To those of you with this cancer

leesag said:

Hi,
It's so nice that you
Hi,

It's so nice that you want to do things for your mom to comfort her! I'm so sorry that she's going through this! I just finished my fourth treatment and can start with a few suggestions:

1) I love my heating pad!
2) I brought a pillow and a cozy blanket downstairs to the loveseat so I could hang out with the family ...laying down when I was feeling bad, and sitting up and doing normal "mom" stuff when I felt better!
3) I've been craving slurpees, perhaps your mom is craving a certain food as well?
4) I also shaved my head so I didn't go through the gradual hair loss thing. We had a mohawk for a minute party about two weeks after my first chemo (see profile pic
5) Just hang out and watch a movie with her. It always makes me feel better when my daughter just spends time with me!

Websites for headscarves:

www.4women.com The BeauBeau, a little pricey

www.headcovers.com I love this site! 36" square scarves are great for tying! I have a variety of silk ones and cotton ones. They are fairly affordable. They also have hats with a UPF of 50.


Best of luck to you and your mom! It sounds like she's in good hands with you!

Hugs,

Leesa

Hissy_Fitz said:

I made friends with my wigs
I made friends with my wigs early-on. During the winter, I wore hats quite a bit - mostly the "baseball cap" variety. I have never worn a scarf. Most of them have too much fabric (my head is very small) and I never learned to tie one properly.

The American Cancer Society sells head gear (www.tlcdirect.org) and they have have a very liberal return policy (unusual for wigs). Call 1-800-850-9445 for a free catalog.

I have a human hair wig and a synthetic wig. I like both, but for different reasons. Nothing feels like human hair except human hair. But everything that effects your own hair will effect it, too: humidity, etc. They have to be "set" or styled, unlike the synthetics, which are just shake and go. There are also blends.

Full mono-filament tops are best. If you part your hair (or it gets blown around in the wind), the "scalp" looks absolutely natural.

Online, wigs cost at least 50% less than in a bricks and mortar store. The one in my photo (Wendy from the Rene of Paris Amore collection) was $329 at the wig shop. I paid $75.00 online.

I just ordered a medical wig with a special lining that is supposed to fit very securely. It is especially designed for people with little or no hair. I will post a review after I receive it. And again, I only paid $75.00 online for a wig that retails for over $300.

My insurance paid for my first wig. Medicare will not pay for wigs, but if your mom has other insurance, they might.

Carlene

Tina Brown said:

Hello LuvMyMom
Your mom is really lucky to have such a kind caring daughter looking out for her. Thia will mean such alot to her.

1.When I was in hospital having one of my procedures my sons girlfriend gave me a lovely foot rub. I wasn't in any pain, but it was so relaxing and comforting.

2. Another thing, I still spend some time relaxing in bed and I have a "V" pillow that makes it comfortable to sit up in bed if I want to read or use the Lap top.

3. After Chemo food tastes odd and I used to like to suck hard boiled fruit sweets and fruit ice lollies.

4. Sometimes I like to lie on the sofa in the lounge so I wasn't missing out on what the family were doing. So I have this soft blanket that I use and instead of sofa scatter cushions my son got me a feather pillow.

I am sure you'll do everything to make her feel good.

Love Tina xx

msfanciful said:

To LuvMyMom3
Hi there,

I have just another suggestion for you.

I am a volunteer/facilitator for the "Look Good Feel Better" program affiliated with the ACS.

It is wonderful in that we offer any lady with cancer, a very nice make-up bag coordinating with her skin tone. (Trust me this is worth-while, the make-up is namebrand donated by top companies i.e. Clinique, Clarins, MarkKay, Mac, Bobbie Brown,Prescriptives, etc.).

Also any lady that signs up is also offered two free wigs a year; along with turbans, hats, halos scarves, etc.

If the client is homebound, ACS also has the facilitator to pay them a personal visit. It makes them feel very special I think.

I'm not sure what area you are in, but it would definitely be worthwhile to look into, plus; it's a free service.

The facilitators by the way ARE licensed cosmetologists, so they may truly be able to help your mother with her styling needs and questions. I would give ACS a call and ask about the "Look Good Feel Better" program.

Prayers to you for looking out for your mom and prayers that she gets better soon.

Sharon

msfanciful said:

Mornining Michelle,
Meds has
Mornining Michelle,

Meds has me up again, but just wanted to let you know I'm keeping you in my daily prayers.

Love,

Sharon