Hello Lucie

I hope you don't mind me writing in this vein but, to a certain extent, I disagree with you about Victoria Derbyshire.  What she's going through is, indeed, awful but then we have all been or are going through it at the moment.  Someone I know pointed out an article about VD in a fairly recent issue of The Metro and she was sitting with a cold cap on and a towel around her neck with full make-up on.  Good for her for feeling that she wanted to put make-up on but I, for one, could just about get dressed some days, and was so pleased that I could do that.  The ones that I find truly inspiring are those who are terminally ill and still go about their day-to-day lives.  I also think those who are on their own deserve recognition.  They have no-one to even make them a cup of tea or to talk to about their worries, and just get on with it as best they can.  They must feel so alone and all I can say is thank goodness for this forum.  The people on here are my inspiration who have helped me through a very, very tough period of my life with their warmth, encouragement and, yes, laughter, and I can't thank them enough.  I started to lose my hair in August and had it cut to within an inch of its life.  I bought a wig and a hat and felt so self-conscious going out at first but I did it and no-one said anything and I eventually got used to it.  My hair is now growing back, very slowly, but thick so I'm keeping everything crossed.  All we can do when we lose our hair is what is right for us.  No-one knows the distress of waking up to find more hair on the pillow than on your head until it actually happens to them.  Thank you for pointing us in the direction of VD's diaries but I, for one, will not be looking at them.  I get all the support and help I need off these lovely people on this forum.  To me, THEY are truly beautiful and inspirational (yes, even Woodworm).

BB x   

OK - I'm a bloke and while I know all about hair loss it's different I know.

My wife Melanie was very unconcerned about her hair loss she did ask me to shave her head when it got too bad and she took the opportunity to outrageous ear cuffs she was of an artistic temprement I think you'd say.

Sometimes other people would find that harder - a woman with a completely bald head does rather shout "Chemotherapy" and accasionally people would find that difficult. So for some people perhaps wearing wigs and disguising the hair loss is as much about making other people feel comfortable.

I was surprised at the VD blog about exactly how much was all about the hairloss when there's so much worry about the seriousness of the actual condition,,the tiredness and sickness that can accompany the chemo - but then you have to remember that she is working in television and the image that she projects to the world is as much her bread and butter as what she says so I guess someone in that position will be hypersensitive to the issue.

As a side issue I did hear from Melanie's consultant that there have been instances of men as folically challenged as myself coming off of chemotherapy and suddenly finding hair sprouting from heads that had not seen it for 20 years!

I think I'll skip it as a therapy though - Hair is overrated I reckon!  

Hello Battling Babe and Graham,

Thank you for your contributions. Your message was really interesting to read Battling Babe and I have to say I do agree with everything you said and expressed so beautifully. I am glad this forum has brought you support and that you have met some truly inspirational people here.

Graham, you made me laugh when you mentioned you know a thing or two about hair loss :p

Lucie