After the Hair Loss, Early Menopause: Finally Something Exciting While Living with Cancer

Natalia, I swear, you look fantastic! What an inspiration you are, looking fabulous while you deal with hot flashes, early menopause (chemo-pause some people call it:), search for perfect wig, and whatever else cancer brought on. Now this is the way to fight cancer.

Your tip about the existence of the semi permanent wig will help a whole lot of people. Wish they were around when I lost my hair.

God bless you! Keep posting!

hi again natalia, i posted the comment above but my name appeared as lynda when it's actually Jean. keep in touch dear.

Loved your story. I start Chemo this morning, hopefully I'll stay as positive and beautiful as you. Thanks for the tips!

Hey there Natalia - You look marvelous!!!  I have one more chemo to go and my hair has been growing (slowly but surely) for the past few months!  Still a tad too short to go without a bandana though.  I live in the San Antonio area - where did you go for the wig???

Thanks for the info,

Lolo

Hi Natalia,

How lovely to read your words every so often.  You truly are an inspiration.  when reading your sharepost this time, I was amazed that you described your cancer invasion just how I felt.  I too felt like I was hosting another person (cancer) in my body for a period of time.  Now they have gone and I feel fabulous again.   I also would like to share that even though you are going through menopause, it is very possible that you will get your cycle back.  I am 48 and 10 weeks after finishing chemo, my cycle returned.  You cannot imagine how pleased I was.  It really was a sign that my body is recovering extremely well from all the nasties.  I have just had my first year survivorship.  I feel fabulous and yes you are right, you come out a better person for the journey that you share with the inner host.

As for your appearance my dear, well you look sensational. I started off wearing wigs and as you say, hot and couldn't wait to get them off.  So, I actually accepted that who I was as a person, was dictacted by weather I had hair or not.  so I actually found a beautiful me that I had never seen before.  My friends also commented.  I think that if you love yourself no matter what, then that is what everyone sees. 

You are gorgeous no matter what and a truely inspirational women for all survivors.  I love your share posts and I am ever so happy that you are doing well.  

Big hugs to you.

Maz.

Natalia, you look equally beautiful with hair and without it! Thanks for the great, informative post. I had no idea they made wigs that weren't scratchy and hot and that could stay on -how cool - literally! I'm so glad to hear from you again - I was worried about you... sounds like you spent some time regrouping. And now you're back. Welcome home, Natalia- XXX - PJ

Natalie,

It's so good to hear from you again.  You really look great - especially after everything you have been through.  You are such an inspiration.  I'm getting ready for my second treatment and trying to keep that positive attitude.  (The first treatment was so horrible I thought I couldn't do it again.) I think of everything you have been through and I know if you can do it so can I.  Welcome back to being 27 - get out there and have some fun!!

Tammy

Natalia

I am so glad to see you posting comments again. I have been worried about you. You look great & the most important thing is how you feel. Let me know about the semi permant wig. Where can you get them is there a website. Take care & stay brave & fight, fight, fight!

VIckie  

you are amazing and a awesome encouragement i was recently diagnosed and will be receiving a mastecomy soon i was very down and out since the news but meeting you and others who in spite of it all find the positive helps me so much take care.

laura

Hi Natalia-

If someone is reading the comments and posts, and doesn't understand why the hair loss was a huge part of the cancer fight, then they need to read each topic. Unless they have had someone close to them, they may not fully understand, and that is ok...

The hair on my head wasn't the worst for me- I in fact never wore a wig. I guess I just got used to it. I have big eyes, and my eyelashes lasted through 9 rounds of chemo. And then they were gone. That was my lowest point. I had the cancer look. Not the mastectomy, not the hairloss, not the weight loss. My defining eyelashes that were commented on my whole life. Thankfully, they came back within 2 months, and the fight with eyelash glue is over. Lately though, I'm seeing the long ones get replaced with short stubby ones, and I'm not sure if it's the tamoxifen getting deeper into my system?? Any thoughts out there?

I too, at 41, have been pushed into early meno, with the hot flashes being seen by my friends before me these days. I never take a sweater, they can't believe I'm not cold when our whole lives I would have been the first one cold. Not having had my children yet, I am certainly dealing withthat right now too. Support groups are a great way to really feel like all of your feelings are valid, and you don't have to justify yourself to anyone.

My one year diagnosis date is next week. I can't believe how far I've come in a year. I'd love everything to fall into place at this point, medical bills undercontrol, a job, normal looking hair-(I'm not complaining- it's growing!). I'm more than thankful for my health these days, and I hope for good results from my markers, and followups since chemo ending in December, and radiation in May.

~E

Natalia-

I have a friend who did her implant after her radiation. She kept her skin so moist and nourished that she has a great result. Every person and their skin is different, but she didn't want to have the scars from the other surgery.

I have another friend using her stomach fat- was that discussed at all for you?? Not everyone is a candidate. I always encourage everyone to get 2-3 opinions, which I don't know if you did or not. Just so you have options.

I wish you the best, and keep your chin up!! You have a beautiful smile!

I have a great vitamin I took for my hair growth if you're interested!

~E

hello, my name is Lorena.  I am 33 y/o and i have stage 4 breast cancer. i found out yesturday that it has spread. so i went online today and i was reading through your profile. it seems like we have so much in common. i was just wondering if we could possibly talk sometime?

I think it's great that we can support each other, I was extremely lucky and caught mine at Stage I, unfortunately because of the aggressive nature I did have the mastectomy and chemo.  Finished all that almost 6 months ago, have some hair again.  Got someone else's hair if anyone is missing curly hair, I have it.  Had my follow up pet scan yesterday and it was normal.  During this process and reconstructive surgery, which is still going on, I got an infection and the doctor put me on Cipro, just a warning to those on Cipro, if you start having joint pain (anywhere) stop immediately.  I had this problem and I've been off it for over 3 months and still have fairly severe knee pain.  They are finding out that Cipro can be toxic to some and it can cause some joint issues and even tendon ruptures, don't mess with it if you start having pain.  I'm hoping I don't have permanent damage to my knee joints as a result, so be aware and good luck to all.

Hi-what an inspiration you are. I was diagnosed with Stage IIA breast cancer 10/08/2008 and 36 days later I had a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders placed. Then 4 months of chemo then implants and now nipples. My hair is coming back but its really short still. I'm doing ok but it was nice to read your story and Know others are strong and fighting too! Much love and strength...Kim :O)

hello my name is ana soraya i live in utah im 25 yrs i was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in oct 07 just finished chemo 6 rounds and radiation 30 treatments,, im starting to feel like myself again...i was browsing on the net about hair extensions for cancer patients and i found your website! you truly look amazing keep the faith up...at our ages we shouldnt have to worry about this instead should be,,,what girls our age do,,clubbing, hang out with friends, dancing traveling,enjoy a cocktail... instead is blood count, drugs, radiation chemo..ya know but its something we compell to learn and live thru it and make us a new person.. I like your wig! i bought mine at an adult store and it was fabolous now its so hot that i just wear scarfs. here its my link for my space if u would like to check my pics and my story,, and lets keep up the fight :)  www.myspace.com/chicaana

Ana Soraya Taylor