Me & My Shadow......

Sheila · 07-20-2007, 05:07 AM

OK, maybe its just me but I think I can see a faint shadow of hair...just had Taxol #5 yesterday...maybe its because my hair was dark? Getting tired of not sleeping well, bought some Advil PM that has benedryl in it, so I will try that....it works great on me when I get it IV.

On the lighter side, my husband says I am like a CHIA PET....just sitting here waiting to see what grows on this head.....could be a new thing....the chemo chia pets....

Carolyns · 07-20-2007, 05:32 AM

Hi Sheila,

I hope that you can find a way to get some sleep soon. It really shades everything when you can't sleep on top of everything else. It appears as though it hasn't dampened your sense of humor though.

Love, Hope, Peace,

Carolyn

Mary Anne in TX · 07-20-2007, 06:37 AM

Hi Sheila!
My hair began to grow back while I was on Taxol also. But my eyebrows and eyelashes did an incredible vanishing act!!! Seemed crazy to me, but that's what happened. It did look a look like a chia pet to me too! But it felt so good to feel something on top of my head when I "washed my hair" each day!
You're terrific, Sheila! You'll soon go from Chia Pet to Ravishing Beauty again before you know it! World beware!!!!
Lots of love,
mary anne

MJo · 07-20-2007, 07:10 AM

Chia Pet!! ROFL. Wishing you a lovely night's sleep. Sweet dreams.

Margerie · 07-20-2007, 07:10 AM

LOL- we do become stubble obscessed on chemo! I also had growth on Taxol, but it was white and fuzzy. My husband called me Wilson- like the tennis ball.

Happy hair growth and sweet dreams!

hutchibk · 07-20-2007, 09:31 AM

I looked like I had the hair of a 140 year old man when I was on Taxol! I grew back a thin base coat of white, almost transparent hair and then had hilariously sporatic white and silver 1" wires sticking out. Looked like I had stuck my finger in a light socket. LOL.

Are you adverse to a sleep aid like Lunesta? Taxol defitinitely disrupted my sleep too, and benadryl didn't work at night (only when I got infusion did it put me to sleep) - so I bit the bullet and got Lunesta. It was a god-send. I take the lowest possible dose. I never take it more than two nights in a row just to be careful of dependency... food for thought.

Believe51 · 07-20-2007, 10:21 AM

When is the last time I said that I admire you?? Your spirit is so full and your fight if like fire!! I hope that the laughter you get from the ones you love is greater than the laughter you provide!!

If you want to ever play pool maybe we can all get together with my hubby's scrawny legs and shoot a few games!!

Again Sheila, when I think of you so many things come to mind, of course Chia Pet is not one of them!! LOL!! LOL!! I see your rays of sunshine through the darkest of our days. You have provided us with the strength and inspiration to take another step forward.

There are so many times that I find hope in the words you say, I gather knowledge and strength and hope. If I had a magic potion you would get a sprinkle!!

Waiting For A Miracle...and ready to demand one soon!!>>Believe51

Mary Jo · 07-20-2007, 11:41 AM

Hi Sheila,

So nice to hear from you. I always enjoying seeing that you have posted.

My onc. told me that sometimes hair can start coming back on taxol. Not mine! Boy, did I watch for growth though. My chemo ended (taxol) Nov. 30, 2005 and I don't think there was growth until like February. Honestly! Geez, I was beginning to think I'd be one of those odd balls who didn't get her hair back. But I did.

Sending hugs and a prayer for God's Peace to surround you today.

Mary Jo

weezie1053 · 07-22-2007, 09:07 PM

My hair started growing back towards the end of the Taxol. It too was very thin, and the colors resembled those of a skunk. Eyebrows and lashes returned quicker than the hair--although they are thinner and fewer.

I took Ambien while on chemo. Never took a sleep aid prior to chemo, but it helped me get the rest I needed which is important. When you're on chemo, the Onc seem willing to prescribe you anything you need to improve the quality of our lives.

DonnaD · 07-23-2007, 05:47 AM

Hello dear friend,
You never cease to amaze me and make me smile.

My hair began to grow again, a little fuzz, near the end of Taxol. I ever ask my onc about it. She said it can happen. Then she said and "No, it does not mean the Taxol is not working!" She knows me well.

Sleeping was and issue for me even before I was diagnosed and became even worse during treatment . I tried Tylenol PM, but it did not seem to work for me. I then tried Ambien, and Lunesta (gives a metal taste in my mouth) but both seemed to make me foggy in the morning. What works the best for me is a very low dose of Adivan (generic Lorazepam). Started out with .05 mg and now take a half of that and not every night. It is slowly getting better. I was so afraid to take anything and become dependent, but decided sleep was needed more to help me get well. Sleep is a very good thing!

Hope to see you Thursday!
Donna

visualizehealth · 07-23-2007, 07:25 AM

When I started my chemo, all of my dark hairs fell out and all the greys stayed! I honestly think it would take a nuclear blast to get rid of my grey hairs. They seem to thrive on chemo. I can't wait to see what my hair looks like when it grows back in. I would definitely take the Chia pet look over the Grandpa look.
Regarding sleep....I have been going to an accupuncturist since my chemo started, and he has helped me tremendously with not only sleep, but also nausea. One morning he put needles behind my ears and by lunchtime I was down for the count. Whatever you try, I hope it works for you!
Love and blessings,
Annie

fauxgypsy · 07-25-2007, 11:37 AM

I just had my last dose of Taxol this Monday and my last dose of carboplatin three weeks ago. A few weeks ago I cut all of my hair off. I even shaved my head. It was so scraggly that I just couldn't stand it. I was shedding everywhere. It is growing back in a little thicker than it was when I cut it. When I rub my head I feel like I am petting a terrier puppy. My eyebrows are coming back as well. All of my dark hair came out first as well, even in my eyebrows. And I too look like a skunk right now, dark on top and white on the sides. But I never lost all my hair like so many people seem to. I still have to shave my legs, etc. I was kind of looking forward to missing that.

I do not like wearing a wig and hats aren't always comfortable. Scarves don't fit well. I looked for a long time and finally bought a do-rag , took it apart and made a pattern. They don't come in much variety. I went to the fabric store and bought some fun fabrics (a guy at chemo monday said I looked like a pirate, I was wearing the black one with bright giant jewel toned bugs on it) and I have made several. I am trying to make one to give away everytime I make me one. I found that McCalls has a pattern for them under men's uniforms with a pattern for scrubs. They are pretty comfortable and fairly easy to make if you have any experience at all.

I have found that I am not as self conscious as I thought that I would be and have caught myself almost forgetting my hat when I get out of the car to go in somewhere. My grandchildren have gotten used to me bald around the house. We joke about my bad hair days-all of them. I guess the neighbors are getting used to it, too. It is hot here in MIssissippi.

Leslie