Rat fur brown?
 

Well Brenda, you are the hair expert, so I guess it's rat fur brown.
Hope Tiptoe isn't reading this. Maybe I naturally have that colour of hair - my hair came back the same colour as it always has been.

Seriously, the chemo aged me big time. Some people don't recognize
me. Then they say..."oh, you look so good." I say, "that's because I'm
fat".

The chemo aged me (wrinkles), dried out my skin, put tons of weight on me,
wrecked my eyesight........maybe that's why people don't recognize me - it's the glasses not the 30 pounds :)

Amazing how interested everyone is in the "off topic" thread ! :)

I really like my face moisturizer, and have used it since I started chemo. It actually seems to have reversed some of the finer lines and wrinkles. My cosmetic surgeon suggested it to me... Neutrogena Visibly Firm with active copper peptides. The one thing I can't really complain about with all of the chemo I have had is new wrinkles and dry aging skin. Or maybe I am just in denial...

Although I felt great, I got tired of people telling me I looked tired...

I know this may be extreme for many, but it worked for me. I went out and got a brow lift, fat injections in my lips and around the "smile" areas on the sides of my mouth. The procedure was so natural looking, that no one could tell. I'm 44, and I look like I am in my early forties...
I moisturize with Dr Denesse SPF Daily cream with a hint of tint to it and at night I use any over the counter serum... L'Oreal products are the spin-off company of Lancome...
Don't forget that if you are in menopause/chemopause (which happens so suddenly for many of us) your skin no longer gets the estrogen that kept it supple and resilient. SPF is likely more important than anything else... incremental sun exposure just going to and from your car on a daily basis really adds up. So at least get a good moisturizing SPF !

Once you find your routine, you will begin to see and feel a difference.

Maria

It's so great that we can help each other out on matters like this. We're all going thru some pretty wicked stuff but we're still women! I appreciate all the advice and I've taken so many notes on this thread that I think I have plenty to make a start with. I really can't tell you how much all of your input has meant to me, I was beginning to feel so stupid for worrying about this and you've all made me realize that I'm not alone. Thank you again.
And P.S.
Let's keeping storming heaven with prayers for our Maryann.
Hugs

Susan,
The Look good,Feel better program is a great idea. They will provide you with makeup and tips on how to use it. They have a very good mix of makeup. I rarely use makeup but I got a really good mix in the kit they gave me. When you call them they will ask what your skin tone is and have a kit ready for you. I've been really lucky, except for the breakouts I get occasionally. Someone asked me the other day why I was wearing my hair so short, with the weather getting cold. I told her I was just happy to have hair. I finally started spiking it yesterday, it is growing in so funny, I don't know what to do with it. Still, it is warmer than no hair.

Leslie

Hey Ladies,
Just have to chime in here.. I was a counter manager for Elizabeth Arden when I was in treatment. Lucky me!! I had to try and sell cosmetics to women whilst barfing in the trashcan behind the counter (no, not really) but I was bald allover!! I became quite adept at penciling in those eyebrows and matching my makeup to my scarf (I refused to wear a wig). I did quite well as the local cancer center was just down the street and I got all the patients after their treatments (made the other counters *green* with envy...(not really) LOL
Seriously though...there is a great book called "Dont Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without me" by Paula Bagoun. Its a "tell all" book about cosmetics and the industry.
I hate to see my friends here spend money on stuff that is mostly hype and can be purchased reasonably!

Much love to you,Marcia

PS Elizabeth Ardens 8 hour cream (the original red gel) IS about the best healer,moisturizer in the WORLD!

Re: Completely off topic but can someone tell me
 

Just had my first TCH treatment today and one of my questions that I did not get answered was about peptide and retinol use. I have been using some anti-wrinkle products for several years and my skin is great. No one believes that I am 57 years old. I was afraid I would have to stop while on chemo, but this thread has convinced me that i can continue with my tried and true products without fear. Thank you all! Also, down the road, I will have to convince my hairdresser to try a non-amonia haircolor. That is all she uses, but there are some interesting hair colors out there that are more natural. We shall see. I did make her day when I let her cut my hair short for the first time in 20 years shortly before my first surgery. She was SO excited!!! I had been sporting just about the same haircut since high school. She cut it and thinned it and it was a blessing to have much less hair to take care of when I was recovering from ALND. I LOVE having all of you wonderful women as a resource for all of my questions.

Re: Completely off topic but can someone tell me
 

Here in San Diego there are several Spas that hold open house for cancer patients once a month.

Here is a good Google Seach

I would check with your local support groups, Komen, and clinics to see if that is available in your area.

Regards
Joe

Re: Completely off topic but can someone tell me
 

Was going to add my 2 cents on skin care and I see Andi beat me to some of it. Secret weapon, SHISEDO! I have used it for about 15 years religiously and have added some and changed some products during chemo treatments. Often someone in the chemo room will lean over and say we all talk about how good your skin always looks! Even my 65 year old onc says, you don't look 50 even with all this poison I've been giving you the last couple of years. I tell him it's my secret Japanese formula, Shisedo and it costs about as much as chemo!!

First get your funds together, it's not cheap to buy the several products at one time. They really last a long time and are so worth it. Be sure to visit a counter only when the Shiesdo rep is available. It is a very prescriptive line and you need someone who really knows what you need. Don't let the Arden or Lancome lady come over and just ask what you want.

Get the facial brush. Best $20 bucks spent. I have had mine for years and it still looks and works like new. It works great with the Creamy cleansing foam (put a pea size in you palm, add a little H20, use the brush to whip it ito lot's of foam and circulate it all over your face with the brush.) The brush is extra soft and has little rubber nubs in the middle which increase circulation and the brush helps ex foliate. Plus this helps save on the amount of creamy cleansing foam you need. You will waste too much if you try it with a cloth or even your fingers.

You will find the products you need in the Bio Performance line and some in the Benefiance line. These are best for very dry skin. If you can swing it, the Future line is wonderful. One last tip, buy the expensive pack of facial cotton. It is made with silk and it holds your toner perfectly and doesn't soak it up like the cheap cotton pads so that more of it goes on your face. I sometimes peal them in half for two thin sheets to get more product on my face and stretch the silk/cotton pads. I works great with Benefiance Softener with oil. This one is good with really dry skin. I love their foundations. They all have treatments in them. I like the Sun Protection Very Waterproof Liquid SPF 43. I buy the dark shade and a light one in my skin tone I mix them through out the year for a perfect match.

Well, I'm not a hairdresser like Brenda, but my husband is and he has a salon, so thoughts on the hair thing. Be gentle with that little bit of hair. It will probably continue to change texture and growth pattern as it grows out, so you're never sure how you will be cutting a styling your hair. Odds are it will not look anything like before. Real short hair like yours as a light blond will look sparse and if you go with a properly toned light brown or dark blond it will look thicker. Plus darker color deposits more pigment into the hair making seem a little fuller. The depth from a darker tone will also look more shiny/healthy. Maybe have a few special effects highlights put around your face for that blond you are looking for. If it's real short, juts a few on the tips could be nice. Use a nice sulfate free shampoo like Hydrating Pureology.

Wish we could all get together and play skin care and beauty salon with each other. Of course, martinis and jamies would be a nice way to go!

Oh, yeah, looks like my newer treatment of Navelbine and Hercepin is working on my liver! You guys might have to put up with a while longer now!!

Sending well wishes for smooth skin, great hairs, and good days...Darlene