Friday, May 6, 2011

Am I Losing My Hair or My Mind? Maybe Both!

From time to time I've joked with my husband that I'm as bad as the animals when it comes to shedding hair. Hair dressers can't seem to agree on whether or not my hair is thick or thin.  At least it has always covered my skull fairly well.

Since January I've noticed that I seem to shed more. And when I run my fingers through my hair in the shower, they seem to come away with clumps of loose hair.  I'm not going bald - at least not yet, but I do seem to pulling quite a bit out of the drain.   I've been a little concerned.

Then, a few days ago, I read a story in a Cup of Comfort for Breast Cancer Survivors about a woman who was not going through chemo but had thinning hair due to the Tamoxifen!  I thought I had researched all the potential side effects.  Thinning hair or actual hair loss is a rare side effect of Tamoxifen.  It's not too bad at the moment. And at least I know why so much is ending up in the shower drain.

Of course Tony said not to worry. I can always shave my head and get a wig - maybe multiple ones of different colors.  We'll see what the doctor says in July when I meet with the medical oncologist to discuss how the Tamoxifen is impacting my body.

In the mean time - I'm hoping to hear the results from the genetics test by next Friday. I'm trying not to think about it too much, but I'm a worry wart. And so it does creep into my thoughts now and again. But there's nothing to do until I do get the results, so I'm trying to concentrate on getting ready for the end of school instead.

5 comments:

  1. Stress can also cause hair loss...doesn't it stink to want answers and end up up with mores questions...either way, I am sure you will come out on top! Keep your head up!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I bet it is stress as well.

    My name is Major, Im a friend of Craig H. & have been reading your blog since he was promoting your shirts. Could you email me your email address? I was not sure how I could get in touch with you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It was good to hear about your story last week. Your comments left me with a few questions. Is your cancer in remission? Are you still working towards completing 400 miles of exercise in 2011. I think it is awesome of you to be doing the cancer walk and hike. So how did your exercise for the week go? How many miles do you think you got in? I'd love to hear!
    Cheers,
    Shanae

    My Blog

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey,
    I just noticed that you revisited me with your miles. I was working my way down the comment list when I visited you before. I just had to return and let you know that I think 52.5 miles is really good considering your two surgeries and radiation therapy. You are an inspiration! I look forward to hearing about every little bit of progress.
    Smiles,
    Shanae

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi,
    I don't have your email or I would have just emailed you this, but I think you should know that I have featured you as this week's feature on Triumph and Tears. I only used stuff you already have up and I gave you the credit. Let me know if you are displeased in anyway and I will change it.
    Cheers,
    Shanae

    ReplyDelete