I am a female with hair just past my shoulders. It was short for years and I have been growing it out for 2 and a half years. Unfortunately, I love it now! But it's just hair, it will grow back, and I have accepted all sorts of things that go along with my diagnosis. So, I am far from distraught. (OK, maybe a little sad now)
I will be undergoing a SCT in August. I am scheduled to be admitted on the 8th with the actual transplant about the 11th. Prior to going in, my husband is giving me a going away party.
Ever since my diagnosis last year, I have known the SCT was a possibility and that if so, I would be losing my hair. Early on, I had decided that I would shave my head ahead of time, with all my friends around, to make the transition easier. Having them see my right away would be better than dealing with it one on one, or so I felt. And that's mainly why I want a party.
Now that it's getting closer, I'm just not sure what to do. I'm getting nervous. My hair is just long enough to where I can donate it. If I wait until it falls out in the hospital, I won't be able to. I could cut it very short and just let it fall out when it does. Or I can take the big leap and shave it off. My party will be on a weekend and I go in on Friday, so I have to walk around with no hair all week ... I guess I might as well get used to it. A friend of mine has already made me a bunch of hats.
I do know that it will continue to grow until the chemo affects it at about the 2 week point, but I figure it might be easier to deal with if It is really really short when it does fall out.
Can anyone give me any thoughts on this? Any advice from anyone, men or women who have been through this?
I have to tell you that I am envisioning a nightmare ... I will shave my head and the next day the doctors will tell me they have decided to use something else ... and I won't lose my hair after all!
Forums
-
KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Should I shave my head?
My mother in law under had an auto stem cell transplant in January. She had extremely long hair down to her backside. She, too ,was tossing up weather to shave or leave it. She decided a few weeks before to put her hair in two plats and let my daughter cut them off. She is only 4. My husband then shaved her head.
We found it to be a very emotional thing to do. Lots of laughs and tears and we have kept her plats as a keepsake. She was very worried as to how the grandchildren would cope seeing her without hair, so she wanted them to get used to it.
She went completely bald, but her hair has grown back SO much. she uses Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and that has helped quite a lot. She found it a lot easier by just shaving it.
I wish you all the best with your stem cell transplant. Many blessing to you.
We found it to be a very emotional thing to do. Lots of laughs and tears and we have kept her plats as a keepsake. She was very worried as to how the grandchildren would cope seeing her without hair, so she wanted them to get used to it.
She went completely bald, but her hair has grown back SO much. she uses Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and that has helped quite a lot. She found it a lot easier by just shaving it.
I wish you all the best with your stem cell transplant. Many blessing to you.
-
kriddy
Re: Should I shave my head?
Hi Kim,
Have you already done the harvest of your cells? Some people have told me that it's the Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) at the harvest that takes out the hair and not so much the melphalan. I don't know if that's true, because I did both within a couple of weeks of each other.
In my case, I had it buzz cut down to almost nothing a few days prior to harvesting my stem cells. About a week before doing that, I had gone to a wig shop and bought a wig. The lady there had a private booth for doing such shaves and I went back to her for that. I didn't want anyone present because I thought it would make me cry more.
It was very difficult for me, but when I was in the hospital for the transplant and the hair started coming out by the handful, I was glad that it wasn't my full length hair. I sort of had time to mourn my hair before being overwhelmed by all of the medical stuff going on.
Everyone's so different. You have to do what feels right to you.
Good luck with your transplant and your decision,
Joy
Have you already done the harvest of your cells? Some people have told me that it's the Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) at the harvest that takes out the hair and not so much the melphalan. I don't know if that's true, because I did both within a couple of weeks of each other.
In my case, I had it buzz cut down to almost nothing a few days prior to harvesting my stem cells. About a week before doing that, I had gone to a wig shop and bought a wig. The lady there had a private booth for doing such shaves and I went back to her for that. I didn't want anyone present because I thought it would make me cry more.
It was very difficult for me, but when I was in the hospital for the transplant and the hair started coming out by the handful, I was glad that it wasn't my full length hair. I sort of had time to mourn my hair before being overwhelmed by all of the medical stuff going on.
Everyone's so different. You have to do what feels right to you.
Good luck with your transplant and your decision,
Joy
-
Joy - Name: Joy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Should I shave my head?
For me it was definitely the melphalan and I only cut my hair as short as I could get it with an electric. If I had to do it over, I would shave my head. The short pieces of hair all over everything, especially the pillow, don't do anything to help a situation of discomfort.
-
Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Should I shave my head?
Kim -
Before I had the Cytoxan to prepare for stem cell harvesting, the nurse practitioner told me that my hair would likely begin to fall out about 10-14 days after the infusion. During that time after the infusion, I had my hairdresser give me a pixie length cut so that if my hair did start to come out, it wouldn't be so devastating. I also put him on notice that if it started to come out that I would call him to then shave it all off.
At the 10 day mark, lots of hair circled the drain when I took my shower. That afternoon I was at my hairdressers getting my head shaved. Because I had prepared myself emotionally for 6 months from the time that my oncologist had told me that I would lose my hair during the transplant, it turned out to not be so bad for me. None of my tears were shed. On the other hand, my hairdresser had a really hard time with it. I had brought a bright pretty scarf with me to wear and that helped.
Since I was scheduled to have my transplant at the end of January, I had asked for pretty scarves for Christmas presents. I received many beautiful ones from family, friends and co-workers. A neighbor who is African American taught me how to do headwraps. So, I looked quite spiffy when I went out in public. At home and while in the hospital I didn't bother with head coverings. It was quite freeing.
Do what feels right for you. You will survive this temporary condition and have a new head of hair before too many months. Play with hats and scarves and make a statement for yourself. I now knit fun hats of beautiful yarns, styles and patterns to give to the patients who are getting infusions where I am treated. It gives me such joy to be able to maybe help some other person have some fun while not having their lustrous locks.
All the best to you during your transplant journey,
Nancy in Phila
Before I had the Cytoxan to prepare for stem cell harvesting, the nurse practitioner told me that my hair would likely begin to fall out about 10-14 days after the infusion. During that time after the infusion, I had my hairdresser give me a pixie length cut so that if my hair did start to come out, it wouldn't be so devastating. I also put him on notice that if it started to come out that I would call him to then shave it all off.
At the 10 day mark, lots of hair circled the drain when I took my shower. That afternoon I was at my hairdressers getting my head shaved. Because I had prepared myself emotionally for 6 months from the time that my oncologist had told me that I would lose my hair during the transplant, it turned out to not be so bad for me. None of my tears were shed. On the other hand, my hairdresser had a really hard time with it. I had brought a bright pretty scarf with me to wear and that helped.
Since I was scheduled to have my transplant at the end of January, I had asked for pretty scarves for Christmas presents. I received many beautiful ones from family, friends and co-workers. A neighbor who is African American taught me how to do headwraps. So, I looked quite spiffy when I went out in public. At home and while in the hospital I didn't bother with head coverings. It was quite freeing.
Do what feels right for you. You will survive this temporary condition and have a new head of hair before too many months. Play with hats and scarves and make a statement for yourself. I now knit fun hats of beautiful yarns, styles and patterns to give to the patients who are getting infusions where I am treated. It gives me such joy to be able to maybe help some other person have some fun while not having their lustrous locks.
All the best to you during your transplant journey,
Nancy in Phila
-
NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Should I shave my head?
Hi Kim, Best wishes for your upcoming transplant. I hope it all goes well for you. I lost my hair twice in a way, once with the stem cell harvesting, and then again with the melphalan high dose chemotherapy prior to the transplant. There were a few weeks in between those treatments.
I thought that I just might be one of the people who don't lose their hair with the stem cell harvest, and went to my hairdresser for a short cut. My husband came with me since it was an emotional time for us. As the stylist was cutting my hair, it started to come out in clumps, and everyone at the salon was sympathetic. I didn't get back in for a trim for about 8 months after that, and wore scarves or a wig ... part of my cancer journey which many people go through.
My hair is normal again now, though, and I don't worry about it actually! I went through all of this in the wintertime, and it was too chilly to go without any head coverings.
I thought that I just might be one of the people who don't lose their hair with the stem cell harvest, and went to my hairdresser for a short cut. My husband came with me since it was an emotional time for us. As the stylist was cutting my hair, it started to come out in clumps, and everyone at the salon was sympathetic. I didn't get back in for a trim for about 8 months after that, and wore scarves or a wig ... part of my cancer journey which many people go through.
My hair is normal again now, though, and I don't worry about it actually! I went through all of this in the wintertime, and it was too chilly to go without any head coverings.
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Should I shave my head?
It's odd, isn't i t... the losing of the hair just seems to be a symbol of the whole 'Cancer sucks" experience. I obsessed over it before I lost mine; I had quite a collection of hats and scarves ready to go, and I had my head shaved the day I went in for the Cytoxan infusion for the stem cell harvest. My sister was with me. I just wanted it OVER WITH.
As I look back, I see that it truly was a symbol ... and a statement. It's not just hair, is it? It's representative of the whole crappy experience. I'm glad I shaved my head a bit early and got it over with. Other people wait. It's up to you.
I know, I'm being really helpful, right?
As it turns out, I never wore any of those scarves or hats; the wig never got off the wig stand. It's blond, anyway, and I look terrible as a blond. I just let things be. That's not a typical reaction, but it was mine. I just 'let it go ... the cold never bothered me anyway' (Good grief. I actually used a quote from a Disney song. I can't believe I did that!)
My hair is back now, of course; properly salt and pepper and extremely curly. If and when I lose it again I may cry harder, because I really LIKE it right now, but then again ...????
I think the point is, you do what feels comfortable to you. I will say this: losing your hair when it is extremely short (less than half an inch or so) leaves itchy bits on the pillow, so you might want to consider the timing.
As I look back, I see that it truly was a symbol ... and a statement. It's not just hair, is it? It's representative of the whole crappy experience. I'm glad I shaved my head a bit early and got it over with. Other people wait. It's up to you.
I know, I'm being really helpful, right?
As it turns out, I never wore any of those scarves or hats; the wig never got off the wig stand. It's blond, anyway, and I look terrible as a blond. I just let things be. That's not a typical reaction, but it was mine. I just 'let it go ... the cold never bothered me anyway' (Good grief. I actually used a quote from a Disney song. I can't believe I did that!)
My hair is back now, of course; properly salt and pepper and extremely curly. If and when I lose it again I may cry harder, because I really LIKE it right now, but then again ...????
I think the point is, you do what feels comfortable to you. I will say this: losing your hair when it is extremely short (less than half an inch or so) leaves itchy bits on the pillow, so you might want to consider the timing.
-
dianaiad - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Officially...March 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Should I shave my head?
Hi Kim (great name, by the way - my daughter is Kim too!)
Prior to losing my hair, I thought it would not be a big deal to me. But it affected me more emotionally than I had expected. It was always a shock when I looked at myself in the mirror.
I lost my hair about 3 weeks after getting Cytoxan prior to my stem cell harvest. Shortly after that, I went in for the SCT. About four months after initially losing my hair, it began to grow back. The time when it was growing back was a really great time because it was a visible sign to me that I was getting better and better each day.
Best of luck to you!
Prior to losing my hair, I thought it would not be a big deal to me. But it affected me more emotionally than I had expected. It was always a shock when I looked at myself in the mirror.
I lost my hair about 3 weeks after getting Cytoxan prior to my stem cell harvest. Shortly after that, I went in for the SCT. About four months after initially losing my hair, it began to grow back. The time when it was growing back was a really great time because it was a visible sign to me that I was getting better and better each day.
Best of luck to you!
-
mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Should I shave my head?
Short answer: yes, you should cut your hair. Not sure about doing it with a crowd around, but some close family to watch is a good idea for many reasons. It lets them acclimate and you don't have to wonder what it will be like the first time they see you without hair.
I had my son-in-law buzz my hair off with my daughter, grandsons and girlfriend watching. It was actually sort of fun. Just one less thing to obsess about going into the transplant.
I had my son-in-law buzz my hair off with my daughter, grandsons and girlfriend watching. It was actually sort of fun. Just one less thing to obsess about going into the transplant.
-
goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Should I shave my head?
I had a stem cell transplant last July '13. My first year birthday is July 19th. Happy first birthday to me. I had my sister buzz cut my hair while in the hospital for my SCT. Prior to checking into the hospital I took my sisters and mom to the wig shop with me to help me pick out a wig and various hats and scarves. We turned a bad day into a fun day.
My hair started falling out while in the hospital for my SCT but still continued to fall out after I returned home. I never was a cue ball, but had a few little stubs of hair. MY hair came back dark and curly. I never had curly hair, except for a period of time called the 80s!. I wore hats and scarves because I really did not like my wig. Once I had a slight hair covering I wore nothing. I did not care that people saw me this way. I have cancer!! I am not trying to hide it.
Good luck to you.
My hair started falling out while in the hospital for my SCT but still continued to fall out after I returned home. I never was a cue ball, but had a few little stubs of hair. MY hair came back dark and curly. I never had curly hair, except for a period of time called the 80s!. I wore hats and scarves because I really did not like my wig. Once I had a slight hair covering I wore nothing. I did not care that people saw me this way. I have cancer!! I am not trying to hide it.
Good luck to you.
-
Julie Phillips
32 posts
• Page 1 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4
Return to Treatments & Side Effects