Hello everyone!! Hope your day is going well. I have a question. I looked at my sisters flap today and it looked like there was hair growing. Could this be possible?? I would think that your forearm doesn't grow much hair. Anywho any info would be appreciated. Maybe I'm just seeing things at this point. Thanks!!

Hi Susan,
I know that is sounds bizarre but I had a few.
I am fair and not very hairy with none on the inside of my wrist but there they were. Don't have them now so I guess with time they rub away like on legs where pants touch the skin.
I didn't mention it to too many people..freaked some out
Is the path. in yet?..if not good luck with that.

Oh yea, I've heard of this happening before! Apparently, if there's radiation, that usually solves the problem. Conversely, I have some freckles on the graft from my thigh on my inner wrist. Kinda weird when we start mixing up our body parts.

- Margaret

Hi- I had a forearm free flap in 3/2003, & all is well. I do have some hair on my tongue but who looks? Not even me...The doc had me go for laser oblation after surgery and it worked but I was not interested enough to go back for a second treatment. It is simple, painless and done in the office. T1N0M0 SCC left tongue. No rad or chemo.

Growing hair is a very good sign! It means that the flap is healthy and has adapted to its new location.

I had a fibular free flap and I have hairy legs...I could probably braid that stuff! It's funny really

Good one Eric:-)
Now I am glad I got mine from the wrist if you can be happy about such a thing (even though I don't have hairy legs either..years of waxing).
Christine said it all..proves it is alive and healthy. I have read quite a few posts her where it did not work out and another flap was done usually from a different body part.

Thanks everyone for the response! Whew what a relief that IT means It is healthy.
Eric- great sence of humor. Thanks!
Gabe- got path today clear margins and no nodes. =) still going to do rads though tumor was big.
Ebayman- 2003 WOW!!!! Glad to see such a survivor!
Christine- thanks so much for all the help you have givin so far.

Great news on the clear margins and no nodes. Good luck with the rads.
Gabriele