Well I finally had to give in and shave my head yesterday, hair had been falling out for last 3 days and had gone way too thin for me to do anything else with it. Felt really weird when hair came off....cold too....ran straight into bathroom and locked myself in with wig and scarfs that I had got for when this happened so kids wouldn't see me without hair. Settled on a scarf in the end as felt a bit comfier, head still itchy from stubbly bits that were left, thought bits of these were still falling out through the day. Felt OK, changed to wig in the afternoon to give that a try but still avoided kids seeing me without headcover (they are 14 and 17 so more my embarrassment than anything else). Felt like someone else looking back at me from the mirror when I looked with no headcover on - also have dyed my hair for years (got my first greys at age 18) and quite shocked at how white the remaining hair looked. Anyway much more comfortable with things today now that I've had a chance to get used to it and kids didn't bat an eyelid when they saw me this morning (or make any smart comments) which made me feel better. So although still feels strange at times think will cope with this a lot easier than I thought I would - yey!
Am going for an appointment with my consultant tomorrow with second lot of chemo planned for Tuesday if everything is OK. Have been struggling with mouth ulcer, sore throat and dry cough for last few days, don't think it will be gone by tomorrow and although uncomfortable not causing me any real problems, just hoping it won't cause any delays with my treatment.
FormerMember
awww well done Joz its very strange isnt it. I remember when mine came out after the first chemo session. Its 8 weeks now since my last chemo and although it is beginning to come through its very white which, like you, was a shock after having dyed hair forever. lol still it will come back and just think as we have dyed our hair forever it will come back nice and new and strong and we can do it all over again lol. Best wishes and good luck fr your next session. Keep well and big hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It's funny isn't it when it starts coming out in handfuls and it doesn't take long to get to the point of saying "I can't stand this any longer" and getting out the scissors. I don't like being seen without anything on my head - I have a wig for going out in the evening, but I find it too hot during the day, so usually wear a scarf - or a beanie round the house. I find it good to wear a beanie to sleep in as well, otherwise I wake up all through the night with a cold head. My eyebrows and eyelashes hung on in there through 4 chemos, but I've now lost them - but as they started coming out, my hair started to come back!! I finished chemo 3 weeks ago, and now have a bit of fur . . . it hardly merits the name of hair, but I can feel I have a fuzzy scalp. I was fairly grey before chemo, but now it's pure white. By the way, I didn't have many problems with mouth ulcers, but found that using Corsodyl Daily three times a day stopped me getting many, and cleared them up fast if they did come through.
Hoping they can sort out the mouth ulcers for you because they are so sore. Agree with Kate over the Corsadyl as, unlike many cosmetic mouthwashes, it doesn't have any alcohol which would sting like heck. I'm so glad your two teenagers are being supportive - now you just have to get to grips with the chemo and here's hoping it's already thrown its worst at you. xxxx Penny
I also like you decided to cut my hair off when it began to fall out. I must admit it is still strange when I catch my reflection or my shadow on the wall to see myself without hair although I am getting used to it. I tend not to wear scarves or my wig in the house I tend to put a scarf or woolly hat on when I go out. Being hairless hasn't been the problem I thought it would, although I have reached for the hair brush a couple of time. My husband was very quick to point out the hairdressing saving!!
I'm sure you will be fine for your next chemo. After my first chemo I had a horrid sore throat but my bloods were fine. Got another sore throat this time but not as bad.
Well done for being brave and taking the plunge shaving your hair off, my Mum did the same this week too! I have ordered her some sleep caps and things online - decent selection in ebay shops.
Interesting re the Corsadyl - will get some for Mum, thanks guys xx
