Losing one's long hair

I learned a few months ago that I have breast cancer.  Luckinly enough for my new doctor I will live meaning if I stayed with my old GP I would be dead next year.

Diane,

As an old adversary I can truly say I'm sorry to hear of your issues.  I know the attitude you carry into this battle greatly affects your out come.  Your attitude seems up to the task!

 

I also know from past posts how you love your long hair, I have no magic words for you but I can offer the experience of my Aunt's battle.

 

She had cancer of the stomach lining.  A very painful and drown out type.  Once she knew her hair loss was inevitable she had wonderful wig maker cut her hair and make a wig from her own hair.  It looked very good since the color and texture was of course the same as before.  The style was not perfect but if you didn't know her you wouldn't have known it wasn't her hair.

 

She even enjoyed having short hair for a while before the chemo took it.

 

Good luck and I hope the very best for you.

Hal

Hi Diane!  You are in our thoughts and prayers!  You can do it though!  Keep your head up and know that you can do anytrhing that you set your mind to do!  Debbie

I hope people that are still reading this topic. I can identify with you, Diane. I am only 22 but too am having chemotherapy for breast cancer. I used to have thick hair, right down to my waist, and now I have none. My hair was my pride and joy, and it was absolutely devastating when I lost it. However, I had to look at it from the viewpoint that I would rather to lose my hair than to lose my life. Despite the sadness, there is nothing you can do but to continue with life.

Nowadays I wear wigs. I don't like them because I have slight allergy (for want of a better word) to fiber (it makes my skin itch) and human hair wigs are too expensive, but I wear them all the same.

Anyway, I hope you are doing well since you posted that message :)
p>i>g

pockyisgod2007-04-21 13:20:42

First of all if I could hug you.  I am very sorry that you have to deal with this stuff at the age of 22.  When I was at one of my appointments I came across someone as young as you also going throught it.

dianefromcanada2007-04-25 16:49:22

Diane, you are amazing :) I have admiration for anyone who endures through chemo and can summon the strength to tell to themselves "I MUST be positive! To be negative is simply not an option!" even if at many times strength is very hard to muster. Also, I admire you because to go through this is tough enough, but even more so challenging if you are a single parent.

It sounds pretty much ludicrous, but when I first received my diagnosis, the first thought that came into my mind was not "oh my God, I might die" but instead "oh my God, I'm going to lose my hair"!!  (The doctor didn't mention to me about a cold cap; i found out about it later, when I met a fellow patient who didn't lose any hair during chemo, so I asked the doctor and he said a cold cap is only adviseable to those in stage 2 or less of the disease, whereas already I was stage 3, because it inhibits the flow of chemo to the head apparently.) 

Your idea of a note to yourself is good :) I didn't think of this! My positive surroundings are my family, my pets, my friends, and people like you who offer positive messages; they all cheer me up and remind me what is truly important.

As for hats, I love them! I have about 20 of them! And wigs...I've decided I'm going to invest in a lace front wig :D

thankyou for your lovely reply :)
Much love!

lPockyigod, last night I went on the internet to look up cold cap and lace wigs. because I never heard of them.  I really like the idea of that lace wig.