My Chemotherapy Hair Loss Journey 

Can I just say that buzz cut suited you so, so much!!! It really brought out your beautiful features! I did much the same thing you did in terms of my hair loss during chemo (I'm still in the process of completing my 6 rounds of chemo. 2 more to go!). Strangely enough, I didn't have any problems accepting the whole hair loss thing, despite having a head full of long, curly, brown hair thanks to my Italian background, but I do understand that it can be quite a sensitive subject for some people and that's ok. I actually found it quite liberating to buzz cut my hair, especially as it's Summer here in Italy and I always wanted to see how short hair would look on me but never had the courage! 😊 My main concern in terms of hair loss was how it would affect the people I loved and their perception of me going from looking healthy to the stereotypical cancer patient practically overnight. I imagine that was the case for you and your boys, possibly, too. So I got a really cute pixie cut - after the canonical 14 days after my first round of chemo hit and I noticed I was getting a little anxious about having a shower and going in with X amount of hair and coming out with Y amount of significantly less hair each time.... I didn't want to feel that anxiety having a shower each day - to get everyone around me, namely my husband, used to seeing me with short hair, and then about a week and a half later, when the pieces of hair were falling into my food and I was just basically leaving a Hansel and Gretel type trail around the house and constantly needing to vacuum 😂 I got my husband to shave it all off and then used a razor to get it nice and smooth. I found that including my husband in the process and making GI Jane jokes really helped everything feel less freaky and daunting and helped everyone embrace my new aesthetic much better. That's just my experience and I completely understand that it doesn't look like that for everyone, and that hair can really give people a sense of identity... and that's totally ok. Do whatever makes you feel less freaked out and more accepting of the journey you're on. It's not always easy but sometimes "forced" changes end up having positive effects too and allow you to look at yourself in ways you hadn't imagined or thought of before, not just physically but mentally too. You realise just how resilient you really are and just how incredibly amazing your body is as it tries to adapt to chemo and keep you afloat. Thanks so much for sharing this video, Sarah. How did your kids react in the days following your cut? They looked like they had a fun time getting in on the action and I'm sure that their playful attitude while cutting your hair helped ease a bit of the tension for you too because even if you're cool with the whole hair loss thing (as much as one can be for something that's forced onto you) seeing yourself bald is always a surprise, and if someone can hold your hand while that is happening, that can only be a good thing! 😉

I had bilateral mastectomy done June 2023.. chemo started after that. ( I'm in the U.S.). I survived chemo which I had a very adverse reaction to and had to be hospitalized after each treatment. I have finished my chemo but had to have a complete hysterectomy. I am recovering from that now. Although I'm 72, I am cancer free now and look forward to great Spring. Reconstruction surgery is next! We are warriors! I'm thankful no radiation was necessary! Keep up your positive thoughts and know you are never alone!!!! Hugs to you!

The boys' hair salon is super charming!

the buzz cut is a vibe!

Glad you have your family involved. It helped me thru the whole process. Remember why you are going thru this and best wishes. I didn't do the dye job but my husband and daughter-in-law had fun shaving it off. One of the worst side effects is that I'm not wanting to knit as much BUT I still add to my stash whenever I can ❤❤

I like your positive attitude and thank you for sharing your story

MY GOD YOU LOOK SOOOOOO GOOD BALD....so soooo beautiful, emabrace it you are 1 of the few it actually suits xxxxx

Love that all your boys got in on the salon action!

You look beautiful! All best wishes and thanks for taking us along. ❤

You are amazing

Thinking of you

I'm so sorry you have to go thtough this. Your positive attitude will take you through this, trust me, I know! 😊 you'll have lots of time to play with your yarn, during treatments and wait times, and the hair loss sucks, BUT I rather enjoyed not having to mess with it before heading out for treatments in the wee hours of the morning! Mine came back platinum silver, with natural curl I hadn't had in years, and THICK! My hair was always thin and flyaway. I think it was God's way of saying" sorry you had to go through this.....here's some super cool hair! " I wish you well as you go through this trip you didn't ask for- you'll do great! Kick some cancer arse!!!!!!❤❤

I love that you used this time to experiment with hair dye. Did you get a mohawk or just a buzz cut? I think you would totally rock a mohawk! Sending you guys big hugs and a lot of love 💕

My friends came back all lush and curly. I have another friend going through it now. They both embraced it too. What are you gonna do? I love that you involved your boys in the process. ❤️

I lost my hair due to chemo too. I Shaved my head in the bathtub. You look great with a bald head!

You look gorgeous shows your pretty face

Just did mine yesterday!! You look like a bad @$&!!