Loosing hair during chemo

20 days after starting Abraxene: 

My hair is beginning to come out, but it is very minimal now. Here's how it started.  It is just a few strands at first that takes BigSexyHair to BALD-and-BEAUTIFUL.

I probably lost 25x that throughout the day. My scalp is really itchy and is covered with a stinging sensation.  It feels like you are getting a perm (remember the 80s?, perms and claw bangs.  Ya, I did that) and the perm solution is left on a bit long.  It was much the same a couple of years ago when I was taking the red devil.  (I had all the side effects listed here, and more.  It was a powerful (read pain in the ...) drug).  But - it is also a killer, in a good way.

I think the waiting is the worst part. When you find out you are going to loose your hair from chemo you  have to reconcile that fact in your mind.  When you have accepted your new fate, started telling people it is coming, and even buying wigs, scarves, or hats then it feels ok. But when you have done all that and your hair is still there you have time to start getting mad that you are going to loose your hair again and the you have to reconcile. 

A few days ago I ordered some scarves and yesterday I picked up my packages from the post. They are so pretty! I purchased a black and white batiks print and a jewel toned one from headcovers.com. I loved the selection and prices on this site. I definitely recommend them. Next I would like to get something with fall colors. Maybe like this solid beige.  But, I do love prints too, like the stripes.  Maybe even a floral.  Choices!

My new head dresses

I also ordered a wrap from GoodWishes.com.  LOVE THEM!  I am going to write a post about this awesome company and tell you how women with alopecia can get a free wrap or scarf!  I saw the marbled cat
and thought it would look awesome with a black blouse, jeans and gold jewelry.  I love the wild element too - you can't fight a tame fight against cancer.

3rd Abraxene, still my own hair 

Here is the head covering I am sporting now, from my plastic recliner at the chemo pharm.

Treatment went great today.  I really wished there was some Frank Sinatra playing so I would take my dance-partner/IVpole out on the floor between trips to the bathroom.  My tumor markers are doing arial stunts with nose-dives in the 50s this week.  (The normal range is 40-ish.  I was over 300, now under 200 again)  But, treatment takes a long time.  Between signing in, waiting to be called back, vitals, and blood work to be sure I have enough white blood cells for chemo, waiting for the chemo cocktail to be mixed, getting pre-meds, getting chemo, flushing the line, scheduling a follow up... I can't get it under 2 hours.  I really wish I was a nurse.  I would run my own chemo right at my office desk.  It wouldn't bother me at all, but for those who aren't used to the scene it may be distracting.  But really, when you are living with chemo the routine needs to fit into your life a little better.  Stage IV patients are looking at a long term situation.  What a blessing for cancer to become cronic and not fatal.

Now the treatment needs to catch up to patients like me who are the sole-provider for their family, raising young children, and trying to build a future not tiptoeing into retirement or disability.  It isn't home health - it is office health services. (My name is breastcancerwarrior@gmail.com and I approve this message.  I also claim it as my original idea for a business.  I will sue you if you take it!)

BTW - tomorrow is FRIDAY!! :)