I never thought I would take something as simple as a shower for granted. That probably sounds odd to those of you reading this, but not to me. When I decided to do Penguin Cold Caps to preserve my hair during chemo I had to accept all that came with it. Part of the protocol to save your hair involves washing your hair in cold water. Yes, I said cold water! You want to avoid anything that can cause the hair to fall out and so it is recommended that you don't wash your hair in hot water like you normally would in the shower.
I can remember the first time I had to wash my hair in cold water. It was eye opening! I have been washing my hair in cold water in the sink or over the tub since February. The funny thing is I have gotten use to it and really didn't even notice it so much anymore. I guess after doing for so long like that you just get use to it.
Last week I was in a hurry and just didn't have time to wash my hair in the sink and then take a shower. They say by about 6 months after chemo you can return to your normal hair care routine. It was almost 6 months for me so I just hopped in the shower and went with it. Boy did that feel nice to just take a hot shower and let the water flow over my head! I guess I never realized how much I took something as simple as taking a shower for granted. You never think about little things like that. You just get up and take a shower to start your day. It's nothing special. But when you have been dumping buckets of cold water over your head for over eight months, a nice, quiet, hot shower to wash your hair seems like a luxury. It feels nice to returning to more normal daily things. I even use the hair dryer again! I use to hate that it took such a long time to blow dry my long hair. Now I can't wait for the day that my hair is thick enough for it to take a long time to blow dry my hair! Now because my hair is thinner it doesn't take that long, but I am happy I have hair to blow dry so I will smile about that!
Checking in on you. Good to hear everything is going well! Your thoughts are similar to mine-had to shave my legs the other day-so nice (ok, no leg hair was a positive during this ordeal!) Breast cancer has made me rethink and appreciate what life has to offer. I'm ready to move on and be "normal" . It's nice to know there is someone like me who thinks the same. Take care and I'll check back in a few....or maybe not & that's in a good way.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of chemo did you take that you did not loose your hair? After looking at wigs and scarves for 2 months, I was relieved that I could forego chemo even though stage two. But, the tamoxifen I start when I finish radiation supposedly thins hair. I have really long thin hair (never been colored ever), and I had never heard to wash hair with cold water. Did you loose your hair initially?
ReplyDeleteI had taxotere and cytoxan for chemo which does make you lose your hair. I used Penguin Cold Caps to keep my hair. They worked well for me. I have a full head of hair but it is thinner than my pre cancer hair. I have been on tamoxifen since June and the thinning hair that I did lose during chemo is roaring back! I have tons of hair about 1 1/2-2 inches long all over mixed in with my long hair. I washed in cold water because that was what was recomended by the Penguin Cold Caps folks.
ReplyDeleteSuburbanite: Good to hear from you! I am doing great and feeling good. Life is moving on. One more surgery to go in December and I am done! Hope you are well!
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