By the way Ali
Picked up my wig this morning - just in case it all goes pair shaped - have it sitting on a ‘globe’ in the lounge right now - arrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Hope I dont need it but if I do it will need some serious cutting!!!
Oh the joys!!
FIona
xx
Whey! well done Tracy for getting through it, good on you.
Yeah the cold cap’s not great but if it works it’ll be worth it. I’ve had 2 cycles with it and so far I’ve still got my hair although it’s thinning but not hugely noticeably. Fingers crossed eh? The amount of time you have it on depends on two things, firstly what drugs you’re getting and bizarrely whether your a vegetarian or not! I am, so instead of keeping it on for 20 minutes before treatment I have to have it on for 40 minutes, no idea why! I then have it on for 70 minutes after treatment.
Keep going, we’ll get there!
Take care
Carole
Oh Ali, I meant to say that I’ve got the ice hat thing as well. It’s the same principle as the plug in ones. A real fashion statement aren’t they!!??
No one asked me if I was a vegetarian, which I am, and I don’t think I had the cold caps on for as long as some of you. I had the type from the freezer which had to be changed 3 times. Anyway it didn’t work for me and I now have a Friar Tuck hairstyle. Glad to still have a fringe at the moment when wearing scarves. Trying to get used to my wig as I am always convinced it will fall off!
The joys we have to put up with!
Anne
Hi all
Friar tuck sounds nice!!! It would do me Anne, I reckon better than none at all, least I could wear a nice selection of hats and still have hair poking out!
Fiona - I have the freebie wig, although mine also needs a trim. I have a better more expensive one on ‘stand-by’ if things get really serious! My NHS one is sitting on top of Emily’s barbie hair styler model - funnily enough my one is similar in style and texture to the Barbie head…hmm worrying.
Glad you’re managing OK Tracy…hang in there it will pass soon, bless you.
Carole - thats great if you have done 2 and still got yr hair…I feel encouraged by that. But my God, not a good look is it? My hubby took a photo and sent it to my friends…nice touch, but gotta laugh I guess!!!
Speak to you all soon
Ali
x
Hi All
I must say I read about the ‘friar tuck’ effect on here and when I tried and persevered with the cold cap on Monday I had it pulled well down with the chin strap tight as anything - probably made it more uncomfortable but didnt want to end up with that!!
Have picked up many a good tip by joining this forum - it has definately been a godsend!!
Fiona
xx
Hi girls,
Yes the cold cap is not a pleasant experience but if it works it will be worth it. Mind you felt like a right prat sat there with this thing on - felt like something out of wallace and gromitt when he did his invention!!! The chin strap was the icing on the cake don’t your think Fiona??
I had my hair cut shorter than normal a couple of weeks ago, didn’t think I could cope with the long locks on the pillow - wigs are on stand by, just in case. Got a great collection of bandanas and do-rags at the ready. My husband has said I am the only person he knows that can make a shopping trip out of having cancer - maybe there are more of you out there!! I must admit I am a bit of a shopaholic. Had quite a fun time finding a wig, the NHS ones were a bit naff but the Navy have paid for me a private one as well so here goes!!! I am going to get them cut in in a couple of weeks if I lose my hair. If not, then I will use them when I go out clubbing - what fun!!
Well, glad to hear you are all ok - I am doing fine (For now). Take care, I will log on later for more gossip, sending lol,
Tracy xxx
Hi Tracy,
I hope your Neulasta injection went ok yesterday, did you have it at the med centre? My boyfriend used to give me mine as we live 30 mins away from my base and couldn’t be bothered with the journey. Besides, he’s a type 1 diabetic and injects himself 4 times a day so it was pay-back time for him!!!
Sometimes I would get achy leg bones about 24 hrs after the Neulasta. This is totally normal and I used to take Nurofen for it. Just felt a bit ‘flu’y’ if you know what I mean?
Anyway glad you are doin ok,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
Hi Bettyboo (tracy)
Yep the chin strap is definately the icing on the cake - my mate said it pushed my cheeks up I looked like a chipmunk - very nice!!!
A few folks have said I should get my hair cut shorter as it may be less upsetting if it does fall out. I am not going to bother - I think I will be just as upset either way and at least now I can just tie it back instead of having to bother doing anything to it!! Also I thought - whats the point of paying for a haircut if its all gonna come out in a couple of weeks ??!! (maybe thats the scottish coming out on me - tee hee)
Anyway, spose I am feeling abit better day by day - did some ironing this morning - did tire me out tho!! Am losing pounds in weight by the day due to lack of appetite - doestnt really bother me but it seems to be bothering everyone else!! - Know my appetite will kick in again soon tho as I know I will have to eat to keep up with this chemo and get more energy - not easy when your just not hungry and have a metalic taste in your mouth which makes everything taste the same anyway??
Will go for now but always signing on to see how everyones doing
Fiona
xx
Hi Tracy, Well Done, so pleased it went O.K. for you and really hope
you are still having minimal side effects. Wondered if I could ask a question. I went for a wig the other day as you know and went to a local shop that supplies them she has ordered me two to choose one from which she thinks will be suitable, they will be NHS as we get a voucher from our hospital around here. But I notice from your post that you have also got a private one, how did you go about getting that? Wondered if you could maybe give me some info on good suppliers etc. Sorry if this seems like a daft question but having never dealt with this kind of thing every bit of info helps. I just worry that if the NHS one is a bit naff then I wont have a backup. Ive decided not to have the cold cap, so want to try and get myself organised.
Thanks
Take Care Tracy
Love
Jillian
Hi Girls
I have got my freebie wig and another on ‘stand by’ in case it does all come out. We have a company called Frobishers (Wigmakers) who are in Ipswich. They come to the hospital in Norwich and do consultations. I actually ended up going down to see them last Saturday as didn’t want to be rushedand you only got 30 mins appt at the hozzy. They were great - very helpful, she is keeping one’in the cupboard’ for me so I don’t have to spend £200 if my hair stays put …please please.
I think both of mine are ‘Hothair’ ones and you can get these in Debenhams and on-line too I think. I went to Debenhams a few weeks ago and tried some on (attracted a crowd, mind you - as everyone suddenly seemed very interested in the jewellery behind me, but they were all staring at me in the mirror - gave them some hard stares and they scuttled off!!!).
I thought about the haircut thing too Fiona, I am not scottish but also begrudge £30 for a pointless haircut -also what if the cold cap works a bit and it just thins, then I would be gutted as wouldn’t be able to have pony tail and baseball cap (my back up plan!).
Anyway I thought I was well prepared and also just like you Tracy, have turned into Scarf shopaholic…i have loads already and keep practising. But this morning I lost the plot as my hair looked nice this morning and I sobbed. The fact that I had no sleep last night + big row with hubby didn’t help. But I am officially in a grump about it all today. I guess it will pass…
Nice to chat girls - speak to you later
Ali
x
Jillian,
If you live anywhere near Birmingham, London or Brighton you could try ‘Trendco’. They supply wigs for the likes of Babs Windsor and they are awesome. I got a lovely one from Trendco in B’ham and that and all the products I got cost £170, and of course its VAT free. The wig was so good it didn’t require any cutting.
Otherwise, check out your yellow pages or yell.com for wig suppliers in your area. If you are not happy with the one you get then go on to www.mynewhair.org.uk (I think its that), its a site run by Trevor Sorbie and lists hairdressers up and down the country that will cut wigs for free.
Hope that helps,
Kelly
-x-
Hi Jillian,
The shop I went to for the NHS wig was treloggan wigs in Northend, POrtsmouth. They also stocked private ones and I chose it the same day. Both need cutting in which I am hanging fire on just incase My hair doesn’t come out. Don’t want to waste more money. My private one was discounted and cost £130 that included the shampoo and conditioner. Haven’t bought wig stands as don’t particularly want to be looking at them 24/7!!!
Most towns have private wig suppliers who deal with us chemo chicks regularly - as kelly says have a look in the yellow pages - but I am sure the hospital can recommend one!!
Good luck for next week - let me know how you get on,
sending all you girlies lol,
Tracy xxx
Thanks for all the info girls, really appreciate it. Let you know how I get on.
Love
Jillianx
Hi Tracey
Well done you… 1 down, it feels good saying that doesn’t it? Hope you are feeling ok. I’m day 14 past 1st chemo today and feeling great…although hair is now coming out in handfuls so I may have to make a decision to shave it all off at the weekend!!! Got upset yesterday-us girls have to put up with so much - losing boobs, losing hair ect I really didn’t want the “chemo patient” title but looks like I’m going to be stuck with it for a while! It’s the people staring that I can’t handle. I haven’t invested in a wig yet but I have loads of hats and scarves and I ordered a fringe from Headcount so hopefully that will at least make me look less “unwell”…roll on 10th Aug FEC no 2 BRING IT ON!!!
Lots of love
JUlieG
Hi Julie
I had a very emotional day yesterday and my hair hasn’t even started coming out yet!!! I’m sorry yours is coming out, I’m sure I won’t be far behind you…I think we both had FEC on the same day (20th July?). I did use the cold cap so I am still clinging on to the hope it will not all fall out. It’s s*it isn’t it? I had a practice day on Monday with my scarf - for some reason I felt brave that day and went to Tescos and raspberry picking with it on. I was curious to see how many stares I got…quite alot, but it wasn’t too bad I s’pose…still not happy bunny though.
Take care honey
Sending you love and hugs
Ali
x
Hi Ali
Yeah 20th July was 1st FEC 2nd one is 10th August. I have been going out with either a hat or scarf for about 3 days but yesterday and today it’s coming out in handfuls. It feels really tender in places and tingly Do you think I should just get rid of it now? You hope some will be left but deep down I know it’s going to go! My kids are 6 and 9 (both boys - they want theirs shaved as well but their hair is so lovely so I don’t really want them to do it but feel that I need to involve them somehow). The stares are great I almost feel like getting a t-shirt printed stating the obvious!!!
Lots of love Take care
JulieG
I dunno Julie, I thought I would want to hang on to mine as long as possible, especially if left with any that resembled a fringe or ponytail!!! Having said that if you can see it’s on the way out…then prob be more liberating to just go for it…instead of shaving their hair off, why don’t you get them to help you shave yours off, just a thought.
Let us know how you get on.
Hugs
Ali
x
Hi there
Tracy, so glad to hear that you’re coping well after your first session. And, Kelly and Fuschia, thanks for your reassuring messages. I’ve been reading what everyone’s been saying and am glad you’re all so gutsy and have kept your sense of humour. There are some great tips too. Carole, thanks for mentioning that you had to have the cold cap on longer. Like you and Anne, I’m a veggie, so will ask about that. Also liked the tip about keeping your cold cap strapped on tight. Looking like a chipmunk seems a small price to pay if it means you can keep your hair.
I’m a few weeks behind you all, I think, as my chemo isn’t due to start till the beginning of September. (I’m just getting over my mastectomy and DIEP. OK with it, but can’t bear the thought of my partner or boys seeing my chest.) Never was a scout, but am trying to be prepared. Have found a US website that has some nice (if you have to buy one of these things) hats. Am going to look into wigs, but was under the impression that they’re uncomfortable and most people ended up not wearing them. Will look into that now, too, though. Has anyone bought any eyebrows? I found them on the US website, but think they might look like you’ve a pair of dead slugs over your eyes!
Take care everyone.
Moirax
Hi all, hope everyone’s coping Ok today.
I just wanted to say that this site has been a god send for me, it helps so much to know we’re all in it together.
I still haven’t got a wig from the good old NHS and I’m nearly half way through chemo! You’d think I had the most unusual hairstyle in the world, all it is is a bob with a parting going from right to left! I tried a blond one on that would do and I’m just waiting to see if they’ve got it in the brunette shade I like, oh boy I didn’t suit the blonde though ho ho!
I bit the bullet today and washed my hair, it hadn’t been washed in a week and was looking very sorry for itself so that’s another load of hair gone but incredibly it’s still hanging in there! I took my little girl to get her hair cut yesterday and the hairdresser was saying she knew a lady that had the cold cap throughout her chemo and kept all her hair. Although I’m trying my best not to get excited about stories like that it is encouraging that it works for some people.
Talking of being veggie, I’ve just got a book from Amazon called The Plant Programme, it’s a diet thing for preventing and fighting breast and prostate cancer. Only just started it but the message seems to be cut out all dairy and don’t eat meat if you’ve got cancer. Interesting eh? I must admit that my diet has improved since my diagnosis and especially since I started chemo, maybe my body’s telling me something, strange eh?
Anyway enough rabbiting, I’m away for a wee nap while the cherub is having her wee nap!
Take care
Carole