Hair loss...so it begins

Nano1739 1 day ago

3 replies
15 subscribers
102 views

Hi all,

First post, not a group I hoped to join but here we are! Am 42/f and was diagnosed after an oopherectomy and hysterectomy with stage 1 ovarian cancer and am having 6 rounds of paclitaxel and carboplatin on a 3 week cycle. I'm day 14 of round 1 and think I'm about to start shedding. I'm trying cooling cap but with those drugs its likely the whole shebang is going! I'm most scared/sad about looking ill- my eyebrows going will be very upsetting I think as they frame your face. Any advice on coping with this would be great. I always had great natural eyebrows so need to get acquainted with an eyebrow pencil sharpish.

I had a wig fitting and am leaning towards a completely unnatural look- the natural ones just felt a little too close to reality but not enough. If people are going to look twice, might as well be at bright blue hair or something!

Luckily my prognosis is very positive (chemo is considered mop up post surgery) but its still a rough time.

Anyway just wanted to say hi, and will gladly take advice on all things hair loss. It feels silly and vain in light of everything but its a huge part of our identities.

Have a good Sunday all

GRANNY59 1 day ago

Hi Nano1739 welcome to the forum though I am sorry to hear about what's been happening for you. In respect of the hair my friend lost all her hair during chemo treatment and decided to shave off what was left and wore beautiful scarves and hats if that's an option.. Mind you I love the idea of the coloured wig and why not. In respect of the eyebrows I wonder if you have a Boots chemist with a No 7 make up counter anywhere near you. If so you can go in and book a macmillan appointment to discuss make up eyebrows and eyelashes. They are trained on what to use and can advise you and you can go back to see them anytime. Best Wishes whatever you decide to do..Gail x

Nano1739 1 day ago in reply to GRANNY59

Hi Gail

Thanks for your message. I'll check out the boots option, my local store is big so might have someone

jeannie27 2 hours ago

I have 2 rounds of the same chemo as you for lung cancer and like you did not want to look ill and I did not want sympathy 'that poor woman has cancer,.

First round hair came out in handfuls a week or so after 2nd cycle and I shaved it off, I was receiving maximum dose of the chemo.

I am in the middle of 2nd round of same chemo combination, as original tumour site is showing activity and cycle 2 the hair loss started, half the dose of previous round of chemo and hair loss a lot less dramatic (like when a man is going bald and try to hide it with a combo over, think along the lines of Mr Dudley in Little Britain according to my husband)! So out came the clippers and shaved it off again.

Being bald does not really bother me and I went for a real hair wig, which is very good and take a bit of getting used to but can now put my hair on in seconds.

Loosing my eyelashes and eyebrows made me feel really ugly and make up just looked odd. EyelineHerBlog on Youtube has excellent videos for pencilling on false brows and applying false lashes.

The upside of hairloss no having to shave or was legs or underarms.

Good luck on your cancer journey x