The hair goes today!

[Longhorn]

Well, not all of it. It still covers my head but it's so thin that I now have one of those "old guy" ponytails -- about a half inch in diameter! So I'm getting it cut short today. My two local daughters and I are having lunch followed by getting haircuts and pedicures.

I also got this wig:



Mine isn't quite as blond but it matches my hair well. It turns out that the style name is "Austin" and it is described as a "windswept" look -- perfect for tooling around in my convertible with the top down! :woohoo:

I don't think my hair is coming out as quickly as it was but the first major shedding occurred three weeks after my first round of chemo so I don't know if that will continue after each round. If I go bald, I may be fine with being bald in public but I'd like to have options. However, I've been told that Austin is a great city in which to be bald. :)

[Breeze54]

1. What a cute hairdo!

Very nice!! I like it! :D

My sister shaved her head before her chemo started and also got a wig.

She said it worked well for her at work. One less thing to worry about.

I hope you are doing better! :hug:

[Longhorn]

2. I would go ahead and shave it off

if I knew for sure I was going to lose it all. However, the chemo I'm getting usually only causes thinning rather than complete loss of hair. I figure that thin hair is as good a head covering as a hat or scarf, especially to help protect my head from sunburn (though I'll still protect it.)

I'm feeling great! Thanks! I'll find out next week if the C-T scan agrees with my recent chest x-ray and pelvic exam -- that is, that the cancer is shrinking from the chemo! :hug:

[Breeze54]

3. I have my fingers crossed for you!

I hope you'll keep us all updated on your progress too. :hug:

Yeah, she found out she had breast cancer on the 1st day of her new job as VP at a large company
and she didn't want them to know and I didn't blame her. It's was a cutthroat job according to her.
So she shaved her head and got the wig. She didn't want anyone 'noticing' anything amiss. I can't
say I blamed her and the wig looked just like her regular hair. I agree... if you won't lose it all,
then why shave it? I'm sure you look just as pretty either way. ;)

[Longhorn]

42. I'm glad the timing worked out for your sister and I completely understand her concern.

I'm an adjunct professor at a community college and I'm not guaranteed classes every semester. I was afraid my diagnosis would affect that but so far, I've got courses for summer and fall. However, I have just two courses for fall and normally I'll get offered one or two more in the month before the semester begins. I'm hoping that that won't change. On the other hand, I don't get sick leave if I miss a class and I have to teach at least one course each long semester to keep my insurance, so that adds to my concerns. I sometimes think I should get a job that has more security but I love what I do and I worry about how it would affect my insurance. So for now, I'll stick to what I'm doing and hope it works out okay. :hi:

[michreject]

16. I'm a male who just got a hair cut

It was at my waist. I tied it back at the collar. One snip and it was gone. It was for cancer victims. I'm 55 and have grey hair, but was told that they could dye it.

Good luck.

[Longhorn]

24. I think it's great that you donated your hair!

Mine wasn't worth donating. I understand that they don't take color-treated hair. I hope you enjoy your new look! Thanks! :hi:

[michreject]

51. It's easier to roll over in bed

And laying on the couch watching TV.

[Haole Girl]

4. Cute style!

I just might cut mine short... I'm getting tired of fighting it through my motorcycle helmet!! :hi:

[Longhorn]

6. I wish mine would look like that.

It's so straight and fine that it will just lay flat -- especially as thin as it is. I may go really short and then spike it a little with some gel! :)

Thanks!

[auntAgonist]

5. I like that style!

I hope you thoroughly enjoy the day with your daughters :)

:hug:

aA

[Longhorn]

25. We had a great time!

My hair is very short now but looks and feels much better. If it continues to fall out, it won't be nearly as annoying. Thanks! :hug:

[lizziegrace]

7. Good choice

:hug:

You're an inspiration. :)

[Longhorn]

26. Thanks!

:hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. very cute and stylish !!

Good to hear that all is going well. :hug:

[Longhorn]

27. Thanks! It looks even better

now that my hairstylist trimmed it a little. Everyone in the shop thought it was real, too, so it must look pretty natural. :hug:

[CBHagman]

9. Kick "George" to the curb in style.

I concur with the others; it's utterly cute.

Thanks for the update, and I'm glad to hear from you! :hi:

[Longhorn]

28. He's definitely getting a bruising!

Thanks! :hi:

[lost-in-nj]

10. Thanks for the update

and the hairstyle is so cute!!!!!

:hug:


:hi:

I'll bet you'll look smashing!!!!!


lost

[Longhorn]

29. I like both the wig and the new haircut.

Now I'm ready for everything! :) Thanks! :hug:

[TZ]

11. Cute.

You will look Fabulous in it....:)

[Longhorn]

30. Thanks!

I think I've had long hair for the last time. I really look better with short hair. :hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. I love that style! If you do go out bald though, don't forget the sunscreen! *hugs*

[Longhorn]

31. I just got a swim cap to wear in the pool!

I'm afraid I'll get a burn even with the thinner hair so I'll be wearing a cap when I'm driving with the top down. Thanks! :hi:

[SeattleGirl]

13. How cute!

[Longhorn]

32. Thanks!

And now you've got me thinking I need some pink boots! ;) :hug:

[zanne]

14. That wig is adorable.

I can't imagine anyone not looking adorable in it!

[Longhorn]

33. My hairdresser trimmed it just a bit

because the back was a little "mulletesque." Plus the bangs were too long if I wanted to wear them down rather than brushed back so now it looks even better on me. Thanks! :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

15. that'll work

sorry about the hair, but it will grow back and that wig is cute as all get out!

[Longhorn]

34. Thanks!

I'm okay with losing it. I got so sick of seeing it fall out everywhere that I was actually glad to see it go -- no trauma at all! :hi:

[lightningandsnow]

17. Nice wig!

Good luck with everything. Keep us updated, k? :hug:

[Longhorn]

35. I will, thanks!

The next update should be next week when I get the results of Monday's C-T scan. :hug:

[FloridaJudy]

18. Great idea!

The lunch/pedicure/haircut sounds like a winner: a little female bonding, "Steel Magnolias" style.

The wig is very cute. And when your hair does grow back, you'll have an emergency backup for bad hair days.

[Longhorn]

36. Yes, we had a great time.

Lunch at a new Mexican restaurant with frozen sangrias. Then wine with the pedicure and cuts -- it's a pretty upscale salon that has been around for more than 30 years. In fact, my husband remodeled the old location 30 years ago! Then we decided it was time for margaritas so we went to Z Tejas, another place that my husband remodeled years ago when it was another restaurant. Some of his work is still there. He met us and we enjoyed happy hour drinks and appetizers. We're lucky to have such wonderful kids who enjoy hanging out with us. :)

Thanks! It will be interesting to see what grows back -- I understand it can be gray and curly at first -- quite a change from blonde and straight! :hi:

[latebloomer]

19. Looks adorable!

Mine is just starting to grow back-- looks like a buzz cut.

I MISS MY HAIR!!-- but it's comin!

[Longhorn]

37. Is it different from before or is it too soon to tell?

I love that we live at a time that anything goes -- especially where I live! Thanks! :hug:

[latebloomer]

46. Well, since I've dyed it for the past 10 years I had no clue of its true color

and I'm a little disturbed by how much salt there is mixed with the pepper.

So far it's hard to tell how wavy it'll be-it used to be somewhat wavy. I've been told it often comes in curly at first.

More importantly, I got the results of my bone marrow biopsy yesterday and there's no sign of leukemia! Screw the hair!!!

:hug: back!

[Pierre.Suave]

47. What great news!

Congratulations are in order!

[latebloomer]

48. Thanks, jasonc!!

I'm feelin mighty good about it!

[Pierre.Suave]

49. I bet you are

It is awesome!

[Longhorn]

53. Fantastic!!!!!

I agree! The hair is a minor detail but one that needs to be dealt with. But your health is priceless! I'm so happy for you! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[latebloomer]

57. Thank you, my dear!

and continued healing to you! I have a strong feeling you're gonna make it!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

20. Cute wig!

It'd be great if there was some way to keep wigs from being uncomfortably hot. A friend of mine shaved because she hated having a sweaty head.

[Longhorn]

38. I think mine will feel a little better now that there's less hair under it.

You're right that it can be a little hot but it wasn't as bad as I expected. It's very light and I wear a mesh wig cap under it. But even driving around with the top down in 90-plus weather the other day, it wasn't too bad, though I took it off as soon as I got home! :)

My hair is as close to shaved as you can get now. ;)

[shaniqua6392]

21. That is absolutely adorable!!!

Totally sassy baby. Get some scarves too for those days when you can't stand the wig. I have heard that they can be a bit hot and itchy sometimes if it is warm outside. I hope you had a good day with your daughters. Have a happy and blessed Mother's Day too!! :hug:

[Longhorn]

39. We had a great day! Thanks!

It's funny you mention "sassy." My hairstylist said I should name my wig -- her mother is a 14 year breast cancer survivor and she named her wig, which apparently was pretty ugly. Well, mine is the "Austin" style so I decided to call it Austin. But after I got my haircut, my stylist commented on how sassy it looked so I decided to name my haircut Sassy! So each day I'll decide if I'm wearing Sassy or Austin. :)

:hug:

[applegrove]

22. It will look greeeeeeeat!

[Longhorn]

40. Thanks!

It fooled a bunch of professional stylists yesterday so I'm feeling pretty good in it! :hi:

[TexasBushwhacker]

23. Did you already get the wig?

If you're getting it at a wig salon they probably have some clippers and can give you a quick buzz. It's easier than letting it fall out here there and everywhere, or you can have one of your daughters cut it. My mom was sitting in the living room one night after her first round of chemo. Her hair was already pretty short, but it was still falling out pretty regularly. A hair dropped down on her face and she just screamed, "Cut it off"! So I threw a sheet around her and just gave her a super short Susan Powter type hair cut. We even used a dustbuster to suck up the little pieces :+ The wig is cute. Treat yourself to a makeover at the Mac counter at Macy's (free with makeup purchase) and get yourself some nice BOLD earrings. You know what they say - Look good, feel better.

[Longhorn]

41. I felt just like your mother!

I was so glad to get it cut off! I had the gift certificate that my children gave me for Christmas so I used that for the cut. She trimmed my wig, too, and didn't even charge me for it (her mother is a 14 year breast cancer survivor.) Mine is pretty much a buzz cut -- no more than 1.5 inches long. I got a waxy hair balm that will help give it some lift. I already love big earrings so I think I'm set!

Thanks, Sweetie! :hug:

[latebloomer]

58. Strange. . .

My stylist's mother also had cancer but she died of it. She wept while she was giving me my buzz cut. Can't wait to go back there and show her I'm still kickin!

BTW, it was odd but after I got the buzz cut no more hair fell out. Then when I got the transplant it started falling out again and the nursing assistant shaved me bald-- I was so mad that I let her!

[SallyMander]

43. Very cute wig!

I hope you keep getting good news and are back to growing your own hair ASAP! :hug:

:loveya:

[Longhorn]

44. Thanks!

That's definitely the plan! :hug:

[Blue_In_AK]

45. My husband, the proud wearer of an "old-guy" ponytail

showed up in my home office a little while ago with scissors in hand, begging me to cut it off after reading your post.

See what influence you have??! (By the way, I wouldn't do it. :evilgrin:)

Incidentally, old-guy ponytail's brother lives in Dripping Springs. :)

[Longhorn]

54. Oh my god I'm laughing so hard!

No offense to your husband but how funny! :D

Y'all will have to come visit the brother if you haven't already! Not that it compares to Alaska. We took a cruise up there in 2006 and fell in love with every place we visited. :hi:

[fizzgig]

50. that is so cute

i hope the three of you had a wonderful time and i'm thrilled to hear you're doing well

[Longhorn]

55. It was great!

Thanks! My mother is visiting from Spring (outside of Houston) and we met her and my sister and brother-in-law for lunch at a local vineyard. They all loved my hair -- I didn't bring the wig but I'm sure they'll like it, too. :)

[mwdem]

52. I like it!

Mine started coming out after day 12 of chemo, and I just shaved it off. I couldn't stand it falling out all over the place. I took off my wig after 4 months of wearing it. It was summer, in DFW, and I had enough hair to "style".

[Longhorn]

56. Since my short cut

I haven't noticed my hair falling out at all. I hated seeing the long blond strands everywhere -- so much so that I wasn't sad to get it cut off!

I can already see how the wig can get hot, especially here in Texas! :hi: