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One of my mother’s favorite things to say is, “You have no idea what it’s like to get older.” I’m always amazed at how she manages to say this with a straight face, ignoring she gave birth to me when Howdy Doody was at the peak of his career, or that it won’t be long before I qualify for Senior discounts, thereby calling further attention to the fact that I do know what it’s like to get older. <PREVIEWEND>
“Wait until you go into a room and can’t remember why you went there in the first place,” she continues, “and your knees hurt when you get out of a chair and you start loosing your hair.”
“Been there done that,” I want to say. “Side effects of chemotherapy,” but since mother has dementia and looks puzzled when I mention having had breast cancer, I let my comments go unspoken. The worst thing is that all of mother’s harbingers of aging still apply to me even though my last chemotherapy ended five years ago! Actually the worst thing is that I’m losing my hair, yet again, and I’m not alone.
Many women have problems with thinning hair. Other than taking chemotherapy, possible causes could be thyroid problems or maybe those women are post menopausal. Perhaps they are breast cancer survivors who are taking Aromatase inhibitors to stop their production of estrogen and keep cancer at bay. The latter case applies to me and I feel like everyone, including the plumber, has discovered my condition.
A few weeks ago he pulled something out of our shower drain that looked like a limp, wet rat. “Wow,” said the plumber. “Looks like you’re loosing your hair.”
Thanks for the reminder, pal. Perhaps I should look into getting a wig or do you think anyone would find it strange if I started wearing hats… or is that a woodchuck?
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Previous Comments
Living Beyond Breast Cancer commented on 02-Feb-2010 10:13 AM Many women share your emotions...Thanks for such an honest entry.
Debbie commented on 02-Feb-2010 04:02 PM Great post! I too feel like what the heck happened to me? I am about to turn 45 and it feels way too old, not the number as much as my body. But being a 3 year and 2 time (metastatic) breast cancer survivor takes it's toll I guess. The eyes are going and it is hard to stand up after I have been in a chair for 5 minutes! And thanks to being put into menopause by Lupron and taking Femara I have gained 10 pounds that help to slow me down. Oh well, I just keep fighting and try to remember how young I really am!
Brenda Coffee commented on 04-Feb-2010 07:37 PM Debbie,
You're right. Breast cancer and treatment takes it's toll, but it's our job to keep fighting and find the joys in the things we can do. Even those who don't have breast cancer are aging and feeling the effects. Getting old is not for sissies, but we are doing it, one day at a time.
I hear you about the legs and standing. My knee are shot-bone on bone. I was advised not to go up and down stairs or use the stair master or an elevated treadmill. For nearly 5 years after my diagnosis, I did what I was told and wound up with jello instead of muscles in my legs. About three months ago I began exercising my leg muscles. WOW!! What a huge and welcome difference it's made in my ability to just get out of a chair. Just do what you can. You'd be surprised at how little it takes, consistently, to make a difference.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
You're right. Breast cancer and treatment takes it's toll, but it's our job to keep fighting and find the joys in the things we can do. Even those who don't have breast cancer are aging and feeling the effects. Getting old is not for sissies, but we are doing it, one day at a time.
I hear you about the legs and standing. My knee are shot-bone on bone. I was advised not to go up and down stairs or use the stair master or an elevated treadmill. For nearly 5 years after my diagnosis, I did what I was told and wound up with jello instead of muscles in my legs. About three months ago I began exercising my leg muscles. WOW!! What a huge and welcome difference it's made in my ability to just get out of a chair. Just do what you can. You'd be surprised at how little it takes, consistently, to make a difference.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Jill commented on 02-Mar-2010 07:29 PM Woodchucks of the world unite. I'm with you girl. Love your writings because you manage to make downer topics funny:)
Florence commented on 06-Mar-2010 05:56 PM Thanks for the upbeat take on this. I also learned something new_thyroid problems can cause thinning hair. I never thought to look into that.
Beth commented on 31-Mar-2010 07:29 PM Just found your blog and am chuckling my way through it. Just had to pause and comment.
Matthew Joseph Biel commented on 18-Sep-2010 05:30 PM Thank You for replying to my blog and I wish you the best and hope that more of us can rise up with humbleness and make a difference.
Matthew Biel
Matthew Biel
Mitzie Tucker commented on 18-Sep-2010 05:44 PM Brenda,
I love reading your blog. Regarding losing your hair, I'm not at this time but I can say, why is it okay for men to shave their heads but women hesitate? It seems every year I cut my hair shorter and shorter. And you know, I love the fact that it only takes me about 20 or so minutes to get ready in the mornings. Now my finished product probably looks as though it didn't take me long but I don't really care what others think about my appearance, I still care and long to hear my husband say, " I love you and you look great". There you go. So for your comment about losing your hair and should you wear hats? Well I've seen some pretty cute hats but if you shave your head, wear some lovely diamond earrings and that's all anyone will ever focus on.
Just some food for thought. You are a great encouragement to me and others.
Thank you,
Mitzie Tucker
I love reading your blog. Regarding losing your hair, I'm not at this time but I can say, why is it okay for men to shave their heads but women hesitate? It seems every year I cut my hair shorter and shorter. And you know, I love the fact that it only takes me about 20 or so minutes to get ready in the mornings. Now my finished product probably looks as though it didn't take me long but I don't really care what others think about my appearance, I still care and long to hear my husband say, " I love you and you look great". There you go. So for your comment about losing your hair and should you wear hats? Well I've seen some pretty cute hats but if you shave your head, wear some lovely diamond earrings and that's all anyone will ever focus on.
Just some food for thought. You are a great encouragement to me and others.
Thank you,
Mitzie Tucker
Mignon commented on 18-Sep-2010 05:52 PM I'm sure this is really helping lots of women.
Your "up" approach is great.
Your "up" approach is great.
Edie commented on 18-Sep-2010 05:55 PM SO GLAD TO BE ON YOUR NETWORK... LET ME KNOW IF I CAN BE OF HELP IN SOME WAY. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU IN HIS CARE. LOVE, edie
Jan Schubert commented on 18-Sep-2010 05:58 PM I hear ya, sistah! And I can't blame chemo. Guess I have to chalk my hair loss up to old age. Although according to Our Mothers With Dementia, you and I are still spring chickens ... and that's not all bad. It's nice to have someone in our lives who thinks we're still young and cute!
Nice article for your blog fans!
xoxo,
jan
Nice article for your blog fans!
xoxo,
jan
Leslie Linn commented on 18-Sep-2010 05:58 PM wow, Brenda this is great (not the hair loss, haha--the blog). thanks for sharing it. love to you. :)
Ronnie G commented on 18-Sep-2010 06:07 PM I’m sorry to hear that you are losing your hair. I won’t bore you with my symptoms of aging, but I do molt from time to time.
Joan K commented on 18-Sep-2010 06:14 PM hummmmm --
brown? /done.
blond? /done.
.........................--
You'd give redheads a boost!!!
- as you always give me.
brown? /done.
blond? /done.
.........................--
You'd give redheads a boost!!!
- as you always give me.
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