I had a totally unexpected (and most definitely unwanted!!!) side effect from my hysterectomy and ovary removal. Ever since I got out of surgery, my head has been itching like crazy and hurting a little bit. It was driving me nuts that I couldn't figure out what was happening. I had been losing my hair (more than what is usual), and I didn't like that, but I didn't really think anything of it. Saturday morning I was taking a shower and rinsing my hair after washing it. I pulled out a small handful of hair strands, more than what is healthy. :-( And yes, I was freaking out. I like my hair, and I didn't want to lose any of it if I could help it. But I put the thought aside and went about my day: napping, eating, watching tv, and reading. Later that night, while watching the telly, I lightly scratched the back of my head because it was itching. Imagine my surprise when I felt something smooth. So I got my phone and took a couple of pictures of my head. When I looked at the pictures, I flipped. On the back where I had been itching there was a half-dollar coin-sized bald spot that wasn't present before my surgery!!! :-( I began crying and wondering wtf was going on. I wasn't undergoing chemo or radiation, so I didn't know why the hell I was losing my hair. I thought I was going to lose more, and I had even planned to shave my head (which I still might do, btw). My friend Susan (bless her!) calmly talked to me and told me there was probably a simple explanation, such as the medication I was under. She told me to call my oncologist first thing Monday. So that's what I did. I didn't talk to Dr. Moxley, but I did talk to her nurse. She explained to me that this is common among women after surgery. It comes from being laid flat on the operating table for about 5 hours or so (like I was), and not having a cushion underneath my head. The harsh surface irritates a person's scalp and messes with the hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out. It's rather common, like I said, and the hair grows back quickly, so I have nothing to really worry about. It was a relief to me, and I don't have to freak out. Thank goodness!! :-) now all I have to do is wait for the hair to grow back. I still wanna shave, though. You know, to honor those who are struggling more than I am. :-)
Dr. Moxley wants to see me again on November 15th. She doesn't want me to go back to work until I receive clearance from her. I was supposed to return on November 14th, but I won't receive clearance til the next day, so I suppose I'll return on the 16th of November, at the earliest. Grr. Two more days I gotta wait. It sucks. I hate it. But then again, Dr. Moxley wants to make absolutely sure that I'm completely okay to go back at full strength. I can't complain about that. I love having a doctor who cares about my health and is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. Every patient should have a doctor like her. :-)
*Kathy*
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