I was hoping to make it to Thanksgiving dinner on Thusday feeling and looking great, because my next chemo treatment is scheduled for Friday, November 25. The side effects from the first treatment had gone away, I’ve been back to exercising and my hair and nails still looked fine.
But over this weekend my hair started falling out big time. Since I naturally have really thick hair, there’s still a lot of it left. But I’m shedding worse than Inga, my Norwegian Elkhound and clogging the shower drain and vacuum cleaner. I will be bald soon. Possibly everywhere. Let me just say, some of us are happier about that than others 😉
I have read that chemo could make your scalp “tingle” and this was a sign of impending hair loss. Well, let me just say, “sore” and “painful” are better words. It’s the oddest sensation. I just brushed my hair Saturday morning and my scalp hurt everywhere. And if I run my hand through my hair and tug a tiny bit, I can pull out clumps at a time.
So, I’m setting up an appointment to get my head shaved and fitted for my wig this week rather than waiting. I’ve read that getting rid of the hair actually makes you feel better physically and psychologically. And it will lessen the chances of finding surprises in Thanksgiving dinner!
I’m afraid scarves and hats are not really my thing, but I guess I could try a Cubs’ World Series hat on and see how that looked. And if it’s not too much to ask, I’d really like to keep my eyelashes. But I guess time will tell…and then I’ll tell you 🙂
Photo from Pixabay (I could only hope to look that good in a scarf!)
LadiesWhoLunchReviews,etc 
hey, good luck.
and I think there is something very gorgeous about a woman with no hair. seriously, own it!
lotsa love.
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Thanks, Vi. This bothers me more than it should. I need to just get it over with! They say chemo is the best Brazilian. Hubby is on board 😉
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Pick out a fabulous wig!
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Thanks, they really are very good nowadays!
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You’ll look beautiful no matter what you wear. Beauty comes from the inside, and you, dear friend, are radiant! ❤️
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I agree so very much!!!
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Thanks, Kay. xo
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You’re welcome, Diane. 💜
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Oh, D, you are the dearest friend! Mwah ❤
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Add me to the list blinded by your beauty ❤️️💕
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I have no doubt that you will look beautiful no matter what. ♥♥♥
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Thanks, don’t know why this is freaking me out so much!
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Oh, it’s totally understandable! xo
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You truly are inspiring and taking charge! xxx
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Thanks, sweetie. Don’t want hair in the food, right? 😉
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Well I guess not Diane! haha I am so proud of you and how you are coping! You are really amazing and I know inside it’s not easy but you are really handling this like a champ, a true champ. I am always amazed! I wish I could hug you! xxxxx
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Oh, Lynn, thank you. I’ve had some bad moments, but mostly I’m grateful it’s going so well. One in 8 women get breast cancer, so I’m definitely not alone xo
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You are not alone! I have many friends and I am always worried to be honest! So yes it is something all of us face together quite honestly. I think we all feel it Diane when one of our girls faces this and we all stand together! We know we are all in this xxxxxxxxoooooooooooo
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Thank you, love! ❤
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most welcome sweetheart xxxxx
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You’ve done it again Mz. D… I’m up and I’m going to stay/get out of my Pity,Party Room ❤ Happy Thanksgiving. We all truly have something to be thankful for. ❤
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Thanks, honey, safe travels to you and hubby! Have a wonderful holiday with the boys! ❤
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Thanks so much Mz. D. I’ll be posting about the trip. I hope it’s good. Spending time with them always cheers me up ❤ You take care too. I hope all is going good for you ❤ You are in my thought and prayers always, blessings ❤
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I have been absent from the blogging world of late what with ranching activities and I am so comforted to see and hear you soldiering on. Does keeping your blog give you added strength? I would think so…what an amazing “extended family” of supporters you have in us all. My prayers do not cease for you Diane!
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Thanks so much, Colleen. Blogging does help me, I’m a talker, and I hope by telling my story that others won’t feel so alone going through the same thing. People here are the best! How are you all doing?
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Hey it’s only hair. Xx
When on the day that you wake
And long for a juicy red steak,
Your hair is starting to itch
And your temper stings like a bitch.
You will remember this day
You’ll laugh about it and say,
That loosing all of your hair
felt like the biggest scare.
But it will creep back in the night
With your temper and appetite,
No more chemo or feeling sick
Just a lifetime of hairstyles to pick.
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Oh, my dear, you are fabulous! And right!
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Xxx You lady are fabulous and the next thing you should do is have it shaved off. Have a reveal at your thanksgiving dinner wearing a stupendous hat! And virtually you are sticking your fingers up to Cancer! 😇 only a suggestion… But remember who suggesting it. This loon from across the seas.
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Hahaha, all good ideas. Now that it’s coming out and all over me, I’m better about shaving it off. It just happened overnight!
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Mmmwwwa 😇 Keep your positive head on sending you the best.
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I’m sure you will look great in your wig…or punk it out and rock the bald look!!
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I’m petrified to see how I look bald! But even more worried about losing my eyelashes! It will probably be fine…
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It has to be!
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Love that you still have your sense of humour – I have no doubt you will rock the new look fabulously.
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Thanks, I have to find some humor in this!
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Sometimes it’s all we have! You are an inspiration – be well.
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It’s OK to not be happy about such dramatic changes, not of your own choosing, but it’s also OK to be making choices about how you deal with it all. You are awesome! Back to exercising? That is great. I have read that it really helps in recovery, but I had no idea if you would feel like it or not. (I guess you didn’t either!) Wishing you happiness and that you will enjoy Thanksgiving!
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Thanks, Linda, you, too! I feel great right now. Shouldn’t be any worse than last time, one so-so week then two good weeks!
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You’re amazing! Best Brazilian ever, lol!!
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I’m thinking it might be true 😉
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Such a hard step to take but knowing how positive you are, getting rid of the patchy hair and getting a great wig will definitely make you feel more in control. My girlfriend got a good wig and then a crazy baseball cap with hair attached for those days she didn’t want to put on the wig. Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with many reasons large and small to give thanks for.
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Oh, absolutely, Bernie, and to you and your family, too!
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Dee you are a rock star… I just love your amazing attitude. I think you are right to be proactive and just get it over with in one shot. I’ve seen women whose wigs are so well made that you can’t even tell it’s not their hair. And of course the ahem… rest of it! You are too funny! Love you! ❤️
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Thank you, love! I didn’t really consider the losing your hair everywhere part, but I did see a tee shirt that said, chemo, best Brazilian ever!
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That’s hilarious! Way to look on the bright side!
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I agree with Sandra, Dee. No matter what, you will look beautiful. ❤
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Oh, Rob, you are a dear. I don’t even know why I’m dreading it so much cause I complain about my hair all the time. Maybe I’ll love it when it grows back!
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It’ll come back – my friend lost all her hair and it came back even thicker and more beautiful than before.
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Good to know. They tell me it might be curly (and for sure mine will be gray/white) so I’ll probably look like a little lamb for Easter next spring 🙂
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You are amazingly strong, Diane. I love your mindset and the ability to find some lightness in the experience. You are beautiful inside and out! Sending love ❤
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Thank you, Em, my prognosis is great so it’s not hard to be positive about the outcome. And some of it truly is funny to me 🙂 I can get through it!
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I’m so glad to hear that. 🙂 Are you matching your hair color to the wig or changing it up?
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Proactive! I love it. You go girl and enjoy your Holiday!
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Yep, tired of shedding more than the dogs! Hope you enjoy thanksgiving, too!
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My scalp ached so bad the day before it fell out. I had no idea it would hurt. Clumps and handfuls. I had already had my hair shortened by about 6 inches but I had too much left. Shaving it does make you feel better. So much better than trying to comb your hair and then emptying the comb each time. I had a wig given to me that didn’t look quite right on my head. I tried to curl it but instead I burned it. I did hats and scarves even though I too am not a hat and scarf person. Also I did not lose my eyelashes, we are on the same meds so maybe you will be lucky! This whole post stirred up too many emotions and memories for me that I still haven’t fully processed. Love you friend!
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I’m so sorry — I completely understand if you skip reading these! Maybe the pain is part of the plan so you’re eager to get rid of the hair. I cannot wait, even tho I’m dreading it, you know? But at least it will keep hair out of Thanksgiving dinner. My insurance says they will pay for the wig, so hoping that’s true…
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I am so glad your insurance pays for it. I never even looked into that! I should have. It may have made it easier, but who knows. I will ALWAYS read what you write. Yay! No hairy turkey!
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Thank you! I got my head shaved today, feels great. I’ll post a pic in my wig, I’m pretty happy with it. Not so sure about my bald head yet 🙂
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it takes time. As you know I struggled. I still struggle and you have seen on FB how much hair I have had grow back already. the whole thing is a process. I liked rubbing my head when it was fuzzy. it felt good. ❤
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Oooh sweetheart. I bet it is hard. We tend to have our hair since it grew in as babies. As soon as a gray hair shows, I reach for the hair color box… Maybe losing hair is a grief stage in the process? I mean, I know the prognosis is great and all, but this all really a lot to take on. I can’t say I know what you’re going through, I don’t. But I do know what it’s like when illness shows up and tries to wreck things.
Wish I could be there holding your hand when you shave and get your wig. YOU, my dear, are a warrior. You are DOING this. You are rocking cancer’s boat and you are winning. 💜 Hair or not, you are a tremendously beautiful and amazing soul. Hugs, my sweet friend.
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I think for women it’s the hardest maybe cause it’s such a symbol of femininity and it shows! Right now my hair is falling out like crazy, so cannot wait to get an appointment to get the wig fitted. And no hair in Thanksgiving dinner 😉
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Oh dear. That sounds difficult. However, remember that you will still look great, because you’ll still be you. Your spirit and smile alone make you beautiful. The Cubs hat is a good idea, too. 🙂
Have a Happy Thanksgiving. I’ll raise a glass to you.
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Thanks, Laura, hope your holiday is great. I got oldest and DDIL to host so it’s easy for me!
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Hang in there! Thinking of you. ❤
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Hang in there Diane!!! XOXOXO
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As many other people have already said, you have a wonderfully positive attitude. That’s such an attractive quality in anyone. Have an amazing Thanksgiving! 😀
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Thank you for saying that! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too!
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Diane, so inspiring to read you are pushing onward…and upward. Glad to hear you are exercising as I know that has helped folks I know in my little corner of the universe. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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Thanks, Bruce, I’m good. And happy Thanksgiving yo your family, too!
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Sending hugs your way Diane.💌 Rock your wig and if it helps at all, try to think of it as an another accessory. An arsenal bag of beauty tricks is one of the great things of being a woman. Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.
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Duane, I’ve missed so many of your posts but your courageous attitude has always shone. Hair is just hair and what truly shines lies within. Hope you’re doing okay. Hugs to you xo
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Thanks, Miriam. I’ll have to post a pic with my new wig. It really is wonderful, but around the house I just wear a hat or my stubble. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be!
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I’m so glad to hear that. Take it easy and have a lovely weekend. xo
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I love the Cubs hat idea….get one that has hair attached to it and you’ll be all set! I mean why stop celebrating who knows when they’ll win again so until the next World Series I say celebrate, celebrate, celebrate! Seriously though wishing you much fortitude and sending much love through this phase and remember…it is just that…a phase. Hmmm no hair elsewhere…that’s interesting. 😉 xo
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😉
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