WIG'N OUT!!

Angel_4_James
Angel_4_James Member Posts: 73
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Before chemo treatments started (1-12-10), I had very thick, long wavy hair. I had read on here and a few other places that recommended that you cut your hair short before you start chemo. It would just be easier on your emotions. So I took the advice and the week before Thanksgiving I had my hair cut off above my shoulders. That was really short for me! Well after 2 treatments (my 3 next Tuesday), I have… well let’s say it is time to shave what is left off! =P Yesterday my friend from church picked me up and took me to buy a wig. Well I tried on a few different kinds and different styles and we decided that one that was a lot like my hair before chemo was the one for me.

Well I get home and go put it on and come out to show my family. My husband just smiled and said it looked a lot like my hair before. My smarty pants son, age 13 says “Mom you look like Dolly’s mom” and proceeded to laugh! I informed him that Dolly was old enough to be my mom! I thought it was funny.

So I keep the wig on for about an hour and that was all I could stand of it. It felt so weird having hair all over the place! I was really surprised how it felt so strange. Just wanted to share this WIG’N Out experience.

Blessings and Hugs,
Angel

Comments

  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    Thanks for
    sharing,Angel! I remember that time in my life.I told my husband that when it started falling out I wanted him to shave the rest off and he gave me a great spa treatment! Then we went out to look for wigs,but I couldn't find any I liked so I wore hats instead until I felt comfortable enough in my own skin to just go natural.
    My best to you for your remaining treatments!
  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181
    wig
    Hi,when you shave your head the wig will feel better,mine did.I been wearing my wig or different hats since Sept.Like you I got a wig that looked like my old hair.Now my hair is about a in. and half .my wig bothers me to wear it now.Kids are so honest about what they think.My 6yr. old grandson told me that he Prays every day for me to have my hair again.He told me one day that I was the prettiest old bald women he ever seen.ha.God love them.hang in their,loosing our hair is not easy.I cryed many tears over it.When it started comming out i shaved it.And felt better doing it.It is comming back.And yours will two.love and Prayers. Pat.
  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181
    wig
    Hi,when you shave your head the wig will feel better,mine did.I been wearing my wig or different hats since Sept.Like you I got a wig that looked like my old hair.Now my hair is about a in. and half .my wig bothers me to wear it now.Kids are so honest about what they think.My 6yr. old grandson told me that he Prays every day for me to have my hair again.He told me one day that I was the prettiest old bald women he ever seen.ha.God love them.hang in their,loosing our hair is not easy.I cryed many tears over it.When it started comming out i shaved it.And felt better doing it.It is comming back.And yours will two.love and Prayers. Pat.
  • kms3566
    kms3566 Member Posts: 57
    Angel, Thanks for the info.
    Angel, Thanks for the info. I have a regularly scheduled hair appt. for Friday. I made this appoint a week before my dx in early Jan. Well I have already had a double mastectomy and 1st appt with onc on Tues. I am thinking of also cutting my hair short to get used to the idea of having none. Keep us posted on if you continue to wear the wig. I was thinking of going over the weekend or next to check them out.
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    wig or no wig
    So Angel, are you wearing something else or did you decide not to wear anything on your head? I wish I could be that brave to do that. I don't think when my time comes that I will be caught dead without something on my head. Now there may be a few of us who have a prefectly shaped head with no moles, scars, etc. but I know that is not me. I still have about a month to continue to pray and ask God for the courage to see myself with no hair. I think this is more difficult for me than the mastectomy was. With that, there are easier ways to hide it but you cannot really easily hide the fact that your hair is gone.

    Lorrie Balentine
  • Kim59
    Kim59 Member Posts: 43
    wig'n out
    I too had long thick hair. I cut it to my shoulders then it started falling out by the handfuls. Finally I had my husband shave my head and it felt so much better. It took me about a week to get use to my wig. My head itched and I broke out for the first week but all better now. I wear my wig to work but as soon as I get home it comes off and I wear a scarf. I have 2 different style wigs, actually different from my hairstyle, and they are different colors too. I decided why not have some fun with hairstyles. I won't be finished with chemo until late April so I have a long time to wear a wig.
  • Angel_4_James
    Angel_4_James Member Posts: 73
    Balentine said:

    wig or no wig
    So Angel, are you wearing something else or did you decide not to wear anything on your head? I wish I could be that brave to do that. I don't think when my time comes that I will be caught dead without something on my head. Now there may be a few of us who have a prefectly shaped head with no moles, scars, etc. but I know that is not me. I still have about a month to continue to pray and ask God for the courage to see myself with no hair. I think this is more difficult for me than the mastectomy was. With that, there are easier ways to hide it but you cannot really easily hide the fact that your hair is gone.

    Lorrie Balentine

    A hat right now....
    Lorrie, Right now while I have a little bit of hair left, I when I go out I wear a hat that says "FAITH" or if it is cold, (here in Okla. you never know one day from the next what the weather is gonna do! LOL) I wear a stocking hat to keep my head warm. At home I just go as is. I think I will be okay without any hair and being out and about, but I won't know for sure till it happens. I have a few hats and scarfs and some do rags to use too.

    I am the childrens leader at church on Wednesday nights, and I have noticed that it really bothers, maybe concerns is a better word, my kids that my hair is coming out. So I will most likey have something on my head when I am there, for them.

    Tomorrow afternoon, we (my husband) are shaving our heads. I have two older boys 25 and 19 that are doing it with us. My husband's hair is long like mine was, and he is doing this to support me. He is so awesome!!!

    I will be praying that God gives you the courage you need to handle anything that these treatments bring about. You will be fine and do great.

    Big Hugs for you,
    Angel
  • Angel_4_James
    Angel_4_James Member Posts: 73
    Kim59 said:

    wig'n out
    I too had long thick hair. I cut it to my shoulders then it started falling out by the handfuls. Finally I had my husband shave my head and it felt so much better. It took me about a week to get use to my wig. My head itched and I broke out for the first week but all better now. I wear my wig to work but as soon as I get home it comes off and I wear a scarf. I have 2 different style wigs, actually different from my hairstyle, and they are different colors too. I decided why not have some fun with hairstyles. I won't be finished with chemo until late April so I have a long time to wear a wig.

    Have Fun
    My husbands aunt told me that I had a choice either to have fun with it or waller in self pitty............I choose to have fun!!! Life is too short not to have fun.
  • Angel_4_James
    Angel_4_James Member Posts: 73
    kms3566 said:

    Angel, Thanks for the info.
    Angel, Thanks for the info. I have a regularly scheduled hair appt. for Friday. I made this appoint a week before my dx in early Jan. Well I have already had a double mastectomy and 1st appt with onc on Tues. I am thinking of also cutting my hair short to get used to the idea of having none. Keep us posted on if you continue to wear the wig. I was thinking of going over the weekend or next to check them out.

    Welcome
    I would go and check them out. It wouldn't hurt to have one.

    Have fun looking,
  • BethInAz
    BethInAz Member Posts: 203 Member

    Have Fun
    My husbands aunt told me that I had a choice either to have fun with it or waller in self pitty............I choose to have fun!!! Life is too short not to have fun.

    Life's too short
    Amen, Angel! I love your attitude. My daughters cut my hair for me on Christmas Eve - 2 weeks after 1st treatment. The insisted that when my hair grows back I should keep the short, sophisticated do they gave me. Two days later they cut it again - to 1/2 inch. The three of us were crying and hugging when my son-in-law entered the room wearing my new wig. That absolutely cracked us all up and life went on! Your kids and husband sound as great as mine are. My husband offered to shave his head but he would look too goofy so I said, No, somebody in the house has to remain healthy looking! My favorite ball cap is one given to me by a gal at church - it's pink, of course, with "Fight Like A Girl" on it - with a pink ribbon with boxing gloves hanging from it.
    I finished chemo almost 2 weeks ago so I'm coming out on the other end of this - with gratitude in my heart for my many blessings. I'm expecting the first new hair within 2 months...
    Beth
  • Angel_4_James
    Angel_4_James Member Posts: 73
    BethInAz said:

    Life's too short
    Amen, Angel! I love your attitude. My daughters cut my hair for me on Christmas Eve - 2 weeks after 1st treatment. The insisted that when my hair grows back I should keep the short, sophisticated do they gave me. Two days later they cut it again - to 1/2 inch. The three of us were crying and hugging when my son-in-law entered the room wearing my new wig. That absolutely cracked us all up and life went on! Your kids and husband sound as great as mine are. My husband offered to shave his head but he would look too goofy so I said, No, somebody in the house has to remain healthy looking! My favorite ball cap is one given to me by a gal at church - it's pink, of course, with "Fight Like A Girl" on it - with a pink ribbon with boxing gloves hanging from it.
    I finished chemo almost 2 weeks ago so I'm coming out on the other end of this - with gratitude in my heart for my many blessings. I'm expecting the first new hair within 2 months...
    Beth

    Congrats
    Thank you Beth! We finally did the "shaving of the heads" Saturday after noon. My husband, youngest son went buzzed with me. I was gonna shave the rest off, but could not stand the thought of a razor on my head! LOL I decided to let the rest just fall out on its own. I had my 3rd treatment today so figure it won't be to long. My husband is great, he said he will mirror my head, that it is his way of walking through this with me. My 13 year old son has hair past his shoulders and did a mohock, leaving it the lenght that it is. He is so funny.

    Congrats on your 2 weeks of finishing chemo! Big Hugs to you!!!
    Angel
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member

    Thanks for
    sharing,Angel! I remember that time in my life.I told my husband that when it started falling out I wanted him to shave the rest off and he gave me a great spa treatment! Then we went out to look for wigs,but I couldn't find any I liked so I wore hats instead until I felt comfortable enough in my own skin to just go natural.
    My best to you for your remaining treatments!

    Thanks for sharing your tale
    Thanks for sharing your tale of the "wig" with us! You have a great attitude!

    KYLEZ ♥