First Haircut

Got my new hair styled for the first time today. I think I'm still gonna wear a wig for awhile because I'm just not used to having only four inches of hair. It's nice to have some style though so I can choose which.

My hair is 2-3 times thicker than it was, that was my estimate and my hairstylist confirmed it. It's darker too but that's probably just because it has never seen the sun.

Still pains in both boobs now and then, definitely more on the mastectomy side. There are still mini-menopause symptoms but I'm learning to avoid them. Yogurt helps keep the yeast infections away, and vitamin E and Flax seed seem to help with lubrication (and KY too!).

Boobs Still Hurt

A month post-surgery and my breasts still hurt, especially the non-cancer (not tissue-expanded) breast. I did not expect it to last this long but friends who have had breast augmentation say it may take another month to feel better. They look fantastic though, they haven't "dropped" completely yet but they look almost normal. My plastic surgeon was fantastic.

The Tamoxifen side effects seem to be mild so far, no hot flashes and periods are nearly normal.

One last chemo side effect: fine blonde hairs on my face and back, something I never had before. Guess I'll have to Nair or wax them, they don't seem to be getting worse so I bet they stay away after I get rid of them.

On my head the hair is about an inch long. Still wigging it, probably will for another couple of months until I can get a hairstyle that doesn't look like a boy.

Hair On My Head

Finally! I have some hair sprouting all over my head. It's under 1/4" still but at least it's coming in.

My abdominal pain I've had since baby #2 is back. Normally not a good thing, it might mean my ovaries have just re-started and are putting out estrogen again, and that'd be great news. Well good for all of my body except any breast cancer.

Yea, Some New Hair

My eyebrows have some gray areas that now seem to be sprouting hair. My eyelashes are coming in too and I think I see a similar gray patch on my head. I can't wait.

If my hair can grow back and my arm pain can go away then the chemo will finally be over.

Remainder Of My Hair Falling Out

Probably 95% of my hair is gone after this week. I didn't think I'd still be losing it 5 weeks after my last treatment. My eyebrows and eyelashes are mostly gone now too.

Depressing. I was hoping to have some new hair sprouting by now, not still losing it.

Still Coming Out Of It

Still nausea sometimes and strange effects on my taste buds. Still tired and napping almost every day, almost two weeks out from the last treatment.

No more trips to Mayo for a couple of weeks and that's nice. No more doctors except one reconstruction surgery in a month or two.

I still have maybe 20% of my hair but no new fuzz coming in yet. I'm anxious for that last visible symptom to be gone too.

Chemo Cycle #3

Well Chemo plus a cold is no fun. I can hardly breathe but my white cell counts were still good enough for round three. On the one hand I hate this cold and that I might have it for another week, on the other hand I'm happy to be 3/4 done.

The hair is about 2/3 gone now and I have to wear a hat to go out. No one at Mayo could believe it had lasted this long. I still wonder if a "cold cap" would have worked for me.

Much More Tired

This time I'm napping every day for the last 3 days. No more aches (from the Neulasta shot?) but I'm definitely more tired. Lots of help from friends and family is helping us and helping to wear the kids out everyday.

I feel all dried out everywhere too, despite lots of water, lotion, etc.

The hair continues to come out a half dozen at a time, tomorrow I have to wash it and I'm not looking forward to how much comes out then.

So glad this is halfway done.