Chemo Hair Loss

Hair.  You don't realize how important it is until it is gone.  It is one of the first things people see when they look at you, it defines us in a way.  I have had long hair most of my life too.

Hair loss occurs about 12-17 days after the first AC chemo infusion, occasionally longer.  For me it was day 12.  I had long hair - well past shoulder length.  I have always been a "shedder" and constantly lose several hairs a day.  But on day 12 I took a shower and noticed I was losing way more than normal.  I made a little "shower art" as I pasted the loose strands on the shower wall to avoid having it get stuck in the drain.  After this shower I knew it was time. I chose to let my hair air dry as I went to the grocery store.  While at the grocery store it kept falling out, crazy amounts were falling out and I didn't want to start pulling them as I did not know what to do with them.  I made it home and with the help of my hubby and we prepared my hair to be donated.  Below is a picture that was taken just before the cutting began.

My hair - photo was taken right before it was chopped off.  If you look closely at the bottom you can see some loose strands that were falling out.

When I found out I would have chemo that would cause my hair to fall out (not all of them do), I knew immediately that I had to donate it.  In addition to helping a child with cancer (I am struggling and have no idea how the kiddos do it) it gave me a good feeling - like I was recycling or using my misfortune to make someone else happy.  I just didn't want my hair to go to waste.  Cancer can attack my body, but it cannot stop me from helping someone else.  I chose to send it to Locks of Love, but if you search there are a ton of places out there that will take hair donations.  I didnt measure it, but I estimate that the longest strands were about 16-18 inches?  Below is a picture of the hair once it was cut.  You have to put it in a ponytail in order to donate and mine was put into several to be able to send as much as possible since I was shaving it off.

Wow, how long was my hair!!  It will grow back, but at a rate of 1/2 inch per month.

Sent it all off to Locks of Love.  I hope someone can benefit from my loss.

After  all the ponytails were chopped off my hubby took the razor and made everything even - at about 1/4inch.  I was told that it is easier on the scalp and is less itchy if you leave it really really short as opposed to having it completely shaved off.

A few days after I got my super short 'do I was in the shower and when I washed my hair it was coming out in bucketfuls.  Every time I would rub my head I got a handful of little hairs.  I kept doing this until they didnt come out anymore.  All in all, I still have a few hairs - maybe 1% of my original hairs, but still a few that are holding out.  I dont know if those will eventually fall out too, but it doesnt matter either way - actually it may be better if they all fall out.

What is it like having no hair??  Weird.  My head gets cold.  But showers are so much faster and no need to blowdry.   I have a wig that sorta kinda looks like my old hair - well at least it is as long as it was.  I am still getting used to the pre-styled look as it has way more body than my real hair did and to me it makes my head look big.  When I am at home I usually dont wear anything - I did get some hats to keep my head from getting too cold, particularly while I sleep.  When I go out I wear the wig.  I am still working on what I do when I go for my walks.  I have been trying to walk 20-30 minutes a day.  I have a wide-brimmed hat that I wear without my wig (dont want to get it all sweaty), but it looks painfully obvious to me that I have no hair underneath.  They do sell wigs that are designed to be worn under a hat - I need to get one so I have more confidence during my walks.  I saw my neighbor who I dont talk to, but who has seen me and knows I have a lot of long hair, during one of my walks and she gave me the Pity Look . . . the pity look is the worst thing you can do - dont give us that horrified, scared, sad look.  I would prefer you look away than give me the pity look.

I was having writers block on this post and since then I have got a hair topper - basically a wig that is designed to be worn under a hat.  There is far less hair and there is none on the top.  I got mine from headcovers.com and it is much cooler and easier to wear under my hat for my walk.  I just have to remember to put sunscreen on the top of my head.  Overall I am more photosensitive (burn easier) because of the chemo, but also my head is used to being covered with hair to protect it from the sun.  I also have a solid wig cap that works too.  I order a lot of stuff from the internet and what I liked best about headcovers is that they wrapped all of my items in tissue paper and put a pink ribbon and sticker on them.  It was almost like I was receiving a gift . . . even though I know I paid for it myself.  Nice touch.

Eyelashes and Eyebrows also fall out for most people.  I have noticed that almost every morning I wake up and find an eyelash/eyebrow on my cheek.  Sometimes I find an eyelash in my eye.  I have noticed that both the eyelashes and eyebrows tend to flip the wrong direction before they fall out.  For the eyelashes this means that they turn so that they are poking me in the eye.  I have noticed that my eyebrows are much thinner than before.  The eyelashes on my bottom right eyelid are the ones that are coming out first, but the rest are following suit.  I can't say I am excited to be losing my eyelashes/brows.  I need to learn how to put makeup on . . . time for a Look Good Feel Better class.