Time for wig soon.Any advise please

ppurdin
ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1

will be starting Chemo Tuesday.I got a wig from Acs. And it don't fit or look good.nice wig just not on me.cant exchange it.where is a good place to buy a wig?would like to try it on.Thank you.God bless.

Comments

  • LorettaMarshall
    LorettaMarshall Member Posts: 662 Member
    #2
    Pat~Suggestions for wigs & things that helped me during chemo

    Hello again Pat,

    Like you, I didn't know where to go and so I asked my oncologist if he knew a good wig Shoppe.  He referred me to a place that just sells wigs, hats and scarves.  I went down before my chemo started and tried on several.  Yes, it's best to try them on, and to match them to your original color.  We all want to look as "normal" as we always have.  And a wig that doesn't fit your face, would be as unattractive as someone who was given a "set of false teeth" that didn't fit!  I suggest you ask your doctor, and also get recommendations from a good beauty shop in town.  Just call them up and tell them you’re a cancer patient, and are going to need a wig.  Ask them if they could tell you the location of one close by that has reasonable prices.

    I would probably "google" the local wig shops in your town.  The wigs are not super expensive if you don't buy one with "real hair".  Don't settle for anything that doesn't make you feel good when you look in the mirror.  And as for the one that doesn’t suit you, you could always take it to the lab where you are going to have your treatments.  At Virginia Oncology where I go for treatments, there is a special place in the treatment area that has wigs that people have donated, as well as caps and knit hats.  They are free to anyone who needs them.  Now the wigs are not new, and have been donated.  The hats and caps are always new.  There are local churches that have ladies who like to knit hats and donate them to the cancer clinic.  No doubt your clinic will have a place like that too. 

                Of course, you know it is summer time, and you should wear some kind of a hat when you’re outside.  Don’t spend much time in the sun.  Your skin is going to be very sensitive.  You could get a burn easily. 

                Also I want to share with you the letter that I wrote to Brian for his mother who was starting chemo some time ago now.  In it I have listed things that helped me during my chemo sessions.  http://csn.cancer.org/node/301646   I hope you will find them helpful.  Glad someone is going with you, and hope you got your port.  Wishing you all the best,

    Loretta

    Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV

    P.S.  There are wig catalogs but since you want to try them on, a shop close by would be your best bet.  Now of course, wigs can be returned if they haven’t been worn, and are sent back quickly.  But even then, in the catalogs, some may be on sale, and the ad may read that they may not be returned.  The wigs come in different sizes, and they will want you to measure your head from front to back, and around as well.  But I understand you want to go where you can try them on, and that’s always best.  However, if you want to check out a catalog, I have ordered wigs from this site, and have been happy with their product and their return policy.

    https://www.tlcdirect.org/Wigs-for-Cancer-and-Chemotherapy-Patients-TLC-Wig-Collection-American-Cancer-Society-TLC-Direct

    ______________________________________________________

    Now Pat, below is just an illustration of what came up when I “googled” wig shops in Norfolk.  I know you don’t live here, but I think you would get a similar set of listings if you keyed in “wig shops and then put the location where you live.”  Other than that, I cannot be of more help. 

    Searches Related to wig shops norfolk va

    Gayle's Wigs N VA

    Best Wig shops in Norfolk

     

  • wholfmeister
    wholfmeister Member Posts: 315
    #3
    Check your insurance

    I suggest you also call your insurance company and ask for their preferred provider for wigs.  Just like for doctors and medical equipment, insurance companies have preferred providers for wigs.  It makes all the difference in how much the insurance will pay.  I have had four wigs now, and I love them.  They do sort of wear out over time, becoming dull, a little frizzy, and the cap loses shape....just like any article of clothing that you wear everyday and wash every week.  I have taken each new wig to the salon where I used to get my hair cut, to have it trimmed and shaped up a bit.  She doesn't cut a lot, but just shaping a bit, while it is on my head, especially around my face.  It makes a big difference.  Most good wig shops will do the same, but I like going to my old salon.  Good luck!

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,483 Member
    edited June 2016 #4
    There are a couple of

    There are a couple of internet wig stores - I used Paula Young Wigs.  They were reasonably priced, came in different sizes and a lot of colors.  My insurance didn't pay for wigs but I bought four of them and alternated them while I was bald.

    Love,

    Eldri

  • LorettaMarshall
    LorettaMarshall Member Posts: 662 Member
    #5
    Hey Pat,

    Hey Pat,

    In reading my e-mail this morning, I got one from this wig company. This is in addition to the other company that I gave you previously.  You can also order a catalog.  My hair is slow to grow, and it's only about 3 inches long and I finished my chemo in September of 2015.  But I have ordered things from both companies and never had a problem.  I did return one and had no problem. Hope all your chemo side effects are few.  I would urge you to take an anti-nausea pill BEFORE you become nauseated.  I took one every day while I was in chemo. 

    And I do hope your oncologist will schedule you for a hydration treatment after EACH session.  It will help greatly, especially with fatigue. 

    Loretta

    Here's the other site just like it came "in the e-mail".

    http://thewigcompany.com/?SID=E16JUN27&EID=E16JUN27_EID&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_term=E16JUN27&utm_campaign=E16JUN27

  • worldsojourner
    worldsojourner Member Posts: 11
    #6
    wigs

    The one I got by catalog didn't fit well. I went to the largest wig shop I could find so I had a lot of choices to try. It was actually fun to try on all lengths and colors. I bought all the products but only used the shampoo and "spritzer" to make it shine. I don't remember what they call it. I used double-sided tape to keep the back from riding up.

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,486 Member
    edited June 2016 #7
    ppurdin, as someone already

    ppurdin, as someone already said, check with your insurance company.  Some do and some don't allow for it.  As worldsojourner said, trying them on really is fun and you benefit from the expertise of the people who work there for fit and styling.

    Since you didn't really use the wig you may want to see if you can at least turn it back in to ACS.  I gave both of mine to the local ACS because my insurnace did cover the cost and I thought another woman would enjoy it.  I bought the shampoo and refresher spritzer.  I also bought a stand so they could sit there.  I also gave them names. 

  • worldsojourner
    worldsojourner Member Posts: 11
    #8
    wigs

    What did you name your wigs? That cracks me up.

    Anne

  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181 Member
    edited June 2016 #9
    Wigs

    naming wigs.That is adorable.

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,486 Member
    #10
    I had two wigs.  One looked

    I had two wigs.  One looked like the style our assistant to the COO had so it was "Shannon".  I wanted to name the other one "Sally" after my BFF but she said she didn't like the thought of her sitting on my head. Ha!  Since my BFF said "Sally" and "Sarah" were sometimes interchangeable we went with "Sarah". 

    I got the idea for naming them while at the wig shop.   Another woman who came in had said how she named all of hers and was in for a new one - how much she had like "Suzette".  Ha!  Gotta have fun!

  • worldsojourner
    worldsojourner Member Posts: 11
    #11
    wigs

    Amen to that!

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    #12
    NoTimeForCancer said:

    I had two wigs.  One looked

    I had two wigs.  One looked like the style our assistant to the COO had so it was "Shannon".  I wanted to name the other one "Sally" after my BFF but she said she didn't like the thought of her sitting on my head. Ha!  Since my BFF said "Sally" and "Sarah" were sometimes interchangeable we went with "Sarah". 

    I got the idea for naming them while at the wig shop.   Another woman who came in had said how she named all of hers and was in for a new one - how much she had like "Suzette".  Ha!  Gotta have fun!

    How funny!

    I named my wig "Sarah" too!  My girlfriend who got her wig at the same time named hers "Sheila."

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    edited July 2016 #13
    I bought my wig from a spa in

    I bought my wig from a spa in my city. They didn't have my exact style in house but we searched in their catalog and ordered several to try . I am very happy with mine wihich looks a lot like my own hair. It did cost about 600, but I can have it washed and styled there free of charge. I have seen the brand online also, but I would need to look it up. I think it was head coverings. I'll get back to you when I find it again.

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    #14
    Head overs unlimited is a

    Head overs unlimited is a site I have used for head coverings and they have wigs, even the brand that I have bought from the spa. Jon Renau is the brand I have. More modern styles. I know I'm late sending you this. I hope you found a wig you could like.

  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #15
    where do you live

    there is an organization here called face in the mirror they give free wigs

  • rejoycew
    rejoycew Member Posts: 36
    #16
    ACS wig

    I got my wig from ACS and love it.  The sweet lady helped me saying this looks just like you.  I did go in before I lost my hair and the style was so similar to my own hair no one realized it wasn't my hair.  I wore it when I was out in public and scarves and hats around the house .  I got my head shaved after 2 carpo/taxil treatment in October.  In April my hair was long enough to look like a pixie cut and actually people would ask my where I got my cut hair cut.  I'm starting a new chemo, doxil, after the 2nd chemo, Gemzar,  didn't work.  It sounds like I will lose my hair again.  Oh well I still have my wig, scarves, and hats. Sorry, I'm being long winded but it feels good to share my experiences.  I suggest going back to ACS and talking to them about your disappointment and ask to trade it in for one that you love.  Good luck to you, hang in there and God Bless

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