Hello everyone, I’m new to these forums. I have been recently diagnosed with spinal Chordoma at the age of 34. I am absolutely heartbroken & in utter shock, but the one thing that is terrifying me is hair loss. I had quite short hair for a fair few years so I’m no stranger to short hair, (even though is shoulder length now) but I am petrified of not having control over it & it just falling out on its own accord.
i have already been looking at hats, scarfs and maybe wigs. But does anyone have any advice or positive words they could share. I would be very appreciative.
Lots of love
Annie x
Hi Annie
Firstly, not all chemotherapy causes hair loss. I had two different types of chemotherapy when I was being treated for breast cancer. I did loose my hair whilst having the first type but it actually started to grow back while I was having the second type. Have you been told by your oncologist that you will lose your hair?
Some people choose to have scalp cooling while having chemotherapy. I decided against this as it meant spending longer at the chemo unit and it isn't a guarantee that you will keep your hair.
My hair was nearly down to my waist when I was diagnosed so I went to a hairdressers that also specialised in wigs to have it cut into a bob before I started chemo. I also chose a wig at the same time, although I actually preferred wearing head coverings and only wore the wig if I was going out somewhere special.
My hair started to come out in handfuls when I brushed it after about 3/4 weeks. When it got to the stage where it was becoming obvious I got my husband to shave my head on a number 2 and then started to wear head coverings when I went out. I bought mine on the internet from a company called annabandana.co.uk.
From when my hair started to grow back to when I no longer felt I needed to cover my head was probably about 4 months.
I hope this helps a little.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
The wig only irritated my head slightly but I did find that it made me hot. My chemo was during last summer so when I was at home I didn't wear anything, unless I had to answer the door, in which case I slapped on one of the head coverings I'd bought.
I decided against the scalp cooling mainly because it added at least another hour on to the time I was at the chemo unit and also because it wasn't a guarantee it would work.
As you can see from my profile pic I've now got dead short hair and I love it. If there was one benefit of losing my hair it was that I've now got a style I would never have dared try before!
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
A bit late reading this, so idea where you are re hair loss journey. I chose to embrace being bald as I could not cold cap as i hate coldness . . Being in control of my hair loss suited me, I called it my . . ‘. velvet seal head’ and used buffs as coverings which worked really well for me.. . . . hair started to grow back 4 weeks after chemo finished.
years of mousie brown thin hair, has turned into grey/ white thick wiry hair! Am focusing on the curious and excited vibe and am looking quite cute ( imo
) hopefully this is showing before and 10 months after photo 
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