Losing, recovering hair after chemo

Checking on my hair 

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

What to do when one's hair grows back after chemotherapy? Before I give you my own tips, a little backgrounder on myself.

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and one positive lymph node in September last year. The following month, October 18, I underwent my first chemotherapy session using Doxorubicin which had the trade names of Adriamycin/Rubex.

Before the diagnosis I was already a “hairy” person: hair in my upper and lower lip, sideburns and only legs. Thanks to razors and wax, I dealt with that problem well. 

Two weeks after my first chemo my hair was gone: At first I noticed the loss of pubic hair, then the eyebrows, eyelashes and then my hair.  It was quite dramatic for me.

Everytime I touch my head, I see hair strands on my hands and all over the pillowcase and beddings as well. I was unable to finish the chemo sessions on doctor's orders due to severe neuropathy. The order came down last February 14.  

Then, Lord have mercy, I saw hair all over my face and upper and lower lips when I accidentally happened to notice “something” in my upper lip while using a mirror with enlarger a month after it was stopped. 

I had mixed emotions on seeing this. I was happy that my hair is back after the chemo but I was disgusted and in fact I freaked out when I saw hair on top of my lips. 

I blamed my husband Ronnie for not noticing the hair which also grew on my sideburns. It was not pleasant. I felt like a bearded lady .Que barbaridad! The hair is very light, almost grey/black and white. 

I was not enjoying it at all.  It’s whiter and fuzzier. It's very soft and not thick and looks fresh. I'm growing new hair. So I share with you my tips on keeping out all that unwanted hair.  

1. Don’t freak out, regain your composure. It is  sign that the body is responding by growing more hair to replace those you lost to chemo.

2. Don’t start shaving, waxing and clipping the hair. Instead enjoy the new hair growth. After all you are like a baby with new hair.

3. Google what to do in a situation like this and read all the experiences and opinions of people similarly situated especially closer to your situation.

4. If you're back working consult your oncologist or dermatologist on what  to do instead of ‘doctoring” yourself.

5. If you are working at home and hibernating let the hair grow and record how long it would grow as well as the color and keep that record for future reference.

Other than these, let's be thankful that the hair is back after the harrowing experience of losing it during those chemo days./Susan Palmes-Dennis