Hair Growth After Chemo

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, the first thing that hit me was "I'm going to die".  The second thought was "I'm going to lose my hair".  After speaking with many other women who have faced breast cancer and treatments, I've found this is a fairly common thought process.

I lost my hair in October 2013 after my 4th round of Taxol.  I completed all my chemo March 7, 2014.  My hair began growing back or "sprouting through" in early May 2013.  Since May, I've tried to document my hair growth as much as possible.  Yes, it helps me to see each month that it IS growing.  Because it's a frustratingly slow process.  It's easy to feel like it's not growing, and the photos are a way to prove to myself that regardless of how it feels, it is growing.  However, I also wanted to provide photo documentation for my readers so other women would be able to know what to expect.  What was "normal".

My hair was always somewhat curly before diagnosis.  It was longer, so I didn't realize just how curly it was.  I could scrunch it, and it would look like I had a growing out perm.  The curls were more annoying than a benefit though.  They weren't curly enough to be pretty, and just enough to get frizzy and always have an odd wave that seemed to go the wrong way.  A flat iron was my best friend.  Since my hair has begun growing back, it seems to be curlier than it ever was before.  I'm not sure if it really is curlier or if it's just because it's not that long yet.  I know some people have curly hair after chemo, so it could be related to that.  Or a combination of the two.

My hair is frustratingly annoying to try to style.  It has a mind of its own, and I'm not a fan of my hair being this short.  But I try from time to time.  I'm very tired of wearing a wig!  The growing out process is very difficult as it truly grows in looking like an old lady haircut.  Yes, I'm very grateful to have hair again and it's better than being bald, but it still doesn't make this any easier.  Several people have suggested I get my hair cut to make it easier to style, but I refuse to cut my hair.  I feel like I'm not going to like it regardless so what's the point?  I have a goal to get my first haircut in June, so whatever length it is then will determine what my first haircut is.

At any rate, below you will find my photo updates on hair growth!

The photo below was taken January 2015, 10 months after my last chemo.  

The photo below was taken February 2015, 11 months after my final chemo

Hysterectomy Surgery

To all of my loyal readers, I apologize it's been so long since I've updated.  Things have been very busy, and I just haven't had a moment to blog much.  So much has happened since my last update in late November.

Since I am BRCA1 positive, I had to have a total hysterectomy, which included my ovaries.  I wasn't thrilled about having this surgery.  In fact, I was dreading it.  I have suffered through years of female issues and various other surgeries in an effort to combat issues that would have easily been "fixed" by having a hysterectomy; but I refused to do it.  I watched my mom and sister deal with various issues associated with having a hysterectomy, and I didn't want to go down that road.  After dealing with early menopause symptoms while on chemo, I was really dreading the hot flashes.  But, I was at high risk for ovarian cancer since I'm BRCA1 positive.  As much as I wanted to put it off, I was afraid to wait any longer.  Since chemo ended, my ovaries had come back to life, and I was having issues with cysts on my ovaries (again), which were routinely bursting.  I also had several fibroid tumors in my uterus, which were quite painful.  It was time to stop fighting the inevitable and do what had to be done.  

On December 15, 2014, I had a robotic hysterectomy.  My surgery was done at the Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus Ohio by a doctor who specializes in this surgery for women with a history of cancer or at-risk cancer.  I have had three children, and they were all born naturally.  I was very fortunate in that I had got through three pregnancies with no scars or stretch marks, so as silly as it sounds, I was angry that THIS would lead to scars on my stomach.  But, I came out of surgery pleasantly surprised to find that the scars weren't really that big.  I had five small incisions.  My doctor did a fabulous job, and he made the largest incision below my bikini line.  

My doctor warned me that the surgery would be painful, but I honestly didn't feel it was too bad.  Yes, I was in pain; but compared to what I've been through over the past year, it wasn't that bad comparatively.  My doctor left my cervix in place, which made the surgery a littler easier, or so I'm told.  The lab results were returned a week after my surgery 100% clear of any type of cancer, so I was able to breath a huge sigh of relief.  In a sense, it made me feel like I had made the right choice to do the surgery when I did.   I beat cancer on this round!

I was off work for a week, then my office was closed for a week for the holidays, so I was home for two weeks.  I could have went back to work after a week, but I did move slowly after that first week.  It was nice to have the second week to heal, so for anyone facing this, I would recommend at least a week and maybe two depending on what type of work you do.  Stretchy pants and leggings were my best friend for a couple of weeks.  I was prescribed Vicodin for pain, but I didn't take it after the first day after the surgery.  I just took Tylenol.  

I've posted photos below documenting the incisions and the healing process up until now.  For any women out there who have this hanging over their head, it's not so bad, and I highly recommend a robotic surgery.  My scars are barely visible now, and I have no lasting side effects other than the fact that I'm adjusting to the fact that I no longer have estrogen in my body.  Yes, I have hot flashes; but they really aren't as bad as they were while on chemo.  These are manageable.  Of course, if you ask my daughter, I keep the house cold now.  I was always cold before, so this change isn't necessarily a bad thing!  Estrogen replacement isn't an option for me since I've had breast cancer, so I just have to deal with the symptoms.  

Here's to bikini season 2015--I'm ready!