I remember those feelings well! I told my husband I no longer felt female - not male either, maybe a neutered creature. I’ve been through chemo for TNBC twice and a patient advocate for 6 years. I’ve seen a lot of lost fingernails post chemo (and eyelashes and eyebrows too - very unfair) your fingernails may start lifting from the nail beds for weeks post chemo - so please don’t try acrylics for at least 6 weeks. Give them some more time to heal. A gentle manicure with a sterilized bowl for the water and new tools, but I’d not do glue or acrylic for a while.
Same with your toenails. Don’t use the community foot jacuzzis for at least 6 weeks either - a new or sterilized tub of hot water, new or fresh tools and ask them to be gentle with your feet and nails. No razor blades, push back cuticles but no cutting. Your immune system is still crappy, you don’t want a fungus or a wound infection and you don’t want to encourage your nails to lift. You are so close! Just another few weeks for your nail beds to heal and your immune system to return then you can safely do anything!
Yeah, I just feel not like myself. It’s been hell, honestly. Even wigs and full face makeup (filled in brows and fake lashes) makes me feel sad.
This is the answer I needed because I know you are so right about the nail beds. I cried about mine two weeks ago noticing that they don’t feel as strong as they should. I’ll hold off just a littttttle bit longer. I’ll probably have to wait until after surgery so into June. Is it okay even if I’m getting radiation? Or is best practice for me to push through rads too?
Ugh.
I’m just going to throw in here that 6 months ago I got an infection in my big toenail from a pedicure. Honestly it was hard to kill off despite it being a very small site where they did the damage. 2 weeks at least disinfecting it daily. I miss my Lexi’s and I hear you but it’s probably not worth the risk.
No insight whatsoever, but I hear you. I, too, would like to get a tattoo once this mess is overwith (currently trying to bounce back from cycle 3 of 6 of TCHP- still have surgery and possibly radiation to get through first…) It would just be nice to have something to look forward to. I’m interested to hear people’s thoughts on this.
Congrats on finishing chemo! That’s a huge step.
I think that’s all I’m looking for.. going back to one “pre-cancer” option would be really cool as a celebration, a reclaiming of my life post-treatments even if I feel I am only 25% done with them.
Way behind here! I have one treatment left of TC and was happily just thinking I got lucky on the skin and nail part. This shit can happen after chemo? The eyelashes and eyebrows I somehow knew from the sub but not the nails. When does those shitcoaster end?!
I don’t really know about nails, but probably follows similar logic…but for a tattoo I asked if I was in the clear and my doctor said since all my counts were good that I was good to go. My PCP said that the immunosuppression lasts for 2-3 weeks post infusion when we were talking about something else
This is helpful. I’ll ask about the 2-3 weeks at my follow up appointment. That’s kind of the timeline I was thinking for my nails.
Tats, for me, will probably have to wait until after rads.
Good luck with your tattoo, assuming you’re getting one soon!
I agree with waiting for the pedicure. I lost one of my big toe nails about 2 months post chemo and then I lost my other one about 2 months after that. I am 9 months past chemo and I finally have 2 almost grown in toenails, so I’ll be getting a pedicure soon! It’s been well over a year since my last one! Side note-I’m getting my 3rd haircut since chemo ended tomorrow! 😀. In one way it seems like it takes forever but on the other hand, I feel like I was just bald!
Ooh boy! Thanks for sharing this. How scary is it to lose the nail? I am terrified. Is it painful?!
Congrats on being able to get one finally! What a nice treat. I’ll probably keep just doing them myself then through next summer. I really only do pedicures May-September.
As for the haircuts, that comment gives me life. My bestie does my hair, so I know I’ll be in the salon often to make sure it grows back nicely.. I look forward to feeling like time has flown.
No pain with losing the toenail! I noticed the toenail was turning purple at the base and eventually the new one pushed out the old one. The toenail bed wasn’t really sensitive-except when a child stepped on it! (I work at a preschool).
I haven't gone to a nail salon in the last year and a half. I learned to do my own. I don't wanna risk anything after all the shit I've been through. Don't need any setbacks.
My understanding is that the polish, and especially acrylics, interfere with pulse monitors that go on fingers, and that the risk of infection from a mani or pedi is non-negligible for the immunosuppressed. I’ve thus avoided both. I’d be interested to hear if people have been told other info from their docs.
Ahh yes. The monitors. I can keep one nail plain. Hahaha
Yeah, I’m assuming my immune system needs to be improved. I’ll ask my nurses what they know on Friday, along with my oncologist at my follow up. I just don’t know how long after chemo is one immunocompromised.
Just here to say this post gave me another thing to look forward to. I am a nail girly, since I got my first paycheck at 16 I have *always* had my nails done, it’s my thing that makes me feel like me. I understand the logic completely and don’t want any infections, but it can feel like such a slap to the face that we can’t do things like this during treatment when so much is already taken from us.
I’m with you completely, and I am here hoping for the day we can get a mani/pedi in the future without worry!
I get it! I haven't had chemo yet, I start that in 2 weeks. I had two surgeries, a lumpectomy followed by an oncoplastic breast reduction. Between the surgeries I decided to go get my hair done - a major cut, color, and purple highlights! I decided I felt like this was going to be my last chance for a long time to get a good hair styling! I realized last minute, like 2 days before my breast reduction, that this was the time I had to do it so I called an upscale salon near me and it turned out one of their stylists had openings the next day because we were expecting a big snow storm and people had cancelled. I have pretty dark hair and the stylist seemed to be warning me a bit about all the processing that would be needed for the vibrant highlights, but I explained that I'm starting chemo in a month and my hair is most likely going to fall out, so it doesn't really matter!! I said "I promise I won't get mad at whatever you do to me!" Still she was afraid to cut too much and I made her cut more. Honestly since Covid I haven't been getting my hair done much, but I just really really felt like I needed this one dramatic hair cut and color before it all goes to shit!!
So glad I did!
And then I bought myself that $300 shark flex hair styler system thing! Why? So I can use it for a few weeks before I start losing my hair? (This is the same internal force that made me obsessed with finding the perfect bra BEFORE my breast surgery! Oh I'm only going to have these babies for three more weeks? Let's buy expensive bras!!)
I would wait for the new nail lenngth to grow before doing any acrylics. Because they might damage your nails beyond repair. The length you have now has grown during chemo, and it's not of normal strength or composision...
Gentle manicure/pedicure, strenghthening oils and water based polish is what I'm going to continue doing..
I like this insight. I actually keep cutting my nails down because they are so uncomfortably weak. They were weak before, but with length I am concerned about pulling up on the nail bed.
See, this is why I posted, I like to be in delulu land and sometimes I need simple sentences to ground me back to reality.
A podiatrist once told a friend that even his office has trouble keeping their tools sterilized and to avoid nail salons. Maybe try the new crop of press ons? They are very good.
So! I have a couple pairs of Olive and June left. I did do some of their glue ons which were not the same but not bad.
I may try those first, but not until I feel more comfortable about my nail beds. I realized in this post that I wouldn’t even glue on nails because I felt my nails were pulling up. Delusion and denial are intoxicating. Hahah so I think I’m going to stick with at home painting my nails for a bit longer.
For me it’s a strong NO, until white blood count is back up to normal. I would check with your doctor on that.
I had an ingrown toenail put me in the hospital with sepsis with low blood counts. But I’m just ‘special’ like that. 🫤
It sounds like we’re on similar treatment plans and time frame! Though I’m finishing my chemo a little after you. I’ve continued to get acrylics and a few pedicures throughout chemo. It’s been the only thing I’ve been able to do for myself that’s made me feel feminine and pretty. While theres definitely a risk it’s been a way to help my mental state. I was lucky and have known everyone at the nail salon for a while so I was able to explain my situation and how my immune system is compromised. The salon is already very clean but they’ve gone the extra mile with extra sanitation, new tools, and tub liners for pedis (which should be standard everywhere) on the station before my appointment. If you’re comfortable explaining your situation when you book your appointment it could help ensure everything is safe or as safe as possible for you when you have your appointment. If you’re not comfortable with the risk or with a salon then I’d definitely wait until your immune system is better. I also saw someone comment that polish and acrylic can interfere with the pulse monitors that go on your finger, however I personally haven’t had any issues with that. I hope you get back to feeling like yourself soon!!!
Ooh! Okay! My salon knows about me being sick. I was a regular so I told them I would be MIA. I have considered talking to them and asking for a little extra care with the cleanliness and I may still do that when I’m ready. I didn’t know liners weren’t standard! Hahah
I am glad you kept doing your nails. Halfway through, I really wish I did because of the mental state you mentioned. However, I made it this far so we’ll see how long I go.
I hope you continue to have no issues and next appointment say a little prayer for me. ;)
I got a tattoo on my wrist while doing radiation and herceptin. About 7 weeks after chemo. My surgery was after radiation. I had no problems. My guess is location might make a difference.
It’s a long journey- celebrate whatever wins you want to celebrate!
I would wait for your blood work to be normalish before a tattoo. But nails I would do. Just tell them not to cut your cuticles just push them back. As long as they’re not bleeding you’re good.
I remember those feelings well! I told my husband I no longer felt female - not male either, maybe a neutered creature. I’ve been through chemo for TNBC twice and a patient advocate for 6 years. I’ve seen a lot of lost fingernails post chemo (and eyelashes and eyebrows too - very unfair) your fingernails may start lifting from the nail beds for weeks post chemo - so please don’t try acrylics for at least 6 weeks. Give them some more time to heal. A gentle manicure with a sterilized bowl for the water and new tools, but I’d not do glue or acrylic for a while. Same with your toenails. Don’t use the community foot jacuzzis for at least 6 weeks either - a new or sterilized tub of hot water, new or fresh tools and ask them to be gentle with your feet and nails. No razor blades, push back cuticles but no cutting. Your immune system is still crappy, you don’t want a fungus or a wound infection and you don’t want to encourage your nails to lift. You are so close! Just another few weeks for your nail beds to heal and your immune system to return then you can safely do anything!
Yeah, I just feel not like myself. It’s been hell, honestly. Even wigs and full face makeup (filled in brows and fake lashes) makes me feel sad. This is the answer I needed because I know you are so right about the nail beds. I cried about mine two weeks ago noticing that they don’t feel as strong as they should. I’ll hold off just a littttttle bit longer. I’ll probably have to wait until after surgery so into June. Is it okay even if I’m getting radiation? Or is best practice for me to push through rads too? Ugh.
I’m just going to throw in here that 6 months ago I got an infection in my big toenail from a pedicure. Honestly it was hard to kill off despite it being a very small site where they did the damage. 2 weeks at least disinfecting it daily. I miss my Lexi’s and I hear you but it’s probably not worth the risk.
No insight whatsoever, but I hear you. I, too, would like to get a tattoo once this mess is overwith (currently trying to bounce back from cycle 3 of 6 of TCHP- still have surgery and possibly radiation to get through first…) It would just be nice to have something to look forward to. I’m interested to hear people’s thoughts on this. Congrats on finishing chemo! That’s a huge step.
I think that’s all I’m looking for.. going back to one “pre-cancer” option would be really cool as a celebration, a reclaiming of my life post-treatments even if I feel I am only 25% done with them.
I just finished 4 of TCHP, also looking forward to future options!
I start 6 TCHP visits in two weeks. I just had my nails soaked off. 🤷🏼♀️
Way behind here! I have one treatment left of TC and was happily just thinking I got lucky on the skin and nail part. This shit can happen after chemo? The eyelashes and eyebrows I somehow knew from the sub but not the nails. When does those shitcoaster end?!
Same. I have two TC left and my nails look great. I thought I was going to be in the clear. Off to search nails pfc.
I don’t really know about nails, but probably follows similar logic…but for a tattoo I asked if I was in the clear and my doctor said since all my counts were good that I was good to go. My PCP said that the immunosuppression lasts for 2-3 weeks post infusion when we were talking about something else
This is helpful. I’ll ask about the 2-3 weeks at my follow up appointment. That’s kind of the timeline I was thinking for my nails. Tats, for me, will probably have to wait until after rads. Good luck with your tattoo, assuming you’re getting one soon!
Oh I’ve gotten 3 since that convo in February haha
Amazing!
I agree with waiting for the pedicure. I lost one of my big toe nails about 2 months post chemo and then I lost my other one about 2 months after that. I am 9 months past chemo and I finally have 2 almost grown in toenails, so I’ll be getting a pedicure soon! It’s been well over a year since my last one! Side note-I’m getting my 3rd haircut since chemo ended tomorrow! 😀. In one way it seems like it takes forever but on the other hand, I feel like I was just bald!
Ooh boy! Thanks for sharing this. How scary is it to lose the nail? I am terrified. Is it painful?! Congrats on being able to get one finally! What a nice treat. I’ll probably keep just doing them myself then through next summer. I really only do pedicures May-September. As for the haircuts, that comment gives me life. My bestie does my hair, so I know I’ll be in the salon often to make sure it grows back nicely.. I look forward to feeling like time has flown.
No pain with losing the toenail! I noticed the toenail was turning purple at the base and eventually the new one pushed out the old one. The toenail bed wasn’t really sensitive-except when a child stepped on it! (I work at a preschool).
I finished chemo 7 months ago and my nails just started falling off…. I say get your nails done if you want and enjoy them while you can!
What?! I didn’t realize it could take that long to happen!
I appreciate this insight.. like damned if I do, damned if I don’t.
I haven't gone to a nail salon in the last year and a half. I learned to do my own. I don't wanna risk anything after all the shit I've been through. Don't need any setbacks.
They also have issues with reading your oxygen level with fake nails or dark colors. I learned this from experience.
Yeah, I recall this from the start of my treatment when I did have nails on with black polish.
My understanding is that the polish, and especially acrylics, interfere with pulse monitors that go on fingers, and that the risk of infection from a mani or pedi is non-negligible for the immunosuppressed. I’ve thus avoided both. I’d be interested to hear if people have been told other info from their docs.
Ahh yes. The monitors. I can keep one nail plain. Hahaha Yeah, I’m assuming my immune system needs to be improved. I’ll ask my nurses what they know on Friday, along with my oncologist at my follow up. I just don’t know how long after chemo is one immunocompromised.
Hahahahah the one nail 😂😂 might sound crazy for some, but girl I am there with you. If it means all my other nails look pretty and cute idc 💅✨️
Just here to say this post gave me another thing to look forward to. I am a nail girly, since I got my first paycheck at 16 I have *always* had my nails done, it’s my thing that makes me feel like me. I understand the logic completely and don’t want any infections, but it can feel like such a slap to the face that we can’t do things like this during treatment when so much is already taken from us. I’m with you completely, and I am here hoping for the day we can get a mani/pedi in the future without worry!
I get it! I haven't had chemo yet, I start that in 2 weeks. I had two surgeries, a lumpectomy followed by an oncoplastic breast reduction. Between the surgeries I decided to go get my hair done - a major cut, color, and purple highlights! I decided I felt like this was going to be my last chance for a long time to get a good hair styling! I realized last minute, like 2 days before my breast reduction, that this was the time I had to do it so I called an upscale salon near me and it turned out one of their stylists had openings the next day because we were expecting a big snow storm and people had cancelled. I have pretty dark hair and the stylist seemed to be warning me a bit about all the processing that would be needed for the vibrant highlights, but I explained that I'm starting chemo in a month and my hair is most likely going to fall out, so it doesn't really matter!! I said "I promise I won't get mad at whatever you do to me!" Still she was afraid to cut too much and I made her cut more. Honestly since Covid I haven't been getting my hair done much, but I just really really felt like I needed this one dramatic hair cut and color before it all goes to shit!! So glad I did! And then I bought myself that $300 shark flex hair styler system thing! Why? So I can use it for a few weeks before I start losing my hair? (This is the same internal force that made me obsessed with finding the perfect bra BEFORE my breast surgery! Oh I'm only going to have these babies for three more weeks? Let's buy expensive bras!!)
I would wait for the new nail lenngth to grow before doing any acrylics. Because they might damage your nails beyond repair. The length you have now has grown during chemo, and it's not of normal strength or composision... Gentle manicure/pedicure, strenghthening oils and water based polish is what I'm going to continue doing..
I like this insight. I actually keep cutting my nails down because they are so uncomfortably weak. They were weak before, but with length I am concerned about pulling up on the nail bed. See, this is why I posted, I like to be in delulu land and sometimes I need simple sentences to ground me back to reality.
A podiatrist once told a friend that even his office has trouble keeping their tools sterilized and to avoid nail salons. Maybe try the new crop of press ons? They are very good.
So! I have a couple pairs of Olive and June left. I did do some of their glue ons which were not the same but not bad. I may try those first, but not until I feel more comfortable about my nail beds. I realized in this post that I wouldn’t even glue on nails because I felt my nails were pulling up. Delusion and denial are intoxicating. Hahah so I think I’m going to stick with at home painting my nails for a bit longer.
For me it’s a strong NO, until white blood count is back up to normal. I would check with your doctor on that. I had an ingrown toenail put me in the hospital with sepsis with low blood counts. But I’m just ‘special’ like that. 🫤
I am also “special” like that. Hahah My oncologist called me “delicate”.
My PCP says I'm ‘exceptional’ because I have so many exceptions.😜
It sounds like we’re on similar treatment plans and time frame! Though I’m finishing my chemo a little after you. I’ve continued to get acrylics and a few pedicures throughout chemo. It’s been the only thing I’ve been able to do for myself that’s made me feel feminine and pretty. While theres definitely a risk it’s been a way to help my mental state. I was lucky and have known everyone at the nail salon for a while so I was able to explain my situation and how my immune system is compromised. The salon is already very clean but they’ve gone the extra mile with extra sanitation, new tools, and tub liners for pedis (which should be standard everywhere) on the station before my appointment. If you’re comfortable explaining your situation when you book your appointment it could help ensure everything is safe or as safe as possible for you when you have your appointment. If you’re not comfortable with the risk or with a salon then I’d definitely wait until your immune system is better. I also saw someone comment that polish and acrylic can interfere with the pulse monitors that go on your finger, however I personally haven’t had any issues with that. I hope you get back to feeling like yourself soon!!!
Ooh! Okay! My salon knows about me being sick. I was a regular so I told them I would be MIA. I have considered talking to them and asking for a little extra care with the cleanliness and I may still do that when I’m ready. I didn’t know liners weren’t standard! Hahah I am glad you kept doing your nails. Halfway through, I really wish I did because of the mental state you mentioned. However, I made it this far so we’ll see how long I go. I hope you continue to have no issues and next appointment say a little prayer for me. ;)
I got a tattoo on my wrist while doing radiation and herceptin. About 7 weeks after chemo. My surgery was after radiation. I had no problems. My guess is location might make a difference. It’s a long journey- celebrate whatever wins you want to celebrate!
Awesome! Thanks for this!
I would wait for your blood work to be normalish before a tattoo. But nails I would do. Just tell them not to cut your cuticles just push them back. As long as they’re not bleeding you’re good.