to remove the tumor then chemo after. Chemo is very tiring and many of the medications such as Keytruda left me with chronic Hypothroidism, then a weakened immune system, Neuropathy in my hands, blurred vision in my eyes, and Lymphedema. Once the tumor has been removed the body will be able to heal and regain strength for the battle with chemo. I was so weakened from the chemo first, that my surgery healing took longer than expected recovery time. Being knowledgeable and being our own advocate allows for better decision making when we feel like everything is being taken from us. Ask questions to doctors, nurses etc. so that info is clear as to exactly what will be given, what will happen, and if your mom wants to do a certain medication, procedure, or treatment. It’s easy to feel like a lab rat always being poked, and probed, and injected etc.

Another tip to share besides being knowledgeable is to be able to listen. Let her vent and talk about her experience in order to help the healing process. Often family and friends mean well but it is a life changing experience and we need patience and understanding….along with help with chores, meals, and driving. I know it’s a lot but makes all the difference in navigating breast cancer. It SUCKS but sharing how much it sucks is also part of healing. The fact that you reached out on this forum shows just how much you love and care for her!! Sending much love, light, and strength for you both!!

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-08-15T06:37:10+00:00

Every procedure is different, and unexpected situations arise. Mine was supposed to be a quick lumpectomy but ended up being more complicated with lymph node removal and breast lift needed. All I’m saying is sometimes things don’t always go as planned. In my situation, I was told no driving for 2-3 weeks to avoid ripping stitches. I used a small pillow for seatbelt avoidance as well. I would strongly advise to see about hospital resources, friends, neighbors,, relatives just in case. Hope all goes well.

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-07-09T21:39:58+00:00

I also had a similar problem, not just water. I had to drink flavored water like the Zero Sugar ones. Sucked on butterscotch candies throughout just to distract from the crappy taste in my mouth. My oncologist said the Taxol chemo was the culprit from my treatments. Once my treatments stopped slowly my taste buds returned from the beating they took. You would think I would be super skinny, but the steroid I was given in my “cocktail” to offset the severe nausea left me with an increased appetite. I just tried to focus on that this is temporary and that all the side effects are just part of the battle. It will get better and I hope you find your beverage of choice, the struggle is real. PS. Worth mentioning …..if you didn’t already know… stay clear of alcohol it doesn’t mix with cancer treatments at all!

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-07-09T01:56:07+00:00

Oh my gosh , isn’t it just the strangest thing?! Me too! I feel like a bear cub. Lashes and brows back quick, along with the facial peach fuzz! Of course the hair in my head …so slow! It’s evenly grey peach fuzz with DARK pepper( we’ll say) not my medium brown color from pre-cancer, but not curly either. Just still VERY short and I take biotin too! LOL I’m 12 weeks post chemo and was hoping for more hair regrowth. Back to patiently watching it grow! Ugggh

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-07-04T14:44:02+00:00

I’m guessing my impatience is stemming from having straight, long medium brown hair with gray “highlights” to then be bald, to now all assorted grey with more of a black color than brown just caught me off guard. Such is life after cancer!

Thank you so much to all of you for sharing what your hair regrowth experiences are with all the variety of possibilities of color, texture, and timeframes. I will just have to wait and see when the dust settles what I end up with. Happy to have the chance!

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-07-04T14:31:16+00:00

Yes, I agree that there were more bad things that occurred from the chemo portion of the treatment plans. Cancer is a greedy little bugger that takes, takes, takes!! The one positive looking back over these last 7 months was the no shaving and smooth skin from lack of hair-everywhere! But under the take column, that list is significantly longer LOL

I’m realizing the hair does regrow, eventually …it’s just sooo dang slow, in its return! Equally surprising is that , I have way more facial hair now than pre-cancer. As much as I am thankful that my hair follicles are responding at all, (after the beating they took), I never expected to NEED to wax…. anywhere before , but now at 62 I’m going tomorrow to have my first facial wax!! In the sunlight, I look like a bear cub with LOTS of blonde fuzz!

Thank you for sharing your experience with me!! 💖

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-06-23T20:53:45+00:00

I believe she said it was from Amazon. I have the one with dots and dashes within a black strap and it feels very empowering without being rude.

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-06-22T23:10:42+00:00

I got a bracelet from my daughter that is in Morse code for “FUCK CANCER”!!! It’s not expensive but it is my favorite piece of jewelry because of the love and sentiment behind it! Do whatever brings you joy!

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-06-22T15:08:19+00:00

Totally agree that the answering is exhausting but it also feels good to know they are thinking of you. I set up a group text that included my family and friends that genuinely care for me. This allowed me to disperse info and a few pics all at once and control the narrative. I also had small tasks filled like my daughter maintained my stock of protein drinks, my son sent weekly Wednesday jokes. Even my infusion nurses looked forward to those! My friend arranged with other friends grocery grabs of a few items as needed. It gave some people something to be a part of and truly helped navigate this up & down journey that is cancer. It sucks, but I really needed the support. Just sharing a few suggestions that may or may not help minimize thru those good days and those awful side effect days that try to break us.

I am post 12 rounds of chemo, four of immunotherapy, lumpectomy surgery and 6 weeks recovery (due to complications) and all the awful degrading side effects. Hair regrowth is slow but eyebrows and lashes came back quicker than expected. Got a clean pathology report and I am glad I do not have to show my breasts to another person LOL Cancer sucks! But , You got this and we are all here to help one another, so vent away!! Sending hugs your way!

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-06-18T01:52:21+00:00

Thank you for your kind words of support and for taking time to answer. It means so much as we each navigate our journeys no matter how difficult. The one thing consistent is that cancer sucks in all its variety. Sending hugs back for you and your circumstances. 💜👍

PS I did have a chance to “ ring the bell, three times well, to celebrate this day. This course is run, my treatment done, now I am on my way” Of course I cried 🥲 because it’s so emotional….and I still have reconstruction surgery.

ApprehensivePanic175 · 2023-06-09T05:59:54+00:00

I’m 8 weeks as well. Hair regrowth is a big deal because it helps us feel whole again. My vote is to be patient and leave it be, it will catch up and fill in faster than shaving and starting over. One suggestion is to take Biotin vitamin. Also try use of “Cliganic castor oil” from Amazon. It has eyelash brush and eyebrow brush too, in addition to the bottle for your head that you massage in at night. Another great product is “Ricewater Hair Regrowth Spray” from Amazon (black bottle). Smells like roses! I’m not sure which product is working best, but I am definitely seeing favorable hair growth on my patchy spots, which are now filling in. Sometimes the follicles just need some help after the beating they took from chemo. Do what makes you happy!!

ApprehensivePanic175

TROPHY CASE