I'm going wig shopping!

Double Whammy
Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
edited April 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
On the pecking order of things to be upset about during breast cancer, my lack of hair really doesn't trump being alive, but I just sat down and cried about it anyway. I did, however, make a decision - and that's to get a wig. Even if I miraculously start growing hair tomorrow, it's going to still be several months before it will look decent. I was actually looking forward to having a short GI Jane do, but I don't.

My husband took some pics yesterday. I posted one on my Expressions page. I really thought the dandelion analogy was fun a couple of months ago, but it is no longer fun. I'm going to find something else for my profile when I get around to it. I compared the photos to photos of the day we buzzed my hair, and even though my hair was thin and fine, I definitely had a lot more of it.

I'm 7 months post chemo and 9 months since I lost my hair. Being bald and in treatment was ok. I was sick and it was what it was. I'm not sick anymore and this constant reminder is not ok. I see my primary care physician on the 29th.

Just looking for sympathy. Maybe it will get better in time. In the meantime, I think a wig will make me feel better at least occasionally. I just hate to spend any more $$ because of cancer.

Suzanne

Comments

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #2
    Wig shopping
    Hi Suzanne,

    I am now 8 months post chemo. I have a full head of salt & pepper chemo curls. I can so relate to you when you said, "Being bald and in treatment was OK...This constant reminder is not OK." It took about 6 months after my last infusion before I felt comfortable going out in public without a wig or head covering of some sort. It was so difficult to look in the mirror and see myself looking so odd - an unfortunate ongoing reminder that I had/have cancer. Just after my 1st chemo treatment I went to my local American Cancer Society office and met with the woman in charge of their wig bank. They had dozens from which to choose. I was fortunate to find one that was nearly a perfect match to my brownish auburn hair. It was a bit shorter than I usually wore my hair but at least I did not have to "spend any more $$ because of cancer." You indeed have my sympathy. It DOES get better. IRENE
  • NJMom10
    NJMom10 Member Posts: 176
    #3
    AMC has free wigs
    Double Whammy. Definitely check out the AMC. At the Look Good Feel Better event I went to, the leaders were passing out wigs for everyone to try on and several women went home with them that night. I thought one woman actually looked better in the wig than in her own hair. (I didn't tell her that of course!!) And I get you too. It is annoying. As we continue to feel better and start to feel like maybe this disease is licked, there is that "GI Jane" head staring back at us in the mirror reminding us of the journey we've been on rather than the bright hopeful road ahead! You've got my sympathy. It's a gift to be alive, but it would still be nice to be alive with HAIR!
  • Chickadee1955
    Chickadee1955 Member Posts: 356 Member
    #4
    NJMom10 said:

    AMC has free wigs
    Double Whammy. Definitely check out the AMC. At the Look Good Feel Better event I went to, the leaders were passing out wigs for everyone to try on and several women went home with them that night. I thought one woman actually looked better in the wig than in her own hair. (I didn't tell her that of course!!) And I get you too. It is annoying. As we continue to feel better and start to feel like maybe this disease is licked, there is that "GI Jane" head staring back at us in the mirror reminding us of the journey we've been on rather than the bright hopeful road ahead! You've got my sympathy. It's a gift to be alive, but it would still be nice to be alive with HAIR!

    DW-
    I totally get how you
    DW-

    I totally get how you feel and think you should go have a great time choosing a wig. My Onc said she had one patient who got multiple wigs in every color under the rainbow--some not even found in nature! She looked forward to her patient's appointments to see which version would be showing up.

    I got a short, pretty natural looking wig and then splurged on a long and vixen-ish one. Needless to say, the vixen has spent most of her time on a shelf in the closet--it just didn't go with the decidedly unvixen-ish rest of me! I probably ought to give that to my cancer center to share with a younger survivor.

    Looking forward to seeing you on the 30th. I'll be looking for the woman with the fabulous hair!

    Chickadee
  • BioAdoptMom
    BioAdoptMom Member Posts: 358
    #5
    Even though its an extra
    Even though its an extra expense, it sounds like it will be something which will make you feel a lot better! And it will be so easy, just pop it on top your head, no styling, no blow drying, nothing at all. You will have perfect hair in an instant! And your post encouraged me to also consider a wig. I was just going to go with scarves and hats, but I think a wig will be a great self-esteem boost.

    (((((HUGS)))))

    Nancy
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #6
    Suzanne
    You have my sympathy. I did not have chemo so I did not loose my hair. But I kind of know what you mean. This stuff is hard enough to deal with without the recovery going as it should. By all means get yourself a wig!

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • sunshine0406
    sunshine0406 Member Posts: 65
    #7
    ladyg said:

    Suzanne
    You have my sympathy. I did not have chemo so I did not loose my hair. But I kind of know what you mean. This stuff is hard enough to deal with without the recovery going as it should. By all means get yourself a wig!

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    I cried over my loss of hair
    I cried over my loss of hair too. I got three wigs from my local hospitals cancer center. So if you check around you may not have to spend a lot of money if any at all. I hope you find one that is just right for you. It made all the difference for me. :)
  • ldpettit
    ldpettit Member Posts: 128
    #8
    wigs
    I understand completely. I had my first chemo 6 weeks ago. At week 3 my hair was falling out in clumps and so I went in to have it cut down... I ended up having to shave it as the hair just kept coming out. As I watched each step I cried... and cried... It sucked to say the least. It isn't because I was so connected to my hair or it was that significant, but because now I wasn't just a cancer patient, but now I looked the part too. Now the looks come, now the pitty comes (or so I feel at times from some people)... I have had 2 chemo treatments... I have 54 more to go... taking me well into next year.

    I bought 2 wigs and a half wig (for hats). I have worn them a few times... mainly because it's too warm to put them on at times. I find I wear the light head coverings more. However, when I wear a wig.... I feel close to normal. If that makes sense. I wish you luck on your shopping adventure. Take a friend or two... make them try on some as well. Make it a fun experience... I did... and it helped. Good luck!
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #9
    Hope this helps
    Contact your local ACS and ask about free wigs. Many local chapters distribute free wigs. Also, there are many inexpensive wigs that look pretty darn good--I know because you should see how many gals wear wigs for Mardi Gras around here.

    If you have insurance, it is a good possibility that a wig will be covered. My wig was covered as part of my treatment. Call and ask.

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