Cinco Vidas

Most of us know we may lose our hair during chemotherapy. What we may not be prepared for is losing hair in other places—like on our eyes!

“I am 4 weeks out from my last chemo, and my eyelashes are still leaving,” says survivor katyg.

“My eyelashes and brows did not fall out until AFTER chemo was over, around six weeks,” says survivor Cheryl G. “The eyebrows seem to grow faster than the lashes (per eye doctor, it takes about six to eight weeks for a new set of eyelashes).”

Chemo drugs can cause you to lose your hair just about anywhere, but eyelashes may arguably be the most difficult to deal with. “I had the chemo and in the process lost all my hair, eyebrows, eyelashes etc.,” says survivor Em. “Within 3 months of finishing the treatment they had grown back…. Well, it’s now 5 months since I finished chemo and my eyebrows and eyelashes are falling out all over again!” (more…)

During chemo, my father had extremely dry hands and feet, and brittle nails that almost fell off. His doctor failed to warn him about these effects.

Chemotherapy can create a myriad of side effects. One of the purposes of this blog is to tell you about them, and help you to alleviate them, naturally. Recently, many patients told us: “The doctor didn’t tell me about this [or that] side effect.” Did he think you already knew? Or maybe he didn’t want to scare you? Perhaps he just didn’t know how the treatment would affect you, since everyone is different.

Most survivors agree—it’s better to be informed. With that in mind, here are a few of the side effects your doctor may have neglected to tell you about. You may or may not experience them—everyone is different, and all treatments are different—but just in case.

Eyelash and Eyebrow Thinning: You probably already know about hair loss, and you may have already gotten your wig. What you may not have thought about are your eyelashes and eyebrows. Chemo targets all hair cells, so to be prepared, get yourself an eyebrow kit (read our post), and consider investing in some synthetic brows or lashes. (more…)

Okay, so you know that you should take care of your hair during cancer treatment, but can you still dye or perm your strands?

Unfortunately, although coloring or processing may make you feel beautiful and confident during a difficult time, while dealing with cancer, it’s not a good idea. (more…)

Losing your hair to cancer can be a devastating process, but learning to wear (and love) fashionable scarves and head covers can be a positive experience. Scarves are generally ideal for patients who are uncomfortable in wigs, who can’t afford expensive head covers, or who want their scalp to remain cool and free from irritation. But let’s face it… scarves can also be incredibly chic! As a blogger and cancer fighter from Blog Her explains, “It’s no wonder that celebrities and fashion icons continue to promote head scarves as a timeless, must-have accessory. While head scarves are not just for women with medical hair loss, it’s nice to know that there are stylish and comfortable head wear options for those of us who refuse to surrender our style and dignity along with our hair.” (more…)

You may not have thought much about your eyebrows before cancer treatment. Maybe you tweezed them now and then, or shaped them with a little color, but when they start disappearing during chemotherapy, you suddenly realize how important they are.

“Your eyes are the most identifying facial feature,” says makeup artist MidoriLei. “Now think about it, your eyebrows frame your eyes. That’s why they’re so important.”

Unfortunately, chemotherapy damages fast-growing cells, and can rob you of your eyebrows at the same time that it steals the hair on your head. Suddenly you’ve got naked eyes—and that can make a big difference to your look.

“As they fell out,” says survivor Jana Rosenblatt, “I began to lose the healthy expression of my face and began to look sick. This was NOT okay with me.” (more…)

So, you’re already dealing with the negative side effects of cancer treatments and you’ve recently lost your hair. What more could you possibly have to worry about? Hopefully the search is over and you’ve finally found the perfect wig. (Read our post on choosing a wig.) But learning how to style that new hair may take more time than you thought. Although the majority of patient wigs arrive with a predisposed style, don’t worry if it doesn’t match your personality. You can fix it with the following simple tips. (more…)

No matter how confident you are, cancer rarely leaves you feeling sexy. But do we really need to feel hairy too? Despite the long list of negative side effects that can impact self image during cancer treatments, many women continue shaving or waxing so they can feel as groomed and gorgeous as before. Many men, as well, keep up their usual shaving habits. It’s important, however, to take some precautions. (Read our post on The Tough Guy’s Guide to Shave During Treatment.) Even after you’ve learned how to be safe, there may be a few habits you’ll need to change during treatment. (more…)

So, you’ve finally chosen a brand new wig, but you’re having a hard time coping with it in your morning routine. Remember, you’re not alone! The writer of My Breast Cancer Blog explains, “I feel naked without my shoulder-length, blond hair,” adding, “I wish I could see this time in my life as a new beginning, with a new look. But instead I feel self-conscious and hesitant to unveil [my wig].” (more…)

Dealing with the negative side effects of cancer treatments (like hair loss) can be difficult enough, but having to choose the right wig for your lifestyle can seem even harder. Although many cancer fighters go for hats or scarves instead, wigs have helped a wide variety of patients feel attractive and confident while undergoing cancer treatments. It’s important to research all of your options before deciding if a wig is right for you. (more…)

My friend Ann and I enjoying the event.

It’s been a long but very fulfilling week for me! I was down in Boynton Beach, Florida for a great cancer fundraiser on St. Patrick’s Day called “St. Baldrick’s.” As their tagline says, “Shaving the Way to Conquer Kids Cancer” is exactly what went on at this event. Numerous men (and a few women) shaved their heads in solidarity with children fighting cancer, requesting donations of support from friends and family. (more…)