to wig or not to wig and my first time to the chemo ward...HELP!

First, we'll hold your hand
First, we'll hold your hand as you walk through the door and all the way through your treatments. Second, ask your doctor if there is something you can take for the nerves. Especially for the first treatment. My onc prescribed atavan for this, told me to take it the night before and the morning of. I did that for the first two treatments and then didn't really need it for the others.

As for the hair...I wear caps most of the time. I have two wigs and wear them occasionally, and scarves too. But I've found a beanie most comfortable and warm this winter. You'll know your hair is starting to fall out when your scalp get very itchy, maybe even a little painful. Once all my hair came out, the itchy pain went away. It also helped me to shave my head when the fall out got really bad. I felt like I was taking control, and it helped with the itch too. I even managed to keep a few stubbles, it feels like my hubby's chin.

Ask your treatment center if they can recommend a local place to try wigs. I felt much better about trying them on before buying. Also, the ACS might be able to help you locate wigs and scarfs too.

Best wishes and hugs,

Linda

Losing your hair
Knowing you are going to lose your hair is different than actually seeing it happen. Prior to chemo I had shoulder length hair. To prepare myself I had my hairdresser cut it into a pixie-type cut. I figured it would be easier going from short hair to no hair at all. Then I went to my local branch of the American Cancer Society and a very kind woman helped me look through their "wig bank." I found one that was absolutely perfect for me. As close to my natural color as I could have hoped. They also had a ton of scarves/hat/headcoverings, etc.

On Day 14 of my chemo my hair started coming out. I would run my fingers through my hair and end up with a hand full of hair. It took about 10 days until it got to the point where it just looked ridiculous. At that time I said well this is it and asked my husband to shave off the rest of it. It was very traumatic. I cried. It is such a foreign look to most women to be bald. Every time I looked in the mirror I cried. Eventually you just can't cry anymore and deal with it.

For the next 9 months I wore something on my head every time I stepped out of the house. I even wore something when I sat on my front porch. I described myself as looking like Kojak or Montel Williams. Now I can say I look more like Halle Berry/Julie Andrews - hairwise at least. My last chemo was in August 2010. It is VERY short but I have actually gone out of the house without head covering for the last 2 weeks. Of course, it has been in the mid to upper 60s here. Oh, that is another thing. Bald heads are COLD. I even wore a scarf or a very thin stretchy hat indoors.

While I had plenty of other side effects that were unpleasant (I could insert a long list here), I think hair loss was the most emotionally traumatic for me. It makes it very obvious to you and everyone around you that you are a cancer patient. I did, however, get through it and have no reason to believe that I will not live many more healthy years.

You can do this. My daughter (17) and son (19) were very supportive. My husband was also. It is OK to lean on those around you.

Hello
Well I am not going to say it is easy but it is doable. I think we are all scared. That first time is the worst. I know you will do it!! Drink lots and lots of water before during and after the treatment.Staying hydrated is really important. I did a different chem than you but I know you will hear from ladies that had the same as yours. I got a wig from TLC.com it is part of the American Cancer Society. I did wear bandanas a lot because it was summer and hot. This is all overwhelming at first so I completely understand how you feel. This is a great place to ask questions and get support. God Bless
(((Hugs))) Janice

mgm42 said:

To Internet or not...
I purchased two wigs off the internet from reputable companies. However, when I received them, they didn't fit quite right. I didn't realize there were different sizes. I ended up finding a stylist who specializes in chemo girls. She fitted me with a beautiful wig that not only fit but was quite becoming. I donated my Internet wigs to the ACS. I've kept the other one because I like it so much, and occasionally put it on just for fun.

That beinig said, I did find that most of the time, I wore scarves and caps. They were far more comfortable and easy to throw on. I particularly liked sleep caps. My head would get cold at night and they were so comfortable that I often wore them during the day. Hope this helps. Hope this helps a bit. Hang in there. Hugs, Marilynn

I think the hardest part for
I think the hardest part for all of us is just showing up that first time. But look around you at the people who have been doing it for awhile.Most will be chatting or eating or reading or sleeping....It really is not that bad. The hardest part is sitting in that chair the first time not knowing what is coming. If you take all your anti nausea meds, you should be fine. Have some soft bland foods on hand. Most of us like potatoes...cream of wheat..puddings...avoid milk...(although that's all I wanted!) It might give you the runs though.
I wore a wig the whole time, but I work in a high school and it just seemed easier to avoid the looks and the questions. The ACS donates wigs. They gave me two along with some scarves. I also bought a couple at a local wig shop.
There is a very good site called TLC which you can find online that has affordable wigs, hats, scarves, bras, etc.
Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.
Dee

Another possibility
Hi, Cath,

Another possibility is having a shaving party, particularly with your daughter. I did that the day of my first chemo, because I'd heard horror stories about the trauma friends experienced when they woke up to find lots of hair on their pillows, etc. I decided I wanted to avoid that trauma entirely and make losing my hair FUN. I invited all my friends to my shaving party, and my hair stylist added to the adventure by giving me different styles over a period of 3 hours as he cut my hair shorter and shorter. One style was even a mohawk--that my eldest son requested! I had a journal that I asked my friends to write inspirational thoughts in passed around while we were doing the "styling" and I brought brownies. I even brought balloons and decorated (thank goodness I have a very patient, wonderful hair stylist!).

It turned out to be a lot of fun, even more than I hoped, and I rode on the buoyancy throughout chemo. When I felt yukky or began to get down, I'd get out the journal and read what people wrote and look at the photos of the party (several people took LOTS of photos) and it would lift my spirits right up again. Best of all, my grandchildren had fun watching Grammy's hair disappear and were never afraid of me because they saw it all disappear.

Just a thought--doesn't work for everyone, I know, but it was perfect for me!

I too still keep my hair short--in fact, I'd like it shorter than it is right now (about 2 inches)--it was nice being able to wear hats (which I love) without having "hat hair"!

EDIT--I did get a wig, but I only wore it twice because it just wasn't that comfortable. I'm really glad I didn't spend $$ on a fancy wig--I was pretty happy with hats--and even with just my bald head around the house. But that's not true for everyone; we all react differently to this part of this journey, just as we each react differently to the chemo drugs, etc.

Hugs & Good Luck--we'll be cheering you on!

Sandy

PinkPearl said:

Hi Cathg
My first chemo begins next week too. Monday to be exact! Yikes! But actually I am pretty calm about it. Today I went out and bought whatever I thought I would need and got my prescriptions filled to ease side effects. I also bought over the counter meds that my onclogist recommended like something for constipation, something for diarhea, and heartburn and some easy bland foods to eat. But I am anticipating being just fine for most things and I hope that is true! The cancer center I go to gives a free wig and the first ones I saw sort of reminded me of dog hair or something but then she pulled out one that was actually cute so I may wear that, I plan on more scarves and little soft cotton caps mostly.
I am trying to focus on the long term good that chemo does. It is going to knock that cancer far away and that is how I am going to approach the "Chemo Room". We will hold hands across the Atlantic while we sit there, okay?

love the shaving party!
Love the shaving party idea! I was thinking about letting my eight year old daughter cut off my hair once it starts falling as I think she would have a lot of fun doing it - and hopefully she wouldn;t have a chance like this again when it wouldn;t really matter what style it ultimately comes out!

Cathg - where are you across the Atlantic? welcome to chemo! you have a great positive attitude and I think that helps A LOT! I also got the wig, all kids of OTC medication and so far have not needed anything, which is great. But having it all in place makes me feel prepared and secure.

I also don;t love my wig - it looks good but feels kind of hot - of course that may chance as more of my own hair falls out - and might have gone entirely with scarves/turbans but my kids said they wanted me to look "normal" around their school (my son is 12 and having parents around at all is starting to be an embarassment - ah, adolescence! ) and I teach in a community college and wanted to be a bit private in front of my own students about my cancer/chemo.


Laura

Cath first of all this
Cath first of all ( goodwishes@franceluxe.com. ) offers a fashionable headwrap free of charge. They also allow you to select the style of your choice.

I purchased and wore my wig for dress up events like holidays, and out to dinner. The rest of the time I wore simple, inexpensive western scarfs. At home I usually went around bald. My hair started falling out in handfuls about 14 to 16 days after my first chemo. Loosing my hair was the least of my concerns. As mentioned I liked not having to worry about a bad hair day.

On my first trip to chemo I was scared and nervous with the fear of the unknown. When I arrived I sat next to 2 ladies getting their chemo as they talked, laughed and were drinking coffee. They were friendly and seemed quite comfy. I said to myself if they can do this so can I. A calm came over me and my first day of chemo was uneventful. I also had the red chemo--I believe it's called adriamycin. I found chemo not pleasant but doable. My side effects kicked in 2 days after chemo. I suffered nausea, constipation, aches, and increased fatigue. My doctor finally found a med combo that worked on the nausea. Everyone is different with different side effects, some with little side effect. I had crackers, apple sauce, and toast for those days after chemo.

This website is one of the best for info and support and the only website I have used. Hope you visit with us again and ask anything, we are here 24/7. We are kindred spirits who have either walked the walk, or are walking the walk or just beginning the walk. Welcome.

Cath, I will bump up a post
Cath, I will bump up a post that is all about wigs. Check it out. Lots of information.


Lex

dbhadra said:

love the shaving party!
Love the shaving party idea! I was thinking about letting my eight year old daughter cut off my hair once it starts falling as I think she would have a lot of fun doing it - and hopefully she wouldn;t have a chance like this again when it wouldn;t really matter what style it ultimately comes out!

Cathg - where are you across the Atlantic? welcome to chemo! you have a great positive attitude and I think that helps A LOT! I also got the wig, all kids of OTC medication and so far have not needed anything, which is great. But having it all in place makes me feel prepared and secure.

I also don;t love my wig - it looks good but feels kind of hot - of course that may chance as more of my own hair falls out - and might have gone entirely with scarves/turbans but my kids said they wanted me to look "normal" around their school (my son is 12 and having parents around at all is starting to be an embarassment - ah, adolescence! ) and I teach in a community college and wanted to be a bit private in front of my own students about my cancer/chemo.


Laura

Just want to wish you good
Just want to wish you good luck and to let you know I am praying for you.


Hugs, Leeza

...
My hair really started to fall out in large clumps on the eighth day after the first chemo treatment. I bought a wig but never even tried it on. Instead I made some headwraps that worked for me. They even stayed on while sleeping!

Send me your address and I'll make you some if you like.
If you click on my name and then add me as a friend you can then send CSN email, I think..