Nodes are CLEAR! But big haircut tomorrow :(

[crb]

So happy, just wanted to share the news! Sentinel node biopsy from last week showed the 3 nodes she took were all clear I'm always up for more good news...

Going for a major haircut tomorrow. Think it might be easier on me when it starts to fall out...my hair now is the longest it has been in almost 20 years, so through all of this - loosing my hair has been the hardest thing to hear. Going for a short, chin-length bob and dyeing it darker to match the wigs I just spent a small fortune on. Maybe then it won't be as traumatic??

[tricia keegan]

Hi,

Great news on the nodes and I'm really happy for you, its always best to cut your hair as short as possible before chemo, or shave it off if you're brave enough as its a lot easier when it begins to fall out!

[caya]

Happy the SNB came out clear - great news crb.

I agree with Tricia, I would get a short haircut - the pixie cut is right in style now. Personally I would not waste the money on the dye job, but do what makes you feel the most comfortable.

all the best
caya

[crb]

Why is it that I was most devastated by the news of loosing my hair?? I was just about set on a bilateral mastectomy (until now having to do chemo 1st), with little hesitation, but completely broke down about the hair. The only rationale I can come up with is that I could hide any surgery, but once the hair goes, it is a beacon to the world that I am sick - I feel fine so far, and really don't want sympathy from anyone. Is this normal or am I just being a stubborn, TypeA control freak??

Tricia~ absolutely NOT brave enough to shave it off...I burst into tears Saturday when looking at wigs with my mom and daughter. They are in boxes in the closet and I haven't even shown my hubby yet

Caya ~ I'm treating myself to the dye job for 2 reasons - my last hurrah with my stylist who I won't need for the next year, and my roots are so darn bad (dark w/grey) with the rest of my highlighted hair turning a beautiful blonde/orange shade. Thinking going dark and short to match the wigs might be less noticeable for when wig time comes. Oncologist said the hair loss may come a bit after the 2nd treatment, so I should have about a month left...

[Jackie07]

Glad the nodes are clear!

Now, about the hair dye ... When my Mother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgekins Lymphoma when she's 75, I did some digging and found that 'black' hair dye could be related to her cancer. Later when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and then 2nd Brother was diagnosed with colon cancer, I found the Lynch syndrome - a familial cancer cluster - that seems to explain the cancer incidents in our family.

Mother went through all the treatment and lived till 90.

[IrvineFriend]

crb, for me personally but I was odd in this way, I had no problem losing my hair. Traumatic YES. But I was tired, didn't feel good and not having to deal with another appt. of any kind (hair cut) was a pure gift. I could get up and not have to do anything with my hair. I was working full-time + so that might have contributed to the overall sense of lethargy as I was very tired, but it was a welcome vacation of doing anything at all. I wish you luck, and there are very cute hats and with weather warming up, it might be cooler too.

[jaykay]

I didn't like losing my hair either - as you said, it tells the world that something isn't right. I'm a naturally curly girl and bought a straight wig because I didn't want to deal with frizz other than my own. My friends walked right by me the first time; it was kind of cool to be incognito when I wanted to.

I hate to tell you - but if you are doing TCH, your hair will probably start falling out about 14 days after the first chemo. But I can understand getting the cut & color. Do whatever makes you feel good.

I never shaved my head - buzzed yes, shave no. Had some (very very little) hair throughout and it provided a little cushion for the wig.

You'll be fine. It is amazing how fast you can get ready in the morning when you just have to plop on the wig.

Best
Janis

[Laurel]

crb,

Most excellent news on the nodes! Hip Hip!

As for the hair, it is not all that bad. Honest. When mine started failing out like a molting bird, I just could not STAND it, so I took charge by grabbing the dog clippers and heading outside to the patio. Mission accomplished. Swept it up and found it really was not an issue for me EXCEPT when my eyebrows got radically thin and I lost my lashes. Learned how to draw a line on my lids, upper and lower, to mimic lashes. Filling in the brows was artistry, but kept me from looking sick. Then it was OVER and my lashes began growing in almost immediately. Hair was back in a few months. Had fun with scarves, wigs, make-up, and BIG earrings. You will too and then it will all be behind you.

[sassy]

I agree with Laurel.

Loosing the hair wasn't a big deal and I had an absolute blast wearing all kinds of wigs, hats, scarves. I got a free pass to be as outrageous as I wanted to be. I just loved pulling off my wig and "surprising" people.

Didn't mind the baldness---but I HAD to put on my eyelashes everyday!

Go figure.

[LeahM]

Once someone asked me how I tied on my scarf so nicely. Then she asked me why I was wearing it. I too thought it was like a neon sign over my head blinking "I HAVE CANCER" but that lady didn't think that, she just thought I looked nice.

[crb]

THANKS! As usual, you ladies are the best and put a smile on my face! Talked to a friend from a long time ago, who had BC about 12 years ago. She told me when she first started wearing her wig, she got compliments on how cute her hair looked and realized it really WAS cuter than her own hair and people had no idea what was going on.

Thank goodness hubby has a sense of humor - I threatened to go blonde (or get a different color for each day of the week) and his only comment was "Will you get ready quicker??"

[Rolepaul]

Your hubby and I would get along. NO sentinel nods is incredibly good! All I can say is that it made no difference to me whether my wife was bald, in a wig, or in a scarf. I just wanted her to get better and live life. She has done that incredibly well. I would take nutritional supplements before you start chemo, do not worry about any weight gain, walk as much as you can (or dare), and enjoy the fact that you have a lot longer to torment your husband. And lastly, get a blood test every year and make sure you record the results. Stay on the site to motivate others.

[crb]

Rolepaul:
You made me cry...it is true - I doubt hubby would care if I shaved my head right now. I just came home from chopping about 8" off and he said it looked cute Daughter also commented to me this morning (after I sadly said this was my last day w/long hair) that I should be HAPPY because the cancer hasn't spread!

And honestly, I AM happy ~happy I found this early, happy I have very good fighting chance to beat/cure this, and happy that I now know I need to slow down a bit to enjoy my life and wonderful family...

[Saygoon]

I understand about losing your hair - I felt the same way. My hair was almost to my waist. But.....(there's always a but) when it started to fall out my scalp got really sensitive. I was actually a relief to get my head shaved!! I too had fun with scarfs and hats. Now that my hair has grown out just below my ears I dont know what to do with, never had short hair before. I caught myself telling my sister "Being bald was easier!" WOW! never thought Id say that. I think being bald removes the denial of the disease but have fun with it! Work that scarf girlfriend!!! Thats what someone told me so I pass it on to you. Sending positive thoughts to you on your journey.

[Aussie Girl]

Guess what! It grows back! I have spiky regrowth now.

I became used to the lack of hair rapidly. I used Buff microfiber tubes because they took about 10 sec to put on. Never used the wig because it was too hot and itchy for our Summer. Most of the time I went bald if I was amongst friends. Too bad if they winced a bit. They got used to it.

Temporary baldness is part of the journey. It is normal to cry - what's happened to you (me, us) is sad and it should be honored by your tears. Other things will make you cry too, but you'll also have times when you'll feel deep joy over little things that you never appreciated so much before. Keep your eyes on the good things as much as you can.

Aussie Girl

[roz123]

hair is such a big part of who we are as women - to some it means more than to others
i never had nice hair - thin, went grey fast etc but i did have a good 2-3 days of crying after it came out. After the initial shock wore off i was fine with it - i went through chemo in the winter months here in Toronto so i wore a hat most of the time with a scarf and you couldn't even tell. I had a beautiful real hair wig that i wore when i went out/social functions that i joke to this day was nicer than my real hair (thick, long auburn color)
its just a temporary thing
my hubby just said to me yesterday wow your hair has gotten so long and i barely remember you bald (finished chemo dec 2011) hang in there

[roz123]

ps in my avatar pic that my hair 1 year 10 months past chemo