de-wigging

[lindaw]

Dear All
I thought I would share this with the people who may know how it feels the most.After 2 and a half years of wearing a wig I am taking it off today.
I used to have really long auburn spiral curly hair.
i lost it all with doxorubicin and doxetaxol and then it grew and thinned on taxol and then it has slowly grown. I am now on carboplatin/herceptin only and after three rounds nothing has happend so I have washed, coloured and am waiting for it to dry to go shopping with my daughter. i feel scared as i know I may loose it again and it will be hard ( as i have read many of your posts). But if i wait for it to be as long as before it may never happen.
I know this is a little thing in the scheme of things - just wanted to share it.
love
linda

[Sherri]

Dear Linda,

You won't lose your hair with herceptin, the other drug I'm not sure. But think positive about it. There are people that never lose their hair with chemo.

[Christine]

Linda
Believe me most of us have this basic fear of hair loss, as we all know our beauty comes from within and our body is the instrument that keeps us strong and courageous. In my life, hair became a very superficial criteria in measuring ones feminity. I know I will never have my hair back again the way it was, but my wigs are pretty similar to my useual style and color. As we are considered survivors, there are some battle wounds along the way to remind us of our strength and our dignity.
Radiation and chemo were tough treatments for me losing my hair 3 times over the years; and feel it was all worth the hair loss. For me that's a fair trade. Take a look at my picture. My family and friends see me with a wig and a smile and that is exactly how I like to see myself.
Linda, I know it's hard to replace those beautiful curls and color, but thank God we are more than just hair. Hope you find a good match. Try PaulaYoung.com
Hugs, Christine

[al from canada]

Dear ladies,

I find it ironic this posting came up because earlier today I was talking to a work collegue / friend and she told me of her daugther who had BOTH breast and cervical cancer. Her response to hair-loss was getting a tatoo an her scalp: basicalll making a statement. Her mother was shocked and the daughter said "don't worry, you won't see it when it grows back in."

Al

[Lisa]

Linda -

I appreciate your sharing your feelings and just wanted to let you know that hair loss, IF it happens, is not the end of the world - or your feminity/sexuality. I might be a little prejudiced, but I think my bald wife is one fine looking lady!

Gotta admit the tatoos sound like a hoot to though Al...

Love and light
Mel (spouse of Lisa)

[Felicia]

Linda,
I felt the same way about losing my hair when I started chemo a year ago. I felt stupid for even thinking about my hair loss (hello, you have cancer). My long curly hair was a trademark of mine so I was feeling a loss of my identity along with dealing with the cancer demon. I wore colorful bandanas pulled back like a pony tail at the back of my neck. I added kid's colorful rubber bands with ribbons, beads and rhinestones. Soon the bandanas became my trademark (they were much more comfortable to wear than my wigs). After chemo and radiation my hair grew back slowly and when it finally came in, it looked great short. I never would have cut my hair so short but it looks great this way and I am keeping it short ! I also straighten it so I can punk it out. Your feelings about hair loss is normal... we all want to feel good about ourselves and having cancer does not help. We must do whatever we can to make ourselves feel good to help us beat this disease. Good luck to everyone !

[*_Sandy H._*]

I know how you all feel about the hair. Mine was gone for so long that I decided to collect wigs. I have several all the same color but different styles. All styled by my hair dresser. Depending how I feel that day is what I wear. I really thought I would never get my hair back and low and behold I did. I too started going without the wig when it was real short because I thought if I wait too long it will be gone again. One 85 year old fellow who is a sweet heart saw me and said he never thought I would do such a thing to my hair, cut it off like that!!!! I did not have the heart to tell him the difference. It was amazing how many people did not know I was wearing a wig. I never even told them the difference. I never wore bandanas or scarfs they didn't feel right for me. There was always a piece that let people know I didn't have any hair. I am such a vain person some would say but that is me. I have enjoyed my hair now for 4 months and will really miss it if I loose it again. hugs, Sandy

[lindaw]

Dear Sandy
Your email describes very closely how I feel. Many people never realized I wore a wig either. Yesterday I went to the hairdresser to tidy it up. It was a wierd experience - I never used to go much when i had long hair as it was wild and curly and I just chopped off my fringe every now and then when it got in my eyes.
Well it looks nice but is full of product and got blowdried! I need to have a shower - wet it and let it dry itself.
Thanks for your reply
love
linda

[lindaw]

Dear Felicia
Thanks for the reply. You sound like you were very creative with your hairstyles.
One of the pivotal things for me to go without my wig was the fact that I cannot get a replacement - still on the boat from China. It is the same one I have had for years- order it every 6 months ( Jodie 30)/
I know if I loose it again I will find a replacement or cope with a close style.
love
linda

[Linda]

Dear Mel
I agree with you - everytime I see that gorgeous face looking at me from Lisa's email.
love
linda

[Lindaw]

Dear Al
Wow she is so brave to have a tatoo. It is interesting how different the responses are to loosing hair.I often think that - like why was i a person who needed to wear a wig when other people really like to wear turbans or scarves.Just personality and individual differences I suppose - thank goodness for diversity.
love
linda

[lindaw]

Dear Chrisitne
Thanks for your words of wisdom. You look gorgeous in your photos. I know hair is a small thing I guess i felt more frightened taking the wig off than I did when i lost it and I am trying to work out what that means.
love
linda

[lindaw]

Dear Sherri
Yes i have never lost it with Herceptin but was told it was a possibility with Carbo and then told usually not with monotherapy.Thanks for the reply.
love
linda